UNITED

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


Form 10-K

☒   Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015

☐   Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period fromto

x   Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012

¨    Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from            to             
Commission File Number: 1-11869


FACTSET RESEARCHRESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.

(Exact name of registrantRegistrant as specified in its charter)


 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

13-3362547

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851

(Address of principal executive office, including zip code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Name of each exchange on which registered:New York Stock Exchange and TheThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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 Act.  

ýYes ☒    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 Act.Yes Act.  

oYes ☐    No ý


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 ý    No o


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


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨


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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý

Accelerated filer o☐ 

Non-Accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller Reporting Company o


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



The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based upon the closing price of a share of the registrant’s common stock on February 29, 2012,27, 2015, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date, was $3,598,639,975.

$6,345,491,456.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, as of October 22, 2012,20, 2015, was 44,259,635.

41,448,927.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement dated October 30, 2012,2015, for the Fiscal 20122015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on December 18, 2012,15, 2015, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated.

 

2

FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.

FORM 10-K


For The Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2012

PART I
2015 

PART I   Page

Page

ITEM 1.

Business

 

Business

4

    

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

 15

Risk Factors

14

    

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

20

17

   

ITEM 2.

Properties

 20

Properties

17

   

ITEM 3.

Legal Proceedings

 21

Legal Proceedings

18

   

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

21

18

 

PART II

   

ITEM 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

22

19

   

ITEM 6.

Selected Financial Data

24

21

   

ITEM 7.

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

25

22

   

ITEM 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

48

42

   

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

49

44

   

ITEM 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

88

85

   

ITEM 9A.

Controls and Procedures

88

85

   

ITEM 9B.

Other Information

 88

Other Information

85

 

PART III

   

ITEM 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

89

86

   

ITEM 11.

Executive Compensation

89

86

   

ITEM 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

89

86

   

ITEM 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,, and Director Independence

89

86

   

ITEM 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

89

86

 

PART IV

   

ITEM 15.

Exhibits, and Financial Statement Schedules

90

87

  

Signatures

92

89

 

3

Part I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company” or “FactSet”) is a provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community. FactSet combines content regarding companies and securities from major markets all over the globe into a single online platform of information and analytics. By consolidating content from hundreds of databases with powerful analytics, FactSet supports the investment process from initial research to published results for buy and sell-side professionals. These professionals include portfolio managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, marketing professionals, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers and fixed income professionals. The Company’s applications provide users access to company analysis,and industry analyses, multicompany comparisons, industry analysis, company screening, portfolio analysis, predictive risk measurements, alphatesting, portfolio optimization and simulation, real-time news and quotes and tools to value and analyze fixed income securities and portfolios. With Microsoft® Office integration, wireless access and customizable options, FactSet offers a complete financial workflow solution. The Company’s revenues are derived from subscriptions to services, such as workstations, content and financial applications.


Revenues are derived from month-to-month subscriptions to services, databases and financial applications. Investment management (buy-side) clients account for 82.5% of annual subscription value (“ASV”), with the remainder from investment banking firms (sell-side) that perform Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”) advisory work, capital markets services and equity research.

Corporate History

FactSet was founded in 1978 and has been publicly held since 1996. The Company is dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “FDS.” Fiscal 2012 was2015 marked the Company’s 3437th year of operation, its 32nd35th consecutive year of revenue growth and its 1619th consecutive year of positive earnings growth as a public company. In

Today, FactSet continues to uphold its key corporate values: having an intelligent workforce; offering exceptional client service; embracing long-term growth strategies; being a thought leader; providing a friendly work environment; performing community service; innovating within the past 12 months,financial industry; and embracing global diversity. As of August 31, 2015, FactSet has become fastera market capitalization of $6.5 billion, up 22.6% over last year. The Company currently has 38 office locations in 21 countries employing 7,360 individuals. In March 2015, FactSet was ranked #48 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” marking the Company’s seventh appearance on the list in the last eight years. FactSet was also recognized as one of the UK’s “Best Workplaces” by the Great Place to Work® Institute UK for the seventh consecutive year, listed in Crain’s “Chicago’s Best Places to Work” for the third year in a row and more relevantincluded in the “2015 Best Places to a broader rangeWork in France” list for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, in July 2015 the Company was awarded the Best Research and Analytics tool at the 2015 Systems in the City Awards.

The following timeline depicts the Company’s history with the financial information services industry since its founding:


Management Changes

FactSet’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Philip A. Hadley, stepped down as CEO effective July 1, 2015. He remains an employee of usersFactSet and serves as the Company continuesChairman of its Board of Directors. During Mr. Hadley’s tenure as CEO, the Company’s annual revenue growth rate exceeded 14%, diluted EPS grew from $0.49 to dedicate itself$5.71 per share and over $2 billion was returned to building tools to support a variety of user workflows from traditional Asset Management clients to Wealth Managers, Mergers & Acquisitions, Advisory, Sales & Trading, Hedge Funds and Private Equity/Venture Capital. FactSet is on the desktops of many of the largest and most successful financial companiesstockholders in the world. Its unique applications free global professionals from havingform of cash dividends and share repurchases. FactSet’s President, F. Philip Snow, was named CEO, effective July 1, 2015. Mr. Snow, age 51, was also elected to gather and collate financial and economic data, which allows them more time to analyze the data and increase their productivity.


Highlights
·Founded in 1978, public since 1996
·Dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “FDS”
·$4 billion market capitalization
·26 locations in 12 countries with 5,735 employees
·Annual subscription value (“ASV”) of $843 millionBoard of Directors, effective March 16, 2015.

On January 21, 2015, FactSet hired Scott Miller as of August 31, 2012

·2,392 clients and 49,500 users
·More than 800 data sets and databases, 85 data suppliers, 130 news sources and 100 exchanges
·32 consecutive years of revenue growth
·16 consecutive years of positive earnings growth as a public company
·10 consecutive years of operating margins greater than 31%
·Revenues were up 11% and diluted earnings per share grew by 14% in fiscal 2012
·$209 million in free cash flow generated during fiscal 2012, up 18% from the prior year
·Employee count rose 9% to 5,735, up 484 employees from a year ago.

Business Strategy
For over 34 years, the Company’s business strategynew Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales. Mr. Miller succeeded Michael Frankenfield and reports directly to Mr. Snow. Mr. Frankenfield, who has been builtwith FactSet since 1989 and had been in his current role since 2009, remains with the Company as a Vice Chairman and works in a senior executive sales advisory position. In addition, on the creative use of technology and an unwavering dedication to client service.March 16, 2015, FactSet allows a user to access data anywhere, anytime – in real-time. A global investment professional is able to keep track of thousands of global financial databases, get custom feeds or integrate their own data intoappointed Mark Hale as the Company’s solution that goes beyondnew Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Hale succeeded Peter Walsh and reports directly to Mr. Snow. Mr. Walsh, who has been with FactSet since 1999 and had been in his current role since 2009, remains with the basics.

Company focusing on various discrete projects.

Lastly, in June 2015, FactSet hired Edward Baker-Greene, its first-ever Chief Human Resources Officer, to oversee and grow its critically important employee talent pool.

Business Strategy

FactSet’s business strategy is to be a leading provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community by consolidating data content with powerful analytics on a single platform, while providing superior individual desktop client service. FactSet is a growing, global company that is increasingSince its founding, the Company has used its dedicated workforce, technological proficiency and unwavering commitment to client service to drive revenue and earnings per share growth as well increase its international reach, headcount, and ultimately, its competitive edge.

In 2015, FactSet engaged in numerous strategic initiatives aimed at building and strengthening key pillars supporting its plans for future growth including its scalability, its rich pool of talent and the pursuit of innovation.

Scale

Operating the business at scale is about optimization, not duplication, of efforts. FactSet is highly focused on wisely allocating its resources to drive the greatest results across its segments. A few years ago, the Company embarked on Project NextGen, a multi-phase initiative designed to transition away from large mainframe computers to a more distributed environment powered by a vast array of smaller, faster and more cost-effective machines. The result is a more modern look and feel, a dramatic increase in the speed of the user experience and a robust platform that will allow FactSet to build innovative, cutting-edge products that meet our clients’ needs today and tomorrow.

The early years of FactSet’s evolution saw significant attention paid towards building a great product and establishing a loyal client following. Though these goals will always remain core priorities for the Company, saw evidencein looking towards the future, there is a strong need to increase focus on the infrastructure that supports the business. In fiscal 2015, FactSet brought greater definition to these integral components of thisthe business through the realignment of its product management and strategy teams. These efforts have enabled the Company to better scale its operations for future growth in fiscal 2012 as FactSet added 484 employeeswhile simultaneously enhancing its world-class product offerings and increasedservices.

Dedication to Client Service and Support

Client service is a key component of the number of office locations around the world from 24 to 26.


The Company’s strategy is to continue to concentrate on driving revenue and earnings per share growth by focusing on making FactSet’s product line faster, more relevant and customizable for a broader range of user types. The Company’s business model, has allowed FactSet to become a major force within the financial information industry. FactSet believes it is well-positioned to maintain its competitive position in the longer term for the following reasons:
4

·Commitment to investing in product development in order to deliver new technology and applications. Significant enhancements during fiscal 2012 included an expansion of the Company’s network of servers to calculate the quantitative models that drive Fixed Income Portfolio Analysis, release of Company Guide which is a suite of company reports available through FactSet, introduction of the Local Market Share suite of products, integration of Macro Attribution within the Portfolio Analysis suite, and Country Synopsis, a new application that combines economic data, stock index data, country fundamentals and company-level data into a single high-level report.
·
Excellent client service including a 24-hour consulting support desk.
·A growing geographic footprint that now includes 26 offices throughout the world, which allows FactSet to serve its clients regardless of the complexity or number of locations.
·Premier global proprietary datasets that include some of the latest, most accurate fundamentals, estimates and ownership data available.
·FactSet’s stability, reliability and scalability is appealing to clients.
·Strong operating metrics and financial results have allowed FactSet to reinvest in future growth.
·FactSet is a strong and well-recognized brand that is known in the financial industry worldwide for delivering superior workflow solutions.

Vision for Future Growth
The Company’s vision for the future is to continue its ongoing efforts while making key investments in its operations to position the business for sustainable growth. As stated last fiscal year, FactSet’s strategic and product growth plans have its sights set on exceeding $1 billion in ASV. While the Company believes it is currently in a strong competitive position in the marketplace, FactSet expects to strengthen and grow its business by focusing on the following objectives:
FactSet views success over the long run, which requires the Company to make investments in its products, technology and people in each quarter of every year.  This philosophy translates into its products becoming more competitive in the marketplace. The industry in which FactSet operates is highly competitive. Therefore it is imperative that the Company continues to invest heavily in its products and people in order to maintain its position as a premium provider of financial information and analytical tools. FactSet has state-of-the-art software; best-of-breed content; and, most importantly, the people who can use these tools to create and support a compelling suite of products.

FactSet’s fiscal 2012 metrics illustrated that its business continues to grow. The Company’s business expanded into adjacent areas, including in the wide variety of content that it collects and processes. FactSet has grown organically over the years, aided by strategic acquisitions, and will remain focused on its core client base in the future. The Company plans to focus on delivering blue-chip client service provided by its home-grown consultants and experienced sales and products teams. The vision for the future is to offer more customizable individual desktops, more relevant content, and enhanced applications that bring all the pieces together for a smooth, efficient and deeper client experience. These efforts will be the focal point for fiscal 2013 as the Company look towards future growth and success.
5


Cornerstones to Achieve Growth
·
Product Enhancements - Developing new products that enhance the workflow of the Company’s clients is a core component of the growth strategy. During fiscal 2012, the Company made investments to enhance the FactSet platform with Company Guide, improved Fixed Income Portfolio Analysis, the acquisition of StreetAccount to provide financial news, the creation of new Local Market Share data sets and applications, new Macro Attribution models, developed Portfolio Analysis in Kanji and released Country Synopsis. In fiscal 2013, FactSet plans to improve the integration of FactSet for use on the iPad, enhance existing applications and develop and launch new products to meet the demands of clients.
·
Proprietary Content – FactSet continues to integrate its own proprietary content into its product offerings, which allows the Company to enhance data in valuable and new ways. Quality controls are continuously performed over proprietary data to enhance accuracy. Over the past years, FactSet has built out its content collection facilities in India and the Philippines, staffing the centers with financial information industry experts. FactSet now offers the following proprietary datasets: fundamentals, estimates, ownership, corporate new issues, people, private equity and venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, corporate events and transcripts, fixed income, global filings and benchmark data. In fiscal 2013, FactSet plans to continue to invest in its content collection operations in order to provide deeper and even more high-quality, global databases for key content categories as well as providing users with the scope and coverage they need for in-depth analysis.
·
Technology - FactSet is evolving away from large mainframe computers to a more distributed environment powered by a vast array of smaller, faster, and more cost-effective machines. As part of a multi-phase project to be executed over several years, FactSet is converting all databases and several applications onto this new platform. While this initiative requires a significant investment of internal resources, the Company does not anticipate any interruption to our clients’ workflows. Instead, clients will notice that their FactSet applications run more quickly and reliably.
·
Integrate Accurate and Timely Financial Information - FactSet is now faster, more intuitive, easier to customize and offers tools to analyze companies, view market data in real time, generate investment ideas and manage portfolios. Other key features include the ability to share workspaces with colleagues for improved collaboration, and type ahead technology that helps users find securities more quickly. In fiscal 2013, FactSet expects to improve on its timeliness and accuracy of data collected.
·
Customized Client Experience – FactSet’s service-oriented culture is one of the reasons many of the world’s top financial firms deploy its services. When a user contacts FactSet, they can expect to receive dedicated, around-the-clock support. This team of consultants dedicated to front-line support answer phone calls, assist with spreadsheet models and visit clients. In fiscal 2013, the Company anticipates adding capacity to its sales and consulting groups as well as focusing on increasing the level of productivity from its teams through additional staff training and support.
·
Market Expansion FactSet’s geographic footprint of 26 offices throughout the world allows FactSet to serve clients of nearly all sizes and deliver advanced technology and excellent services regardless of the complexity or number of locations. Achieving greater penetration levels in various growth markets also enhances a competitive strength as the Company’s data, applications, and tools become ever more global in scope. In fiscal 2013, the Company plans to continue its strategy of ensuring its offerings are highly relevant to the financial markets throughout the world and look towards future expansion in other emerging markets.
The Evolution of FactSet
The following depicts FactSet’s continued business evolution within the financial industry over the past 34 years.

6

The Global Financial Information Services Industry
 Over the past decade, the industry in
which FactSet operates in has transformed
dramatically. These changes include:
a significant increase in cross-border asset
flows and global investment activity;
the evolution and maturation of electronic
markets; the proliferation of research
information from a myriad of sources; the
increase in alternative asset strategies; and the
creation of increasingly complex security instruments.
 All of these factors have created
opportunities over the years for
FactSet’s clients, but they have also
resulted in substantially increased
complexity in their operations and
processes. FactSet believes that the
global investment community has
clear needs that translate into a
 demand for FactSet’s solutions.
Product and Service Offering
Customizable FactSet workspaces are designed for investment managers, investment bankers and others throughout each of our reportable segments, and include the following features and solutions:

Investment Managers
FactSet addresses the challenges unique to investment managers in its integrated platform. With FactSet, a user gains a sophisticated solution that can be customized with the exact data and analytics they need to support their firm's workflow while reducing training, technology, content, and deployment costs. FactSet is tightly integrated to make research efforts seamless. The comprehensive FactSet platform enables investment managers to manipulate data to an unprecedented degree and to present data in an infinite variety of formats, including customized reports and charts. With FactSet, clients around the globe are able to meet virtually all their research needs with just a few mouse clicks. The following are some of the key solutions offered to investment managers through the FactSet platform:
·
Wireless Connectivity - Access reports via wireless handheld devices

·
Equity Analysis - Research public and private companies worldwide
·
Economics and Market Analysis - Stay on top of global economic events and analyze market, sector, and fundamental series with economic calendar and dynamic country, sector, and industry reports.
·
Quant and Risk AnalysisBuild quant models and calculate risk to better understand portfolio risks
·
Portfolio Analysis - Applications for portfolio attribution, risk management and quantitative analysis
·
Fixed Income Analysis - Analyze entire debt-driven markets
·
Data Integration - Integrate client data, such as portfolio holdings with FactSet’s data and applications
·
Charting - Create sophisticated reports and presentations
Global Banking & Brokerage Professionals
FactSet enables investment banking professionals to gain in-depth company and industry insight with its integrated data and powerful analytical solutions designed specifically for a banker's workflow. From the beginning of research strategy to the end of the pitch, investment banking professionals can have access to the tools and information they need to identify new opportunities and track the companies and industries that are important to them and their clients. The comprehensive FactSet platform enables investment bankers to manipulate data and to present data in a multitude of formats, including customized reports and charts. The following are some of the key solutions offered to the sell-side professionals through the FactSet platform:
·
Models and Presentations - Combine the latest market data with numbers, all in firm standard formats and branding, to quickly create flexible models and presentations
·
Company and Industry AnalyticsTrack, in real-time, the global public and private companies, industries, and events that make an impact on market performance
·
Idea ScreeningEnables research on public and private companies to target clients, partners,  buyers and investors and searches deals and IPOs of interest
·
Deal Analytics - Provides insight into the global deal market with a suite of deal intelligence tools designed to meet M&A and corporate governance research needs
·
People Intelligence - Searches leads by connecting to others by business, charitable interests, education and other non-corporate relationships
·
Accountability -Audits global financials to their underlying SEC filings
·
Corporate Governance ­ -Follows hot topics surrounding corporate governance matters
·
Wireless Connectivity - Access key reports via wireless handheld devices
7

Other Global Professionals
Not only is FactSet designed to enhance the workflows of investment managers and bankers, but it is also able to be customized to meet the needs of many more professionals involved in hedge funds, private equity, sell-side research, equity sales, trading, consulting, investor relations, law firms and academic institutions.
Client Relationships and Support
As of August 31, 2012, there were 49,50062,205 users of FactSet spread across 2,3922,976 clients in over 50 countries worldwide. Approximately 68.3%worldwide as of fiscal 2012 revenues are from its U.S. client base, 24.5% in Europe and the remaining 7.2% in Asia Pacific. One of the Company’s top priorities is to ensure that the user always has the most accurate data available and the support it needs to use FactSet most effectively. Whether it is a quick question or step-by-step guidance through a complex task, FactSet consultants will help the client find answers and maximize the value of FactSet.August 31, 2015. In addition to unlimited access to the Company’s global support desk, every FactSeteach client is assigned a consultant who becomesworks to become familiar with the user’s needs and processes. ConsultantsThese consultants train users, assist on projects and answer any questionsinquires the client may have. The consultant role has evolved through the years as FactSet differentiates itself from othershas expanded its client base and products. FactSet aims to hire consultants to specialize in the careproducts for user type, so that it can more effectively route support desk calls and attention it provides to its users. 

FactSet's client retention rate is an impressive 92%. The Company is known throughout the financial industry for having excellent client service, and FactSet continuedcreate roles within consulting that track record in fiscal 2012 as 96%encourage proactive support. Ninety-seven percent of clients reported that they arewere satisfied or very satisfied with FactSet’s client service. Clients are visitedservice during fiscal 2015, consistent with the prior year. Service via email, text, instant messaging, or phone is available 24/7, year-round and includes visits by companyCompany personnel for hands-on personalized desktop service. To properlyenhance support to the 49,500Company’s 62,205 users on six continents, approximately 47% of new FactSet employees hired newin fiscal 2015 joined as consultants.

As a metric to define the Company’s dedication to client service, FactSet consultants and went on 43,000approximately 46,000 client visits during fiscal 2012,2015. This client-focused dedication helpedFactSet's increase its client retention rate to more than 95% of ASV and 94% when expressed as a percentage of clients, an increase from 93% as of the end of fiscal 2014. 


The Employee Base

FactSet continues its commitment to recruit, develop and maintain a talented employee workforce as the Company believes that its future success depends on the retention of skilled personnel. FactSet has been successful in recruiting qualified employees by offering competitive compensation, benefits, equity participation and work environment practices.In June 2015, FactSet named its first-ever Chief Human Resources Officer (“CHRO”), as part of a strategic initiative to increase the investment in both its existing talent pool and the high caliber talent the Company aims to attract to remain competitive. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), the CHRO will lead an agenda to maintain an ideal cultural balance for the Company’s employees globally and manage how FactSet will invest in career development.

As of August 31, 2015, employee headcount was 7,360 up 10.9% from 34,500a year ago. Of this total, 2,238 employees were located in the U.S., 832 in Europe and 4,290 in the Asia Pacific region. In the past 12 months, FactSet added 344 net new employees involved with content collection, 252 net new engineering and product development employees and 124 net new consultants, as the Company continues to focus on servicing its existing client base, expanding its content and improving its applications. Approximately 54% of the Company’s employees are involved with content collection, 24% work in product development, software and systems engineering, another 19% conduct sales and consulting services and the remaining 3% provide administrative support. FactSet believes that its current relations with employees are good, Company management keeps employees informed of decisions and encourages and implements employee suggestions whenever practicable. As of August 31, 2015, approximately 142 FactSet employees within certain French subsidiaries were represented by a mandatory works council.  No other employees are represented by a collective bargaining agreement. 

FactSet is proud to have received the following accolades in fiscal 2011. Consultants2015:

Ranked #48 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

Recognized as one of the UK’s “Best Workplaces.”

Included in the “2015 Best Places to Work in France.”

Named as one of the “20 Great Workplaces in Technology” by Great Place to Work®

Named as one of the “100 Best Workplaces for Millennials” in the U.S. by Fortune.

Listed in Crain’s “Chicago’s Best Places to Work.”

Innovation

FactSet’s focus is turning information into intelligence. Clients rely on timely, accurate data from inputs around the world answered 250,000globe to make informed decisions about current exposures, daily trades and portfolio allocations, among other things. FactSet has a market-leading research management solution (“RMS”), which allows clients to easily integrate financial metrics to enhance their workflow and leverage powerful charts, market data and analytics. The Company has also developed the Multi-Asset Class (MAC) Risk Model to enable portfolio managers, advisors and investors to analyze the implications of potential trades, indicate predictive risks and assess the impact of any shock on their portfolios. FactSet Geographical Revenue Exposure (GeoRev), a recently released innovative data set, enhances the way a user can view company revenues by displaying them by geographic country and regional categories.

In 2015, FactSet introduced unique product innovations and applications across its segments which have improved the speed, usability and discoverability of its workstation. In addition to making the application more intuitive, new site-wide search functionality was released in fiscal 2015 and allows users to discover reports and applications. To support desk calls, which resultsdata integrity, FactSet released FactSet Portfolio Services to offer turnkey integration, robust and transparent data reconciliation and standardized custom reporting options across regions and asset classes. In addition, the Company introduced several new data sets to its proprietary content, including As-Reported Financials and FactSet ETF Data Analytics.

Acquisitions are also part of FactSet’s strategy. FactSet’s acquisition in building strong client relationships.


8

Competition
The market for providing accurate financial information and software solutionsFebruary 2015 of Code Red Inc., a provider of research management technologies to the global investment community, is highly competitive. The global financial information services industry, in which FactSet competes, includes both large and well-capitalized companies, as well as smaller, niche firms. International and U.S. competitors include market data suppliers, news and information providers and many of the content providers that supplyhelped position the Company with financial information includedas a market leader in solving the current and upcoming challenges across the research space. Code Red enables firms to combine their research, unique workflows, and data from multiple systems into an efficient, complete, and repeatable investment process. With the addition of Code Red to FactSet's existing RMS solution, FactSet workstation. The main competitors and competitive products include online database suppliers and integrators and their applications, such as Bloomberg L.P., Thomson Reuters Inc., Standard & Poor’s including Capital IQ, MSCI Inc., Dealogic PLC, Interactive Data Corporation, Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Markit Group Limited, The Yield Book, Inc., Polypaths LLC and Wilshire Associates Incorporated. Manynow offers a complete research management solution for all of these firms offer products or services which are similar to those sold by the Company.

Despite competing market data products and services, FactSet believes it has one of the broadest sets of functionalities. An indicator of the Company's competitive position is that it has been able to introduce higher premium-based pricing across its client base despite ongoing competition from larger vendors. FactSet enjoys high barriers to entry and believes it would be difficult for another vendor to quickly replicate the extensive databases the Company currently offers. In addition, FactSet's applications, supported by its client support and service offerings, are entrenched in the workflow of many financial professionals given the downloading functions and portfolio analysis/screening capabilities they offer. As a result, the Company's products have become central to investment analysis and decision-making for clients. While clients may add, reduce or cancel services at almost any time, switching costs may be high.

Recent Market Trends
The global equity indices have experienced significant volatility in recent years, which has had an impact on the solvency, size and buying power of some of FactSet’s clients. Despite this challenging climate, FactSet has consistently grown revenuesour clients' workflows and the Company anticipates continued volatility inis confident that the financial markets. FactSet believes that these continued volatile market conditions increaseinvestment community will derive great value from this acquisition. Code Red will also help clients maximize the value of FactSet’s ability to consolidate services for clients, including deploying real-time news and quotes, and advancing the sales of proprietary content.exclusive content sets.


Year-to-date global equity returns have been impressive thus far in 2012. However, this trend is currently short-term, and FactSet must continue to offer better service than its competitors, more relevant content, and enhanced applications that bring all the pieces together for a smooth, efficient client experience. These efforts continue to be the focus for fiscal 2013 as FactSet looks towards growth and success over the long-term.

Client Subscription Growth

Annual subscription value at any given point in time represents the forward-looking revenues for the next twelve months from all subscription services currently being supplied to clients. At August 31, 2012,2015, ASV was $843 million,$1.058 billion, up 7%9.2% organically from a year ago. Of this total, 81% is derived from investment management clients and the remainder from the sell-side firms who perform M&A advisory work and equity research. The $64 million increase in ASV during fiscal 20122015 was driven by broad-based global growth across geographical segments, continued usefrom both the buy and sell-side, as FactSet experienced accelerated demand for its fixed income portfolio products, portfolio analytics suite of products, sales of equity attribution and MAC risk models.

During fiscal 2015, FactSet advanced applications suchadded 183 net new clients (excluding 50 new clients acquired from the acquisition of Code Red), increasing the number of clients by 6.7% over the prior year. The number of new client additions is an important metric for FactSet as Portfolio Analysis (“PA”), expanded deploymentnew clients typically come on with modest deployments and often experience substantial growth in subsequent years. In terms of proprietary data,users, 7,609 net new users were added during fiscal 2015, the highest year over year growth total ever. FactSet saw healthy progression in the number of clients and users increased usage of FactSet in Excel byat both buyits buy-side and sell-side users,clients as growth in the Market Metrics Local Market Share suite of products, a high annual client retention rate,initial public offering (“IPO”)and M&A marketplaces helped boost the annual price increase for the majority of the Company’s investment management clients and the acquisition of StreetAccount in June 2012, which at the time of acquisition, had annual subscriptions of $11.4 million. These growth drivers were partially offset by a cancellation of an earnings estimates feed to TheMarkets.com as a result of its acquisition by Standard & Poor’s Capital IQ and a decline in ASV from investment banking clients in 2015. In addition, FactSet released a new user interface with an emphasis on ease of use and search which contributed to the net user increase.

The following provides a snap shot view of FactSet’s ASV growth over the past 12 months as the banks continued their reduction in spending and hiring.

9

10 fiscal years.

 

Financial Information on Geographic Areas

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. FactSet’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for making decisions about resources allocated amongst the operating segments based on actual results.

FactSet’s operations are organized into three reportable segments based on geographic operations:business activities: the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. These reportable segments are aligned with howThis alignment reflects the Company, including its chief operating decision maker, managesCompany’s approach to managing the business and transacting in the demographicvarious markets in which FactSet serves. Financial information, including revenues, operating income and long-lived assets related to the Company’s operations in each geographic area are presented in Note 6, Segment Information, in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 below. FactSet believes this alignment helps it better manage the business and view the markets the Company serves which are centered onby providing integrated global financial and economic information. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific segments that provide global financial and economic information to investment managers, investment banks and other financial services professionals. The U.S. segment services finance professionals including financial institutions throughout North America,the Americas, while the European and Asia Pacific segments service investment professionals located throughout Europe and Asia.the Asia Pacific region, respectively. Financial information, including revenues, operating income and long-lived assets related to the Company’s operations in each geographic area are presented in Note 7,Segment Information,in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

The European segment is headquartered in London, England and maintains office locationsoffices in France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, DubaiSpain, South Africa, Sweden and Italy.Dubai. The Asia Pacific segment is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with office locations in Australia, Hong Kong, AustraliaSingapore and Mumbai, India. The data content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of the Company’s operating segments. Segment revenues reflect direct sales to clients based in their respective geographic locations. There are no intersegment or intercompany sales of the FactSet service.services. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, data collection costs, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, marketing, office and other direct expenses. Expenditures associated with the Company’s data centers, third party data costs and corporate headquarters charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments. The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of the Company’s operating segments and thus the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues.


The following charts depict revenues related to each of the three Company’s reportable segments.

Products and Services

FactSet offers smart, streamlined workspaces designed for investment managers, investment bankers, hedge funds managers, quantitative researchers and other professionals. Each personalized solution offers standard features such as wireless connectivity, seamless integration of real-time market data, content choices from hundreds of data sets, Microsoft® Office integration and financial screening capabilities. Customizable FactSet workspaces include the following:

Investment Managers

FactSet addresses the challenges unique to investment managers in its integrated platform. With FactSet, a user gains a sophisticated solution that can be customized with the exact data and analytics needed to support the firm's workflow while reducing training, technology, content, and deployment costs. The use of FactSet by investment managers can help them outperform the benchmark, ensure positive investment performance, efficiently find relevant news and information, help decide what to buy, hold or sell, and see performance trends and assess risk. The comprehensive FactSet platform enables investment managers to manipulate data to an unprecedented degree and present data in an infinite variety of formats.

Global Banking & Brokerage Professionals

FactSet enables investment banking professionals to gain in-depth company and industry insight with its integrated data and powerful analytical solutions designed specifically for a banker's workflow. From the beginning of research strategy to the end of the pitch, users can access the tools and information they need to identify new opportunities and track the companies and industries that are important to them and their clients. Key functionality includes the ability for an investment banker to leverage FactSet’s databases to find public and private market opportunities, filings, evaluate transactions, analyze industry trends, monitor market-moving news, and value companies. Sell-side professionals can also generate new buyer lists and investment and deal ideas, gain insight into the global deal market from M&A transactions, corporate activism, governance, connections between people and perform analyses more efficiently with industry-leading integration with Microsoft® Office.

Hedge Funds

FactSetoffers solutions for alternative investments, including long/short positions, equity options and futures that allow users to view historical valuations, search millions of filings and transcripts, leverage the MAC risk model and access global economic data. Fund managers can track important events that may affect fund performance in real time for more than 850indicators in 38 countries and regions, with access toevent details minutes after they are released. In addition to analyzing portfolio risk, users can also view predictive risk characteristics, study exposures, and identify systematic sources of relative performance.

Wealth Managers

Using FactSet solutions can allow a wealth manager to stay on top of clients’ portfolios, streamline communication and internal research, create account review documents and analyze multiple asset classes. Managers can also integrate client holdings to track performancealongside real-time market data, and compare portfolios against thousands of global benchmarks, mutual funds, and ETFs. FactSet’s interactive account review documents aid in preparing client-friendly reports that reflect performance, characteristics, and composition of individual accounts as well as overall client or prospect relationships.

Private Equity& Venture Capital

Private equity and venture capital firms can access screening technology and links between funds and their portfolio companies to assist in uncovering new targets which are in line with their investment theory. FactSet solutions offer everything from high-level company snapshot reports to tools that create presentation and deal-ready books. Users can also leverage FactSet StreetAccount to view industry-specific news and metrics and track market receptivity and performance for the latest public offerings.


Researchers & Analysts

FactSet solutions provide the information to enhance research analysts’ workflows and provide differentiated ideas and opportunities to their clients. Users can gain country- and regional-level insight with a broad range of macroeconomic, index, interest rate, and other country-level data including overnight summaries, political highlights and trading updates. FactSet’s RMS tools allow the user to easily create, store, and disseminate ideas across their respective firms. Data can be exported and linked using Microsoft® Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Consultants& Advisors

FactSet’s classification data helps consultants and advisors perform in-depth valuation and peer group analysis with industry-leading classification data that uncovers the multiple sectors. Users can also identify M&A targets, undertake commercial due diligence and understand industry structure and trends. Information on global sector and product-based classification systems, supply chain relationships, geographic revenue sources, fundamentals, private equity and venture capital data, debt capital structure, ownership, governance and activism can people can be accessed directly using software already in place.

Plan Sponsors and Pension Funds

Fund managers can use solutions specifically designed for selecting, analyzing, and incorporating external managers into an overall plan. For both direct and indirect investment, a user can aggregate portfolios, examine asset classes and styles, and analyze securities on a single platform. Managers can also decompose plan-level performance into asset allocation and manager selection effects using FactSet’s Macro Attribution reports. Presentation-ready documents can be created complete with qualitative information and quantitative analytics.

In addition, FactSet’s product and service offerings are customizable to meet the needs of many more professionals within the corporate, legal, governmental and academic fields who are involved in hedge funds, private equity, sell-side research, equity sales, trading, consulting, investor relations, law firms and academic institutions.

Proprietary Content Collection

In order to better satisfy the needs of clients, improve the Company’s competitive advantage and reduce dependency on third-party data providers, FactSet has invested in the procurement of proprietary content. This investment includes the expansion of the Company’s content collection group through several acquisitions including LionShares, Mergerstat, CallStreet, JCF, TrueCourse, europrospectus.com, a copy of the Worldscope database from Thomson, StreetAccount and Revere Data.

In addition to these strategic purchases, FactSet has set up a data collection infrastructure through the creation of content centers for data collection in India and the Philippines, the leasing and expansion of office space and the hiring of new employees. This infrastructure is the foundation of FactSet’s content group which as of August 31, 2015 has grown to 3,975 employees, or 54% of the total employee population. The critical goals for FactSet content each year are to find ways to differentiate its data from that of competitors along with increasing the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of the data and depth of coverage. During fiscal 2015, FactSet made several key enhancements to its proprietary content with the introduction of the following new data sets:

As-Reported Financials

As-Reported Financials is a new data set within the FactSet Fundamentals product line. As-Reported Financials data is available in income statement, balance sheet and cash flow reports via the Company tab in the FactSet workstation. As-Reported Financials allows users to easily view all as-reported reports in one place within the FactSet workstation, benefit from transparency with virtually 100% data auditability and view data in the format that it is presented by each company.

FactSet’s ETF Data & Analytics

FactSet ETF Data & Analytics provides comprehensive reference and analytics data across the universe of exchange-traded products. FactSet ETF Reference allows users to complete exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) due diligence using FactSet’s library of fund-specific data points and information on ETF structure, trading and benchmark indexes. Users can also search across asset classes using a horizontal classification system to understand each ETF’s exposure on a granular level and retrieve exchange listings data, including exchange names, tickers, exchange codes and listing currencies to monitor trades on multiple exchanges in different currencies.

FactSet ETF Analytics data enables users to make valid and reliable comparisons for critical statistics across the universe of ETFs using standardized methodology and consistent snapshots in time, access important portfolio data for equities, fixed income and commodities derived directly from underlying holdings and leverage proprietary ratings and scores to gather objective measures of fund efficiency, risk, tradability and fit relative to benchmarks.

FactSet Geographic Revenue Exposure

FactSet Geographic Revenue Exposure (“GeoRev”) is a comprehensive database that correlates geographic revenue to a proprietary normalized four-level geographic classification structure containing more than 280 countries, areas, regions and super-regions. With GeoRev in Portfolio Analytics, active managers can construct developed market portfolios to gain exposure to emerging markets. Risk managers are able to identify quickly companies whose revenues are dependent upon countries exposed to geopolitical risks, a natural disaster or a health epidemic, for example. The GeoRev data set covers 18,000 global securities with history starting with 2003 for U.S. firms and 2006 for international companies. The data set provides information to investors interested in measuring the multi-dimensional nature of geographic exposure risk for a company, portfolio or benchmark.


Continued proprietary database enhancements and the creation of new data sets are a testament to FactSet’s commitment to increase user satisfaction and exceed client expectations. The Company provides workflow and productivity solutions, and by expanding its proprietary data content sets, FactSet is best positioned to solve its clients problems in many areas of the market.

ThirdParty Data Content

FactSet aggregates third party content from more than 220 data suppliers, 100 news sources and 80 exchanges into its own dedicated online service which the client accesses to perform their analyses. FactSet carries content from premier providers such as Thomson Reuters, Standard & Poor’s, Axioma, Inc., Interactive Data Corporation, LLC, Dow Jones & Company Inc., Northfield Information Services, Inc., Barclays Capital, Intex Solutions, Inc., Bureau van Dijk, ProQuote Limited, MSCI Barra, SIX Financial Information USA Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Russell Investments, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, NYSE Euronext, London Stock Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange, NASDAQ OMX, Australian Securities Exchange and Toyo Keizai. Content fees billed to the Company may be on a fixed or royalty (per client) basis.

FactSet seeks to maintain contractual relationships with a minimum of two content providers for each major type of financial data, though certain data sets on which FactSet relies have a limited number of suppliers. The Company makes every effort, when reasonable, to locate alternative sources to ensure that FactSet is not dependent on any one third party data supplier. The Company has entered into third party content agreements with varying lengths, which in some cases can be terminated on one year’s notice at predefined dates, and in other cases on shorter notice. No single vendor or data supplier represented more than 10% of FactSet's total data expenses in any fiscal year presented.

Data Centers

FactSet’s business is dependent on its ability to rapidly and efficiently process substantial volumes of data and transactions rapidly and efficiently on its computer-based networks and systems. The Company’s global technology infrastructure supports its operations and is designed to facilitate the reliable and efficient processing and delivery of data and analytics to its clients. FactSet’s data centers contain multiple layers of redundancy to enhance system performance, including maintaining, processing and storing data at multiple data centers. User connections are load balanced between data centers and, incenters. In the event of a site failure, equipment problem or regionallocalized disaster, the remaining centers havecenter has the capacity to handle the additional load. FactSet continues to be focused on maintaining a global technicaltechnological infrastructure that allows the Company to support its growing business.


FactSet is evolvinglaunched its multi-phase project, Project NextGen, a few years ago to evolve away from large mainframe computers to a more distributed environment powered by a vast array of smaller, faster, and more cost-effective machines. As part of a multi-phase project to be executed over several years, FactSet converted all databases and released several applications on this new platform during fiscal 2012. In addition to investing in the future via this NextGen initiative, themachines.The Company continued to ensure that its existing mainframe architecture functions at the highest level. During fiscal 2012, FactSet upgraded the remaining 20% of its mainframe server environment in order to optimize speed and consistency for both client batch and interactive workloads.


The Company continues to operateoperates fully redundant data centers in Virginia and New Jersey. These data centers handle FactSet’s entire client capacity. In addition, the CompanyFactSet maintains a vast private wide area network that provides a high-speed direct link between the client’s local network and the data content and powerful applications found on FactSet’sthe Company’s mainframe machines.
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Job Creation

FactSet continues to invest aggressively in its people in order to recruit, develop and retain a talented employee workforce. The Company believes that its future success depends in part on its continued ability to hire, assimilate and retain qualified personnel. One of FactSet’s top priorities is to maintain competitive compensation, benefits, equity participation and work environment practices and policies in order to attract and retain qualified personnel. To date, FactSet believes that it has been successful in recruiting qualified employees. FactSet has not experienced any work stoppages and believes its employee relations are good. None of the Company’s employees are represented by a collective bargaining arrangement.


As of August 31, 2012, employee headcount was 5,735, up 9% from a year ago. Of this total, 1,840 employees were located in the U.S., 607 in Europe and 3,288 in the Asia Pacific region. For the third consecutive year, FactSet hired at least 450 people and in the past three years, the Company has created a net new 2,773 jobs around the world, including more than 500 within the U.S. Fiscal 2012 employee growth was broad-based as FactSet welcomed new classes of software engineers and sales consultants, continued the expansion of its proprietary content collection operations in India and the Philippines, and welcomed 49 new employees through the acquisition of StreetAccount in June 2012. Since the beginning of fiscal 2012, FactSet has increased its content collection headcount by 8% or approximately 215 employees, primarily at its offshore facilities. In addition to the hiring of employees for the Company’s content collection operations, FactSet grew by approximately 210 net new engineering and product development employees and 30 net new consultants in the past year, as we continue to improve our applications and service the existing client base. Approximately 53% of the Company’s employees are involved with content collection, 25% work in product development, software and systems engineering, another 18% conduct sales and consulting services and the remaining 4% provide administrative support.
FactSet initiatives that drive employee growth over the years include:
·
New Hire Training - A major advantage of FactSet is a rigorous training program for new hires. Consultants train the longest and concentrate on a more detail-oriented skill set, whereas engineering tends to be more hands on. Software engineering training was redesigned in 2011 to include a core set of lessons followed by specialized tracks depending on the engineers’ group to allow more detailed training. As a result, engineers finish the program well-equipped to start their work. 
·
FactSet Talent Development – The FactSet talent development team works on programs designed to strengthen leadership, management and innovation across the Company through inspiring, connecting and developing the leaders of today and tomorrow. FactSet provides leadership and management training to create a competitive advantage for the Company. The leadership development curriculum is designed to help pave career paths, devise succession planning and measure performance management. The creation of the FactSet Talent group also allowed the Company to coordinate consistent training for all employees globally.
·
Community Service – In addition to servicing their clients, FactSet employees are committed to serving their local communities. In fiscal 2012, community outreach coordinators organized 90 activities in which more than 2,000 employees participated. FactSet aims to primarily support charities that can have a high impact on its offices’ neighborhoods and provide basic human services (e.g., homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries) and local education and mentoring initiatives. Activities ranged from mentoring students to fundraising for cancer research.

Research and Product DevelopmentDevelopment Costs

A key aspect of the Company’s growth strategy is to enhance its existing products and applications by making them faster and the data within them more reliable. FactSet strives to rapidly adopt new technology that can improve its products and services. Research and product development costs relate to the salary and benefits for the Company’s product development, and software engineering and technical support staff which equaled approximately 25% and, 23% of FactSet’s workforce during fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively. These research and product developmentas such, these costs are expensed when incurred within cost of services as employee compensation. The Company plans to continueexpects to allocate a similar percentage of its workforce in future years in order to continue to develop new products and enhancements, respond quickly to market changes and to meet the needs of its clients efficiently.

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Marketing  

Fiscal 2012 was a strong year for promotingCompetition

FactSet is part of the FactSet brand, from traditional advertising,financial information services industry, which provides accurate financial information and software solutions to client events,the global investment community. According to industry reports, global spend on market data sourcing.  The FactSet symposia were important marketing efforts during fiscal 2012. Over 320 industry professionals from around the world, including 270 FactSet clients, attended the U.S. and European symposia held during the third quarter of fiscal 2012. The European eventanalysis grew by more than 10%4.1% to $26.5 billion in 2015 compared to the 2011 event,prior year. This extremely competitive market is comprised of both large, well-capitalized companies and forsmaller, niche firms including market data suppliers, news and information providers and many of the first time evercontent providers that supply the Company with financial information included in the FactSet workstation. The largest competitors to FactSet are Bloomberg L.P., Thomson Reuters Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Capital IQ. Bloomberg’s market share grew to 32.0%, up from 31.7% a year ago while Thomson Reuters’ was approximately 25.9%, down slightly from the prior year. Standard & Poor’s Capital IQ market share is believed to be between 3% and 5%, comparable to that of FactSet. Other competitors and competitive products include online database suppliers and integrators and their applications, such as, MSCI Inc., Morningstar Inc., Markit Ltd., SunGard, Dealogic PLC, Interactive Data Corporation, Dow Jones & Company, Inc., BlackRock Solutions, The Yield Book, Inc., RIMES Technologies Corporation and Wilshire Associates Inc. Many of these firms offer products or services which are similar to those sold out a month beforeby the registration close date. The U.S. symposium was also a success,Company. FactSet’s development of its own robust sets of proprietary content combined with 99% of attendees stating they would return next yearits news and would recommend others to attend.quotes offering have resulted in more direct competition with the largest financial data providers.


Other Marketing highlights during fiscal 2012 included

Despite competing products and services, FactSet enjoys high barriers to entry and believes it would be difficult for another vendor to replicate quickly the following:

·
The Wall Street Journal released its results of the annual Best on the Street Analysts Survey on May 10, 2012, which marked FactSet’s fourth consecutive year as the data provider.
·FactSet was named Best Research Provider at the annual Inside Market Data Awards and Inside Reference Data Awards in New York City on May 22, 2012.

extensive databases the Company currently offers. Through its in-depth analytics and superior client service, FactSet believes it can offer clients a more complete solution with one of the broadest sets of functionalities, through a desktop user interface or data feed. In fiscal 2013addition, FactSet's applications, including its client support and beyond, FactSet plansservice offerings, are entrenched in the workflow of many financial professionals given the downloading functions and portfolio analysis/screening capabilities they offer. As a result, the Company's products have become central to expand its brand presence along with media in newer markets. The Company will continue its messaging to the user base through enhanced marketing materials, sharing insights on the FactSet websiteinvestment analysis and by extending its web presence through social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.decision-making for clients.


Intellectual Property and other Proprietary Rights

FactSet’s success depends upon its proprietary technology.

FactSet has registered trademarks and copyrights for many of its products and services and will continue to evaluate the registration of additional trademarks and copyrights as appropriate. FactSet enters into confidentiality agreements with its employees, clients, data suppliers and vendors. The Company seeks to protect its software, documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright laws. While FactSet does not believe it is dependent on any one of its intellectual property rights, the Company does rely on the combination of intellectual property rights and other measures to protect its proprietary rights. Despite these efforts, existing intellectual property laws may afford only limited protection.


Third-Party Data Content
FactSet aggregates third-party content from more than 85 data suppliers and over 130 news sources and exchanges.

Government Regulation

The Company integrates content from premier providers such as Thomson Reuters, Standard & Poor’s, Axioma, Inc., FTSE, Interactive Data Corporation, Dow Jones & Company Inc., Northfield Information Services, Inc., Barclays Capital, Intex Solutions, Inc., Bureau van Dijk, ProQuote Limited, MSCI Barra, APT, IHS Global Insight Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Lipper Inc., Russell Investmentsis subject to reporting requirements, disclosure obligations and Toyo Keizai.other recordkeeping requirements per the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the various local authorities that regulate each location in which FactSet combines the data from these commercial databases into its own dedicated online service which the client accesses to perform their analyses. Content fees billed to the Company may be on a fixed or royalty (per client) basis.


FactSet seeks to maintain contractual relationships with a minimum of two content providers for each major type of financial data; however this is not possible for all types of data. Certain datasets that FactSet relies on have a limited number of suppliers, although the Company makes every effort to assure that, where reasonable, alternative sources are available. However, FactSet is not dependent on any one third-party data supplier in order to meet the needs of its clients. The Company has entered into third-party content agreements with varying lengths from as long as five years to as short as on an ad-hoc basis. The agreements in some cases can be terminated on one year’s notice at predefined dates, in other cases on shorter notice. No single vendor or data supplier represented 10% or more of FactSet's total expenses in any fiscal year presented.

Government Regulation
operates in. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, FactSet Data Systems, Inc., is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and is a registered broker-dealer under Section 15 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. FactSet Data Systems, Inc., as a registered broker-dealer, is subject to Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, which requires that the Company maintain minimum net capital requirements. The Company claims exemption under Rule 15c3-3(k)(2)(ii)(i). In addition,

Corporate Information, including Internet Address

FactSet was founded as a Delaware corporation in 1978, and its principal executive offices are in Norwalk, Connecticut. The mailing address of the CompanyCompany’s headquarters is subject to reporting requirements, disclosure obligations601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851, and other recordkeeping requirements per the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)its telephone number at that location is (203) 810-1000. The Company’s website address iswww.factset.com.


Available Information

Through theInvestor Relations section of the Company’s website (http://investor.factset.com), FactSet makes available the following filings as soon as practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC: the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements for the annual stockholder meetings, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All such filings are available free of charge.

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FactSet broadcasts live its quarterly earnings calls via its investor relations web site. Additionally, the Company provides notifications of news or announcements regarding its financial performance, including SEC filings, investor events, press and earnings releases, and blogs as part of its investor relations web site. The contents of these web sites are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this report or in any other report or document the Company files and any reference to these web sites are intended to be inactive textual references only.


In addition, the Company’s Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are posted in theInvestor Relations section of the Company’s website and the same information is available in print to any stockholder who submits a written request to the Company’s Investor Relations department at its corporate headquarters. Any amendments to or waivers of such code required to be publicly disclosed by the applicable exchange rules or the SEC will be posted on the Company’s website. The charters of each of the committees of the Company’s Board of Directors are available on theInvestor Relationssection of the Company’s website and the same information is available in print, free of charge, to any stockholder who submits a written request to the Company’s Investor Relations department at its corporate headquarters.


Corporate Information, including Internet Address

FactSet was founded as a Delaware corporation in 1978, and its principal executive offices are in Norwalk, Connecticut. The mailing address of the Company’s headquarters is 601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851, and its telephone number at that location is (203) 810-1000. The Company’s website address is www.factset.com.


Corporate History
The following timeline depicts FactSet’s growth within the financial industry over the past 34 years.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table shows the Company’s executive officers as of August 31, 2012:

Name of OfficerAgeOffice Held with the Company
Officer
Since
Philip A. Hadley50Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer2000
Peter G. Walsh47Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer2005
Michael D. Frankenfield47Executive Vice President, Director of Global Sales2001
Maurizio Nicolelli44Senior Vice President, Principal Financial Officer2009
Kieran M. Kennedy47Senior Vice President, Director of Sales Operations2002

2015:

Name of Officer 

Age

Office Held with the Company 

Officer Since 

F. Philip Snow

51

Chief Executive Officer

2014

Mark J. Hale

42

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

2015

Scott G. Miller

47

Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales

2015

Maurizio Nicolelli

47

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer 

2009

Edward Baker-Greene

52

Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

2015

Rachel R. Stern

50

Senior Vice President, Strategic Resources and General Counsel

2009

F. Philip A. Hadley, Chairman of the Board of Directors,Snow – Chief Executive Officer and Director.. Mr. HadleySnow was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Snow held the title of FactSet on September 5, 2000. Mr. Hadley joinedPresident. He began his career at FactSet in 19851996 as a Consultant. From 1986Consultant, and in 1998 moved to 1989, Mr. Hadley was the Company’s Vice President, Sales. From 1989Asia Pacific region to hold positions in Tokyo and Sydney. After moving back to the U.S. in 2000, Mr. Hadley wasSnow held various Sales leadership roles before assuming the role of Senior Vice President, and Director of U.S. Investment Management Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining the Company,in 2013. Mr. Hadley was employed by Cargill Corporation. He currently serves as a member of the board of advisors of Kum & Go. Mr. HadleySnow received a B.B.A.B.A. in AccountingChemistry from the University of Iowa, has earnedCalifornia at Berkeley and a Masters of International Management from the right to useThunderbird School of Global Management. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.


Peter G. Walsh, MarkJ. Hale –Executive Vice President,Chief Operating Officer. Mr. WalshHale joined the Company in 19961995 as Vice President, Planninga software engineer. During his 20-year tenure at FactSet, Mr. Hale has held several positions of increasing responsibility including Head of Software Engineering, and Control within the Company’s Finance group. Mr. Walsh held the position ofmost recently, Senior Vice President, Director of Finance from 1999 until 2001. From late 2001 to February 2005,Content Operations. Mr. Walsh occupied the position of Vice President, Regional Sales Manager of the U.S. Southeast Region. On March 1, 2005 he assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. On October 1, 2009, Mr. Walsh was promoted to his current position as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, where he is responsible for product development, content collection and software and systems engineering. Prior to joining FactSet, Mr. Walsh held several positions at Arthur Anderson & Co. Mr. WalshHale received a B.S. in AccountingElectrical and Computer Engineering from Fairfield University, has earnedCarnegie Mellon University.

ScottG. Miller – Executive Vice President,Global Director of Sales.Mr. Miller joined FactSet in January 2015.Previously, Mr. Miller was employed by Bloomberg L.P., where he had executive responsibility for enterprise accounts. Mr. Miller was a founding executive and Global Chief Operating Officer of Bloomberg’s Enterprise Solutions Group, responsible for the rightstrategy and execution of that group’s major initiatives and day-to-day management. Mr. Miller spent 10 years in sales leadership roles within Bloomberg’s Financial Products Group, including Head of Sales, Americas; Regional Sales Manager, Americas; Regional Sales Manager, EMEA; and National Sales Manager, EMEA. From 1995 to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation1998, Mr. Miller worked in fixed income sales at Bank of Montreal in London. He started his career in 1992 at Nesbitt Thomson in Montreal, Canada and is a membergraduate of the CFA Institute.St. Francis Xavier University.


Michael D. Frankenfield, Executive Vice President and Director of Global Sales.  Mr. Frankenfield joined the Company in 1989 within the Consulting Services Group. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Frankenfield held the position of Vice President, Sales. From 1995 to 2000 Mr. Frankenfield was Director of Investment Banking Sales with the Company. From 2000 until 2005, Mr. Frankenfield was Director of Sales and Marketing and from September 2005 until August 2009, he was the Director of Investment Management Services. In August 2009, he was promoted to his current position as Director of Global Sales. Mr. Frankenfield received a B.A. in Economics and International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania, has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.

Maurizio Nicolelli,Nicolelli – Senior Vice President, Principal Finance Officer. Chief Financial Officer.Mr. Nicolelli joined FactSetthe Company in 1996 as the Senior Accountant and held the position of Chief Accountant from 1999 to 2001. SinceFrom 2002 to 2009, he has served as Vice President and Comptroller of the Company. OnFrom October 1, 2009 Mr. Nicolelli was appointed to his current2013, he occupied the position asof Senior Vice President, Principal Financial Officer.Officer and was named Chief Financial Officer in fiscal 2014. Prior to joining FactSet, he was employed at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He holds a B.S. degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. degree in Accounting from St. John's University. Mr. Nicolelli is a CPA licensed in the state of New York.

Kieran M. Kennedy,Edward Baker-Greene – Senior Vice President,Chief Human Resources Officer.Mr. Baker-Greene joined FactSet in June 2015 from Voya Financial, formerly ING, U.S., where he was Head of Human Resources for Retirement Solutions, Operations, and Information Technology. Previously, Mr. Baker-Greene worked at Fidelity Investments for 13 years. At Fidelity, he was a part of the Personal and Workplace Investing division, where he held roles in business and human resources capacities, including Senior Vice President/Managing Director, of Sales Operations.Relationship Management. Mr. Kennedy joined the Company in 1990 within the Consulting Services Group. From 1993 to 1997,Baker-Greene began his professional career as a lawyer focusing first on employment law and subsequently recruiting, talent management, and human capital management. Mr. Kennedy held the position of Sales and Consulting Manager for the West Coast.  Mr. Kennedy was Director of Consulting from 1997 until he assumed the position as Director of Investment Banking and Brokerage Services in 2002. In August 2009, he assumed his current position as Director of Sales Operations. Prior to joining FactSet, Mr. Kennedy held a Currency Trading position at Goldman Sachs & Co. Mr. KennedyBaker-Greene received a B.A. from Tufts University and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Rachel R. Stern –Senior Vice President, Strategic Resources and General Counsel.Ms. Stern joined FactSet in Economics2001 as General Counsel. In addition to the Legal Department at FactSet, she is responsible for Investor Relations; Facilities and Real Estate Planning; and Third-Party Content and Strategic Partnerships. Ms. Stern is admitted to practice in New York, and Washington D.C., and as House Counsel in Connecticut. Ms. Stern received a B.A. from Syracuse University.Yale University, an M.A. from the University of London and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.


Additional Information

Additional information with respect to the Company’s business is included in the following pages and is incorporated herein by reference:

  

Page(s)

Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data

 2421

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

 25-4822-41

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 48-4942

Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements entitledOrganization and Nature of Business

 5654

Note 67 to Consolidated Financial Statements entitledSegment Information

 65-6663

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


Set forth below and elsewhere in this report and in other documents FactSet files with the SEC are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. In assessing these risks, investors should also refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, including the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. FactSet’s operating results are subject to quarterly and annual fluctuations as a result of numerous factors. As a consequence, operating results for a particular future period are difficult to predict, and, therefore, prior results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in future periods.


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


FactSet must ensure the protection and privacy of client data

Many of FactSet’s products, as well as its internal systems and processes, involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data, including client portfolios. FactSet relies on a complex network of internal controls to protect the privacy of client data. If FactSet fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if FactSet experiences difficulties in their implementation, misappropriation of client data by an employee or an external third party could occur, which could damage the Company’s reputation and ultimately its business. Breaches of Company security measures could expose FactSet, its clients or the individuals affected to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, potentially resulting in litigation and liability for the Company, as well as the loss of existing or potential clients and damage to the Company brand and reputation.

FactSet must continue to introduce new products and enhancements tomaintain its technological position

The market for FactSet is characterized by rapid technological change, changes in client demands and evolving industry standards which can render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. As a result, the Company’s future success will continue to depend upon its ability to develop new products and enhancements that address the future needs of its target markets and to respond to their changing standards and practices. FactSet may not be successful in developing, introducing, marketing and licensing the Company’s new products and enhancements on a timely and cost effective basis, and they may not adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace or achieve market acceptance. In addition, clients may delay purchases in anticipation of new products or enhancements.

FactSet must hire and retain key qualified personnel

The Company’s business is based on successfully attracting and retaining talented employees. Competition for talent, including engineering personnel, in the industry in which the Company competes is strong. If the Company is less successful in its recruiting efforts, or if it is unable to retain key employees, its ability to develop and deliver successful products and services may be adversely affected. FactSet needs technical resources such as product development engineers to develop new products and enhance existing products. The Company relies upon sales personnel to sell its products and services and maintain healthy business relationships. FactSet’s failure to attract and retain talented employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

A decline in equity returns and/or fixed income may impact the buying power of FactSet’s investment management clients

Major equity indices (e.g., Dow Jones Industrials, Russell 1000, MSCI EAFE, S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite) and the global economy have experienced increased levels of volatility.

Approximately 81%82.5% of the Company’s annual subscription value is derived from its investment management clients. The prosperity of these clients is tied to equity assets under management. An equity market decline not only depresses assets under management but could cause a significant increase in redemption requests to move money out of equities and into other asset classes. Moreover, extended declines in the equity markets may reduce new fund or client creation, resulting in lower demand for services from investment managers.


A global economic downturn and related market uncertainty may affect FactSet’s revenues and liquidity
Current global economic and financial market conditions, and the potential for the prolongation of the global economic recession, could adversely affect FactSet’s business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The worldwide impact of market uncertainty, including European economic and financial uncertainty related to sovereign debt issues could materially impact clients, including large accounts, causing them to: go out of business entirely; defer, reduce, or not increase the volume of the subscriptions they purchase from FactSet in the future; or terminate existing relationships. A variety of other uncontrollable and changing factors, including inflationary pressures; political or social unrest; terrorist attacks; oil prices; natural disasters in a specific country or region; trade protection measures; and health or similar issues, such as a pandemic or epidemic could have a material adverse effect on FactSet’s business and liquidity.

Uncertainty,

Uncertainty, consolidation and business failures in the global investment banking industry may cause FactSet to lose additional clients and users

The global investment banking industry continues to experience uncertainty, consolidation and business failures. This consolidation has resulted in a reduction in the number of prospective clients and users within the investment banking sector.

FactSet’s sell-side clients whothat perform M&A advisory work, capital markets services and equity research, account for approximately 19%17.5% of its revenues. A significant portion of these revenues relate to services deployed by large, bulge bracket banks. The continuedWhile improvements have been observed in the current fiscal year, the global investment banking industry continues to experience uncertainty and consolidation, which directly impacts the number of prospective clients and users within the sector. A lack of available credit continues towould impact many of the large banking clients due to the amount of leverage deployed in past operations. Clients could encounter similar problems. A lack of confidence in the global banking system could cause declines in merger and acquisitions funded by debt. Additional uncertainty,Uncertainty, consolidation and business failures in the global investment banking sector could adversely affect the Company’s financial results and future growth.


Volatility in the financial markets may delay the spending pattern of clients and reduce future ASV growth

Sales cycles for FactSet canmay fluctuate and be extended in times where the financial markets are volatile. The decision to purchase the FactSet service offering often requires prospective clientsmanagement-level sponsorship which often leads FactSet to provide management-level sponsorship. As a result, FactSet often engagesengage in relatively lengthy sales efforts. Purchases (and incremental ASV) may therefore be delayed during the client decision process becauseas uncertainties in the financial markets canmay cause clients to remain cautious about capital and data content expenditures, particularly in uncertain economic environments. The cycle associated with the purchase of the Company’s service offerings typically depends upon the size of the client, and is subject to a number of significant risks that have impacted ASV growth and over which FactSet has little or no control, including broader financial market volatility, adverse economic conditions, clients' budgeting constraints, internal selection procedures, and changes in client personnel.


FactSet must continue to introduce new products and enhancements to maintain its technological position
The market for FactSet is characterized by rapid technological change, changes in client demands and evolving industry standards. New technologies or industry standards can render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. As a result, the Company’s future success will continue to depend upon its ability to develop new products and enhancements that address the future needs of its target markets and to respond to their changing standards and practices. FactSet may not be successful in developing, introducing, marketing and licensing the Company’s new products and enhancements on a timely and cost effective basis, and the Company’s new products and enhancements may not adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace or achieve market acceptance. In addition, clients may delay purchases in anticipation of new products or enhancements.
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Undetected errors or failures found in new products and product enhancements may result in the loss of or delay in market acceptance of the Company’s products
FactSet’s products may contain undetected errors or scalability limitations at any point, but particularly when first introduced or as new versions are released. Despite significant testing by FactSet and by current and potential clients, errors may not be found in new products until after release. FactSet’s data may also inadvertently include errors made by human misinterpretation of news and other types of information. Although FactSet attempts to prevent or correct errors, they may result in a loss of or a delay in market acceptance, damage to the Company’s reputation, client dissatisfaction and reductions in revenues and margins, any of which could harm our business.

Increased competitionclient.

Competition in FactSet’s industry may cause price reductions or loss of market share

FactSet continues to experience intense competition across all markets for its products. Itsproducts with competitors rangeranging in size from smaller, highly specialized, single-product businesses to multi-billion dollar companies to small, single-product businesses that are highly specialized.companies. While the Company believes the breadth and depth of its suite of products and applications offer benefits to its clients that are a competitive advantage, its competitors may offer price incentives to acquireattract new business. Competitive pricing pressures did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations during fiscal 20122015 or in any other fiscal year presented. However, future competitive pricing pressures may result in decreased sales volumes and price reductions, resulting in lower revenues. Weak economic conditions canmay also result in clients’clients seeking to utilize lower-cost information that is available from alternative sources. Thesources.The impact of cost-cutting pressures across the industries FactSet serves could lower demand for its services. In recent years, FactSet has seen clients intensify their focus on containing or reducing costs as a result of the more challenging market conditions. Clients within the financial services industry that strive to reduce their operating costs may seek to reduce their spending on financial market data and related services. If clients elect to reduce their spending with FactSet, the Company’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Clients may use other strategies to reduce their overall spending on financial market data services by consolidating their spending with fewer vendors, by selecting vendors with lower-cost offerings or by self-sourcing their needs for financial market data. If clients elect to consolidate their spending on financial market data services with other vendors and not FactSet, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.


Increased accessibility to free or relatively inexpensive information sources may reduce demand for FactSet

In recent years,

Each year, more and more free or relatively inexpensive information has becomebecomes available, particularly through the Internet, and this trend may continue. The availability of free or relatively inexpensive information may reduce demand for FactSet. Weak economic conditions also can result in clients seeking to utilize lower-cost information that is available from alternative sources. While the Company believes its service offering is distinguished by such factors as customization, timeliness, accuracy, ease-of-use, completeness and other added value factors, if users choose to obtain the information they need from public or other sources, FactSet’s business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact financial results and cash flows


The FactSet brandCompany faces exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates as 70% of FactSet’s employees and reputation48% of its leased office space are key assetslocated outside the U.S. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve, and competitive advantages of the Company and its business may be affected by how FactSet is perceived in the marketplace

FactSet’s ability to attract and retain clients is affected by external perceptions of brand and reputation. Reputational damage from negative perceptions or publicity could damage the Company’s reputation with clients, prospects, and the general public. Although FactSet monitors developments for areas of potential risk to its reputation and brand, negative perceptions or publicitythey could have a material adverse effectimpact on the Company’s financial results and cash flows. The Company’s primary exposures relate to expenses denominated in British Pound Sterling, Euros, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and Philippine Peso. This exposure has increased over the past 12 months primarily as the Company’s international employee base has risen 12% since August 31, 2014 and represented 70% of the FactSet workforce at August 31, 2015. FactSet’s non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $30.7 million while its non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are estimated to be $205.4 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $174.7 million. Although FactSet believes that its foreign exchange hedging policies are reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, the Company’s attempt to hedge against these risks may not be successful, resulting in an adverse impact on its business and financial results.

FactSet must ensure the protection and privacyresults of client data
Many of FactSet’s products, as well as its internal systems and processes, involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data, including client portfolios. FactSet relies on a complex network of internal controls to protect the privacy of client data. If FactSet fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if FactSet experiences difficulties in their implementation, their misappropriation of client data by an employee or an external third party could occur, which could damage the Company’s reputation and ultimately its business. Breaches of Company security measures could expose FactSet, its clients or the individuals affected to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, potentially resulting in litigation and liability for the Company, as well as the loss of existing or potential clients and damage to the Company brand and reputation.

operations.

A prolonged or recurring outage at FactSet’s data centers could result in reduced service and the loss of clients

FactSet’s clients rely on the Company for the delivery of time-sensitive, up-to-date data. FactSet’s business is dependent on its ability to rapidly and efficiently process substantial volumes of data and transactions on its computer-based networks and systems. The Company’s computer operations and those of its suppliers and clients are vulnerable to interruption by fire, natural disaster, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorist attacks, acts of war, internet failures, computer viruses and other events beyond the Company’s reasonable control. FactSet maintains back-up facilities for each of its major data centers to minimize the risk that any such event will disrupt operations. However,operations, however, a loss of the Company’s services may induce its clients to seek alternative data suppliers and any such losses or damages incurred by FactSet could have a material adverse effect on its business. Although the Company seeks to minimize these risks through security measures, controls and back-up data centers, there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful or effective.

 

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Man-made problems such as computer viruses or terrorism may disrupt FactSet’s operations
Despite FactSet’s implementation of network security measures, its servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with the Company’s computer systems. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on FactSet’s business, operating results and financial condition. Efforts to limit the ability of malicious third parties to disrupt the operations of the Internet or undermine the Company’s own security efforts may meet with resistance. In addition, the continued threat of terrorism and heightened security and military action in response to this threat, or any future acts of terrorism, may cause further disruptions to the economies of the U.S. and other countries and create further uncertainties or otherwise materially harm FactSet’s business, operating results and financial condition. To the extent that such disruptions or uncertainties result in delays or cancellations by clients, FactSet’s business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Malicious, ignorant or illegal employee acts regarding insider information
Misappropriation of insider information by an employee could damage the Company’s reputation and ultimately its business. Improper disclosure of the Company's insider information could expose FactSet to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, potentially resulting in litigation and liability for the Company, as well as the loss of existing or potential clients and damage to the Company's brand and reputation.

FactSet’s ability to integrate newly acquired companies
FactSet has made and expects to continue to make acquisitions from time to time. Acquisitions present significant challenges and risks relating to the integration of the business into FactSet’s operations, and there can be no assurances that FactSet will manage acquisitions successfully. The related risks include the Company’s failure to achieve strategic objectives and anticipated revenue improvements as well as the failure to retain key personnel of the acquired business. FactSet reviews its amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of its goodwill or amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in stock price, market capitalization, future cash flows and slower growth rates in its industry. FactSet may be required to record a charge to earnings in its financial statements during the period in which any impairment of its goodwill or amortizable intangible assets is determined, resulting in an impact on its results of operations.

FactSet must hire and retain key qualified personnel
The Company’s business is based on successfully attracting and retaining talented employees. Competition for talent, including engineering personnel, in the industry in which the Company competes is strong. If the Company is less successful in its recruiting efforts, or if it is unable to retain key employees, its ability to develop and deliver successful products and services may be adversely affected. FactSet needs technical resources such as product development engineers to develop new products and enhance existing products. The Company relies upon sales personnel to sell its products and services and maintain healthy business relationships. FactSet’s failure to attract and retain talented employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

An unforeseen increase in FactSet’s employee cost structure may reduce growth the Company’s operating income

Increases in FactSet’s cost structure related to hiring, benefit costs, salary levels, variable compensation, and other factors may reduce growth in operating income. If the Company is unable to manage operating costs as anticipated or operating costs are higher than expected, FactSet’s operating results may fluctuate significantly. FactSet has made significant investments in its employee base in recent years. FactSet also made adjustments to employee salaries to remain competitive, and benefit costs have also increased. If employee compensation expenses exceed the Company’s expectations and cannot be adjusted accordingly, FactSet’s profitability may be reduced and results of operations and financial position may be adversely affected.


Risks of doing business internationally
During fiscal 2012, approximately 32% of the Company’s revenue was generated outside the U.S. As of August 31, 2012, the Company employed 3,895 employees outside the U.S., representing 68% of the employee headcount worldwide and a 10% increase in the last 12 months. Because FactSet sells its services outside the U.S, the Company is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally that could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations including: the impact of recessions and market fluctuations; adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates; difficulty in the enforcement of contractual provisions in local jurisdictions; unexpected changes in foreign laws and regulatory requirements; difficulties in successfully adapting the Company’s products and services to the language, regulatory and technology standards of other countries; resistance of local cultures to foreign-based companies and difficulties engaging local resources; inflation; natural disasters in developing countries; and political and economic instability.
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FactSet’s ability to integrate and market FactSet proprietary data as a high quality asset
The Company offers proprietary datasets that include the latest, most accurate information available, wherever possible, including fundamentals, estimates, ownership, corporate new issues, people, private equity and venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, corporate events and transcripts, fixed income, global filings and benchmark data. FactSet understands that data is part of a broader investment process, so the Company makes timeliness and reliability a priority. In order to ensure accuracy, timeliness and reliability of the data, FactSet must continue to build on its content collection operations to populate the proprietary content databases. This complex process involves hiring, training and retaining thousands of employees and successfully deploying collection software and processes.

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

FactSet is a provider of global financial and economic information on companies worldwide.companiesworldwide, aggregating third party content from more than 220 data suppliers, 100 news sources and 80 exchanges. Clients have access to the data and content found within thesethe FactSet databases, which they can combine and utilize in nearly all of the Company’s applications. Theseapplications.These databases are important to the Company’s operations becauseas they provide its clients with key information such as company fundamentals, estimates, global equity ownership, M&A data, events and transcripts, earnings and other equity and fixed income data. FactSet aggregates third-party content from more than 85 data suppliers and over 100 news sources and exchanges. The Company has entered into third-partythird party content agreements with varying lengths, from as long as five years to as short as on an ad-hoc basis. The agreementswhich in some cases can be terminated on one year’s notice at predefined dates, and in other cases on shorter notice.


Certain datasets that

FactSet seeks to maintain contractual relationships with a minimum of two content providers for each major type of financial data, though certain data sets on which FactSet relies on have a limited number of suppliers, although thesuppliers. The Company makes every effort, when reasonable, to assure that, where reasonable,locate alternative sources are available.to ensure FactSet is not dependent on any one third party data supplier. These datasetsdata sets include, without limitation, (1) Equity Pricing from exchanges such as NASDAQ, (2) Global Exchange Indices, (3) S&P CUSIP distribution, (4) S&P Ratings and (5) Moody’s Investor Service Corporate Ratings. However, FactSet is not dependent on any one third-partythird party data supplier and no single vendor or data supplier represented more than 10% of FactSet's total data expenses in order to meet the needs of its clients.any fiscal year presented. The Company combines the data from commercial databases into its own dedicated single online service, which the client accesses to perform their analysis. The failure of FactSet to be able to maintain these relationships or the failure of its suppliers to deliver accurate data and in a timely manner could adversely affect the Company’s business.


Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of FactSet’s products or to obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary
FactSet’s success depends significantly upon its proprietary technology. FactSet has registered trademarks and copyrights for many of its products and services and will continue to evaluate the registration of additional trademarks and copyrights as appropriate. FactSet enters into confidentiality agreements with its employees, clients, data suppliers and vendors. The Company seeks to protect its software, documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright laws. While FactSet does not believe it is dependent on any one of its intellectual property rights, the Company does rely on the combination of intellectual property rights and other measures to protect its proprietary rights. Despite these efforts, existing intellectual property laws may afford only limited protection. In addition, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy certain portions of FactSet content or to reverse engineer or otherwise obtain and use its proprietary information. In addition, FactSet cannot be certain that others will not develop or acquire substantially equivalent or superseding proprietary technology or that equivalent or better products will not be marketed in competition with its services, thereby substantially reducing the value of its proprietary rights.

Third parties may claimFactSet infringes upon their intellectual property rights

FactSet may receive notice from others claiming that the Company has infringed upon their intellectual property rights. Responding to these claims may require the Company to enter into royalty and licensing agreements on less favorable terms, enter into settlements, require FactSet to stop selling or to redesign affected products, or to pay damages or to satisfy indemnification commitments with the Company’s clients or vendors under contractual provisions of various license arrangements. If FactSet is required to enter into such agreements or take such actions, its operating margins may decline as a result. FactSet has made and expects to continue incurring expenditures to acquire the use of technology and intellectual property rights as part of its strategy to manage this risk.


Catastrophic events could adversely affect

Changes in securities laws and regulations may increase expenses or may harm demand

Many of FactSet’s business

Catastrophic events such as abrupt political change, terrorist acts, conflicts or wars may cause damage or disruption toclients operate within a highly regulated environment. In light of the economy,recent conditions in the U.S. financial markets and FactSet’s clients. The potential for future attacks,economy, the nationalU.S. Congress and international responses to attacks or perceived threats to national security and other actual or potential conflicts, wars or political unrest,Federal regulators have created many economic and political uncertainties. Although it is impossible to predictincreased their focus on the occurrences or consequencesregulation of any such events, they could unsettle the financial marketsservices industry. The information provided by, or resident in, the service FactSet provides to its clients could be deemed relevant to a regulatory investigation or other governmental or private legal proceeding involving its clients, which could result in a declinerequests for information from FactSet that could be expensive and time consuming. In addition, clients subject to investigations or legal proceedings may be adversely impacted possibly leading to their liquidation, bankruptcy, receivership, reductions in assets under management, or diminished operations that would adversely affect the Company’s revenues.

Adverse resolution of litigation or governmental investigations may harm FactSet’s operating results

FactSet is party to lawsuits in the financial industry’s spending, whichnormal course of business. Litigation can be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. Unfavorable resolution of lawsuits or governmental investigations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues. Further, such disruptions could cause further instabilitybusiness, operating results or financial condition. For additional information regarding legal matters, see Item 3,Legal Proceedings, contained in the financial markets or the spendingPart I of FactSet’s clients and prospects upon which the Company depends on.

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Exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact financial results and cash flows
The Company faces exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates because 68% of FactSet’s employees and 45% of its leased office space are located outside the U.S. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve, and they could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results and cash flows. The Company’s primary exposures relate to non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses within Europe, Japan, India and the Philippines. This exposure has increased over the past 12 months primarily because the Company’s international employee base rose 10% since August 31, 2011. The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. FactSet’s non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $17 million while its non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are $163 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $146 million per year.  To manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, the Company utilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). Although FactSet believes that its foreign exchange hedging policies are reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, the Company’s attempt to hedge against these risks may not be successful, resulting in an adverse impact on its results of operations.

this report.

Resolution of ongoing and other probable audits by tax authorities

FactSet is subject to income taxes in both the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining its worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company’s provision for income taxes, tax liability or effective tax rates in the future could be adversely affected by numerous factors including, but not limited to, income before income taxes being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries with higher statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof. FactSet is subject to the continuous examination of its income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. Although FactSet believes its tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different than that which is reflected in historical income tax provisions and accruals. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinations will not have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, including its provision for income taxes and tax liability.taxes.


Adverse resolution of litigation or governmental investigations may harm FactSet’s operating results

FactSet is party to lawsuits in the normal course of business. Litigation can be expensive, lengthy, and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. Unfavorable resolution of lawsuits or governmental investigations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results or financial condition. For additional information regarding legal matters, see Item 3, Legal Proceedings, contained in Part I of this report.


Changes in securities laws and regulations may increase expenses or may harm demand
Many of FactSet’s clients operate within a highly regulated environment. In light of the recent conditions in the U.S. financial markets and economy, Congress and regulators have increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry. The information provided by, or resident in, the service FactSet provides to its clients could be deemed relevant to a regulatory investigation or other governmental or private legal proceeding involving its clients, which could result in requests for information from FactSet that could be expensive and time consuming. In addition, clients subject to investigations or legal proceedings may be adversely impacted possibly leading to their liquidation, bankruptcy, receivership, reductions in assets under management, or diminished operations that would adversely affect the Company’s revenues.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) represents a comprehensive overhaul of the financial services industry within the U.S., established the new federal Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (the “BCFP”), and will require the BCFP and other federal agencies to implement many new rules. While the general framework of the reforms is set forth in the Dodd-Frank Act, it provides for numerous studies and reports and the adoption and implementation of rules and regulations by regulatory agencies over the following four years to clarify and implement the Act's requirements fully. FactSet believes that it is too early to know the precise long-term impact on its business of the increased regulation of financial institutions. Demand could be negatively impacted by the deferral of purchase decisions by its clients until the new regulations have been adopted and the full impact and expense of the new regulatory environment is more clearly understood. The Dodd-Frank Act contains numerous other provisions affecting financial institutions of all types, many of which may have an impact on FactSet’s operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict at this time what specific impact the Dodd-Frank Act and the forthcoming implementing rules and regulations will have on the Company and the financial services industry. Additionally, as a publicly-traded company, FactSet is subject to significant regulations including the Dodd-Frank Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. There are significant corporate governance and executive compensation-related provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act that require the SEC to adopt additional rules and regulations in these areas. FactSet’s efforts to comply with these requirements could result in an increase in its operating and compliance costs.
19

Changes in accounting may affect FactSet’s reported earnings and operating income
FactSet prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. These principles and accompanying accounting standards, implementation guidelines and interpretations for many aspects of its business are highly complex and involve judgments. Changes in accounting rules, their interpretation, or changes in the Company’s business could significantly change its reported earnings and operating income and could add significant volatility to those measures, without a comparable underlying change in cash flows from operations.  In connection with the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements, FactSet uses certain estimates and assumptions, which are based on historical experience and management's knowledge of current events and actions that FactSet may undertake in the future.  Significant estimates have been made in areas that include receivable reserves, accrued compensation, allocation of purchase price to assets and liabilities acquired, income taxes, stock-based compensation, valuation of goodwill, and useful lives and valuation of fixed and intangible assets. In addition, FactSet makes certain estimates including decisions related to legal proceedings and reserves. While management believes that these estimates and assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances, by definition they involve the use of judgment and the exercise of discretion, and therefore actual results may differ.

Internal controls may be ineffective
Effective internal controls are necessary to provide reasonable assurance with respect to its financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, FactSet is required to furnish a report by management on internal control over financial reporting, including management's assessment of the effectiveness of such control. Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. If FactSet fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if FactSet experiences difficulties in its implementation, its business and operating results could be adversely impacted.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

At August 31, 2012,2015, the Company leases approximately 193,000202,000 square feet of office space at its headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. In addition, FactSet leases office space for its U.S. reportable segment in New York, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; San Mateo,Francisco, California; Austin, Texas; Jackson, Wyoming; Atlanta, Georgia; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Newark, Ridgewood and Piscataway, New Jersey; Manchester, New Hampshire; Reston, Virginia, Youngstown, Ohio, and Reston, Virginia.Toronto, Canada. The Company’s European segment operates in leased office space in London, England; Paris and Avon, France; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Frankfurt, Germany; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Milan, Italy; and Milan, Italy.Riga, Latvia. Office space in Tokyo, Japan; Hong Kong; Singapore; Mumbai, India; and Sydney, Australia are leased by FactSet for its Asia Pacific operating segment. The data content collection centers located in Hyderabad, India and Manila, the Philippines benefit all of the Company’sCompanies operating segments. The leases expire on various dates through March 2021.2031. Total minimum rental payments associated with the leases are recorded as rent expense (a component of selling, general and administrative expenses) on a straight-line basis over the periods of the respective non-cancelable lease terms.

Including new lease agreements executed during fiscal 2015, the Company’s worldwide leased office space increased to approximately 909,000 square feet at August 31, 2015, up 72,000 square feet or 8.6% from August 31, 2014. The Company believes that itsthe amount of leased office space as of August 31, 2015 is adequate for its current needs and that additional space is available for lease to meet any future needs.


Including new lease agreements In fiscal 2015, FactSet entered into during fiscal 2012 (as summarized below), the Company’s worldwide leased office space increased to approximately 807,000 square feet at August 31, 2012, up 11% from August 31, 2011. The following new lease agreements were finalized during fiscal 2012 by FactSet:
agreements:

 ·

Boston, Massachusetts:A new lease amendment was signed to extend and expand the Company’s existing office space in Boston by 4,809 rentable square feet. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $6.6 million through June 2022.

Norwalk, CT: Hyderabad, India:

-       A new lease amendment was entered into during November 2014 to renew the Company’s existing office space in Hyderabad. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $2.2 million over the non-cancelable lease term through November 2019.

-       A new lease agreement was entered into during the first quarter of 2012 to expand FactSet’s corporate headquarters in Norwalk, CT by approximately 23,800 square feet. The new lease results in incremental future minimum rental payments of $3.8 million over the non-cancelable lease term of eight years.

·
New York, New York: New lease agreementsApril 2015 for an additional 17,60043,830 square feet of new office space to supportin Hyderabad. At the Company’s operations were entered into during first quartertime of 2012, whichsigning, the new lease agreement resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $3.1$1.8 million over the non-cancelable lease term of approximately 3.5 years.
through September 2020.

 ·

Hong KongManila, Philippines:A new lease agreement was entered into during April 2015 for 13,043 square feet of new office space in Manila. At the fourth quartertime of fiscal 2012 to relocatesigning, the existing office within Hong Kong in order to support the Company’s growing local presence. The new lease agreement resulted in a net increase of approximately 3,000 rentable square feet and incremental future minimum rental payments of $5.4$1.5 million over the non-cancelable lease term of six years.through June 2020.

 ·

Manila,New York, New York:A new lease amendment was signed to extend and expand the Philippines: Company’s existing office space in New York by 19,979 rentable square feet. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $21.2 million through August 2031. The amendment included approximately $1.9 million in tenant allowances.

Norwalk, Connecticut:A new lease amendment was signed to extend and expand the Company’s office space at its headquarters in Norwalk by 9,587 rentable square feet. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $0.9 million through December 2019.

London, England:A new lease agreement was entered into duringin July 2015 for 15,051 square feet of new office space in London. At the fourth quartertime of fiscal 2012 to expandsigning, the Company’s content collection operations within the Philippines by approximately 22,900 square feet. Thenew lease resultsagreement resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $2.1$21.1 million over the non-cancelable lease term of five years.through March 2031. 

·
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A new lease agreement was entered into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to relocate the existing office within Dubai in order to support the Company’s growing local presence. The new lease resulted in a net increase of approximately 1,600 rentable square feet and incremental future minimum rental payments of $0.8 million over the non-cancelable lease term of three years.
·
StreetAccount (various locations): The acquisition of StreetAccount in June 2012 increased leased office space by approximately 9,500 rentable square feet and future minimum rental payments by $0.5 million over the remaining non-cancelable lease terms.
20

Partially offsetting new lease agreements entered into during fiscal 2012 was the consolidation of the East Grinstead office into the larger London office. This consolidation was completed in March 2012 and resulted in a reduction in leased office space by 3,853 rentable square feet. At the time FactSet exited the office space in East Grinstead in March 2012, there were seven months remaining on the lease and less than $0.1 million in remaining rental payments due.

At August 31, 2012,2015, the Company’s lease commitments for office space provide for the following future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases with remaining terms in excess of one year (in thousands):

Years Ended August 31,

 

Minimum Lease

Payments

 
     

2016

 $22,695 

2017

  28,002 

2018

  27,373 

2019

  25,974 

2020

  20,129 

Thereafter

  145,929 
     

Total

 $270,102 

 
Years Ended August 31,  
Minimum Lease
Payments
2013   $   27,592
2014   26,122
2015   21,771
2016   15,705
2017  14,441
Thereafter   35,540
Total   $ 141,171

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, FactSet is subjectissubject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including intellectual property litigation. Basedlitigation.Based on currently available information, FactSet’s management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these unresolved matters against the Company, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidatedCompany'sconsolidated financial position, its annual results of operations or its annual cash flows.flows. However, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future.


ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 
Not applicable.

21


Part II

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

(a)

Market Information, Holders and Dividends


Market Information -FactSet common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “FDS.”FDS. The following table sets forth, for each fiscal period indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of the Company’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.


  FIRST  SECOND  THIRD  FOURTH 
2012            
High $106.06  $95.52  $109.20  $108.00 
Low $80.93  $85.45  $85.38  $88.56 
2011                
High $90.82  $108.32  $112.40  $111.00 
Low $74.17  $89.77  $96.49  $78.25 

(b)

  

First

  

Second

  

Third

  

Fourth

 

2015

                

High

 $138.26  $158.29  $168.62  $174.03 

Low

 $110.77  $134.01  $149.68  $140.00 
                 

2014

                

High

 $115.39  $119.08  $114.82  $129.28 

Low

 $101.07  $101.41  $102.31  $107.02 

Holders of RecordAs of Record


At October 22, 2012,20, 2015, there were approximately 93,162127,277 holders of record of FactSet common stock. However, because many of FactSet’s shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, FactSet is unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.The closing price of FactSet’s common stock on October 22, 201220, 2015 was $92.02$168.00 per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.


(c)Dividends

Dividends -In fiscal 2012,2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividends:

Declaration Date  
Dividends Per
Share of
Common Stock
  TypeRecord Date  
Total Amount
(in thousands)
  Payment Date
August  8, 2012 $0.31 Regular (cash)August 31, 2012 $13,727 September 18, 2012
May 8, 2012(1)
 $0.31 Regular (cash)May 31, 2012 $13,893 June 19, 2012
February 14, 2012  $0.27  Regular (cash)February 29, 2012  $12,085  March 20, 2012
November 10, 2011  $0.27  Regular (cash)November 30, 2011  $12,181  December 20, 2011

Declaration Date

 

Dividends Per
Share of
Common Stock

 

Type

Record Date

 

Total Amount
(in thousands)

 

Payment Date

August 10, 2015

 $0.44 

Regular (cash)

August 31, 2015

 $18,179 

September 15, 2015

May 12, 2015(1)

 $0.44 

Regular (cash)

May 29, 2015

 $18,274 

June 16, 2015

February 11, 2015

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

February 27, 2015

 $16,236 

March 17, 2015

November 12, 2014

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

November 28, 2014

 $16,216 

December 16, 2014

(1)

(1)

On May 8, 2012,12, 2015, FactSet’s Board of Directors approved a 15%12.8% increase in the regular quarterly dividend, beginning with the Company’s dividend payment onin June 19, 2012 of $0.312015 which was $0.44 per share, or $1.24$1.76 per share per annum.


All of the above cash dividends were paid from existing cash resources. Future dividend payments will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by the CompanyFactSet and is subject to final determination by the Company’s Board of Directors.


(d)

(b)

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities in fiscal 2015.

(c)

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities


The following table provides a month-to-month summary of the share repurchase activity under the current stock repurchase program during the three months ended August 31, 2012:2015 (in thousands, except per share data):

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 number of shares (or approximate dollar
 value) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in thousands)(1)
 
June 2012  430,000  $93.15   430,000  $215,527 
July 2012  280,000  $92.01   280,000  $189,765 
August 2012  -   -   -  $189,765 
   710,000  $92.70   710,000     

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 number of shares

(or approximate dollar value) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs(1)

 

June 2015

  157,811  $164.02   157,811  $186,222 

July 2015

  271,572  $162.55   271,572  $142,678 

August 2015

  50,000  $168.76   50,000  $134,240 
   479,383  $163.68   479,383     

(1)

(1)

Repurchases willmay be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed.There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations.

22

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed on October 30, 2015 for its Fiscal 20122015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.


(e)Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities in fiscal 2012.

(f)
Five-year Financial Performance Graph

Stock Performance Graph

The annual changes for the five-year period shown in the graph below are based on the assumption that $100 had been invested in FactSet common stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the NYSE Composite Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index on August 31, 2007,2010, and that all quarterly dividends were reinvested at the average of the closing stock prices at the beginning and end of the quarter. The total cumulative dollar returns shown on the graph represent the value that such investments would have had on August 31, 2012.2015. Stockholder returns over the indicated period are based on historical data and should not be considered indicative of future stockholder returns.



 For the Years Ended August 31,
 20122011  2010  2009  2008    2007 
FactSet Research Systems Inc.$154 $147   $123   $  92   $105  $100 
S&P 500 Index$  95 $  83   $  71   $  69   $  87  $100 
NYSE Composite Index$  84 $  78   $  70   $  69   $  87  $100 
Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index$  44 $  39   $  40   $  46   $  62  $100 

  

For the Years Ended August 31,

 
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2012

  

2011

  

2010

 

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

 $215  $173  $139  $125  $120  $100 

S&P 500 Index

 $188  $191  $156  $134  $116  $100 

NYSE Composite Index

 $152  $165  $138  $120  $112  $100 

Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index

 $187  $180  $151  $112  $99  $100 

The information contained in the above graph shall not been deemed to be soliciting material or filed or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that FactSet specificallyincorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Actof 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

23

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data has been derived from FactSet’s consolidated financial statements.This financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7,Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8,Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Consolidated

Consolidated Statements of Income Data

(in thousands, except per share data) Years Ended August 31, 
     2012   2011   2010 2009    2008 
Revenues    $805,793   $726,510   $641,059 $622,023 $575,519 
Operating income     272,990    238,335(1)   221,634  211,030  183,887(6)
Provision for income taxes  85,896   67,912(2)  71,970(4) 67,172(5) 64,030 
Net income     188,809    171,046(3)   150,211(4) 144,950(5) 125,017 
Diluted earnings per common share    $4.12   $3.61(3)  $3.13(4)$2.97(5)$2.50 
Weighted average common shares (diluted)     45,810    47,355    48,004  48,789  50,080 
Cash dividends declared per common share    $1.16   $1.00   $0.86 $0.76 $0.60 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands)  August 31, 
      2012   2011   2010  2009  2008 
Cash and cash equivalents $189,044  $181,685  $195,741 $216,320 $143,018 
Accounts receivable, net of reserves  74,251   75,004   59,693  62,854  74,859 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net  289,162   274,575   274,170  227,705  246,113 
Total assets     694,143    657,440    644,608  633,952  587,274 
Non-current liabilities  28,703   32,829   32,926  33,760  29,177 
Total stockholders’ equity    $552,264   $515,188   $502,406 $500,829 $465,471 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Years Ended August 31,

  

2015

  

2014

2013

  

2012

2011

  

Revenues

 $1,006,768  $920,335$858,112  $805,793$726,510  

Operating income

  331,918(1)  302,219 269,419(4)  272,990 238,335(7) 

Provision for income taxes

  92,703   91,921 72,273   85,896 67,912  

Net income

  241,051(2)  211,543 198,637(5)  188,809 171,046(8) 

Diluted earnings per common share

 $5.71(3) $4.92$4.45(6) $4.12$3.61(9) 

Weighted average common shares (diluted)

  42,235   42,970 44,624   45,810 47,355  

Cash dividends declared per common share

 $1.66  $1.48$1.32  $1.16$1.00  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

                 

(in thousands)

 

August 31,

  

2015

  

2014

2013

  

2012

2011

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $158,914  $116,378$196,627  $189,044$181,685  

Accounts receivable, net of reserves

  95,064   90,354 73,290   74,251 75,004  

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

  348,339   327,463 280,796   289,162 274,575  

Total assets

  736,671   663,212 690,197   694,143 657,440  

Non-current liabilities

  65,307   24,839 30,165   28,703 32,829  

Total stockholders’ equity

 $531,584  $511,082$541,779  $552,264$515,188  

(1)

Operating income in fiscal 2015 includes a pre-tax charges of $3.0 million related to the vesting of performance-based equity instruments and $3.2 million primarily from changes in the senior leadership responsible for the Company’s salesforce.

  
(1)

(2)

Includes

Fiscal 2015 net income includes $2.1 million (after-tax) of incremental expenses related to the vesting of performance-based equity instruments, $2.2 million (after-tax) related to the changes in the senior leadership responsible for the Company’s salesforce and income tax benefits of $8.8 million primarily from the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D Tax Credit in December 2014, finalizing prior year tax returns and other discrete items.

(3)

Diluted EPS for fiscal 2015 includes the net effect of a $0.21 increase in diluted EPS from the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit, finalizing prior year tax returns and other discrete items partially offset by a $0.05 decrease from the vesting of performance-based equity instruments and a $0.05 decrease from the changes in the senior leadership responsible for the Company’s salesforce.  

(4)

Operating income for fiscal 2013 includes pre-tax charges totaling $18.3 million related to the vesting of performance-based stock options granted in connection with the acquisitions of Market Metrics and StreetAccount.

(5)

Fiscal 2013 net income includes $12.9 million (after-tax) of incremental expenses related to the vesting of performance-based stock options granted in connection with the acquisitions of Market Metrics and StreetAccount and income tax benefits of $7.2 million primarily from the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in January 2013 and finalizing prior year tax returns.

(6)

Diluted EPS for fiscal 2013 includes the net effect of a $0.29 decrease for the vesting of performance-based options partially offset by a $0.16 increase in diluted EPS from the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit and finalizing prior year tax returns.  

(7)

Fiscal 2011 operating income includes a pre-tax charge of $7.9 million related to an increase in the estimated number of performance-based stock options that will vest. The revised estimate reflects a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly, increased the number of performance-based options that will vest and be expensed.

(2)
Includes income tax benefits of $6.3 million primarily from the finalization of the fiscal 2010 tax return and the reenactment of the U.S. Federal Research and Development (“R&D”) tax credit in December 2010.
(3)

(8)

Includes

Net income for fiscal 2011 includes $5.4 million (after-tax) of incremental expenses related to an increase in the estimated number of performance-based stock options that will vest and income tax benefits of $6.3 million primarily from the finalization of the fiscal 2010finalizing prior year tax returnreturns and the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in December 2010.

(4)
Includes

(9)

Included in fiscal 2011 diluted EPS were income tax benefits of $1.3 million primarily$0.13 from the finalization of the fiscal 2009finalizing prior year tax return, adjustments to certain reserves to reflect the lapse of statute of limitationsreturns and higher levels of non-U.S. taxable income.

(5)
Includes income tax benefits of $4.0 million primarily from the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in October 2008, finalizing prior year tax returns, adjusting certain reserves to reflect the lapse of statute of limitations and a benefit from repatriating foreign earnings to the U.S.
(6)Includes a pre-tax charge of $2.4 millionpartially offset by an $0.11 decrease related to an increase in the estimated number of performance-based stock options that vested in August 2008.will vest and be expensed.

 

24

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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of our management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A is presented in the following sections:

 -

Executive Overview

 -

Results of Operations

 -

Foreign Currency

Liquidity

 -

Liquidity

Capital Resources

 -

Capital Resources

Foreign Currency

 -

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 -

Share Repurchase Program

 -

Contractual Obligations

 -

Dividends

 -

Significant Accounting Policies

 -

Critical Accounting Estimates

 -

New Accounting Pronouncements

 -

Market Trends

 -

Management Changes

Forward-Looking Factors


The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Item 8,Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Executive Overview

FactSet is a provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community. We combine content regarding companies and securities from major markets all over the globe into a single online platform of information and analytics. By consolidating content from hundreds of databases with powerful analytics, FactSet supports the investment process from initial research to published results for buy and sell-side professionals. These professionals include portfolio managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, marketing professionals, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers and fixed income professionals. Our applications provide users access to company analysis,and industry analyses, multicompany comparisons, industry analysis, company screening, portfolio analysis, predictive risk measurements, alphatesting, portfolio optimization and simulation, real-time news and quotes and tools to value and analyze fixed income securities and portfolios. With Microsoft® Office integration, wireless access and customizable options, we offer a complete financial workflow solution. Our revenues are derived from month-to-month subscriptions to services, databases and financial applications. We generate 81%Investment management (buy-side) clients account for 82.5% of our revenues from investment management clients andannual subscription value (“ASV”), with the remainder is from investment banking firms who(sell-side) that perform Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A&A”) advisory work, capital markets services and equity research.

2015 Year in Review

Fiscal 2015 was a successful year for FactSet as we once again attained record levels of revenue, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share. This fiscal year marked our 37th year of operation, our 35th consecutive year of revenue growth and our 19th consecutive year of earnings growth as a public company. Our record results demonstrate the continued success of the FactSet brand. We grew organic ASV by $88.4 million compared to $64.6 million a year ago, which resulted in an organic ASV growth rate of 9.2%, up from 7.3% last year. Our ASV growth rate of 9.2% helped us surpass the $1 billion milestone in total ASV and end the year at $1.058 billion. The acceleration in ASV to 9.2% was also our highest rate of growth in over three years, while our 13.0% diluted earnings per share increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 represented our 21st consecutive quarter of double-digit adjusted EPS growth. In addition, clients and users reached record highs of 2,976 and 62,205, respectively, in fiscal 2015, including a quarterly record of 3,210 users during the fourth quarter.


Growth in each Key Metric

Growth during fiscal 2015 was driven by delivering comprehensive workflow solutions to our clients, improvements in the functionality of our product line including portfolio analytics, enhancements to our technological infrastructure, expansion of our proprietary data and a continued focus on client service. As a result, each of the following key operating metrics experienced growth over the past 12 months ($ in millions, except client and user counts):

Key Metric

 

2015

  

2014

  

Change

  

ASV

 $1,057.8  $963.6   9.8%(1)  

Revenues

 $1,006.8  $920.3   9.4%  

Diluted EPS

 $5.71  $4.92   16.1%  

Free Cash Flow(2)

 $280.8  $247.3   13.5%  

Clients

  2,976   2,743   8.5%  

Users

  62,205   54,596   13.9%  

(1)

ASV grew 9.2% organically year over year.

(2)

We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures.

Additionally, our annual client retention was greater than 95% of ASV as of August 31, 2015, consistent with last year. However, when expressed as a percentage of clients, our annual retention rate was 94%, up from 93% a year ago.

Returning Value to Stockholders

On May 12, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a 12.8% increase in the regular quarterly dividend, beginning with the dividend payment in June 2015 of $0.44 per share, or $1.76 per share per annum. In addition, we repurchased 1.7 million shares for $252.8 million under the existing share repurchase program during fiscal 2015. With our dividends and share repurchases we have returned $322.8 million in the aggregate to stockholders over the past 12 months.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $25.7 million during fiscal 2015, up from $17.7 million a year ago. Approximately $13.8 million, or 54%, of our capital expenditures during fiscal 2015 were for purchases of computer equipment. This expense included more servers for our existing data centers, purchasing laptop computers and peripherals for employees, upgrading existing computer systems and improving telecommunication equipment.The remaining 46% of our capital expenditures were used to build out our offices primarily in New York, New York, Austin, Texas and Manila, the Philippines during fiscal 2015.

Product Developments to Enhance our Workflow Solutions

At FactSet, we are dedicated to building tools to support the workflows of our traditional Asset Management and Investment Banking base, as well as to extend our core competency to encompass Wealth Managers, Sales & Trading, Private Equity and Hedge Funds. In fiscal 2015, we introduced unique product innovations and applications across our segments which have improved the speed, usability and discoverability of our workstation. In addition to making the application more intuitive, we also released new site-wide search functionality which allows users to discover reports and applications. In support of data integrity, we released FactSet Portfolio Services to offer robust and transparent data reconciliations and standardized custom reporting options across regions and asset classes. FactSet Geographical Revenue Exposure (GeoRev), a recently released data set, enhances the way a user can view company revenues by geographic country and regional categories.

Content and Technology

Our product capabilities and goals are not possible without investments in content. We are focused on metrics that measure the impact of our content used by our clients; timeliness, accuracy, completeness, coverage and usage. Highlights of fiscal 2015 enhancements to our proprietary content are as follows:

FactSet Enterprise Data Governance

As a major publisher of financial content, FactSet continues to optimize its data governance model by employing enterprise level standards for entity and security reference data. Leveraging these enterprise standards enables us to connect effectively all of its proprietary and third party content through a consistent reference data framework. This integration allows our client base to leverage FactSet content across multiple workflows via the creation of highly connected “smart data” sets. Users are able to extend analytics and alpha generation by identifying intelligent correlations amongst connected data points, uncover complex relationships amongst entities, securities, people and funds (hierarchies, supply chains, board relationships) and leverage data connectivity to drive risk and regulatory reporting (aggregation, conflict of interest, counterparty discovery). 


FactSet Revere

During fiscal 2015, FactSet continued to invest in the Revere content product lines with enhancements includingFactSet Revere Hierarchy,a unique industry classification system that categorizes companies based on both their primary and secondary lines of business;FactSet Revere Segment Revenue (“SegRev”), which links a company’s as-reported business segment revenue and product categories to the FactSet Revere Hierarchy;FactSet Supply Chain Relationships, content that enables users to understand the performance and risk of a company by accessing its key customers, suppliers, competitors and partners; andFactSet Revere Business Industry Classification System (“FactSet RBICS”), which leverages the granularity of the FactSet Revere Hierarchy to classify companies by their primarily line of business. The database has 12 anchor sectors and is six levels deep with increasingly detailed layers of micro-industry groups.

FactSet Fundamentals

In fiscal 2015, we added banks to the Industry Metrics offering and metrics to the Oil & Gas and Metals & Mining offerings, bringing the key performance indicator coverage to seven industries, 5,600 active companies and 750 metrics. We also added over 2,600 companies to coverage for the standardized product, bringing the active universe to over 47,000 and the overall universe to 79,000.

FactSet CallStreet(Events and Transcripts)

This offering continues to provide high quality transcripts while maintaining industry standard timeliness metrics for raw and corrected earnings call transcripts for over 80% of the CallStreet universe. Coverage of transcripts and events grew 9% and 5%, respectively, during fiscal 2015.

FactSet Ownership

In fiscal 2015 this data set expanded to include fixed income funds. Fund holders of fixed income securities can be used in conjunction with other FactSet Ownership standard data feeds. With history starting from September 2013, the fixed income securities and funds included are global in scope, and both active and terminated securities and funds are included.

FactSet Infrastructure

The foundation to our product, content and technology goals is the focus on our infrastructure. We have invested a significant amount of resources in the evolution of our computing resources, storage capabilities, security posture and ability to scale. Part of this investment includes Project NextGen, which has helped us transition from large mainframe computers to a more distributed environment powered by a vast array of smaller, faster and more cost-effective machines. This new architecture will allow us to be more agile and respond to the market quickly going forward, as well as enabling us to build new products and features.

Continued Focus on Client Service

Client service is a vital component of our business model. We support our powerful information and analytical applications with a team of financial data and modeling experts. Client service is performed each and every day via email, text, instant messaging, or phone. Client touches are a key metric by which we measure the success of our service. According to our fiscal 2015 global client satisfaction survey, 97% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with FactSet’s support, consistent with the prior year. The depth of our knowledge, the data behind the models and the complex mathematics behind the answers each create an opportunity for us to forge close working relationships with our user community.

Our reward for investing in a consulting group comprised of approximately 1,400 individuals is client loyalty, as evidenced by an annual client retention rate of greater than 95% of ASV as of August 31, 2015. Our consulting teams have been trained to listen to our clients’ needs and transfer this knowledge directly to the product development teams, helping us transform suggestions into new or enhanced product offerings. Educating our clients is also an important component of our service. Not only do we teach our users the nuances of our software and content offerings, but FactSet personnel are often thought-leaders in a particular area of financial modeling in our rapidly evolving industry. As a result, clients look to FactSet as a trusted partner to stay on the cutting edge of financial modeling and analysis. During fiscal 2015, nearly 1,900 clients attended live or online FactSet training sessions; more than 6,000 investment bankers were trained on how to use our systems; clients completed 29,000 eLearning courses in our online library; and clients referenced our online help and reference library over 700,000 times.

Employees

Our industry-leading customer care is largely due to the talent of our employee population. As of August 31, 2012, we employed 5,735 employees,2015, employee headcount was 7,360, up 9% or 484 employees10.9% from a year ago. Of theseour total employees, 1,8402,238 were located in the U.S., 607832 in Europe and 3,2884,290 in Asia Pacific. Approximately 53%54% of our employees arewere involved with content collection, 25%24% work in product development, software and systems engineering, another 18%19% conduct sales and consulting services and the remaining 4% provide3% provided administrative support.


Fiscal 2012 was our 34th year of operation, our 32nd consecutive year of revenue growth and our 16th consecutive year of positive earnings growth as a public company. In the past 12 months, we have become faster and more relevant to a broader range of users as we continue to dedicate ourselves to building tools to support a variety of user workflows from traditional Asset Management to Wealth Managers, Mergers & Acquisitions, Advisor, Sales & Trading, Hedge Funds and Private Equity/Venture Capital. FactSet is on the desktops of many of the largest and most successful financial companies in the world. Our unique applications free global professionals from having to gather and collate financial and economic data, which allows them more time to analyze the data and increase their productivity.
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Fiscal 2012 in Review
Our fiscal 2012 results continue to demonstrate the success FactSet has had in the marketplace. The strength of our business model continues to generate stockholder value as illustrated by our double-digit revenue and diluted earnings per share growth. Robust top and bottom-line growth was achieved despite volatility in the financial markets that may have interrupted short-term buying patterns from our clients. As the economy remains volatile, results indicate our philosophy of consistently investing for the future is paying off.  Each of our key operating metrics experienced healthy growth, as we added 155 net new clients and 1,400 new users since August 31, 2011.

ASV totaled $843 million at August 31, 2012, up 7% organically over the prior year, while diluted earnings per share was $4.12, up 14% year over year. We continued to hire around the world, as we added employees in our content collection operations as well as in our engineering and consulting groups. During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, we increased our regular quarterly dividend by 15% to $0.31 per share, making 2012 the seventh consecutive year we have increased our dividend by more than 10%. Aggregating dividends with share repurchases, we returned $204 million to stockholders and generated over $209 million in free cash flow during fiscal 2012.

We acquired StreetAccount in June 2012, a leader in timely and informative news summaries for the investment community. StreetAccount has been integrated into the FactSet workstation and our mobile applications, and will continue to be offered as a standalone web application for its traditional user community. Client feedback about StreetAccount has been overwhelmingly positive.

We are also proud to have been recognized in fiscal 2012 for our exemplary employee workforce who continue to provide the industry's best service. For the fourth time in five years, we were named to Fortune's “100 Best Companies to Work For”. We were named to one of the “UK's 50 Best Workplaces” for the fourth year in a row and recognized as one of “France’s 50 Best Workplaces.” As we continue to grow, we rely on the constant infusion of new ideas and creative thinking to maintain our position at the cutting-edge of financial services and software.

All these metrics simply show that, even now in a volatile marketplace, FactSet continues to grow. Our business continues to expand into adjacent areas, including the wide variety of content we collect and process, as we've grown organically, aided by strategic acquisitions over the years, and remained focused on our core client base. We continue to deliver excellent client service, provided by our home-grown consultants. With them and with our experienced sales and products teams, we provide superior service for clients that demand the very best. We view success over the long-term, which requires us to make new investments in our products and technology every year. This philosophy translates to our products becoming more competitive in the marketplace.

Product Enhancements
The following major fiscal 2012 product developments focused on building tools to support a variety of user workflows that are anticipated to have a significant impact on our future growth.
·
Fixed Income Portfolio Analysis (“FIPA”) - Clients use FIPA to analyze the performance of fixed income portfolios. We released a number of enhancements including a significant expansion of our network of servers to calculate the quantitative models that drive the analysis, as well as a tool to automate the testing of FIPA results.
·
StreetAccount - Through the acquisition of StreetAccount in June 2012, we now distill crucial market-moving information for investment professionals, providing concise and timely synopses of important events. We are now able to provide our clients with an efficient method for managing news presented to them each day. StreetAccount has been integrated into the FactSet workstation and our mobile applications, and will continue to be offered as a standalone web application for its traditional user community.
·
Company Guide - Company Guide is a new suite of company reports available on our traditional and mobile platforms. The reports and charts provide quick, relevant, and visually pleasing data views, enabling our clients to monitor any of the thousands of companies in our financial data libraries. Company Guide represents our product development focused on ease-of-use and speed of calculation for our product suite.
·
Local Market Share (Market Metrics) - We expanded our Local Market Share product beyond mutual funds to include variable annuity and life insurance data. We also grew the user base by introducing a new application for wholesalers to consume local market share data easily and quickly.
·
Macro Attribution - Macro attribution, which enables analysis of investment decisions for fund of funds portfolios, has been integrated within our PA suite. This attribution method treats a fund the same way traditional methods treat securities, so performance is viewed for the fund as a whole rather than its component securities. Macro attribution displays the performance of a particular strategy, manager, or asset class.
·
Portfolio Analysis in Kanji - This product enhancement has increased our opportunities within the local Japanese investment management market.
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·
Country Synopsis - This new application, available in the FactSet workstation, combines economic data, stock index data, country fundamentals, and company-level data into a single high-level report, which serves as a starting point for analysis of a country.
·
Bank Loan Data within FIPA - In June 2012, we announced the integration of bank loan data from Markit to enhance our FIPA service. Under the agreement, we will carry Markit's terms and conditions data on bank loans as well as loan market performance data from both of Markit's iBoxx USD Leveraged Loan's Indexes.
·
Entity Structure -In June 2012, we released the industry’s first interactive data visualization tool for business entity and counterparty analysis. This new Entity Structure report combines our Entity Data Management solution with comprehensive financial content, letting users dive deeply into a company or country’s complex structure. The report capitalizes on the strength of FactSet EDM, which makes available high-quality symbology and entity mapping. Users are able to gain a detailed view of the capital structure of a given entity, as all securities are mapped to the entity’s hierarchy at the issuing level.

Evolving Technology
The following were key fiscal 2012 improvements to our technology infrastructure necessary to expand our business:
·
Project NextGen - FactSet is evolving away from large mainframe computers to a more distributed environment powered by a vast array of smaller, faster, and more cost-effective machines. As part of a multi-phase project to be executed over several years, we converted all databases and released several applications on this new platform during fiscal 2012. While this initiative requires a significant investment of internal resources, we do not anticipate any interruption to our clients’ workflows. Instead, we expect clients will notice that their FactSet applications run more quickly and reliably.
·
Wireless Connectivity – The Company went mobile in the beginning of fiscal 2012 with FactSet for the iPad and the iPhone, supplementing its flagship workstation offering with the same data and analytical products on mobile devices. This capability embeds the FactSet service offering even further into the daily workflow of its clients.
·
Mainframe Upgrade - In addition to investing in the future via our NextGen initiative, we continued to ensure that our existing mainframe architecture functions at high levels. During the year we upgraded the remaining 20% of our mainframes to optimize speed and consistency for both client batch and interactive workloads.
·
Fixed Income Analytics - We expanded our state-of-the-art grid of servers and software systems that support our industry-leading fixed income analytics platform. This grid, or network of servers, now has more computing power than our mainframe computers and at a lower cost.
·
Direct Exchange Feed Expansion - We established direct lines to several dozen additional domestic and international securities exchanges during fiscal 2012, giving us more control of the quality and timeliness of real-time exchange data. Rather than depending upon third-party consolidated feeds, we have taken the initiative to control the technology for this critical information.

Growing and Enhancing FactSet Proprietary Data Sets
Our proprietary collection process allows us to enhance data in valuable and new ways. As such, we continue to expand our content collection facilities in India and the Philippines, staffing the new centers with financial information industry experts to make improvements in timeliness and reliability. Over the last 12 months we increased our content collection headcount by 215 employees. As of August 31, 2012, there were 3,124 employees in Hyderabad and Manila responsible for collecting and publishing data on thousands of global companies using a proprietary FactSet collection process. The following were significant proprietary content initiatives during fiscal 2012:
·
FactSet FundamentalsWe expanded the number of companies covered by the FactSet Fundamentals collection team, making this critical data set even more relevant to users who follow Asian and emerging markets. Our team realized a huge improvement in collection speed, becoming more timely than other providers of fundamentals data. The comprehensive coverage available on FactSet Fundamentals now includes more than 72,000 companies, 20 years of historical data, up to 2,000 data elements on each company record and intra-day updates for more than 150 data items.
·
FactSet Estimates - The FactSet Estimates database is now a best-of-breed in the industry, used by The Wall Street Journal for the annual “Best on the Street” analyst survey and widely sourced in major financial publications and other media channels. The FactSet Estimates collection team expanded the breadth of available information, including such innovative enhancements as product-level estimates and reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP measures, as investors seek to interpret company earnings releases to yet another level of detail. FactSet Estimates now covers approximately 16,300 active companies globally with 806 contributors providing comprehensive consensus-level estimates and statistics.
·
Credit Analysis - Our collection and presentation of debt capital structure information advanced beyond what we believe is currently offered by some of our competitors. This data set is global, timely, and links directly to the underlying prospectus or indenture. We’ve integrated our data with content from third parties and created new reports focused on liquidity, causing credit analysis to emerge as a competitive advantage for FactSet.
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·
Fixed income Terms and Conditions - Our collection teams also focused their 2012 efforts on collecting terms and conditions of fixed income instruments. The primary purpose of this effort was to improve the client experience for users of FIPA. Our terms and conditions database has grown this year to cover more than 75,000 non-U.S. securities, primarily related to corporate and sovereign debt instruments.

Job Creation
We believe that future success depends in part on our continued ability to hire, assimilate and retain qualified personnel. As of August 31, 2012, employee headcount was 5,735, up 9% from a year ago. This marks the third consecutive year we have hired at least 450 people and in the past three years, FactSet has created a net new 2,773 jobs around the world, including more than 500 within the U.S. Fiscal 2012 employee growth was broad-based as we welcomed new classes of software engineers and sales consultants, continued the expansion of our proprietary content collection operations in India and the Philippines and welcomed employees through the acquisition of StreetAccount.

StreetAccount Acquisition
On June 29, 2012, we acquired StreetAccount LLC (“SA”) to complement our news offering with distilled and crucial market moving information for buy-side and sell-side institutions. Founded in 2003, SA is known for its timely and informative news summaries and provides investment professionals with an efficient method for managing news flow. The StreetAccount service includes real-time company updates, portfolio and sector filtering, email alerts, and market summaries. Content is written by financial professionals and can be customized for portfolio, index, sector, market, time of day (i.e., Overnight Summaries), and category (i.e., Top Stories, Market Summaries, Economic, M&A). At the time of acquisition, SA had annual subscriptions of $11.4 million. FactSet is now the sole distributor of StreetAccount news and current FactSet users can gain immediate, integrated access to StreetAccount through the FactSet workstation and iPad application.

Awards and Recognition
We received the following accolades during fiscal 2012:
2015:

 ·

Ranked #75#48 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,For. and included on that list for the fourth time


 ·

FactSet Europe was named

Named as one of the “UK’s 50“100 Best Workplaces”Workplaces for Millennials” in the fourth consecutive yearU.S. by Fortune.

 ·

Recognized as one of “France’s 50 Best Workplaces”the UK’s “Best Workplaces.”

 ·

Ranked within Connecticut’s 2012

Included in the “2015 Best Places to Work in France.”

 ·

Named a “Top 10 Best Small-Medium Companyas one of the “20 Great Workplaces in Technology” by Great Place to Work For” by the Business Research Guide®.

 ·

We also held our U.S. and European symposia during fiscal 2012, with over 320 industry professionals

Listed in attendance from around the world, including 270 clientsCrain’s “Chicago’s Best Places to Work.”

Growth across all Geographies and Key Metrics
In fiscal 2012, we delivered growth across all of our key metrics as our sales and consulting staff continued to sell our broad range of products across each geographic region. We gained new clients and users both in the U.S. and internationally, as new and existing clients continue to value our functionality and content.

U.S. Operations
·U.S. revenues increased to $550.5 million in fiscal 2012.
·Revenues from U.S. operations accounted for 68% of our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2012, consistent with the prior year.
·ASV was $572 million at August 31, 2012, up 5% from a year ago when excluding acquired StreetAccount ASV.
·Employee count in the U.S. grew 7% during fiscal 2012 and represented 32% of all employees at August 31, 2012.

International Operations
·Non-U.S. revenues increased to $255.3 million in fiscal 2012.
·Revenues from non-U.S. operations accounted for 32% of our consolidated revenues for fiscal 2012, consistent with the prior year.
·ASV was $271 million at August 31, 2012, up 10% year over year.
·Headcount increased by 357 since September 1, 2010 to 3,895 international employees as of August 31, 2012 and represented 68% of all employees company-wide.
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Capital Expenditures
·Capital expenditures were $22.5 million in fiscal 2012.
·$13.1 million or 58% of capital expenditures was for computer equipment, including upgrading our mainframe server equipment held in our data centers and laptop computers and peripherals for our growing employee base.
·$9.4 million or 42% of capital expenditures were incurred for the build out of new space in Norwalk, New York and Hong Kong as well as the continued expansion of leased office space in the Philippines.

Growth in Several Key Metrics for Fiscal 2012
·ASV was $843 million at August 31, 2012, up 7% organically over the prior year.
·Revenues grew 11% to $806 million.
·Diluted earnings per share rose 14% to $4.12.
·Free cash flow generated over the last twelve months was $209 million, up 18%.
·Accounts receivable decreased $1 million over the last twelve months while organic ASV was up $53 million over the same period, reflecting an improvement in our days sales outstanding (“DSO”) from 35 to 32 days.
·Professionals using FactSet increased to 49,500, up 1,400 users.
·A net increase of 155 clients over the last twelve months compared to 127 last year.
·Annual client retention remained greater than 95% of ASV and 92% when expressed as a percentage of clients, both statistics consistent with a year ago.

Returning Value to Stockholders
·We increased our quarterly dividend 15% from $0.27 to $0.31 per share in May 2012.
·The Company paid $50 million of regular quarterly dividends during fiscal 2012.
·We expanded our existing share repurchase program by an additional $200 million in May 2012.
·FactSet repurchased 1.6 million shares for $153 million under the program. Including the expansion, $190 million remains authorized for future share repurchases as of August 31, 2012.

Results of Operations


For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced our performance during the past three fiscal years, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(in thousands, except per share data)
Years Ended August 31,
 2012  2011  Change  2011  2010  Change 
Revenues $805,793  $726,510   10.9% $726,510  $641,059   13.3%
Cost of services  275,537   244,623   12.6%  244,623   206,550   18.4%
Selling, general and administrative  257,266   243,552   5.6%  243,552   212,875   14.4%
Operating income  272,990   238,335   14.5%  238,335   221,634   7.5%
Net income $188,809  $171,046   10.4% $171,046  $150,211   13.9%
Diluted earnings per common share $4.12  $3.61   14.1% $3.61  $3.13   15.3%
Diluted weighted average common shares  45,810   47,355       47,355   48,004     

(in thousands, except per share data)

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

Change

  

2014

  

2013

  

Change

 

Revenues

 $1,006,768  $920,335   9.4%

 

 $920,335  $858,112   7.3%

 

Cost of services

  405,339   353,686   14.6%

 

  353,686   306,379   15.4%

 

Selling, general and administrative

  269,511   264,430   1.9%

 

  264,430   282,314   (6.3)%

 

Operating income

  331,918   302,219   9.8%

 

  302,219   269,419   12.2%

 

Net income

 $241,051  $211,543   13.9%

 

 $211,543  $198,637   6.5%

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 $5.71  $4.92   16.1%

 

 $4.92  $4.45   10.6%

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

  42,235   42,970       42,970   44,624     

Revenues

Fiscal 20122015 compared to Fiscal 2011

2014

Revenues in fiscal 20122015 were $805.8$1,006.8 million, up 10.9%9.4% compared to the prior year. Included in this total was $1.8 million from the acquisition of StreetAccount on June 29, 2012.fiscal 2014. Our revenue growth drivers during fiscal 20122015 were broad-based growth across all geographies, continued use of our advanced applications such as Portfolio Analysis, growthincreases in the number ofASV, clients and users, new features and enhancements toaccelerated demand for our competitive product suite, expanded deployment of our proprietary data, annual price increases, the ability to access FactSet for the iPad and the iPhone, increased usage of FactSet in Excel by both buy and sell-side users, growth in our Market Metrics business and an annual client retention rate that is greater than 95% of ASV and 92% in terms of clients. These revenue drivers were partially offset by TheMarkets.com cancellation of an earnings estimates feed from us.


Broad-based growth across all geographies
Our sales and consulting staff continued to sell our broad range offixed income portfolio products, across each geographic region. We gained new clients at traditional money managers, regional broker dealers and among research and sales departments both in the U.S. and internationally. Revenues generated by each of our segments experienced double-digit growth compared to a year ago, as U.S. revenues were up 10.6%, European revenues advanced 10.5% and Asia Pacific revenues grew 15.2%. Our investment management clients represented 81% of our total ASV as of August 31, 2012, up from 79% a year ago.
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Clients continue to license our advanced applications
Our Portfolio Analyticsportfolio analytics (“PA”) suite of products, including our Fixed Income in PA product, continued to be a sourcesales of revenue growth. PA 2.0, Portfolio Publisher, SPAR (Style Performanceequity attribution and Risk Analysis), Fixed Income in PA, benchmarks and indices, and our risk optimizer products have been among the many value-added applications that continue to be in demand by existing clients as well as an attractive selling point for new clients. In the last 12 months, both PA users and clients have increased by double digits as this suite is comprehensive and includes the applications for portfolio attribution, risk, quantitative analysis, portfolio publishing and returns based, style analysis. Portfolio Publisher was successful in fiscal 2012 as buy side clients used it to streamline their report production workflows. Quantitative analysis groups have found value our suite ofmulti asset class risk models, and portfolio optimizers, which are fully integrated and offered by FactSet. Our strength in portfolio analysis and our ability to effectively manage the complex requirementsadditional purchases of our clients is a marked differentiator for FactSet.

Growth in the number of clients and users of FactSet
We have experienced net new client growth for 11 consecutive quarters. It is rewarding to see net new client growth for 11 consecutive quarters against a backdrop of economic volatility where we have seen uncertain economic times stifle new firm creation and extend the timeframes clients take to make large spending decisions. The total number of FactSet clients as of August 31, 2012 was 2,392, a net increase of 155 clients during the past 12 months as compared to 127 net new clients during fiscal 2011. Excluding the StreetAccount acquisition, we added 57 net new clients during the fourth quarter of 2012. This represented the highest quarterly total in six years. Adding new clients is one of the first steps for us in increasing ASV. New clients typically begin at lower ASV levels and grow over the first few years. At August 31, 2012, our largest individual client accounted for 2% of total subscriptions and annual subscriptions from the ten largest clients did not surpass 16% of total client subscriptions, consistent with August 31, 2011.

At August 31, 2012, there were 49,500 professionals using FactSet, an increase of 1,400 users from a year ago. Users declined among sell-side clients, but the overall user count still increased by 1,400 on a net new basis during fiscal 2012 due to penetration on the buy-side. In the past 12 months, our investment management client base has added approximately 1,900 users while our investment banking clients have contracted by 500 users. These investment banking clients were cautious in fiscal 2012 as they closely reviewed and scrutinized their user populations and right-sized their populations based on how they perceive market opportunities. Many of them experienced headcount reductions, which lowered our investment banking user count. However, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, total user count increased by 1,100 due to growth in both the investment management and banking businesses. This user count growth was strong when considering the high season of hiring for sell-side banks is in the summer, and our belief that new hires declined by approximately 20% compared to 2011.

New Features and Enhancements to our Competitive Product Suite
Though global market volatility resulted in a business environment less favorable to our clients, FactSet continued to provide a highly competitive product suite. Despite widespread expense reduction programs at our clients, fiscal 2012 saw FactSet gain market share. As a result, our client and user counts expanded to record highs. We successfully released new features and enhancements to the FactSet workstation during fiscal 2012. Speed and software stability improvements were highlights and made our system even more compelling to our clients. As in the prior year, our client product usage growth rate exceeded our subscription growth rate, signaling that we delivered more value per dollar of subscription to our clients.

Real-time users have increased every quarter since the product was released in 2002. Real-time news and quotes is a product that services the needs of a global investor and continues to be a source of revenue growth for us. Deployment of real-time news and quotes has resulted in a significant increase in user count over the last 12 months. In addition, the ability for our end users to access more than 85 premium third-party content providers and 100 exchanges and integrate their own data for use in FactSet applications continues to support revenue growth.

Expanded deployment of our proprietary data
FactSet proprietary content has been a solid contributor to our total revenue growth in fiscal 2012 as our proprietary multi-year content initiative took form during fiscal 2012. We believe that several of our content offerings have become superior to those of our competitors. Enhancements to a multitude of our content offerings were incorporated into FactSet during fiscal 2012. We have been successful in licensing proprietary FactSet data and in particular, FactSet Fundamentals and FactSet Estimates. The types of data licensed in feed form include Ownership, Transcripts, M&A and Corporate Hierarchy data, among others. Data feeds are consumed by a range of clients, including existing large FactSet clients and some who do not manage money or provide sell-side services.
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Annual Price Increase
As FactSet has done for the past several years, we issued annual price increases during fiscal 2012. These price increases impacted the majority of our U.S. and non-U.S. investment management clients and resulted in ASV growth of $13 million during 2012 as compared to $11 million a year ago. The annual price increases implemented in January 2012 (for U.S. investment management clients) and March 2012 (for non-U.S. investment management clients) grew revenues by $8.2 million during fiscal 2012 compared to last year. The annual price increases implemented in January and March 2011 contributed an additional $4 million in revenues in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011.

FactSet Mobility
We went mobile in fiscal 2012 with FactSet for the iPad and the iPhone, supplementing our flagship workstation offering with the same data and analytical products on mobile devices. Client feedback for these offerings has been extremely positive and embeds our service even further into our clients’ daily workflows.

Increased usage of FactSet in Excel by both buy and sell-side users
We've been pleased by the increased usage of FactSet in Excel by both buy and sell-side users. This increased client engagement level was brought about by the release of Sidebar a year ago, which is the new FactSet for Excel. Sidebar enhances the workflow of the user by making it simple and easy to customize and derive great value straight from Excel, one of the most widely-used software platforms in our industry.

Annual client retention rates
Consistent with last year, our annual client retention rate was greater than 95% of ASV at August 31, 2012. As a percentage of actual clients, the annual retention rate was 92% at August 31, 2012, also consistent with last year. We believe these statistics, which have remained consistent since last year despite a volatile global economy, demonstrate to us that our clients continue to be engaged with our services and derive value from them.

Growth in the Market Metrics business
The Market Metrics mutual fund local market share product that we introduced last year has been performing well. In addition to mutual funds, we have expanded the Local Market Share suite of products to include variable annuity, life insurance, and applications for wholesalers. The Local Market Share suite of products has enabled senior management to understand the value and penetration of their own products in local markets in greater detail than they have been able to examine before.

Acquisition of StreetAccount
On June 29, 2012, we acquired StreetAccount to complement our news offering with distilled and crucial market moving information for buy- and sell-side institutions. At the time of acquisition, StreetAccount had annual subscriptions of $11.4 million. During fiscal 2012, StreetAccount added $1.8 million of revenue to our operations. However, the acquisition of SA did not have an impact on our fourth quarter diluted earnings per share.

Partially offsetting the positive revenue drivers discussed above was a cancellation of an earnings estimates feed to TheMarkets.com as a result of its acquisition by S&P Capital IQ and a decline in ASV from investment banking clients in the past 12 months as the banks continued their reduction in spending and hiring. In late 2010, Capital IQ, a Standard & Poor’s business and a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, acquired the research and estimates business of TheMarkets.com. FactSet had previously negotiated an agreement to provide TheMarkets.com with an earnings estimates feed, and this agreement was subsequently cancelled in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, reducing ASV by $4.1 million. However, total user count was not impacted as a result of the cancellation because the agreement provided an earnings estimates feed without any workstations.

Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010
Revenues in fiscal 2011 were $726.5 million, up 13.3% from $641.1 million in 2010. Increased revenues were from successes across our product suite and in all geographic locations. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was a record quarter for us as ASV grew by $37 million, rising to $779 million at August 31, 2011. During fiscal 2011, our user count increased by 5,300, net new clients rose to 127, and annual subscriptions increased by $93 million organically. Broad-based growth was the catalyst for accelerating our ASV growth rate to 14% in fiscal 2011. Our investment management clients experienced strong growth and for much of fiscal 2011, the global financial markets were in positive territory, thus encouraging many of our clients to invest in people and in their business partnerships. This positive business environment, coupled with our strategy of continual product and service enhancements translated into progress in each of our key metrics. We also invested heavily in the product during 2011, releasing four new versions, each with many new features and improvements in speed and stability. Our revenue growth drivers during fiscal 2011 were broad-based growth across our geographical segments, clients continued use of our advanced applications such as Portfolio Analysis, growth in the number of clients and users, new functionality within FactSet that improves our clients’ workflows by consolidating multiple services into one platform, the expanded deployment of our proprietary data,  incremental revenue from the acquisition of Market Metrics on June 1, 2010, an increase in the client retention rate and annual price increases.
31

Revenues by Geographic Region
(in thousands)
Years Ended August 31,
 2012  2011  2010 
U.S. $550,474  $497,564  $435,351 
% of revenues  68.3%  68.5%  67.9%
Europe $197,404  $178,693  $161,649 
Asia Pacific  57,915   50,253   44,059 
     International $255,319  $228,946  $205,708 
% of revenues  31.7%  31.5%  32.1%
Consolidated $805,793  $726,510  $641,059 

Revenues from our U.S. segment increased 10.6% to $550.5 million in fiscal 2012 compared the same period a year ago. Our revenue growth rate in the U.S. reflects strong client and user count growth, the expanded deploymentServices solutions, expansion of our proprietary content, an increase in the number of PA users, annual price increases, incremental revenues from Market Metrics and the acquisition of StreetAccount. The annual price increase for our U.S. investment management clients in January 2012 drove revenues up by approximately $6.8 million in fiscal 2012.  StreetAccount added $1.8 million of revenue to the U.S. segment since its acquisition in June 2012.
International revenues in fiscal 2012 were $255.3 million, an increase from $228.9 million in the prior year period. The impact from foreign currency increased international revenues by $0.5 million year over year. European revenues advanced 10.5% to $197.4 million due to offering a broader selection of global proprietary content, an annual price increase for the majoritycontinued growth of our non-U.S. investment management clients in March 2012, increases in user and client counts and clients licensing our advanced applications. Asia Pacific revenues grew to $57.9 million,RMS offering.

Annual Subscription Value

As of August 31, 2015, ASV was $1.058 billion, up 15.2%9.2% organically from a year ago. The foreign currency impact attributable to the change in the value of the Japanese Yen compared to the U.S. dollar increased revenues by $0.5 million in fiscal 2012. Holding currencies constant, Asia Pacific revenue growth year over year was 14.2%, primarily due to growth in our global content offering, the expansion of our real-time news and quotes that services the needs of a global investor, our ability to sell additional services to existing clients and new client and user growth over the last 12 months. In March 2012, we issued our annual price increase for the majority of our non-U.S. investment management clients resulting in incremental revenue of $1.4 million during fiscal 2012. Revenues from international operations accounted for 31.7% of our consolidated revenues during 2012, up from 31.5% in the year ago quarter.


Our U.S. segment revenue increased 14.3% to $497.6 million during fiscal 2011 compared to 2010. Excluding the acquisition of Market Metrics on June 1, 2010, U.S. revenues grew 11.3% in fiscal 2011 as compared to the same period a year ago. International revenues were up 11.3% to $228.9 million in fiscal 2011 compared to the same period a year ago. The impact from foreign currency increased international revenues by $1.4 million year over year. European revenues advanced 10.5% due to offering a broader selection of global proprietary content coupled with user and client growth. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Asia Pacific revenue growth was 10.9% year over year. The annual price increases for our U.S. investment management and banking and brokerage clients in January 2011 drove revenues up by approximately $6 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to $5 million in fiscal 2010.

Annual Subscription Value (“ASV”)
At August 31, 2012, ASV was $843 million, up 7% organically over the prior year. ASV at a given point in time represents the forward-looking revenues for the next 12 months from all subscription services being supplied to our clients. With proper notice to us, our clients are able to add to, delete portions of, or terminate service at any time.
\
($ in millions)
As of August 31,
 2012  2011  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004 
Total ASV $843 $779  $684**    $623     $621     $517     $423     $348     $273  
International ASV $271   $246   $218    $200    $195    $157    $126    $92    $56  
time, subject to certain contractual limitations.

($ in millions)

                 

As of August 31,

 

Total

ASV

   

% Organic

Growth

  

Non-U.S.

ASV

  

% of Total ASV

Non-U.S.

 

2015

 $1,058(1)    9.2 $343   32.4%

2014

 $964(2)    7.3 $312   32.4%

2013

 $888    5.9 $282   31.8%

2012

 $843(3)    6.8 $271   32.1%

2011

 $779    13.6 $246   31.6%

2010

 $684(4)    7.3 $218   31.9%

2009

 $623    0.8 $200   32.1%

2008

 $621    17.6 $195   31.4%

2007

 $517    21.9 $157   30.4%

2006

 $423    18.5 $126   29.8%

*

(1)

Includes $10 millionfrom acquisitions completed in fiscal 2015, including Code Red.

(2)

Includes $11.4$5 million from the acquisition of StreetAccount on June 29, 2012.

Revere and $7 million from the acquisition of Matrix.

**

(3)

Includes $15.9$11 million from the acquisition of StreetAccount.

(4)

Includes $16 million from the acquisition of Market Metrics on June 1, 2010.Metrics.

We believe that our organic ASV growth of 9.2% in fiscal 2015 and 7.3% in fiscal 2014 highlight the strength of our subscription business model. We continue to focus on expanding the business by providing superior analytical applications, premier global content and unmatched client service. The 9.2% increase in organic ASV during fiscal 2015 relates to broad-based global growth from both the buy and sell-side. We have seen accelerated demand for our fixed income portfolio products, PAsuite of products, sales of equity attribution and multi asset class risk models. Our stable of value-added products in the equity and fixed income analytics suite provided the company with strong sales in our European and Asia Pacific segments. Organic ASV growth of 9.2% excludes $10 million of ASV from acquisitions completed during fiscal 2015 and a $3.9 million detriment from foreign currency.


ASV from our U.S. operations was $572$714.8 million, up $288.7% organically from a year ago. International ASV totaled $343.1 million as of August 31, 2015, up 10.2% organically from a year ago excluding acquired StreetAccount ASV. ASV from international operations increased $25 million since the beginning of the fiscal year and totaled $271 million at August 31, 2012, representing 32%represented 32.4% of our Company-wide total. Organic ASV growth rates from buy and sell-side clients rose to 9.0% and 9.8%, respectively. The percentage of our total ASV derived from investment managementbuy-side clients increaseddecreased slightly from 79%82.6% a year ago to 81%82.5% at August 31, 2012.

32

2015.

Growth in the Number of Users and Clients of FactSet

During fiscal 2015, we added 183 net new clients (which excludes 50 new clients acquired from the acquisition of Code Red in February 2015), increasing the number of clients by 6.7% over the prior year. Including the 50 new clients from Code Red, our total client count was 2,976 as of August 31, 2015. The addition of new clients is important to us as we anticipate that it lays the groundwork to provide additional services in the future, consistent with our strategy of increasing sales of workstations, applications and content at our existing clients.Annual client retention as of August 31, 2015 was greater than 95% of ASV and 94% when expressed as a percentage of clients, an increase from 93% as of the end of fiscal 2014. We believe these statistics underscore the power of our business model, as the large majority of our clients maintain their subscriptions to FactSet throughout each year.At August 31, 2015, our largest individual client accounted for 2% of total subscriptions and annual subscriptions from our ten largest clients did not surpass 15% of total client subscriptions, consistent with the prior year.

At August 31, 2015, there were 62,205 professionals using FactSet, an increase of 7,609 users from a year ago. During the last twelve months, our investment management clients added 4,203 net new users, while our investment banking clients added 3,406 net new users. Our user count within the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 alone increased by 3,210 users compared to 2,113 in the year ago fourth quarter, marking it our largest ever quarterly increase. Significant additions came from both our investment management and banking clients. The fourth quarter typically includes new users from both the buy and sell-side, as our larger clients bring in new hire classes and this quarter we saw sizable new hire classes at our banking clients. Growth during 2015 in both the IPO and M&A markets has also helped improve business for our banking clients. In addition, during the just completed fiscal year, we released a new user interface that emphasizes ease of use and search, which we believe contributed to our net user increase in ASVfiscal 2015.         

Growth within Portfolio Analytics

Our PA suite of products, including our Fixed Income in PA product, continues to be well received within our client base and was a source of revenue growth during fiscal 2012 was driven by broad-based growth across geographical segments, continued use2015. Our clients have recognized the value of FactSet advancedthese applications such asand their capabilities in analyzing securities and portfolios. The PA expanded deploymentsuite includes separate products and covers a range of proprietary data, growth in theworkflows around portfolios. The number of clients and users increased usagesubscribing to PA, Fixed Income in PA, Style, Performance and Risk (“SPAR”), Risk and Portfolio Publishing continued to grow as this suite is comprehensive and includes highly desired applications for portfolio attribution, risk, quantitative analysis, portfolio publishing and returns based, style analysis. Clients continue to find value in our ability to serve as a single solution for their analytics, risk and publishing needs, over a variety of FactSet in Excel by both buyasset classes, which enables them to analyze securities and sell-side users, growthportfolios based on a variety of asset classes.

Increased Demand for Portfolio Services Solutions

Our solutions in the Market Metrics Local Market Share suitePortfolio Services space continued to do well. Our services offer turnkey integration, robust and transparent reconciliation and standardized and custom reporting options. Our team of products, a high annual client retention rate, annual price increases for the majorityspecialists monitors and remedies issues as they occur during all stages of the Company’s investment managementclient’s workflow, from data extraction to analytical enrichment, through report generation and data delivery. As clients look for areas to outsource services around data integration, enrichment, quality control and process monitoring, they are turning more and more to our managed services in this space.

Expansion of our Proprietary Content

Our proprietary content also continues to be a strong product line for us as well as a growing opportunity for us to expand our data feed business. We continue to be successful in licensing proprietary FactSet data, especially FactSet Fundamentals and FactSet Estimates, as our global content sales team pursues expanding the distribution of our content. This type of data is licensed in feed form and includes As-Reported Financials, ETF Data & Analytics, Enterprise Data Governance, CallStreet and Ownership. Data feeds are consumed by a wide range of clients, including existing large FactSet clients and some outside of our core client base that do not manage money or provide sell-side services. In addition, StreetAccount, our condensed news product, sells strongly across all FactSet user types and continues to be in demand due to the acquisitionability of StreetAccount in June 2012, which atour clients to receive up-to-the-minute news offered both through and outside the FactSet workstation.


Research Management Solutions (RMS)

On February 6, 2015, we acquired Code Red whose primary line of business is to provide research management technologies to the investment community, including endowments and foundations, institutional asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and hedge funds. With the addition of Code Red to FactSet's existing research management solution, we now offer an RMS for all our clients' workflows. At the time of acquisition, Code Red had annual subscriptions of $11.4$9.3 million. These growthFor fiscal 2015, the acquisition of Code Red added incremental revenue of $5.2 million. Together with our Internal Research Notes product, our RMS solutions continued to grow, particularly in the fourth quarter, as clients now have a choice between our hosted and local solutions.

Effects of Foreign Currency 

The positive revenue drivers disclosed above were partially offset by the impact of foreign currency, including a cancellationweaker Japanese Yen, British Pound Sterling and Euro. Foreign currency movements reduced revenues by $3.4 million during fiscal 2015 compared to a reduction of an earnings estimates feed$1.2 million in fiscal 2014.

Fiscal 2014 compared to TheMarkets.com asFiscal 2013

Revenues in fiscal 2014 were $920.3 million, up 7.3% compared to fiscal 2013. Revenue growth drivers during fiscal 2014 were the addition of 200 new clients and 3,628 users, a result7.3% increase in organic ASV, continued growth in our Portfolio Analytics suite of its acquisition by Standard & Poor’s Capital IQproducts, rising sales of our wealth management workflow solution, expansion of proprietary content, stabilization within sell-side client base and incremental revenues from the acquisitions of Revere and Matrix. Organic ASV growth of 7.3% excludes $12 million of ASV acquired from Revere and Matrix during fiscal 2014 and a decline$0.8 million detriment from foreign currency.

Revenues by Geographic Region

(in thousands)

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

U.S.

 $678,774  $624,642  $586,865 

% of revenues

  67.4%  67.9%  68.4%

Europe

 $251,522  $227,395  $208,827 

Asia Pacific

  76,472   68,298   62,420 

International

 $327,994  $295,693  $271,247 

% of revenues

  32.6%  32.1%  31.6%

Consolidated

 $1,006,768  $920,335  $858,112 

Fiscal 2015 compared to Fiscal 2014

Revenues from our U.S. segment increased 8.7% to $678.8 million in ASV from investment banking clientsfiscal 2015 compared to $624.6 million a year ago. Our fiscal 2015 U.S. revenue growth rate of 8.7% reflects increases in the past 12 months asnumber of users and clients of FactSet within the banksU.S., a rise in sales of our PA suite of products, continued their reduction in spendingdemand for our proprietary content, $5.2 million of incremental revenue from the acquisition of Code Red and hiring. As noted earlier, in January 2012, we issued annual price increases fora strong performance by our U.S. investment management clients resultingsales team. Our U.S. buy-side sales team has seen sustained demand for our fixed income portfolio products, multi-asset class risk and stress testing, attribution and publishing products. Revenues from our U.S. operations accounted for 67.4% of our consolidated revenues during fiscal 2015, down from 67.9% a year ago, as our international ASV growth rate surpassed our U.S. ASV growth rate by 150 basis points.

International revenues increased 10.9% to $328.0 million during fiscal 2015. Excluding negative foreign currency effects of $3.4 million, the year over year international revenue growth rate was 12.1%, which was comprised of 11.0% for Europe and 15.5% for Asia Pacific.Revenues from international operations accounted for 32.6% of our consolidated revenues during fiscal 2015, up from 32.1% a year ago.

European revenues advanced 10.6% year over year which was attributable to increases in client and user counts, continued growth in ASV from European sell-side clients and robust sales of PA subscriptions, partially offset by the negative effects of foreign currency. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations reduced our European growth rate by 40 basis points. The Asia Pacific revenue growth rate of $1012.0% was primarily due to net new user and client growth, increased PA subscriptions and our proficiency in selling additional services to existing clients, partially offset by negative foreign currency impact attributable to the change in the value of the Japanese Yen compared to the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations reduced our Asia Pacific growth rate by 350 basis points.


Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Revenues from our U.S. segment increased 6.4% to $624.6 million in fiscal 2014 compared to $586.9 million in fiscal 2013. Revenue growth was driven by the addition of users and clients, sales of our PA suite of products, growth in March 2012, we issued annual price increasesour wealth management solutions, increased demand for our non-U.S. investment management clients increasing ASVproprietary content, and increment revenue from the Revere acquisition, which increased our U.S. growth rate by $3 million.


Fiscal 2011 experienced ASV80 basis points. Revenue growth of 14%, drivenwas partially offset by purchases of growth in the number of clients and users, the expanded deployment of proprietary data, an increase in the client retention rate, ASV growtha contraction in the Market Metrics business during fiscal 2014, which lowered our U.S. growth rate by 60 basis points. International revenues increased 9.0% to $295.7 million during fiscal 2014. Excluding foreign currency effects and an annual price increasethe Matrix acquisition, the year over year international revenue growth rate was 6.7%, comprised of 5.0% for our clients. In January 2011, we implemented an annual price increaseEurope and 12.2% for the majorityAsia Pacific.Revenues from international operations accounted for 32.1% of our U.S. investment management clients and a smaller percentage of our U.S. global banking and brokerage business. This price increase resulted in ASV growthconsolidated revenues during fiscal 20112014, up from 31.6% a year ago primarily as a result of $9 million. In addition, in March 2011 we rolled out an annual price increase for our non-U.S. investment management clients, which increased ASV by $2 million.

We believe that our continued ASV growth in both fiscal 2012 and 2011 highlightincremental revenues from the stability of our subscription business model. We continue to combine our analytic applications, premier global content and client service to foster growth and the expansion of our business.
Matrix acquisition.

Operating Expenses


(in thousands)
Years Ended August 31,
 2012  2011  2010 
Cost of services $275,537  $244,623  $206,550 
Selling, general and administrative  257,266   243,552   212,875 
Total operating expenses $532,803  $488,175*     $419,425 
Operating income $272,990  $238,335  $221,634 
Operating Margin  33.9%  32.8% *  34.6%
* Included in operating expenses during fiscal 2011 was an incremental $7.9 million of stock-based compensation related to an increase in the estimated number of performance-based options scheduled to vest. The revised estimate reflects a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly, increased the number of performance-based options scheduled to vest and be expensed. The pre-tax stock-based compensation charge of $7.9 million reduced the Company’s operating margin by 110 basis points from 33.9% to 32.8% during fiscal 2011.

(in thousands)

Years Ended August 31,

2015

 

2014

 

2013 

 

Cost of services

$405,339 $353,686 $306,379 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”)

 269,511  264,430  282,314 

Total operating expenses

$674,850(1) $618,116 $588,693(2) 

Operating income

$331,918 $302,219 $269,419 

Operating Margin

 33.0% 32.8% 31.4%

(1)

Total operating expenses in fiscal 2015include an incremental $3.0 million from the vesting ofperformance-based equity instruments and $3.2 million related tochanges in the senior leadership responsible for the Company’s salesforce. Of this total, $3.8 million was reported within SG&A expenses with the remainder in cost of services.

(2)

Total operating expenses in fiscal 2013 includean incremental $18.3million from the vesting of performance-based stock options granted in connection with the acquisition of Market Metrics andStreetAccount. Of this total charge, $16.4 million was reported within SG&A expenses.

Cost of Services


Fiscal 20122015 compared to Fiscal 2011

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2012, cost2014

Cost of services increased 12.6%14.6% to $275.5$405.3 million as compared to $244.6 million in the same period a year ago. CostExpressed as a percentage of revenues, cost of services was 40.3% in fiscal 2015, an increase of 190 basis points from a year ago. The increase was driven by higher employee compensation, including stock-based compensation, partially offset by lower computer depreciation.

Employee compensation, including stock-based compensation, when expressed as a percentage of revenues, was 34.2%increased 210 basis points during fiscal 2012,2015due to new classes of consultants, engineers and product developers hired in the past 12 months, new additions at our proprietary content collection locations, the addition of 32 employees from the Code Red acquisition, an increase in variable compensation and annual base salary increases. Over the last 12 months, we have added 344 net new employees involved with content collection, 252 net new engineering and product development employees and 124 net new consultants, as we continue to focus on servicing our existing client base, expanding our content and improving our applications. In addition, of the total incremental $6.2 million expense recorded in fiscal 2015 from the vesting of performance-based equity instruments and changes in the senior leadership responsible for the Company’s salesforce, $2.4 million was reported within cost of services. Expenses associated with the operation of the Code Red business increased cost of services by $3.5 million during fiscal 2015 due to compensation paid to the acquired workforce, including stock-based compensation from equity based awards granted, amortization of acquired intangible assets and computer-related expenses.

Partially offsetting the growth in cost of services during fiscal 2015 was a reduction in computer depreciation expense, which decreased 20 basis points in fiscal 2015 compared to a year ago. This decrease was primarily due to the continued use of fully depreciated equipment and our transition to more efficient and cost-effective servers in our data centers.

Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Cost of services increased 15.4% to $353.7 million in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, cost of services was 38.4% in fiscal 2014, an increase of 50270 basis points over the prior year duefrom fiscal 2013. The increase was driven by higher employee compensation, expense associated with new hires in consulting, engineeringadditional third party data costs and content as well as an uptick in dataincremental costs from the Revere and Matrix acquisitions, partially offset by lower computer depreciation, a decline in intangible assets amortization expense and a prior year stock-based compensation charge.


computer-related expenses, including depreciation.

Employee compensation, including stock-based compensation, expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased 115300 basis points during fiscal 2012 compared2014.Excluding compensation attributable to the same period a year ago from new hiresacquired Revere and Matrix workforces, the increase in software engineeringemployee compensation was 250 basis points largely due to increased employee headcount and consulting, increased headcount in our proprietary content collection operations located in India and the Philippines andannual employee base salary increases year over year. Over the last 12 monthsincreases. In fiscal 2014, we have increased our headcount at our facilities in India and the Philippines by 215. At August 31, 2012, approximately 53% of our employees were involved with content collection. In addition to the hiring of employees at our primary content collection sites, we grew by approximately 210hired 202 net new engineeringsoftware engineers and product development employees and 3070 net new consultants, indedicated to the past year, as we continue to improvedevelopment, enhancement and support of our applications and service our existing client base. Higher compensation was partially offset by lower stock-based compensation expense in fiscal 2012 as the year ago period included a pre-tax charge of $7.9 million related to an increase in the estimated number of performance-based options scheduled to vest (approximately $1.9 million of the total pre-tax charge of $7.9 million was recorded within cost of services). Dataproducts. Third party data costs when expressed as a percentage of revenues increased 1510 basis points during fiscal 2014. Many of our data contracts are driven by our user and client count, so as we continue to grow in these metrics, so do our data-related costs. User count rose by 7% while clients grew 10% in fiscal 2014, thus driving up our third party data costs. Expenses associated with the operations of Revere and Matrix increased the cost of services, when expressed as a percentage of revenues, by 80 basis points during fiscal 2014 due to compensation paid to the acquired workforce, stock-based compensation from equity-based awards granted, incremental third party data costs and amortization of acquired intangible assets.


Partially offsetting the growth in cost of services during fiscal 2014 was a reduction in computer-related expenses. Computer-related expenses, including computer depreciation and maintenance costs, decreased 30 basis points in fiscal 2012 compared to the same period a year ago due to our growing user base, the continued expansion of our third party data set offerings and incremental Market Metrics data collection costs. As the result of us adding 155 clients and 1,400 users in the past 12 months, we incurred incremental variable fees payable to data vendors based on deployment of their content over the FactSet platform.

33

Lower computer depreciation and amortization of intangible assets expense partially offset higher compensation and data costs during fiscal 2012 compared to the same period a year ago. Computer-related expenses, including depreciation and computer maintenance costs, decreased 55 basis points in fiscal 20122014 as compared to a year agofiscal 2013 due to the continued use of fully depreciated equipment and our transition to more efficient and cost-effective servers in our data centerscenters.

Selling, General and the use of fully depreciated servers. The cost per server and related maintenance continues to decline as we have become more efficient in our data centers. Amortization of intangible assets declined 25 basis points from a year ago as additional intangible assets became fully amortized during 2012, while revenues increased over the same period by 11%. Amortization expense from intangible assets acquired from the StreetAccount acquisition in June 2012 was not material to fiscal 2012.


Administrative (SG&A)

Fiscal 20112015 compared to Fiscal 2010

Cost of services2014

SG&A expenses increased 18%1.9% to $244.6$269.5 million during fiscal 2015 as compared to $264.4 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to $206.6 million in fiscal 2010. Cost of services expressed as a percentage of revenues was 33.7% during fiscal 2011, an increase of 150 basis points from 2010. The increase year over year was driven by higher employee compensation, including performance-based stock option expense, partially offset by lower levels of third party data costs, computer-related expenses and communication costs.


Employee compensation, including stock-based compensation, expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased 330 basis points for the twelve months ended August 31, 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 due to the continued expansion of our proprietary content collection operations, the hiring of new classes of engineers and consultants around the world, increased variable compensation and higher stock-based compensation expense. Stock-based compensation recorded within cost of services was up $3.2 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to a year ago due to performance-based stock options. As disclosed earlier, an incremental $7.9 million of stock-based compensation was recorded in fiscal 2011 related to an increase in the estimated number of performance-based options that will vest. The revised estimate reflected a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly, increased the number of performance-based options that will vest and be expensed. Approximately $1.9 million of the total pre-tax charge of $7.9 million was recorded within cost of services and the remaining $6.0 million within selling, general and administrative expenses.
Lower third party data costs, computer-related expenses and communication costs partially offset the overall increase in cost of services during fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. Third party data costs, expressed as a percentage of revenues, decreased 80 basis points for the twelve months ended August 31, 2011 compared to the same period in fiscal 2010 due to a reduction in data expense associated with the end of the Thomson Reuters transition services agreement and the increased focus on collecting more proprietary content which is recorded as employee compensation as opposed to paying for third party data content. Computer-related expenses, including depreciation and computer maintenance costs, decreased 70 basis points, expressed as a percentage of revenues, in fiscal 2011 as compared to a year ago due to the continued use of fully depreciated servers. Communication costs, expressed as a percentage of revenues, decreased 20 basis points in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 due to implementing more cost effective means to connect clients to our data centers.

Selling, General and Administrative

Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011
For the twelve months ended August 31, 2012, SG&A expenses increased 5.6% to $257.3 million from $243.6 million a year ago.2014. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses decreased 160190 basis points to 31.9% during26.8% in fiscal 20122015 due to lower employee compensation including stock-based compensation, a reduction in travel and entertainment (“T&E”) spending and lower occupancy costs, partially offset by foreign currency hedging losses.

which include rent and depreciation of furniture and fixtures.

Employee compensation, including stock-based compensation, when expressed as a percentage of revenues, decreased 150130 basis points in fiscal 2012 due to decreased variable compensation and lower stock option expense due to a charge for vesting of performance options last year. Approximately $6.0 million of the total pre-tax stock-based compensation charge of $7.9 million was recorded within SG&A during fiscal 2011. In the past 12 months, the majorityhigher percentage of our hiringemployee base working in a cost of services capacity versus SG&A. Of our total employee headcount increase in fiscal 2015, 84% was within our software engineering, content collection and product development teams, which isare all included within cost of services. As such, SG&A expenses, expressed as a percentage of revenues, hasemployee compensation declined compared to the growth in cost of services. T&EOccupancy costs, when expressed as a percentage of revenues, decreased 5060 basis points, in the fiscal 2012 compared to the same period in fiscal 2011 primarily due to lower interoffice travel and a prior year internal sales conference that did not reoccur in fiscal 2012. Occupancy costs, including rent and depreciation of furniture and fixtures, expressed as a percentageleasehold improvements becoming fully depreciated, lower rent expense from the strengthening of revenues, decreased 30 basis points in fiscal 2012 due to more efficient use of existing leased office spacethe U.S. dollar and the timing of acquiring new real estate space. However, lowercertain occupancy costs, in fiscal 2012such as rent, are temporary and are being driven by the timing of acquiring new space and favorable currency rates.


Partially offsetting the decrease in SG&A expenses were realized losses recorded in fiscal 2012 fromto support our hedges. During fiscal 2012, we entered into foreign currency forward contracts to partially hedge our Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Since the date the forward contracts were entered into, the U.S. dollar has strengthened against the Indian Rupee, and as a result, we recorded a loss on derivatives of $1.0 million in SG&A during fiscal 2012. This loss compares to a gain of $4.2 million recorded in SG&A a year ago as a result of previously entered into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge our Euro and British Pound Sterling currency risk.
34


growing employee population.

Fiscal 20112014 compared to Fiscal 2010

2013

SG&A expenses decreased 6.3% to $264.4 million during fiscal 2014 as compared to $282.3 million in fiscal 2011 were up 14% from fiscal 2010.2013. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses rose 30decreased 420 basis points to 33.5% in28.7% for fiscal 2011 from higher T&E expenses, increased2014 due to lower employee compensation, including stock-based compensation from performance-based stock options and a full year of expense from the acquisition of Market Metrics partially offset by hedging gainshigher employee travel and a decrease in marketing costs.


Expressed as a percentage of revenues, entertainment (“T&E costs increased 70 basis points in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to more client visits, more U.S. employees traveling overseas, a 30% overall increase in air fares and hotel fees and . In addition, during the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we held an internal sales conference as well as large scale client conferences, one in the U.S. and one in Europe. Higher stock-based&E”) expenses.

Employee compensation expense reflects the incremental charge from performance-based stock options. Of the total pre-tax charge of $7.9 million related to an increase in the estimated number of performance-based options that will vest, $6.0 million was recorded within SG&A. Market Metrics was acquired on June 1, 2010 resulting in incremental SG&A expenses in 2011 as compared to 2010, primarily within employee compensation, office expenses and T&E.


The rise in SG&A expenses was partially offset due to a gain on derivatives of $4.2 million during fiscal 2011 as compared to a gain of $0.8 million a year ago from foreign currency forward contracts to hedge our Euro and British Pound Sterling currency risk. Marketing costs,when expressed as a percentage of revenues decreased 10440 basis points from fiscal 2013 due to a higher percentage of our employee base working in 2011 asa cost of services capacity versus SG&A and a prior year stock-based compensation charge of $16.4 million from the vesting of Market Metrics and StreetAccount performance-based options. Of our total employee headcount increase in fiscal 2014, 79% derived from our software engineering, content collection and product development teams, which are all included within cost of services. As such, SG&A employee compensation declined compared to 2010 primarilythe growth in cost of services. 

Partially offsetting the overall decrease in SG&A expenses was higher T&E expense, which rose by 20 basis points when expressed as a percentage of revenues. The primary drivers for this increase were more client visits by our salesforce, higher plane and hotel prices and increased interoffice travel due to the prior year launch of the new FactSet and the related costs to market the new release.


our expanding worldwide presence. 

Operating Income and Operating Margin


Fiscal 20122015 compared to Fiscal 2011

2014

Operating income advanced 14.5%increased 9.8% to $273.0$331.9 million for the twelve months ended August 31, 2012in fiscal 2015 compared to the prior year. Our operating margin duringfor fiscal 20122015 was 33.9%33.0%, up 110 basis points from 32.8% a year agoago. Operating margin in fiscal 2015 was negatively impacted by a $3.2 million pre-tax charge related to changes in the senior leadership of our sales teams and a $3.0 million pre-tax charge primarily related to the vesting of performance-based equity instruments. Operating income in fiscal 2014 included $3.0 million of pre-tax charges related to vesting of performance-based equity instruments and the settlement of a legal claim. Excluding these charges, our fiscal 2015 adjusted operating margin was 33.6% compared to the fiscal 2014 adjusted operating margin of 33.2%. Revenue growth of 9.4% and net foreign currency benefits totaling of $11.2 million aided our current year operating margin expansion.

Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Operating income increased 12.2% to $302.2 million in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. Our operating margin for fiscal 2014 was 32.8%, up from 31.4% in fiscal 2013. Operating income reported in fiscal 2013 includes a Market Metrics and StreetAccount performance-based stock option charge of $18.3 million ($1.9 million within cost of services and $16.4 million in SG&A), which reduced our operating margin by 210 basis points. The fiscal 2014 operating margin was 70 basis points lower than the fiscal 2013 adjusted operating margin of 33.5% (as calculated by adding back the $18.3 million stock-based compensation charge), due to lower stock-basedhigher T&E expenses, a rise in third-party data costs, incremental employee compensation expense, a reduction T&E spending, more efficient occupancy costswithin cost of services and a decline in computer depreciationimpact from our Revere and Matrix acquisitions, which lowered the amortization of intangible assets.fiscal 2014 operating margin by 80 basis points. These reductions in expenses were partially offset by highera 7.3% increase in revenues, a reduction in computer-related expenses and lower SG&A employee compensation due to expanding the number of employees in all areas throughout the world, including within our content operations, engineering, product development and consulting groups. The continued investment in our personnel resulted in employee count growth of 9% year over year and was driven by hiring in our India and Philippines operations, as well as the hiring of consultants and software engineers in each geographic region. The impact from foreign currency increased fiscal 2012 operating income by $1.3 million compared to a $0.1 million decrease in operating income during fiscal 2011.compensation.


Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010
Operating income increased 8% to $238.3 million in fiscal 2011 from $221.6 million in fiscal 2010. Our operating margin during fiscal 2011 was 32.8%, down from 34.6% a year ago. Included in fiscal 2011 was an incremental $7.9 million of stock-based compensation from a favorable change in the outcome of performance-based stock options. This charge reduced our operating income by $7.9 million and operating margin by 110 basis points to 32.8%. In addition to higher stock-based compensation, the decrease in our fiscal 2011 operating margin compared to fiscal 2010 was due to the growth in our employee headcount and a rise in T&E partially offset by lower data costs and computer-related expenses. Foreign currency increased fiscal 2010 operating income by $4.7 million compared to a $0.1 million decrease in during fiscal 2011.

Operating Income by Segment


(in thousands)
Years Ended August 31,
 2012  2011  2010 
U.S. $149,968  $135,327  $124,976 
Europe  95,417   79,637   72,239 
Asia Pacific  27,605   23,371   24,419 
Consolidated $272,990  $238,335  $221,634 

(in thousands)

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

U.S.

 $172,980  $165,004  $138,706 

Europe

  116,310   100,937   100,187 

Asia Pacific

  42,628   36,278   30,526 
             

Consolidated

 $331,918  $302,219  $269,419 

Our reportableoperating segments are aligned with how we including our chief operating decision maker, manage the business and the demographic markets in which we serve. Our internal financial reporting structure is based on three reportable segments;segments, U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which we believe helps us better manage the business and view the markets we serve. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within each segment. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, data collection costs, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, marketing, office and other direct expenses. Expenditures associated with the Company’sour data centers, third party data costs and corporate headquarters charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments.

35


The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of our segments and thus the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues.

Fiscal 20122015 compared to Fiscal 2011

2014

Operating income from our U.S. business increased 11%advanced 4.8% to $150.0$173.0 million during fiscal 20122015 compared to $135.3$165.0 million a year ago. The increase in operating income wasis primarily dueattributable to $52.9$54.1 million of incremental revenues lower interoffice travel, a prior year internal U.S. sales conference that did not reoccur in fiscal 2012, lower computer depreciation and a declinedecrease in intangible asset amortization expensecomputer depreciation partially offset by highera rise in employee compensation within cost of services and an increase in data costs. Ourexpense. U.S. revenue growth of 10.6% in the U.S. reflects strong client and user count growth, the expanded deployment of our proprietary content, an increasewas driven by increases in the number of users and clients of FactSet within the U.S., a rise in sales of our PA users, annual price increases,suite of products, continued demand for our proprietary content, $5.2 million of incremental revenues from Market Metrics and $1.8 million in revenuesrevenue from the acquisition of StreetAccount.Code Red and a strong performance by our U.S. investment management sales team. Excluding the acquired Code Red workforce, U.S. employee headcount increased 7.0% over the prior year, leading to higher employee compensation costs during fiscal 2015. Computer-related expenses decreased due to the transition to more efficient and cost-effective servers in our data centers in addition to the continued use of fully depreciated servers.

European operating income increased 15.2% during fiscal 2015 to $116.3 million due to revenue growth of 10.6% and the effects of favorable foreign currency fluctuations on our expense base partially offset by increases in employee compensation, third-party data costs and occupancy expenses. The higher employee compensation costs were due to a 17.5% increase in headcount over the prior year. The increase in occupancy costs, which includes rent expense, was due to an increase in leased space, in London. Finally, the increased third-party data costs were due to the increased number of users year over yearas many of our data contracts are driven by our user and client count.

Asia Pacific operating incomeincreased 17.5% to $42.6 million compared to $36.3million a year ago. The increase was due to incremental revenues of $8.2 million and the effects of favorable foreign currency fluctuations on our expense base, partially offset by higher employee compensation. The higher employee compensation costs were due an 11.0% increase in headcount from the prior year.

Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Operating income from our U.S. business rose 19.0% to $165.0 million during fiscal 2014 compared to $138.7 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in operating income is attributable to $37.8 million of incremental revenues, a decrease in computer-related expenses, including computer depreciation and a fiscal 2013 pre-tax charge of $18.3 million related to the vesting of performance-based stock options, which did not recur in fiscal 2014. Of the total pre-tax stock-based compensation charge of $18.3 million, $18.1 million was recorded within the U.S. segment as it related to primarily U.S.-based businesses. Operating income growth was partially offset by increases in employee compensation within cost of services, a rise in T&E expenses, incremental legal fees, and additional expenses from the Revere acquisition. U.S. revenue growth was driven by an increase in the number of clients and users of FactSet, the continued use of our advanced applications such as PA and growth in sales of wealth management. Excluding the acquired Revere workforce, U.S. employee headcount increased 7% over the prior year6.8% in fiscal 2014 leading to higher employee compensation costscosts. Computer-related expenses decreased due to the transition to more efficient and cost-effective servers in our data centers in addition to the continued use of fully depreciated servers. Additional expenses from the acquisition of Revere lowered U.S. operating income by $1.0 million for fiscal 2012.


2014.

European operating income increased 20% to $95.4 millionadvanced 70 basis points during fiscal 2012 compared2014 to $100.9 million due to revenue growth of 8.9% partially offset by increases in employee compensation and the same period a year ago. The increase inimpact of the Matrix acquisition. Additional expenses from the acquisition of Matrix lowered European operating income is due to an $18.7 million increase in revenues, lower employee variable compensation expense, a reduction in T&E spending and lower amortization expense as previously acquired intangible assets become fully amortized. European revenues advanced 10.5% to $197.4 million due to our broader selection of global proprietary content, an annual price increase for the majority of our non-U.S. investment management clients in March 2012, increases in user and client counts and clients licensing our advanced applications.by $2.1 million.


Asia Pacific operating income increased 18%18.8% to $27.6$36.3 million compared to $30.5 million in fiscal 2013 due to incremental revenues of $5.9 million partially offset by higher employee compensation. The Asia Pacific revenues growth of 9.4% during fiscal 2012 compared2014 was driven by our ability to $23.4 million in the same period a year ago. The increase in Asia Pacific operating income was from $7.7 million of incremental revenues year over year and a more disciplined approach to controlling operating expenses, including T&E. Asia Pacific revenue growth year over year of 15.2% was due to growth insell our global content, offering, the expansion into new markets within Asia, sales of our real-time news and quotes that services the needs of a global investor, our ability to sell additional services to existing clients, and new client and user growth over the last 12 months.


Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010
Operating income from our U.S. segment increased 8% to $135.3 million during fiscal 2011 compared to $125.0 million a year ago. The increase in operating income was primarily due to $62.2 million of incremental revenues and lower data and computer-related expenses, partially offset by higher employee compensation, including incremental performance-based stock option expense, and a rise in our T&E spend. Our revenue growth in the U.S. reflects client and user growth, incremental revenues from Market Metrics, we expanded the number of PA users and an increase in the client retention rate. Variable fees payable to data vendors based on deployment of their content over the FactSet platform declined as the result of increased client usage of our proprietary content. Computer-related expenses decreased due to the continued use of fully depreciated servers. The increase in employee compensation is due to an 18% headcount growth in the U.S. and higher stock-based compensation expense to reflect the incremental charge from performance-based stock options.

European operating income increased 10% to $79.6 million during fiscal 2011 compared to $72.2 million in the same period a year ago. The 10% growth in European operating income was due to a $17.0 million increase in revenues and lower variable fees payable to data vendors partially offset by higher T&E expenses. The increase in European revenues was due to increases in user and client counts, a broader offering of global proprietary content, increased licenses to clients for our advanced applications, and growth in our real-time news and quotes. European T&E expenses rose primarily due to a 25% increase in airline ticketing fees and hotel stays in order to visit more clients as well as more trips to our data content collection operations in India and the Philippines.

Asia Pacific operating income decreased 4% to $23.4 million during fiscal 2011 compared to $24.4 million a year ago. The decrease in Asia Pacific operating income was primarily driven by higher employee compensation due to headcount growth, increased occupancy costs from our office expansions in Japan and Hong Kong, and higher T&E expense, partially offset by $6.2 million of incremental revenues year over year. The increase in Asia Pacific employee compensation was from a 19% increase in headcount in our sales offices location in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Mumbai and Sydney.
36


Other Income, growth.

Income Taxes, Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share


(in thousands, except per share data)
Years Ended August 31,
 2012  2011  2010 
Other income $1,715  $623  $547 
Provision for income taxes* $85,896  $67,912  $71,970 
Net income $188,809  $171,046  $150,211 
Diluted earnings per common share $4.12  $3.61  $3.13 
Effective Tax Rate*  31.3%  28.4%  32.4%
*

(in thousands, except per share data)

Years Ended August 31,

2015

  

2014

 

2013

  

Provision for income taxes

$92,703 (1) $91,921 $72,273 (2) 

Net income

$241,051  $211,543 $198,637  

Diluted earnings per common share

$5.71  $4.92 $4.45  

Effective Tax Rate

 27.8%(1)  30.3% 26.7%(2) 

(1)

Included in thefiscal 2015 provision for income taxes were income tax benefits of $8.8 million primarily fromfinalizing prior year tax returns, the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit inDecember 2014,and other discrete items.

(2)

Included in the fiscal 2013 provision for income taxes were income tax benefits of $7.2 million primarily from the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in January 2013 and finalizing prior year tax returns.

Income Taxes

Fiscal 2015 compared to Fiscal 2014

The fiscal 2015 provision for income taxes during fiscal 2011 werewas $92.7 million, up from $91.9 million a year ago. The 0.9% increase was due to a 10.0% increase in pre-tax income tax benefits of $6.3 million fromoffset by the finalization of the fiscal 2010 tax return and the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in December 2010. Our effective tax rate is based on current enacted tax laws and as such, prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2011, it did not reflect the R&D tax credit in any months of fiscal 2011 as the R&D credit expired on December 31, 2009.2014. The reenactment of the credit was retroactive to January 1, 20102014 and resulted in an actualextended through the end of the 2014 calendar year. Prior to the reenactment of the tax credit, we had not been permitted to factor it into our effective tax rate because it was not enacted tax law. The reenactment resulted in a discrete income tax benefit of 28.4% for the full$5.1 million during fiscal 2011 year.


Other Income
2015. Additionally, we recognized tax benefits of $3.7 million related to finalizing prior year tax returns and other discrete tax items.

Fiscal 20122014 compared to Fiscal 2011

Other income rose by $1.1 million during2013

The fiscal 2012 due to our $15 million purchase of short-term certificates of deposit in October 2011. These deposits have maturities of less than one year and resulted in interest income of $1.1 million during fiscal 2012. Excluding our returns on the short-term certificates of deposit, our average annualized return on cash and cash equivalents remained relatively flat at 32 basis points during fiscal 2012, compared to 33 basis points in fiscal 2011. At no time during fiscal 2012 and 2011 did a component of our cash, cash equivalents and investments portfolio experience a decline in value due to a ratings change, default or increase in counterparty credit risk.


Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010
Other income during fiscal 2011 was consistent with fiscal 2010 levels as the Federal Reserve maintained low U.S. interest rates which kept returns on our cash and cash equivalents low.

Income Taxes

Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011
The2014 provision for income taxes was $85.9$91.9 million, up 26%$19.6 million or 27.2% from $67.9$72.3 million in fiscal 20112013. This increase was due to a 15%12.0% increase in pre-tax income year over year and income tax benefits of $6.3 million recorded in fiscal 2011 from the finalization of the fiscal 2010 tax return and the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in December 2010. Our annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 was 31.3%, 290 basis points higher than our annual effective tax rate in fiscal 2011 primarily due to the income tax benefits previously disclosed. The fiscal 2011 annual effective tax rate before discrete items of $6.3 million was 30.9% or 40 basis points lower than the 2012 effective tax rate due to the expiration of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2011. We expect that2013, which limited our ability to realize income tax benefits from the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit will be reenacted as it has been for the past 30 years. However, we are not permitted to factor it into our effective tax rate unless it is partonly four out of currently enacted tax law. As such, the expiration of the R&D credit negatively impacted ourtwelve months during fiscal 2012 annual effective tax rate by 130 basis points.

2014.

Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share

Fiscal 20112015 compared to Fiscal 2010

During fiscal 2011 the provision for income taxes decreased 6% to $67.9 million as compared to fiscal 2010 primarily due to income tax benefits of $6.3 million from the finalization of the fiscal 2010 tax return and the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in December 2010 partially offset by an 8% increase in income before income taxes. Our annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 before discrete items of $6.3 million was 30.9%, 200 basis points lower than our annual effective tax rate before discrete items of 32.9% in fiscal 2010. The decrease year over year was primarily due to higher levels of non-U.S. taxable2014

Net income increased R&D activity which increased our related R&D tax credit and a rise in our domestic production activities (Section 199) deduction.


Net Income and Earnings per Share

Fiscal 2012 compared13.9% to Fiscal 2011
Net income rose 10% to $188.8$241.1 million and diluted earnings per share increased 14%16.1% to $4.12$5.71 during fiscal 20122015 compared to fiscal 2014. Drivers of the same period a year ago. Includedincrease in net income and earnings per share during fiscal 2011 were2015 include revenue growth of 9.4%, income tax benefits of $0.13 per$8.8 million, foreign currency benefits of $4.0 million and a decrease in diluted share from finalizing our 2010 U.S. tax return and the reenactmentshares outstanding of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit1.7%. These net income drivers were partially offset by a pre-tax chargeincremental employee compensation expense within cost of $7.9services due to the hiring of 721 net new employees during the last 12 months and after-tax charges of $2.2 million ($5.4and $2.1 million after-tax) or $0.11 per diluted share related to an increasechanges in the estimated numbersenior leadership of our sales teams and the vesting of performance-based stock options that were eligibleequity instruments, respectively.

Fiscal 2014 compared to vest. Drivers of netFiscal 2013

Net income increased 6.5% to $211.5 million and diluted earnings per share growthincreased 10.6% to $4.92 during fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. Drivers of the increase included a 7.3% rise in revenues, lower stock-based compensation as a result of the fiscal 2012 were higher levels2013 after-tax charge of revenue, lower T&E, decreased computer depreciation and amortization of intangible assets$12.9 million and a reduction3.7% decrease in the diluted weighted average shares outstanding from share repurchases. These increases were partially offset by higher compensation and a higher annual effective tax rate due tofrom the expiration of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit.

credit, incremental employee compensation within cost of services due to the hiring of 202 net new software engineers and 70 net new consultants, a rise in third party data costs from additional users and clients added and higher employee T&E. 

 

37

Liquidity

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

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 
          

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $306,442  $265,023  $269,809 

Capital expenditures(1)

  (25,682)  (17,743)  (18,517)

Free cash flow(2)

 $280,760  $247,280  $251,292 

Net cash used in investing activities

 $(64,877) $(70,708) $(20,412)

Net cash used in financing activities

 $(187,326) $(276,729) $(238,408)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (August 31)

 $158,914  $116,378  $196,627 

(1)

Included in net cash used in investing activities during each fiscal year reported.

(2)

We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures. The presentation of free cash flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community, and in our internal evaluation and management of the business. Management believes that this financial measure and the information we provide are useful to investors because it permits investors to view our performance using the same metric that we use to gauge progress in achieving our goals. Free cash flow is also an indication of cash flow that may be available to fund further investments in future growth initiatives.

Fiscal 20112015 compared to Fiscal 2010

Net income rose 14%2014

Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to $171.0$158.9 million or 22% of our total assets at August 31, 2015, compared with $116.4 million or 18% of our total assets August 31, 2014. Our cash and cash equivalents increased $42.5 million during fiscal 2015 due to cash provided by operations of $306.4 million, $71.5 million in proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options, $35.0 million in proceeds from long-term debt and $28.9 million in tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements. These cash inflows are partially offset by $34.8 million in cash paid to acquire businesses, $252.8 million in share repurchases, dividend payments of $66.6 million, capital expenditures of $25.7 million and diluted earnings per share increased 15%purchases of investments, net of proceeds, of $4.4 million.

Free cash flow for fiscal 2015 was $280.8 million, exceeding net income by 16%. Free cash flow generated during fiscal 2015 was attributable to $3.61$241.1 million of net income, $37.6 million of positive working capital changes and $27.8 million in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. As mentioned above, fiscal 2011 includednon-cash expenses less $25.7 million in capital expenditures.Working capital improvements were derived from lower income tax benefitspayments and increased accounts payable and accrued expenses due to the timing of $0.13 per diluted sharepayments partially offset by a pre-tax chargerise in accounts receivable compared to the prior year. The rise in accounts receivable was due to our year over year revenue growth. Our accounts receivable balance as of August 31, 2015 rose by only 5.2% compared to the year ago period, while revenue growth grew by 9.4% year over year. This fact pattern was primarily due to a decrease in our days sales outstanding (“DSO”), which was lowered to 33 days as of August 31, 2015 compared to 34 days as of August 31, 2014.

Net cash used in investing activities was $64.9 million during fiscal 2015, a decrease of $5.8 million over the prior year due to a $12.1 million decrease in cash used in business acquisitions and a $1.7 million increase in proceeds from sales of short-term investments, net of purchases, partially offset by a $7.9 million increase in cash used for capital expenditures.

Net cash used in financing activities was $187.3 million during fiscal 2015. Of this total, $252.8 million related to the repurchase of 1.7 million shares under the existing share repurchase program and $66.6 million was for the payment of regular quarterly dividends. Partially offsetting these uses of cash were proceeds received from employee stock plans totaling $71.5 million, related tax benefits of $28.9 million and long-term debt of $35.0 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $89.4 million lower in the current year due to a $36.3 million increase in proceeds from employee stock option exercises and its related income tax benefits, proceeds from long-term debt of $35.0 million and a decrease in share repurchases of $23.6 million. These positive cash movements were partially offset by an incremental $5.5 million in dividend payments due to the 12.8% increase in our regular quarterly dividend, beginning in May 2015.

We expect that for at least the next 12 months, our operating expenses will continue to constitute a significant use of our cash. Additionally, to fund our acquisition of Portware, LLC (“Portware”), announced on September 22, 2015, and closed on October 16, 2015, we entered into an amendment (the “Second Amendment”) dated as of September 21, 2015, amending and expanding the existing credit agreement dated February 6, 2015 and borrowed an additional $265.0 million on October 16, 2015. The maturity date on all outstanding loan amounts is September 21, 2018. For more information on the Portware acquisition, seeNote 21,Subsequent Events,in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.


As of August 31, 2015, our total cash and cash equivalents worldwide was $158.9 million with $35.0 million in outstanding borrowings. Approximately $35.5 million of our total available cash and cash equivalents is held in bank accounts located within the U.S., $93.2 million in Europe (predominantly within the UK and France) and the remaining $30.2 million is held in Asia Pacific. We believe our liquidity (including cash on hand, cash from operating activities and other cash flows that we expect to generate) within each geographic segment will be sufficient to meet our short-term and longer-term operating requirements, as they occur, including working capital needs, capital expenditures, dividend payments, stock repurchases and financing activities. In addition, we expect existing foreign cash, cash equivalent and cash flows from operations to continue to be sufficient to fund our foreign operating activities and cash commitments for investing activities, such as capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future.

Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to $116.4 million or $0.11 per diluted share. Drivers18% of our total assets at August 31, 2014, compared with $196.6 million or 28% of our total assets August 31, 2013. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased $80.2 million during fiscal 2014 due to $46.9 million in cash used to acquire Revere and Matrix, $279.8 million in share repurchases, dividend payments of $61.0 million, capital expenditures of $17.7 million, and purchases of investments, net of proceeds, of $6.1 million. These cash outflows are partially offset by cash provided by operations of $265.0 million, $52.2 million in proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options, $12.0 million in tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements and $2.2 million from the effects of foreign currency.

Free cash flow for fiscal 2014 was $247.3 million, exceeding net income by 17%. Free cash flow generated during fiscal 2014 was attributable to $211.5 million of net income, $9.2 million of positive working capital changes and diluted earnings per share growth$44.3 million in non-cash expenses less $17.7 million in capital expenditures.Working capital improvements were higher levels of revenue,derived from lower data costs, decreased computer-related expenses, a lower effectiveincome tax rate and a reduction in the diluted weighted average shares outstandingpayments partially offset by higher compensation, including incremental performance-baseda rise in accounts receivable compared to the prior year.Employee stock option expense,exercises, which reduced our tax payments, improved current year working capital. However, our days sales outstanding (“DSO”) as of August 31, 2014 rose to 34 days, up from a record low of 30 days a year ago primarily due to timing of large client payments in the prior year period.

Net cash used in investing activities of $70.7 million, an increase of $50.3 million over fiscal 2013, is due to the acquisitions of Revere and Matrix for $46.9 million and a $4.8 million increase in cash utilized to purchase additional T&E spend. It remainsshort-term certificates of deposit.

Net cash used in financing activities was $276.7 million during fiscal 2014. Of this total, $275.4 million related to the repurchase of 2.5 million shares under the existing share repurchase program and $61.0 million was for the payment of quarterly dividends. Partially offsetting the use of cash were proceeds received from employee stock plans totaling $52.2 million and related tax benefits of $12.0 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $38.3 million higher in the current year because of an $85.7 million reduction in proceeds from employee stock option exercises and an incremental $5.0 million in dividend repayments due to the 11% increase in our philosophyregular quarterly dividend. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in share repurchases of $52.3 million. Proceeds from employee stock exercises and its related income tax benefits were lower in the current year because the number of employee stock options exercised decreased by 1.5 million shares.

Capital Resources

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $25.7 million during fiscal 2015, up from $17.7 million a year ago. Approximately $13.8 million, or 54%, of our capital expenditures during fiscal 2015 were for purchase of computer equipment, including more servers for our existing data centers, purchasing laptop computers and peripherals for employees, upgrading existing computer systems and improving telecommunication equipment.The remaining 46% of our capital expenditures were used to expandbuild out our offices primarily in New York, Texas and the Philippines during fiscal 2015.

Capital expenditures were $17.7 million during fiscal 2014, down from $18.5 million in fiscal 2013. Approximately $13.8 million or 78% of capital expenditures during fiscal 2014 related to the purchase of computer equipment  including more servers for our existing data centers, purchasing laptop computers and peripherals for employees, upgrading existing computer systems in our data collection centers in India and the Philippines and improving telecommunication equipment.The remaining 22% of capital expenditures was used primarily to build out our San Francisco office during fiscal 2014.

Capital Needs

Long-Term Debt

On February 6, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as the lender (the “Lender”). At that date, the Credit Agreement provided for a $35.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), under which we could request borrowings until its maturity date of February 6, 2018. The Credit Agreement also allowed us to arrange for additional borrowings for an aggregate amount of up to $265.0 million provided that any such request for additional borrowings was in a minimum amount of $25.0 million.


For purposes of funding our acquisition of Code Red on February 6, 2015, we borrowed $35.0 million in the form of a Eurodollar rate loan (the “Loan”) under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds of the Loan made under the Credit Agreement could be used for permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. There are no prepayment penalties if we elect to prepay the Loan prior to its scheduled maturity date. The principal balance is payable in full on the maturity date. The $35.0 million we borrowed under the Loan bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.50% and is reported as long-term debt within our Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2015. The Eurodollar rate is defined in the Credit Agreement as the rate per annum equal to one-month LIBOR. Interest on the Loan is payable quarterly in arrears and on the maturity date. During fiscal 2015 we paid approximately $0.1 million in interest on our outstanding Loan amount.

On September 21, 2015, we amended the Credit Agreement to borrow an additional $265.0 million (the “Second Amendment”) in order to fund our acquisition of Portware, which was announced on September 22, 2015, and closed on October 16, 2015. The maturity date on all outstanding loan amounts (which total $300.0 million as of October 30, 2015) is September 21, 2018. The Second Amendment also allows FactSet, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with the Lender for an aggregate amount of up to $400.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings must be in a minimum amount of $25.0 million.

As of August 31, 2015, we owed no commitment fees since we borrowed the then-full amount of the Revolving Credit Facility on February 6, 2015. Other fees incurred, such as legal costs to draft and review the Credit Agreement, totaled less than $0.1 million and were capitalized as loan origination fees. These loan origination fees are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Loan using the effective interest method and totaled less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2015.

The Credit Agreement contains covenants restricting certain FactSet activities, which are usual and customary for this type of loan. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires that we maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, as measured by total funded debt/EBITDA below a specified level as of the end of each fiscal quarter. We were in compliance with all of the covenants of the Credit Agreement as of August 31, 2015.

As of August 31, 2015, the fair value of our long-term by investingdebt was $35.0 million, which we believe approximates carrying amount as the terms and interest rates approximate market rates given its floating interest rate basis.

Letters of Credit

From time to time, we are required to obtain letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. Approximately $1.0 million of standby letters of credit have been issued in connection with our employeescurrent leased office space as of August 31, 2015. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require us to retain our position as a premium providermaintain minimum levels of financial informationconsolidated net worth and analytical tools.

certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. As of August 31, 2015 and 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit.

Foreign Currency


Foreign Currency Exposure

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

Our non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $17$30.7 million while our non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are $163estimated to be $205.4 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $146 million per year.$174.7 million. Our foreign currency exchange exposure is related to our operating expense base in countries outside the U.S., where approximately 68%70% of our employees are located.located as of August 31, 2015. During fiscal 2012,2015, foreign currency movements increased operating income by $1.3 million. In fiscal 2011,$11.2 million as compared to a $1.7 million decrease to operating income decreased by $0.1 million fromduring fiscal 2014.

Foreign Currency Hedges

As of August 31, 2015, we maintained the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.


During fiscal 2012, we entered intofollowing foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 90% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013, 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and 50% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2015. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, additional foreign currency exposure:

Indian Rupee- foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the second quarter of fiscal 2018.


British PoundSterling-foreign currency forward contracts were entered into to hedge approximately 50% of our British Pound Sterling exposure through the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Euro -foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 50% of our Euro exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

As of our net Euro exposure through the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2013. At August 31, 20122015, the gross notional principal and fair value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was $36.3 million and ($2.4) million, respectively. At August 31, 2012, theRs. 4.0 billion. The gross notional principal and fairvalue of foreign exchange contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling with U.S. dollars was £10.5 million. The gross notional value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Euros with U.S. dollars were €8.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. At August 31, 2012, therewas €18.1 million. There were no other outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts.contracts as of August 31, 2015. A loss on derivatives for during fiscal 2012 of $1.0$0.6 million was recorded into operating income in our Consolidated Statements of Incomeduring fiscal 2015, compared to a gainloss of $4.2$0.3 million a year ago.


Liquidity
The table below, for the periods indicated, provides selected cash flow information (in thousands):
Years Ended August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
Net cash provided by operating activities $231,965  $207,136  $211,080 
Capital expenditures (1)
  (22,520)  (29,343)  (20,768)
Free cash flow (2)
 $209,444  $177,793  $190,312 
             
Net cash used in investing activities $(58,849) $(29,343) $(75,948)
Net cash used in financing activities $(158,718) $(199,123) $(151,568)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (August 31) $189,044  $181,685  $195,741 
(1)Included in net cash used in investing activities during each fiscal year reported.
(2)We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures. The presentation of free cash flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We use this financial measure, both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community, and in our internal evaluation and management of the business. Management believes that this financial measure and the information we provide are useful to investors because it permits investors to view our performance using the same metric that we use to gauge progress in achieving our goals and is an indication of cash flow that may be available to fund further investments in future growth initiatives.
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Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011
Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to $189.0 million or 27% of our total assets at August 31, 2012, compared with $181.7 million at August 31, 2011 or 28% of our total assets. All of our operating and capital expense requirements were financed entirely from cash generated from our operations. Our cash and cash equivalents increased $7.4 million in the past 12 months due to cash provided by operations of $232.0 million, $33.7 million from the exercise of employee stock options and $11.2 million of tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements partially offset by cash outflows of $153.6 million related to stock repurchases, dividend payments of $50.0 million, capital expenditures of $22.5 million, the purchase of the StreetAccount business for $21.3 million net of cash acquired, $15.0 million from purchases of investments, and $7.0 million from the effect of exchange rate changes on our foreign cash balances.

Free cash flow generated over the last twelve months was $209.4 million, up 18% over the prior year and exceeded net income by 11%. Free cash flow during fiscal 2012 was generated from a record level of net income, positive working capital changes, higher non-cash expenses and a year over year decline in capital expenditures. Working capital improvements of $8.7 million were from stronger accounts receivable collections in the past 12 months and a reduction in tax payments due to stock option exercises. Since August 31, 2011, our accounts receivable balance has decreased by $1.0 million, while organic ASV is up $53 million over the same period, reflecting an improvement in our DSO from 35 to 32 days. We have seen our DSO decrease substantially over the past several years as we continued to optimize our internal billing and collection systems.

Net cash used in investing activities was $58.8 million during fiscal 2012 due to the acquisition of StreetAccount in June 2012 for $21.3 million (net of cash acquired), capital expenditures of $22.5 million and the purchase of $15 million of certificates of deposit with maturity dates ranging from nine to twelve months from purchase date. Net cash used in investing activities was $29.5 million higher in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 due to the acquisition of StreetAccount and purchase of time deposits partially offset by a reduction in capital expenditures. During the first quarter of fiscal 2011 we relocated our New Hampshire data center to a new facility in New Jersey, which resulted in our capital expenditures being higher in fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2012.

Net cash used in financing activities was $158.7 million in fiscal 2012 as compared to $199.1 million in the same period a year ago due to a reduction in share repurchases of $62.9 million partially offset by lower proceeds from employee stock plans, a decrease in tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements and higher dividend payments based on a 15% increase in the regular quarterly dividend. In fiscal 2012, we repurchased 1.6 million shares for $152.7 million under the program. In fiscal 2011, we repurchased 2.3 million shares for $216.6 million. Proceeds from employee stock exercises decreased from $43.1 million in fiscal 2011 to $33.7 million in 2012 as the number of employee stock option exercises decreased by 0.5 million stock options. Through quarterly cash dividends and share repurchases, we have returned $204 million to our stockholders over the past 12 months.

We expect that for at least the next 12 months, our operating expenses will continue to constitute a significant use of our cash. As of August 31, 2012, our total cash and cash equivalents was $189.0 million with no outstanding borrowings. We believe our liquidity (including cash on hand, cash from operating activities and other cash flows that we expect to generate) will be sufficient to meet our short-term and longer-term operating requirements, as they occur, including working capital needs, capital expenditures, dividend payments, stock repurchases and financing activities. Refer to the section, Contractual Obligations, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangementsfor the table summarizing our significant contractual obligations as of August 31, 2012 and the corresponding effect that these obligations will have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods.


Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010
Our cash and cash equivalents decreased $14.1 million in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 as a result of cash outflows of $216.6 million related to stock repurchases, dividend payments of $43.9 million and capital expenditures of $29.3 partially offset by cash provided by operations of $207.1 million, $43.1 million from the exercise of employee stock options, $18.3 million of tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements and $7.3 million from the effect of exchange rate changes on our foreign cash balances.

Free cash flow of $178 million during fiscal 2011 was generated from net income, higher non-cash expenses and tax benefits from stock option exercises during the year resulting in lower income tax payments partially offset by increased capital expenditures and a decline in working capital from an increase in accounts receivable and a decrease in accrued compensation. Our accounts receivable balance, net of reserves, increased $15.3 million since August 31, 2010 due to organic ASV growth of $93 million in fiscal 2011, incremental outstanding receivables due from Market Metrics clients and the invoicing of a small percentage of our clients annually in advance during fiscal 2011.

At August 31, 2011 our DSO was 35 days, up from 31 days a year ago, but down from 37 days at August 31, 2009. Accrued compensation decreased from $48.6 million at August 31, 2010 to $41.5 million at August 31, 2011 based on the timing of accrued payroll in the U.S.

39


Net cash used in investing activities was $29.3 million in fiscal 2011 due to capital expenditures of $29.3 million, of which 68% was for computer equipment, including additional server equipment for our Virginia2015 and New Jersey data centers and laptop computers and peripherals for our growing employee base. The remaining $9 million or 32% of capital expenditures was for the build out of new space in Paris and New York as well as the continued expansion of leased office space in India and the Philippines.

Net cash used in financing activities was $199.1 in fiscal 2011 due to share repurchases and dividend payments partially offset by proceeds from employee stock plans. During fiscal 2011, we repurchased 2.3 million shares for $216.6 million under the program as compared to spending $193 million in fiscal 2010. Higher dividend payments of $5.5 million were made in fiscal 2011 because our Board of Directors approved a 17% increase in the regular quarterly dividend, beginning with the Company’s dividend payment in June 2011. Proceeds from employee stock exercises decreased by $12.2 million because the number of employee stock option exercises decreased by 0.8 million stock options.

Capital Resources

Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures were $22.5 million during fiscal 2012, down from $29.3 million a year ago. Capital spending levels were $6.8 million lower in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 as we relocated our data center from New Hampshire to New Jersey in December 2010 and in that process we purchased several new servers and upgraded many other existing mainframe machines. Approximately $13.1 million or 58% of capital expenditures during fiscal 2012 were for computer equipment including upgrading our mainframe server equipment held in our data centers and laptop computers and peripherals for our growing employee base. The remaining 42% of capital expenditures was for office expansions, primarily for the build out of new space in Norwalk, New York and Hong Kong as well as the continued expansion of leased office space in the Philippines. We continue to expand aggressively to meet the needs of our growing global footprint. Including new lease agreements entered into during fiscal 2012, our worldwide leased office space increased to approximately 807,000 square feet at August 31, 2012, up 11% from August 31, 2011.

Capital expenditures during fiscal 2011 were $29.3 million, up from $20.8 million in fiscal 2010. Approximately $19.2 million or 68% of capital expenditures were for computer equipment and the remainder for office expansions. Computer equipment purchases during fiscal 2011 included new equipment to fit-out our data center in New Jersey, additional blade servers to increase the capacity and processing speed of our Virginia and New Jersey data centers and laptop computers for our growing employee base. The remaining $8.8 million of capital expenditures were for the build out of space in Paris and New York as well as the continued expansion of leased office space in India, the Philippines and Japan.

Capital Needs
We currently have no outstanding indebtedness, other than the letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business. Approximately $4.3 million of standby letters of credit have been issued in connection with our current leased office space as of August 31, 2012. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. At August 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit. As of August 31, 2012 and 2011, we maintained a zero debt balance and were in compliance with all covenants.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At August 31, 2012 and 2011,2014, we had no off-balance sheet financing or other arrangements with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships (such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities) established for purposes of facilitating off-balance sheet financing or other debt arrangements or for other contractually limited purposes.

Share Repurchase Program


During fiscal 2012, we repurchased 1.6 million shares for $152.7 million under the existing share repurchase program.

On May 8, 2012,December 15, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a $200$300 million expansion of the existing share repurchase program. Including the expansion, $189.8 million remains authorized for future share repurchases at August 31, 2012. Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid usingfrom existing and future cash generated by operations.


On June 13, 2011, our Board of Directors approved an expansion of their

During fiscal 2015, we repurchased 1.7 million shares for $252.8 million under the existing share repurchase program by an additional $200 million. During fiscal 2011, we repurchased 2.3as compared to 2.5 million shares for $216.6$275.4 million under the program.during fiscal 2014. Including the expansion, $142$134.2 million remainedremains authorized for future share repurchases as of August 31, 2011.

40

2015.

Contractual Obligations


Fluctuations in our operating results, the degree of success of our accounts receivable collection efforts, the timing of tax and other payments as well as necessary capital expenditures to support growth of our operations will impact our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. The effect of our contractual obligations on our liquidity and capital resources in future periods should be considered in conjunction with the factors mentioned here.


The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of August 31, 20122015 and the corresponding effect that these obligations will have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands)millions):

  Payments due by period 
  2013   2014-2015   2016-2017  2018 and thereafter  Total 
Operating lease obligations (1)
 $27,592  $47,892  $30,147  $35,540  $141,171 
Purchase commitments (2)
  48,620   3,531   -   -   52,151 
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities  20,646   -   -   -   20,646 
Total by period $96,858  $51,423  $30,147  $35,540  $213,968 
Non-current taxes payable and deferred taxes  (3)
                  8,057 
Total contractual obligations                 $222,025 

  

Payments due by period

 
  

2016

   2017-2018   2019-2020  

2021 and thereafter

  

Total

 

Operating lease obligations(1)

 $22.7  $55.4  $46.1  $145.9  $270.1 

Purchase commitments(2)

  60.7   3.8   0.7      65.2 

Loan outstanding(3)

        35.0      35.0 

Total contractual obligations by period(4)

 $83.4  $59.2  $81.8  $145.9  $370.3 

(1)

(1)

Operating lease amounts include future minimum lease payments under all our non-cancelable operating leases with an initial term in excess of one year. For more information on our operating leases, see Note 1718, Commitments and Contingencies, in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Statements included in Item 8.

(2)

(2)

Purchase obligationscommitments represent payment due in future periods in respect of commitmentsobligations to our various data vendors as well as commitments to purchase goods and services such as telecommunication and computer maintenance services.

(3)

(3)

Represents the amount due under the Company’s Loan under its Revolving Credit Facility entered into on February 6, 2015.

(4)

Non-current income taxes payable of $5.5$6.8 million and non-current deferred tax liabilities of $2.6$1.7 million have been included onlyexcluded in the total column in the preceding table above due to uncertainty regarding the timing of future payments. Non-current income taxes payable include uncertain tax positions (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Purchase orders do not necessarily reflect a binding commitment but are merely indicative of authorizations and intention to conclude purchases in the future. For the purpose of this tabular disclosure, purchase obligations for goods and services are defined as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding on us and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. It is expected that all the contractual obligations noted in the table will be funded from existing cash and cash flows from operations. Expected timing pertaining to the contractual obligations included in the table above has been estimated based on information currently available. The amounts paid and the timing of those payments may differ based on when the goods and services provided by our vendors to whom we are contractually obligated are actually received as well as due to changes to agreed uponagreed-upon amounts for any of our obligations.


As disclosed earlier in theCapital Resources section of this MD&A, we borrowed $35.0 million in the form of a Eurodollar rate loan to fund the acquisition ofCode Red in February 2015. The $35.0 million loan matures on September 21, 2018, and there are no prepayment penalties in the event that we elect to prepay the loan prior to its scheduled maturity date. The amount borrowed bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.50% and is reported as long-term debt within our Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2015.

Dividends


On May 8, 2012,12, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a 15%12.8% increase in the regular quarterly dividend, beginning with ourthe dividend payment onin June 19, 2012 of $0.312015 which was $0.44 per share, or $1.24$1.76 per share per annum. This is the seventh10th consecutive year that our annual dividend has been increased by more than 10%, resulting in a five year annual dividend growth rate of 21%14%.


With our dividends and share repurchases, in the aggregate, we have returned $322.8 million to stockholders over the past 12 months.

During fiscal years 20122015 and 2011,2014, our Board of Directors declared the following dividends:

Declaration Date  
Dividends Per
Share of
Common Stock
  TypeRecord Date  
Total $ Amount
(in thousands)
  Payment Date
August  8, 2012 $0.31 Regular (cash)August 31, 2012 $13,727 September 18, 2012
May 8, 2012 $0.31 Regular (cash)May 31, 2012 $13,893 June 19, 2012
February 14, 2012  $0.27  Regular (cash)February 29, 2012  $12,085  March 20, 2012
November 10, 2011  $0.27  Regular (cash)November 30, 2011  $12,181  December 20, 2011
August 11, 2011  $0.27  Regular (cash)August, 31 2011  $12,165  September 20, 2011
May 9, 2011  $0.27  Regular (cash)May 31, 2011  $12,374  June 21, 2011
February 9, 2011  $0.23  Regular (cash)February 28, 2011  $10,612  March 15, 2011
November 10, 2010  $0.23  Regular (cash)November 30, 2010  $10,660  December 21, 2010

Declaration Date

 

Dividends Per
Share of
Common Stock

 

Type

Record Date

 

Total $ Amount
(in thousands)

 

Payment Date

August 10, 2015

 $0.44 

Regular (cash)

August 31, 2015

 $18,179 

September 15, 2015

May 12, 2015

 $0.44 

Regular (cash)

May 29, 2015

 $18,274 

June 16, 2015

February 11, 2015

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

February 27, 2015

 $16,236 

March 17, 2015

November 12, 2014

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

November 28, 2014

 $16,216 

December 16, 2014

August 14, 2014

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

August 29, 2014

 $16,299 

September 16, 2014

May 5, 2014

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

May 30, 2014

 $16,386 

June 17, 2014

February 11, 2014

 $0.35 

Regular (cash)

February 28, 2014

 $14,827 

March 18, 2014

November 14, 2013

 $0.35 

Regular (cash)

November 29, 2013

 $15,046 

December 17, 2013

All of the above cash dividends were paid from existing cash resources. Future cash dividends will depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by us and is subject to final determination by our Board of Directors.

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SignificantAccounting Policies


We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 2, 3,Summary of SignificantAccounting Policies, of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 below.


Critical AccountingEstimates

We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. In addition, there are other items within our consolidated financial statements that require estimation, but are not deemed critical as defined above. Changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our financial statements.


Revenue Recognition and Receivable Reserves
Our revenues are derived from month-to-month subscriptions to services such as workstations (also referred to as users), content and applications. Subscription revenue is earned each month as the service is rendered to clients on a monthly basis. Revenue is recognized when the client subscribes to FactSet services, the service has been rendered and earned during the month, the amount of the subscription is fixed or determinable based on established rates quoted on an annualized basis and collectability is reasonably assured.

Accounts receivable are unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from clients located around the globe. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and do not require collateral. We maintain reserves for potential write-offs and these losses have historically been within expectations. Aged client receivables are analyzed each month and our collection efforts are directed accordingly. We review recent history of client receivable write-offs, analyze trends in aged client receivables and general market conditions to estimate our accounts receivable reserve. At August 31, 2012 and 2011, the receivable reserve was $1.8 and $2.0 million, respectively.


Accrued Compensation
We make significant estimates in determining our accrued compensation. Approximately 15-20% of our employee incentive compensation programs are discretionary. We conduct a final review of Company and departmental individual performance each year end to determine the amount of discretionary employee compensation. We also review compensation throughout the year to determine how overall performance tracks against management’s expectations. Management takes these and other factors, including historical performance, into account in reviewing accrued compensation estimates quarterly and adjusting accrual rates as appropriate. The amount of the variable employee compensation recorded within accrued compensation as of August 31, 2012 was $35.9 million compared $37.2 million as of August 31, 2011.

Business Combinations

We record acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. All of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, contractual contingencies and contingent consideration are recognized at their fair value on the acquisition date. The application of the purchase method of accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in order to properly allocate purchase price consideration between assets that are depreciated and amortized from goodwill. Our estimates are based on historical experience, information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and when appropriate, includes assistance from independent third-partythird party appraisal firms. Our significant assumptions and estimates can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future, the appropriate weighted-average cost of capital, and the cost savings expected to be derived from acquiring an asset. These estimates are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. In addition, unanticipated events and circumstances may occur which may affect the accuracy or validity of such estimates.


Estimated Tax Provision and Tax Contingencies
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Our tax provision is an estimate based on our understanding of laws in Federal, state and foreign tax jurisdictions. These laws can be complicated and are difficult to apply to any business including ours. The tax laws also require us to allocate our taxable income to many jurisdictions based on subjective allocation methodologies and information collection processes. Our effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of state taxes, foreign operations, R&D and other tax credits, tax audit settlements, incentive-stock options and domestic production activities (Section 199) deductions. Our effective tax rate was 31.3%, 28.4% and 32.4% in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
42


We recognize the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position as of the reporting date. Otherwise, no benefit can be recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We will classify the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as current to the extent that we anticipate payment (or receipt) of cash within one year. Additionally, we accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. Interest and penalties are classified as income tax expense in the financial statements.

As of August 31, 2012, we have gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling $5.5 million, including $1.0 million of accrued interest, recorded as non-current taxes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax positions taken on tax returns but not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements. If recognized, essentially all of the unrecognized tax benefits and related interest would be recorded as a benefit to tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Audits by multiple tax authorities are currently ongoing. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. Although we believe our reserves are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different from that which is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The provision for income taxes includes the effect of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest.

Our provision for income taxes is subject to volatility and could be adversely impacted by lower earnings than anticipated in countries that have lower tax rates and higher earnings than anticipated in countries that have higher tax rates; by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; by expiration of or lapses in the R&D tax credit laws; by transfer pricing adjustments including the post-acquisition integration of purchased intangible assets from certain acquisitions; by tax effects of nondeductible compensation; by tax costs related to intercompany realignments; or by changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, including accounting for uncertain tax positions or interpretations of them. Significant judgment is required to determine recognition and measurement. Further, as a result of certain ongoing employment and capital investment actions and commitments, our income in certain countries is subject to reduced tax rates and in some cases is wholly exempt from tax. Our failure to meet these commitments could adversely affect our provision for income taxes. In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinations will not have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

Performance-based Equity Awards

We have an employee stock-based compensation plan, which allows for the issuance of performance-based equity awards to employees. Accounting guidance requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all performance-based equity awards made to employees based on the estimated fair values of the awards that are expected to vest. At the end of each reporting period, management must make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving our performance targets becausetargetsbecause the number of stock options that vest will be predicated on us achieving these levels.


October 2009 Annual Employee However, there is no current guarantee that such options will vest in whole or in part.

July 2012 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In October 2009,July 2012, we granted 900,665241,546 performance-based employee stock options. 100% of these performance-based stock options, which are expectedeligible to vest because we achieved organic ASV and diluted earnings per sharein 20% tranches depending upon future StreetAccount user growth of more than 10% on a compounded annual basis for the two years endedthrough August 31, 2011. This reflected2017. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the first growth target as outlined within the terms of the grant was achieved, thus 20% or 48,314 options vested on August 31, 2013. The second 20% tranche vested on August 31, 2014 as a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly increased the numberresult of options that will vest, which required us to record an incremental $5.8 millionaccelerated expansion of stock-based compensationStreet Account users during fiscal 2011. The $5.8 million2014. During the fourth quarter of additional stock-based compensation representedfiscal 2015, the cumulative adjustment to changethird growth target was achieved, thus the vesting percentage from 60% to 100% asthird 20% tranche vested on August 31, 2015. As of August 31, 2011.


November 2010 Annual Employee Performance-based Option Grant Review
In November 2010,2015, we granted 734,334 performance-based employee stock options. None of these performance-based stock options granted vested because we did not achieve certain performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share duringestimate that the two fiscal years endedfourth 20% tranche will vest by August 31, 2012. This reflected a lower performance level than previously estimated and accordingly decreased the number of options that will vest to zero, which required us to reverse $1.4 million of2017, resulting in unamortized stock-based compensation during fiscal 2012. These performance-based options were recorded as forfeitures in fiscal 2012.
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November 2011 Annual Employee Performance-based Option Grant Review
In November 2011, we granted 665,551 performance-based employee stock options. The numberexpense of performance-based options that vest is based on us achieving performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during$0.6 million to be recognized over the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2013. At August 31 2012, we believed that it was not probable we would achieve the required ASV and diluted earnings per share growth as our ASV growth rate decelerated to 7%. As such, we estimated that none (0%)remaining vesting period of the performance-based stock options will vest. However, a2.0 years. A change, up or down, in the actual financial performance levels we achieve over the next 12 monthsachieved by StreetAccount in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to ourthe current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

Vesting
Percentage
  
Total Unamortized Stock-based
Compensation Expense at August 31, 2012
  Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*  
Average Remaining Quarterly
Expense to be Recognized
 
 0%  $0  $0  $0 
 20%  $2,726  $914  $164 
 60%  $8,178  $2,742  $492 
 100%  $13,630  $4,570  $820 

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there had been a change in the vesting percentage as of August 31, 2012.

July 2012 Performance-based Option Grant Review
In July 2012, we granted 241,546 performance-based employee stock options. The number of performance-based options that vest is dependent upon future StreetAccount user growth through August 31, 2017. The five year performance measurement period is based on growing usage of FactSet and StreetAccount. At August 31 2012, we estimated that 20% or 48,309 of the performance-based stock options will vest based on forecasted StreetAccount growth, which results in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $1.5 million to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of approximately 3.0 years. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by us due to unforeseen significant StreetAccount growth in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to our current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

Vesting
Percentage
  
Cumulative
Catch-up Adjustment*
  
Remaining Expense
to be Recognized
 
0%  $(84) $0 
20%  $0  $1,516 
40%  $136  $3,064 
60%  $200  $4,600 
80%  $257  $6,143 
100%  $330  $7,670 

Vesting

Percentage

 

Cumulative

Catch-up Adjustment*

  

Remaining Expense

to be Recognized

 

Fourth 20% tranche(current expectation)

 $0  $619 

Fifth 20% tranche

 $1,216  $1,003 

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of August 31, 2012.


Other2015. 

November 2012 Annual Employee Performance-based Stock Options Granted

·Between June 2010 and July 2011, we granted 746,415 performance-based employee stock options that vest based on FactSet achieving certain ASV targets. At August 31, 2012, we estimated that none (0%) of these performance-based stock options will vest. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by us due to unforeseen significant ASV growth in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to our current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

Vesting
Percentage
  
Cumulative
Catch-up Adjustment*
  
Remaining Expense
to be Recognized
 
0%  $0  $0 
50%  $3,380  $4,370 
100%  $8,474  $7,026 

Option Grant Review

In November 2012, we granted 1,011,510 performance-based employee stock options. The number of performance-based options that would become eligible to vest was based upon the Company achieving performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2014. Based upon the actual growth in organic ASV and diluted EPS through August 31, 2014, 20%, or 185,014 (net of options forfeited through the end of fiscal 2014), of the previously granted shares became eligible to vest on August 31, 2014. The remaining 80% of the performance-based options previously granted were recorded as forfeitures in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.As of the end of fiscal 2015, total unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 2.1 years in connection with this grant.

February 2015 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with our acquisition of Code Red during the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we granted 137,522 performance-based stock options. These performance-based options are eligible to vest four years from date of grant if certain Code Red ASV and operating margin targets are achieved over the measurement period. The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet to be eligible to vest. Of the total grant, 68,761 performance-based options are eligible for vesting based on achieving the growth targets over a four year measurement period ending February 28, 2019 and the remaining 68,761 options are eligible to cliff vest based on a two year measurement period ending February 28, 2017. As of August 31, 2015, total unamortized stock-based compensation of $2.1 million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of 3.4 years. A change, up or down, in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Code Red in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

Vesting

Percentage

 

Cumulative

Catch-up Adjustment*

  

Remaining Expense

to be Recognized

 
0% $(338) $0 
10% $(253) $516 

40%(current expectation)

 $0  $2,063 
70% $253  $3,609 
100% $506  $5,156 

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of August 31, 2012.


·We granted 204,508 performance-based employee stock options between June 2010 and July 2011 that vest based on FactSet achieving certain ASV targets. Of this total, 133,958 vested during fiscal 2012 because we achieved certain ASV levels. At August 31, 2012, we estimated that the remaining performance-based stock options will vest based on forecasted ASV growth. A change in forecasted ASV growth in fiscal 2013 could result in a change in the expected vesting period of these performance-based options, requiring us to accelerate the recognition of the remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million as of August 31, 2012.
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Performance-Based Employee Restricted Stock Units Granted
Between June 20102015. 

Other Performance-based Option Grants

In connection with the acquisitions of Matrix and July 2011,Revere, we granted 21,102 restricted165,949 and 36,695 performance-based stock units which entitleoptions, respectively, during fiscal 2014. The performance-based options granted in connection with the holder to sharesacquisition of common stock as the awardsMatrix will vest over time. A restricted stock unit is a promise to deliver sharesonly if ASV and operating margin targets related to the employee atMatrix business are met during a future date if certain vesting conditions are met. Our restricted stock units are performance-basedfive year measurement period ending December 23, 2018, and cliff vest 25% when ASVthe option holders remain employed by FactSet. As of August 31, 2015 we do not believe these targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be realized in connection with these options. Of the 36,695 performance-based stock options granted in connection with the Revere acquisition, 18,553 options became eligible to vest based upon the achievement of certain ASV and operating margins during a six year period. Restricted stock units are amortized to expense based on a graded-vesting attribution approach over the vesting period. A changemeasurement period ending August 31, 2015. This results in the forecasted ASV growth in fiscal 2013 could result in a change in the expected vesting period of these restricted stock units, requiring us to accelerate the recognition of the remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.1$0.4 million to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 3.0 years. Of the remaining 18,142 performance-based options previously granted, 6,184 were recorded as forfeitures in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 while the remaining 11,958 vest 80% after four years if the measurement criterion is achieved over the four year period ending August 31, 2017.


Accrued Compensation

We make significant estimates in determining our accrued compensation. Approximately 15% of our total employee compensation is variable and discretionary. We conduct a final review of Company and departmental individual performance each year end to determine the amount of discretionary employee compensation. We also review compensation throughout the year to determine how overall performance tracks against management’s expectations. Management takes these and other factors, including historical performance, into account in reviewing accrued compensation estimates quarterly and adjusting accrual rates as appropriate. The amount of the variable employee compensation recorded within accrued compensation was $38.6 million and $37.3 million as of August 31, 2012.


2015 and 2014, respectively.

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets, comprised of property, equipment and leasehold improvements are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that may cause an impairment review include significant changes in technology that make current computer-related assets that we use in our operations obsolete or less useful and significant changes in the way we use these assets in our operations. When evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges). If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we calculate an impairment loss. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying value of the asset to the asset’s estimated fair value, which may be based on estimated future cash flows (discounted and with interest charges). We recognize an impairment loss if the amount of the asset’s carrying value exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value. If we recognize an impairment loss, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new cost basis. The new cost basis will be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset. Using the impairment evaluation methodology described herein, there have been no long-lived asset impairment charges for each of the last three years. The carrying value of long-lived assets as of August 31, 2012,2015 and 2014 was $76.5 million.


$59.3 million and $57.6 million, respectively.

Our impairment loss calculations contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting useful lives of the assets and selecting the discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows. We have not made any material changes in our impairment loss assessment methodology during the past three fiscal years. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions we use to calculate long-lived asset impairment losses. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to losses that could be material.

Valuation of

Goodwill

and Intangible Assets

We evaluateare required to test goodwill at the reporting unit leveland other intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators occur. The impairment test requires management to make judgments in connection with identifying reporting units, assigning assets and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicateliabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets to reporting units and determining the carryingfair value of the goodwill may not be recoverable. We complete our impairment evaluation by performing internal valuation analyses and consider other publicly available market information. We determined that there wereeach reporting unit. FactSet has three reporting units, during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, which are consistent with the operating segments reported becauseas there is no discrete financial information available for the subsidiaries within each operating segment. OurThe reporting units evaluated for potential impairment during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 were the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which reflects the level of internal reporting we use to manage our business and operations.

We performedcomplete our annual goodwill impairment test duringevaluation by performing internal valuation analyses and consider other publicly available market information. Goodwill is tested for impairment based on the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 and determined that there were no reporting units that were deemed at risk and there had been no impairment. The carryingpresent value of goodwill as of August 31, 2012 and 2011 was $245.8 million and $228.3 million, respectively.


We determine fair value using the discounted cash flows, model.and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on discounted cash flows. This analysis contains uncertainties becauseas it requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate industry economic factors including market conditions, legal and technological factors and the profitability of future business strategies. It is our policy to conduct impairment testing based on our current business strategy in light of present industry and economic conditions, as well as future expectations. We have not made any material changes in our impairment loss assessment methodology during the past three fiscal years. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to test for goodwill impairment losses. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to an impairment charge that could be material. Future events could cause us to conclude that indicators of impairment do exist and that goodwill associated with our previous acquisitions is impaired, which could result in an impairment loss in our Consolidated Statements of Income and a write-down of the related asset.


New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2

We performed our annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, consistent with previous years, at which time it was determined that there were no indications of impairment, with the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units significantly exceeding carrying value.The carrying value of goodwill as of August 31, 2015 and 2014 was $308.3 million and $285.6 million, respectively.

Intangible assets consist of certain acquired content databases, client relationships, software technology, non-compete agreements and trade names resulting from previous acquisitions and depending on the nature of the intangible asset, are amortized on either a straight-line or an accelerated basis using estimated useful lives ranging between two and twenty years. The remaining useful lives of intangible assets subject to amortization are evaluated quarterly to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of the remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. There were no adjustments to the useful lives of intangible assets subject to amortization during any of the periods presented. These intangible assets have no assigned residual values as of August 31, 2015 and 2014. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of any impairment loss for intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the amount the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. The carrying value of intangible assets as of August 31, 2015 and 2014 was $40.1 million and $41.9 million, respectively. Our ongoing consideration of the recoverability could result in impairment charges in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Estimated Tax Provision and Tax Contingencies

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Our tax provision is an estimate based on our understanding of laws in Federal, state and foreign tax jurisdictions. These laws can be complicated and are difficult to apply to any business including ours. The tax laws also require us to allocate our taxable income to many jurisdictions based on subjective allocation methodologies and information collection processes. Our effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of state taxes, foreign operations, R&D and other tax credits, tax audit settlements, incentive-stock options and domestic production activitiesdeductions. Our annual effective tax rate was 27.8%, 30.3% and 26.7% in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We recognize the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position as of the reporting date. Otherwise, no benefit can be recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We will classify the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as current to the extent that we anticipate payment (or receipt) of cash within one year. Additionally, we accrue interest on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. Interest is classified as income tax expense in the financial statements.

As of August 31, 2015, we have gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling $6.8 million, including $1.3 million of accrued interest, recorded as non-current taxes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax positions taken on tax returns but not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statementsstatements. When applicable, we adjust the previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results when the position is effectively settled. If recognized, the unrecognized tax benefits and related interest would be recorded as a benefit to tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income. Audits by multiple tax authorities are currently ongoing. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. For this reason, we regularly engage in discussions and negotiations with tax authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. Although we believe our reserves are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not be different from that which is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The provision for income taxes includes the effect of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as the related net interest.

Our provision for income taxes is subject to volatility and could be adversely impacted by numerous factors such as changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, including accounting for uncertain tax positions or interpretations of them. Significant judgment is required to determine recognition and measurement. Further, as a result of certain ongoing employment and capital investment actions and commitments, our income in certain countries is subject to reduced tax rates and in some cases is wholly exempt from tax. Our failure to meet these commitments could adversely affect our provision for income taxes. In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinations will not have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.


New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3,Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption, which we include here by reference.

45


Management Changes

Our Chairman and CEO, Philip Hadley, stepped down as CEO effective July 1, 2015. He remains an employee of FactSet and continues to serve as our Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Hadley, age 53, has served as our CEO since September 2000. Our President, 19-year FactSet veteran Philip Snow, was named CEO, effective July 1, 2015. Mr. Snow, age 51, was also elected to our Board of Directors, effective March 16, 2015.

In addition, on January 21, 2015, we hired Scott Miller as our new Executive Vice President, Global Director of Sales. Mr. Miller succeeded Michael Frankenfield and reports directly to Mr. Snow. Mr. Frankenfield, who has been with FactSet since 1989 and had been in his current role since 2009, remains with us as a Vice Chairman and works in a senior executive sales advisory position. In addition, on March 16, 2015, we appointed Mark Hale as our new Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Hale succeeded Peter Walsh and reports directly to Mr. Snow. Mr. Walsh, who has been with FactSet since 1999 and had been in his current role since 2009, remains with us focusing on various discrete projects.

Lastly, in June 2015, we hired Edward Baker-Greene, our first-ever Chief Human Resources Officer, to oversee and grow our critically important employee talent pool.

Market Trends


In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to financial risks involving foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations. Major equity indices (e.g., Dow Jones Industrials, Russell 1000, MSCI EAFE, S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite) continue to experience volatility. Approximately 81%82.5% of our annual subscription valueASV is derived from our investment management clients. The prosperity of these clients is tied to equity assets under management. An equity market decline not only depresses assets under management but could cause a significant increase in redemption requests to move money out of equities and into other asset classes. Moreover, extended declines in the equity markets may reduce new fund or client creation, resulting in lower demand for services from investment managers.


Our investment banking clients whothat perform M&A advisory work, provide capital markets services and equity research, account for approximately 19%17.5% of our annual subscription value.ASV. A significant portion of these revenues relate to services deployed by large, bulge bracket banks. Credit continues to impact many of the large banking clients due to the amount of leverage deployed in past operations. Clients could encounter similar problems. A lack of confidence in the global banking system could cause declines in merger and acquisitions funded by debt. Additional uncertainty, consolidation and business failures in the global investment banking sector could adversely affect our financial results and future growth.

We service equity research and M&A departments.departments, capital markets and equity research. These are low risk businesses that do not deploy leverage and will likely continue to operate far into the future and should represent a larger percentage of the overall revenues of our clients. Regardless, the size of banks in general is shrinking as they deleverage their balance sheets and adjust their expense bases to future revenue opportunities. Our revenues may decline if banks including those involved in recent merger activity significantly reduce headcount in the areas of corporate M&A, capital markets and equity research to compensate for the issues created by other departments.


Forward-Looking Factors

Forward-Looking Statements


In addition to current and historical information, this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, forecast and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These include statements about our strategy for growth, product development, market position, subscriptions and expected expenditures and financial results. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “should,” “indicates,” “continues,” “ASV,” “subscriptions,” “believes,” “estimates,” “may” and similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth, trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We will publicly update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.


We intend that all forward-looking statements we make will be subject to safe harbor protection of the federal securities laws as found in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


These statements involve certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those listed in Part 1 Item 1A,Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this Annual Report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.

Dividend Payment

On August 8, 2012, a regular quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share was announced. The cash dividend of $13.7 million was paid on September 18, 2012, to common stockholders of record on August 31, 2012. Future cash dividends will be paid using our existing and future cash generated by operations.
46


Business Outlook


The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of September 25, 2012.October 16, 2015. Given the number of risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed below, actual results may differ materially. We do not intend to update our forward-looking statements until our next quarterly results announcement, other than in publicly available statements.


First Quarter Fiscal 20132016 Expectations

(includes the impact from the acquisition of Portware, which was completed on October 16, 2015)

 

-

Revenues are expected to range between $210$270 million and $213$274 million.

 

-

Operating margin is expected to range between 33.5%32.0% and 34.0%33.0%.

 

-

The effective tax rate is expected to range between 31.5% and 32.5%.
-Diluted earnings per share should range between $1.10 and $1.12, which represents year over year growth of 11% and 13% at each end of the range.

Full Year Fiscal 2013
-The full year fiscal 2013 guidance for capital expenditures is $20 million to $28 million.
-

The annual effective tax rate is expected to range between 31.5%31.0% and 32.5%.32.0% and assumes the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit will not be reenacted by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

-

Diluted EPS should range between $1.44 and $1.46.

-

The lapse in the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2014, reduced each end of the diluted EPS range by $0.02 compared to the recently completed fourth quarter. If the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit is re-enacted by November 30, 2015, diluted EPS would range between $1.49 and $1.51. We would also recognize an income tax benefit of $0.14 per share if the R&D tax credit could be retroactively applied to previous periods.

Dividend Payment

On August 10, 2015, we declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share. The cash dividend of $18.2 million was paid on September 15, 2015, to common stockholders of record on August 31, 2015 using our existing cash generated by operations.


Financial Risk Management

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk that could impact our financial position and results of operations.


Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changesconduct business outside the U.S. in foreign currency exchange rates, which could affect operating results, financial position and cash flows. We manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk through our regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, throughseveral currencies including the use of derivative financial instruments. These derivative financial instruments are utilized to hedge currency exposures as well as to reduce earnings volatility resulting from shifts in market rates. We only enter into foreign currency forward contracts to manage foreign currency exposures. Our foreign currency market exposures include the Euro, British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and PhilippinesPhilippine Peso. The fair market valuesfinancial statements of allthese foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Our non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $30.7 million while our derivative contracts change withnon-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are estimated to be $205.4 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $174.7 million. To the extent that our international activities recorded in local currencies increase in the future, our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates and are designed so that any changes in their values are offset by changes inwill correspondingly increase. To manage the valuesexposures related to the effects of the underlying exposures. Derivative financial instruments are held solely as risk management tools and not for trading or speculative purposes.


We are required to recognize allforeign exchange rate fluctuations, we utilize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the balance sheet. The level of volatility will vary with the type and amount of derivative hedges outstanding, as well as fluctuations in the(foreign currency markets during the period. The related cash flow impacts of all of our derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities.

forward contracts). By their nature, all derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk. The market risk associated with these instruments resulting from currency exchange movements is expected to offset the market risk of the underlying transactions, assets and liabilities being hedged. We do not believe there is significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties associated with these instruments because these transactions are executed with a major financial institution. Further, our policy is to deal with counterparties having a minimum investment grade or better credit rating. Credit risk is managed through the continuous monitoring of exposures to such counterparties. Our primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings associated with changes in foreign currency.

As of August 31, 2015, we maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to hedge our foreign currency exposure:

Indian Rupee- foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the second quarter of fiscal 2018.

British PoundSterling-foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 50% of our British Pound Sterling exposure through the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Euro -foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 50% of our Euro exposure through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

As of August 31, 2015, the gross notional value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs.4.0 billion. The gross notional value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling with U.S. dollars was £10.5 million. The gross notional value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Euros with U.S. dollars was €18.1 million.

There were no other outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts at August 31, 2015. A loss on derivatives of $0.6 million was recorded into operating income in fiscal 2015, compared to a loss of $0.3 million a year ago. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts mitigate the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. These transactions are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with applicable accounting guidance.The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The related cash flow impacts of all of our derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities.

A sensitivity analysis was performed based on the estimated fair value of all foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at August 31, 2015. If the U.S. dollar had been 10% weaker, the fair value of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts would have increased by $8.6 million, which would have had an immaterial impact on our consolidated balance sheet. Such a change in fair value of our financial instruments would be substantially offset by changes in our expense base. Had we not had any hedges in place as of August 31, 2015, a hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at August 31, 2015, would result in a decrease in operating income by $15.2 million over the next twelve months. A hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies at August 31, 2015 would increase the fair value of total assets by $28.4 million and equity by $25.6 million.


Interest Rate Risk

The fair market value of our cash and investments at August 31, 20122015 was $203.0$182.4 million. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition and are reported at fair value. Our investments consist of certificates of deposits with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on our consolidated balance sheet. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our cash and investments will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates. Preservation of principal is the primary goal of our cash and investment policy. Pursuant to our established investment guidelines, we try to achieve high levels of credit quality, liquidity and diversification. Our investment guidelines do not permit us to invest in puts, calls, strips, short sales, straddles, options, commodities, precious metals, futures or investments on margin. Because we have a restrictive investment policy, our financial exposure to fluctuations in interest rates is expected to remain low. We do not believe that the value or liquidity of our cash and investments have been significantly impacted by current market events. Current market events have not required us to modify materially or change our financial risk management strategies with respect to our exposures to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk.

47


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the normal courseAs of business, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk that could impact our financial position and results of operations.


Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We conduct business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and Philippine Peso. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Our non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $17 million while our non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are $163 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $146 million per year. To the extent that our international activities recorded in local currencies increase in the future, our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will correspondingly increase. To manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we utilize derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). Our primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings associated with changes in foreign currency. Derivative financial instruments are held solely as risk management tools and not for trading or speculative purposes.

During fiscal 2012, we entered into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 90% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013, 75% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and 50% of our Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2015. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, additional foreign currency forward contracts were entered into to hedge approximately 50% of our net Euro exposure through the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2013. At August 31, 2012 the notional principal and fair value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was $36.3 million and ($2.4) million, respectively. At August 31, 2012, the notional principal and fair value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Euros with U.S. dollars were €8.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. At August 31, 2012, there were no other outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts. A loss on derivatives for during fiscal 2012 of $1.0 million was recorded into operating income in our Consolidated Statements of Income as compared to a gain of $4.2 million a year ago.

The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts mitigate the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. These transactions are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings.

A sensitivity analysis was performed based on the estimated fair value of all foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at August 31, 2012. If the U.S. dollar had been 10% weaker,2015, the fair value of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts would have increased by $4.1our long-term debt was $35.0 million, which would have had an immaterial impactapproximated its carrying amount given its floating interest rate basis and was determined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity. The debt bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to 0.50% plus the Eurodollar rate, which is defined in the agreement as the rate per annum equal to one-month LIBOR. During fiscal 2015 we paid approximately $0.1 million in interest on our consolidated balance sheet. Such a change in fair value of our financial instruments would be substantially offset by changes in our expense base. Had we not had any hedges in place as of August 31, 2012, a hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at August 31, 2012, would result in a decrease in operating income by $13.6 million over the next twelve months. A hypothetical 10% weaker U.S. dollar against all foreign currencies at August 31, 2012 would increase the fair value of total assets by $29.8 million and equity by $27.2 million.

Interest Rate Risk
The fair market value of our cash and investments at August 31, 2012 was $203.0 million. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market funds with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition and are reported at fair value. Our investments consist of certificates of deposits with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on our consolidated balance sheet.outstanding Loan amount. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our cash and investmentsdebt will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates. Preservation of principal is the primary goal of our cashrates and investment policy. Pursuant to our established investment guidelines, we try to achieve high levels of credit quality, liquidity and diversification. Our investment guidelines do not permit us to invest in puts, calls, strips, short sales, straddles, options, commodities, precious metals, futures or investments on margin. Because we have a restrictive investment policy, our financial exposure to fluctuations in interest rates is expected to remain low. We do not believe that the value or liquidity of our cash and investments havedebt has been significantly impacted by current market events.

 

48


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

  Page(s)

Page

Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

Management’s Statement of Responsibility for Financial Statements

50

45

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

50

45

Report

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmFirms

51

46-48

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended August 31, 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 20102013

52

49

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

50

Consolidated Balance Sheets at August 31, 20122015 and 20112014

53

51

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 2010

2013

 54

52

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended August 31, 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 20102013

55

53

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

56

54

   

Financial Statement Schedule:

  

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

90

87

 

49

Management’sManagement’s Statement of Responsibility for Financial Statements

FactSet’s consolidated financial statements are prepared by management, which is responsible for their fairness, integrity and objectivity. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include amounts based on management’s estimates and judgments. All financial information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been presented on a basis consistent with the information included in the accompanying financial statements.


FactSet’s policies and practices reflect corporate governance initiatives that are compliant with the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Stock Market and the corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Management, with oversight by the Company’s Board of Directors, has established and maintains a strong ethical climate so that its affairs are conducted to the highest standards of personal and corporate conduct


conduct.

FactSet maintains accounting systems, including internal accounting controls, designed to provide reasonable assurance of the reliability of financial records and the protection of assets. The concept of reasonable assurance is based on recognition that the cost of a system should not exceed the related benefits. The effectiveness of those systems depends primarily upon the careful selection of financial and other managers, clear delegation of authority and assignment of accountability, inculcation of high business ethics and conflict-of-interest standards, policies and procedures for coordinating the management of corporate resources, and the leadership and commitment of top management. In compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, FactSet assessed its internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2015 and issued a report (see below).


The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists solely of independent non-employee directors, is responsible for overseeing the functioning of the accounting system and related controls and the preparation of annual financial statements. The Audit Committee periodically meets with management and the independent accountants to review and evaluate their accounting, auditing and financial reporting activities and responsibilities, including management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm has full and free access to the Audit Committee and met with the committee, with and without management present.


Management’s

Management’s Report on Internal Control overover Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internalfor FactSet. Internal control over financial reporting based on criteria establishedis a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in the framework in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.   Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effectiveincludes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of August 31, 2012. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered publicfinancial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting firm, has auditedprinciples and that receipts and expenditures of the effectivenessCompany are being made only in accordance with authorizations of FactSet’s internal control over financial reportingmanagement and has issueddirectors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a reportmaterial effect on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2012, which is included in their report on the following page.


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.

/s/ PHILIP A. HADLEY/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI
Philip A. HadleyMaurizio Nicolelli
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive OfficerSenior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)(Principal Financial Officer)
October 30, 2012October 30, 2012
50

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To

Management (with the Board of Directors and Stockholders of FactSet Research Systems Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FactSet Research Systems Inc. and its subsidiaries at August 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for eachparticipation of the three years inprincipal executive officer and principal financial officer) conducted an evaluation of the period ended August 31, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Stateseffectiveness of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effectiveFactSet’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2012, based on criteria establishedthe framework inInternal Control - Control—Integrated Framework(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company'sCommission. Based on this evaluation, management is responsible for theseconcluded that FactSet’s internal control over financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintainingreporting was effective as of August 31, 2015. Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of FactSet’s internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness ofhas issued a report on FactSet’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included in their report on page 47.

/s/F.PHILIPSNOW

/s/MAURIZIONICOLELLI

F. Philip Snow

Maurizio Nicolelli

Chief Executive Officer

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

October 30, 2015

October 30, 2015


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of FactSet Research Systems Inc.

We have audited the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.consolidated balance sheets of FactSet Research Systems Inc. as of August 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express opinionsan opinion on these financial statements on the financial statementand schedule and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated 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 auditsaudit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatementmisstatement. 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of FactSet Research Systems Inc. at August 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), FactSet Research Systems Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated October 30, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST& YOUNG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut

October 30, 2015


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of FactSet Research Systems Inc.

We have audited FactSet Research Systems Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). FactSet Research Systems Inc.’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 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 audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting 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 audits also includedrisk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.


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 (i)(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; (ii)(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 (iii)(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, FactSet Research Systems Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of FactSet Research Systems Inc. as of August 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2015 of FactSet Research Systems Inc. and our report dated October 30, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST& YOUNG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut

October 30, 2015



Report of IndependentRegistered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of FactSet Research Systems Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, of shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for the year ended August 31, 2013 present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of FactSet Research Systems Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the year ended August 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended August 31, 2013 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERSPRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Stamford, Connecticut

October 30, 2013 

 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
October 30, 2012

51

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

Years Ended August 31,2012 2011 2010 
Revenues $805,793  $726,510  $641,059 
Operating expenses            
Cost of services  275,537   244,623   206,550 
Selling, general and administrative  257,266   243,552   212,875 
Total operating expenses  532,803   488,175   419,425 
Operating income  272,990   238,335   221,634 
Other income  1,715   623   547 
Income before income taxes  274,705   238,958   222,181 
Provision for income taxes  85,896   67,912   71,970 
Net income $188,809  $171,046  $150,211 
Basic earnings per common share $4.22  $3.72  $3.22 
Diluted earnings per common share $4.12  $3.61  $3.13 
Weighted average common shares (Basic)  44,784   45,953   46,698 
Weighted average common shares (Diluted)  45,810   47,355   48,004 

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Revenues

 $1,006,768  $920,335  $858,112 
             

Operating expenses

            

Cost of services

  405,339   353,686   306,379 

Selling, general and administrative

  269,511   264,430   282,314 
             

Total operating expenses

  674,850   618,116   588,693 
             

Operating income

  331,918   302,219   269,419 

Other income

  1,836   1,245   1,491 
             

Income before income taxes

  333,754   303,464   270,910 

Provision for income taxes

  92,703   91,921   72,273 
             

Net income

 $241,051  $211,543  $198,637 
             

Basic earnings per common share

 $5.80  $4.98  $4.53 

Diluted earnings per common share

 $5.71  $4.92  $4.45 
             

Weighted average common shares (Basic)

  41,572   42,436   43,890 

Weighted average common shares (Diluted)

  42,235   42,970   44,624 
             

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

 

52

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except share data)

At August 31, 2012  2011 
CURRENT ASSETS      
Cash and cash equivalents $189,044  $181,685 
Investments  13,919   - 
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $1,830 and $1,955 at August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively  74,251   75,004 
Prepaid taxes  2,485   - 
Deferred taxes  5,085   4,008 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  14,341   12,473 
Total current assets  299,125   273,170 
LONG-TERM ASSETS        
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost  189,546   173,990 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  (113,016)  (92,370)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net  76,530   81,620 
Goodwill  245,791   228,265 
Intangible assets, net  43,371   46,310 
Deferred taxes  23,113   20,166 
Other assets  6,213   7,909 
TOTAL ASSETS $694,143  $657,440 
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES
        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $27,680  $24,603 
Accrued compensation  41,274   41,536 
Deferred fees  30,495   28,252 
Taxes payable  -   2,867 
Dividends payable  13,727   12,165 
Total current liabilities  113,176   109,423 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Deferred taxes  2,593 �� 3,712 
Taxes payable  5,464   7,204 
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities  20,646   21,913 
TOTAL LIABILITIES $141,879  $142,252 
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 17)        
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued $  $ 
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 45,599,754 and 61,427,391 shares issued; 44,279,214 and 45,055,219 shares outstanding at August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively  456   614 
Additional paid-in capital  137,569   432,538 
Treasury stock, at cost: 1,320,540 and 16,372,172 shares at August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively  (122,749)  (824,382)
Retained earnings  559,714   912,078 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (22,726)  (5,660)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  552,264   515,188 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $694,143  $657,440 
thousands)

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Net income

 $241,051  $211,543  $198,637 
             

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

            

Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges*

  (868)  5,357   (3,296)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (25,263)  7,895   (5,151)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

  (26,131)  13,252   (8,447)
             

Comprehensive income

 $214,920  $224,795  $190,190 

* The unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges disclosed above was net of tax benefit (expense) of $512, ($3,193) and $1,965 for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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

 

53

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Balance Sheets

(In thousands)


Years Ended August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES         
Net income $188,809  $171,046  $150,211 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities            
Depreciation and amortization  33,779   36,847   37,343 
Stock-based compensation expense  21,982   25,773   14,065 
Deferred income taxes  (3,760)  (1,806)  (5,827)
Gain on sale of assets  -   (22)  (80)
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements  (11,159)  (18,331)  (24,492)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions            
Accounts receivable, net of reserves  2,083   (15,311)  3,883 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  9   715   (1,308)
Accrued compensation  519   (7,882)  7,440 
Deferred fees  (2,573)  3,219   (7,759)
Taxes payable, net of prepaid taxes  4,209   20,387   35,781 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (445)  (6,579)  281 
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities  (905)  (483)  (359)
Other working capital accounts, net  (583)  (437)  1,901 
Net cash provided by operating activities  231,965   207,136   211,080 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired  (21,329)     (55,180)
Purchases of investments  (15,000)      
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of proceeds from dispositions  (22,520)  (29,343)  (20,768)
Net cash used in investing activities  (58,849)  (29,343)  (75,948)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
Dividend payments  (49,983)  (43,949)  (38,494)
Repurchase of common stock  (153,641)  (216,584)  (192,816)
Proceeds from employee stock plans  33,747   43,079   55,250 
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements  11,159   18,331   24,492 
Net cash used in financing activities  (158,718)  (199,123)  (151,568)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (7,039)  7,274   (4,143)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  7,359   (14,056)  (20,579)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  181,685   195,741   216,320 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $189,044  $181,685  $195,741 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information            
Cash paid during the year for income taxes $73,219  $36,869  $38,450 
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Transactions            
Dividends declared, not paid $13,727  $12,165  $10,586 
Stock issued for acquisition of business  3,974   —   — 

thousands, except share data)

At August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

 

CURRENT ASSETS

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $158,914  $116,378 

Investments

  23,497   20,008 

Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $1,580 and $1,662at August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively

  95,064   90,354 

Prepaid taxes

  4,808   6,532 

Deferred taxes

  2,105   1,841 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  19,786   14,662 

Total current assets

  304,174   249,775 
         

LONG-TERM ASSETS

        

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost

  213,279   201,713 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (154,015)  (144,072)

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

  59,264   57,641 

Goodwill

  308,287   285,608 

Intangible assets, net

  40,052   41,855 

Deferred taxes

  20,599   22,377 

Other assets

  4,295   5,956 

TOTAL ASSETS

 $736,671  $663,212 
         

CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 $33,880  $26,971 

Accrued compensation

  44,916   42,481 

Deferred fees

  38,488   36,504 

Deferred taxes

  562    

Taxes payable

  3,755   5,036 

Dividends payable

  18,179   16,299 

Total current liabilities

  139,780   127,291 
         

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

Long-term debt

  35,000    

Deferred taxes

  1,697   2,921 

Taxes payable

  6,776   5,501 

Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities

  21,834   16,417 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 $205,087  $152,130 
         

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 18)

        

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

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

 $  $ 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 50,328,423 and 49,110,218 shares issued; 41,316,902 and 41,792,802 shares outstanding at August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively

  503   491 

Additional paid-in capital

  542,355   413,754 

Treasury stock, at cost: 9,011,521 and 7,317,416 shares at August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively

  (988,873)  (734,746)

Retained earnings

  1,021,651   849,504 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (44,052)  (17,921)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  531,584   511,082 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 $736,671  $663,212 

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

 

54

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Cash Flows

(In thousands)


Years Ended August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
COMMON STOCK         
Balance, beginning of year $614  $601  $581 
Common stock issued for employee stock plans  9   13   20 
Retirement of treasury stock (See Note 12)  (167      
Balance, end of year $456  $614  $601 
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL            
Balance, beginning of year $432,538  $344,144  $248,840 
Common stock issued for employee stock plans  33,383   44,290   56,747 
Stock-based compensation expense  21,982   25,773   14,065 
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements  11,159   18,331   24,492 
Stock issued for acquisition of business (See Note 7)  (11)      
Retirement of treasury stock (See Note 12)  (361,482      
Balance, end of year $137,569  $432,538  $344,144 
TREASURY STOCK            
Balance, beginning of year $(824,382) $(607,798) $(414,995)
Repurchase of common stock  (153,641)  (216,584)  (192,803)
Stock issued for acquisition of business (See Note 7)  3,985       
Purchase of common stock upon restricted stock vesting (See Note 14)  354       
Retirement of treasury stock (See Note 12)  850,935       
Balance, end of year $(122,749) $(824,382) $(607,798)
RETAINED EARNINGS            
Balance, beginning of year $912,078  $786,844  $676,626 
Net income  188,809   171,046   150,211 
Dividends  (51,887)  (45,812)  (39,993)
Retirement of treasury stock (See Note 12)  (489,286      
Balance, end of year $559,714  $912,078  $786,844 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS            
Balance, beginning of year $(5,660) $(21,385) $(10,223)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (14,925)  14,897   (10,073)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax  (2,141)  828   (1,089)
Balance, end of year $(22,726) $(5,660) $(21,385)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Balance, beginning of year $515,188  $502,406  $500,829 
Net income  188,809   171,046   150,211 
Common stock issued for employee stock plans  33,392   44,303   56,767 
Purchase of common stock upon restricted stock vesting (See Note 14)  354       
Stock-based compensation expense  21,982   25,773   14,065 
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements  11,159   18,331   24,492 
Repurchase of common stock  (153,641)  (216,584)  (192,803)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (14,925)  14,897   (10,073)
Stock issued for acquisition of business (See Note 7)  3,974       
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax  (2,141)  828   (1,089)
Dividends  (51,887)  (45,812)  (39,993)
Balance, end of year $552,264  $515,188  $502,406 

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

            

Net income

 $241,051  $211,543  $198,637 

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

            

Depreciation and amortization

  31,349   34,435   35,779 

Stock-based compensation expense

  26,371   22,891   39,951 

Deferred income taxes

  (969

)

  (1,028

)

  3,175 

Gain on sale of assets

  (34

)

  (62

)

  (26

)

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

  (28,948

)

  (11,955

)

  (25,225

)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions

            

Accounts receivable, net of reserves

  (4,300

)

  (13,299

)

  859 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  8,123   (2,903

)

  3,355 

Accrued compensation

  3,516   1,953   (776

)

Deferred fees

  53   3,594   (1,107

)

Taxes payable, net of prepaid taxes

  30,437   23,309   13,498 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  (4,523

)

  (1,535

)

  2,105 

Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities

  4,322   (1,672

)

  (2,846

)

Other working capital accounts, net

  (6

)

  (248

)

  2,430 
             

Net cash provided by operating activities

  306,442   265,023   269,809 
             

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

            

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

  (34,758

)

  (46,873

)

  (705

)

Purchases of investments

  (24,264

)

  (20,415

)

  (15,613

)

Proceeds from sales of investments

  19,827   14,323   14,423 

Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of proceeds from dispositions

  (25,682

)

  (17,743

)

  (18,517

)

             

Net cash used in investing activities

  (64,877

)

  (70,708

)

  (20,412

)

             

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

            

Dividend payments

  (66,551

)

  (61,007

)

  (56,002

)

Repurchase of common stock

  (256,217

)

  (279,829

)

  (332,168

)

Proceeds from debt

  35,000       

Debt issuance costs

  (32

)

      

Proceeds from employee stock plans

  71,526   52,152   124,537 

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

  28,948   11,955   25,225 
             

Net cash used in financing activities

  (187,326

)

  (276,729

)

  (238,408

)

             

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  (11,703

)

  2,165   (3,406

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  42,536   (80,249

)

  7,583 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  116,378   196,627   189,044 
             

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 $158,914  $116,378  $196,627 
             

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

            

Cash paid during the year for income taxes, net of refunds

 $64,750  $67,152  $53,153 
             

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Transactions

            

Dividends declared, not paid

 $18,179  $16,299  $15,164 

Stock issued for acquisition of business

 $2,991  $  $ 
             

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

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

COMMON STOCK

            

Balance, beginning of year

 $491  $481  $456 

Common stock issued for employee stock plans

  12   10   25 

Balance, end of year

 $503  $491  $481 
             

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

            

Balance, beginning of year

 $413,754  $326,869  $137,569 

Common stock issued for employee stock plans

  72,381   52,039   124,124 

Stock-based compensation expense

  26,371   22,891   39,951 

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

  28,948   11,955   25,225 

Stock issued for acquisition of business

  901       

Balance, end of year

 $542,355  $413,754  $326,869 
             

TREASURY STOCK

            

Balance, beginning of year

 $(734,746

)

 $(454,917

)

 $(122,749

)

Repurchases of common stock

  (253,076

)

  (275,415

)

  (327,454

)

Stock issued for acquisition of business

  2,090       

Purchases of common stock upon restricted stock vesting

  (3,141

)

  (4,414

)

  (4,714

)

Balance, end of year

 $(988,873

)

 $(734,746

)

 $(454,917

)

             

RETAINED EARNINGS

            

Balance, beginning of year

 $849,504  $700,519  $559,714 

Net income

  241,051   211,543   198,637 

Dividends

  (68,904

)

  (62,558

)

  (57,832

)

Retirement of treasury stock

         
             

Balance, end of year

 $1,021,651  $849,504  $700,519 
             

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVELOSS

            

Balance, beginning of year

 $(17,921

)

 $(31,173

)

 $(22,726

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (25,263

)

  7,895   (5,151

)

Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax

  (868

)

  5,357   (3,296

)

Balance, end of year

 $(44,052

)

 $(17,921

)

 $(31,173

)

             

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

            

Balance, beginning of year

 $511,082  $541,779  $552,264 

Net income

  241,051   211,543   198,637 

Common stock issued for employee stock plans

  72,393   52,049   124,149 

Purchases of common stock upon restricted stock vesting

  (3,141

)

  (4,414

)

  (4,714

)

Stock-based compensation expense

  26,371   22,891   39,951 

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

  28,948   11,955   25,225 

Repurchases of common stock

  (253,076

)

  (275,415

)

  (327,454

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (25,263

)

  7,895   (5,151

)

Stock issued for acquisition of business

  2,991       

Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax

  (868

)

  5,357   (3,296

)

Dividends

  (68,904

)

  (62,558

)

  (57,832

)

Balance, end of year

 $531,584  $511,082  $541,779 

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

 
55


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS


FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company” or “FactSet”) is a provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community. FactSet combines content regarding companies and securities from major markets all over the globe into a single online platform of information and analytics. By consolidating content from hundreds of databases with powerful analytics, FactSet supports the investment process from initial research to published results for buy and sell-side professionals. These professionals include portfolio managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, marketing professionals, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers and fixed income professionals. The Company’s applications provide users access to company analysis,and industry analyses, multicompany comparisons, industry analysis, company screening, portfolio analysis, predictive risk measurements, alphatesting, portfolio optimization and simulation, real-time news and quotes and tools to value and analyze fixed income securities and portfolios. WithMicrosoft® Office integration, wireless access and customizable options, FactSet offers a complete financial workflow solution. The Company’s revenues are derived from subscriptions to services such as workstations, content and applications.


As of August 31, 2012, the Company employed 5,735 employees, an increase of 280 over the past three months and up 9% or 484 employees from a year ago. Of these employees, 1,840 were located in the U.S., 607 in Europe and 3,288 in Asia Pacific. Approximately 53% of FactSet employees are involved with content collection, 25% work in product development, software and systems engineering, another 18% conduct sales and consulting services and the remaining 4% provide administrative support.

2. SUMMARYBASIS OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The significant accounting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries are summarized below.

Basis of Presentation
PRESENTATION

FactSet conducts business globally and is managed on a geographic basis. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany activity and balances have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts for prior years in order to conform to the current year’s presentation.


FactSetThe Company has performed an evaluation ofevaluated subsequent events occurring subsequent to the end of the Company’s fiscal 2012 fourth quarter and through the date that the consolidated financial statements were issued based on the accounting guidance for subsequent events.

Basis of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates
issued.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates have been made in areas that include receivable reserves, accrued compensation, allocation of purchase price to acquired assets and liabilities, acquired,stock-based compensation, income taxes, stock-basedaccrued compensation, valuation of goodwill, and useful lives and valuation of fixed and intangible assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


3.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANTACCOUNTING POLICIES

The significant accounting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries are summarized below.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues are derived from month-to-month subscriptions to services such as workstations (also referred to as users), content and applications. The majority of clients are invoiced monthly to reflect the actual services provided. The remaining clients are invoiced quarterly, annually or biannually in advance. Subscription revenue is earned each month as the service is rendered to clients on a monthly basis. FactSet recognizes revenue when the client subscribes to FactSet services, the service has been rendered and earned during the month, the amount of the subscription is fixed or determinable based on established rates quoted on an annualized basis and collectability is reasonably assured. A provision for billing adjustments and cancellation of services is estimated and accounted for as a reduction ofto revenue, with a corresponding reduction to accounts receivable.

Accounts Receivable and Deferred Fees

Amounts that have been earned but not yet paid are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as accounts receivable, net of reserves. Amounts invoiced in advance or client payments that are in excess of earned subscription revenues are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as deferred fees. As of August 31, 2015, the amount of accounts receivable that was unbilled totaled $4.0 million, which was billed in fiscal 2016.

The Company calculates its receivable reserve through analyzing aged client receivables, reviewing the recent history of client receivable write-offs and understanding general market and economic conditions. In accordance with this policy, a receivable reserve of $1.6 million and $1.7 million was recorded as of August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a reduction to accounts receivable.

 

56

Cost of Services

Cost of services is comprised of compensation for Company employees within the content collection, consulting, product development, software and systems engineering groups in addition to data costs, computer maintenance and depreciation expenses, amortization of identifiable intangible assets, computer maintenance and depreciation expenses and client-related communication costs.


Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses include compensation for the sales and various other support and administrative departments in addition to travel and entertainment expenses, marketing costs, rent, amortization of leasehold improvements, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, office expenses, professional fees and other miscellaneous expenses.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period increased by the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding during the period. The number of potential common shares outstanding has been determined in accordance with the treasury stock method to the extent they are dilutive. Common share equivalents consist of common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding share-based compensation awards, including employee stock options and restricted stock. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price paid by the optionee, future stock-based compensation expense that the Company has not yet recognized and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) when the award becomes deductible are assumed to be used to repurchase shares.


Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company discloses comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with applicable standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income (loss) in a set of financial statements. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in net assets of a business enterprise during a period from transactions generated from non-owner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. 

Fair Value Measures

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the use of various valuation methodologies, including market, income and cost approaches is permissible. The Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The accounting guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value based on the reliability of inputs. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 while the Company’s derivative instruments (foreign exchange forward contracts) and certificates of deposit are classified as Level 2. There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities held by FactSet as of August 31, 20122015 or 2011.


2014.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and corporate money market funds with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition and are reported at fair value. The Company’s corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value.


Investments

Investments consist of certificates of deposits with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During fiscal 2012, the Company purchased $15.0 millionThese certificates of deposit are held for investment and are not debt securities. The Company’s investments are associated with its purchase of certificates of depositdeposits in India with maturity dates up tomaturities of less than twelve months from purchase date. The impactthe date of foreign currency reducedpurchase. Interest income earned from the carrying value by $2.2certificates of deposit during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $2.0 million, as these deposits are held in Indian Rupees.


Accounts Receivable and Deferred Fees
Amounts that have been earned but not yet paid are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as accounts receivable, net of reserves. Amounts invoiced in advance or client payments that are in excess of earned subscription revenues are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as deferred fees. As of August 31, 2012, the amount of accounts receivable that was unbilled totaled $2.3 million, which was billed in fiscal 2013.

Receivable Reserve
The Company calculates its receivable reserve through analyzing aged client receivables, reviewing the recent history of client receivable write-offs and understanding general market and economic conditions. In accordance with this policy, a receivable reserve of $1.8$1.2 million and $2.0$1.3 million, was recorded as of August 31, 2012respectively. The Company’s cash, cash equivalents and 2011, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheetsinvestments portfolio did not experience any realized or unrealized losses as a reductionresult of accounts receivable.

counterparty credit risk or ratings change during fiscal 2015 and 2014.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Computers and related equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases or estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever period is shorter. Repairs and maintenance expenditures, which are not considered leasehold improvements and do not extend the useful life of the property and equipment, are expensed as incurred.

 

57


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


Asset Retirement Obligations
An asset retirement obligation is recognized in the period in which sufficient information exists to determine the fair value of the liability with a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the related property, plant and equipment which is then depreciated over its useful life. The liability is initially measured at discounted fair value and then accretion expense is recorded in each subsequent period. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are primarily associated with its build out of office space in London and Hong Kong where FactSet made significant leasehold improvements and is obligated to remove the leasehold improvements at the end of the lease term. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are not material to its consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

Goodwill has resulted from the acquisitions of the Insyte, LionShares, Mergerstat, CallStreet, JCF, TrueCourse, Derivative Solutions, AlphaMetrics, Global Filings, DealMaven, Thomson Fundamentals, Market Metrics, StreetAccount, Revere, Matrix, ETF.com and StreetAccountCode Red businesses. Goodwill resulting from the acquisitions of LionShares, Mergerstat, TrueCourse, Derivative Solutions, Market Metrics, StreetAccount, Revere and StreetAccountMatrix are income tax-deductible based on the structure of the acquisition. On an ongoing basis, theThe Company evaluatesis required to test goodwill at the reporting unit level for indications of potential impairment.impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators occur. Goodwill is tested for impairment based on the present value of discounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value.value based on discounted cash flows. FactSet has determined that there were three reporting units, during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, which are consistent with the operating segments reported becauseas there is no discrete financial information available for the subsidiaries within each operating segment. The Company’s reporting units evaluated for potential impairment were the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which reflectsreflect the level of internal reporting the Company uses to manage its business and operations. The Company performed anits annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, consistent with the timing of previous years, 2012, 2011 and 2010 andat which time it was determined that there were no indications of impairment, with the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units that were deemed at risk and there had been no impairment.


significantly exceeding carrying value.

Intangible Assets

Intangible

FactSet’s identifiable intangible assets consist of certain acquired content databases, client relationships, software technology, non-compete agreements and trade names resulting from acquisitions, which have been fully integrated into the acquisitions of Insyte (data central application), LionShares (global equity ownership data), Mergerstat (M&A data), CallStreet (events and transcripts), JCF (earnings and other estimates), TrueCourse (takeover defense intelligence), Derivative Solutions (fixed income), AlphaMetrics (research and performance evaluation networking tool), Global Filings (equity and fixed income prospectuses), DealMaven (investment banking workflow tool), Thomson Fundamentals (financial data), Market Metrics (market research data on advisor-sold investments and insurance products), and StreetAccount (financial news) and dependingCompany’s operations. Depending on the nature of the intangible asset, the identifiable intangible assets are amortized on either a straight-line or an accelerated basis using estimated useful lives ranging between two and twenty years. The remaining useful lives of intangible assets subject to amortization are evaluated quarterly to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of the remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. These intangible assets have no assigned residual values. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of any impairment loss for intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the amount the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periodsfiscal years presented.


Internal Use Software
Certain costs related to computer software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized. FactSet capitalizes only those direct costs incurred during the application development and implementation stages for developing, purchasing or otherwise acquiring software solely to meet the Company’s internal needs. Capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the underlying software, three years or less. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company capitalized $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively of internal employee compensation costs associated with the application development and implementation stages for developing software for internal use only. In fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, FactSet recorded amortization expense related to capitalized software of $0.9 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
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Product Development
The Company capitalizes software development costs related to software to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed. Software development costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established, at which time such costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release to the public. Once the point of technological feasibility is reached, which is the completion of a working prototype that has been certified as having no critical bugs and is a release candidate or has alternative future uses, development costs are capitalized until the product is ready for general release. Research and product development costs not subject to capitalization are expensed as incurred. As of August 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no software development costs capitalized related to software to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed.

Landlord Contributions for Leasehold Improvements
In conjunction with entering into leases for office space, the Company receives contributions from landlords toward leasehold improvements which are reported in the Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses line item (current portion only) and the Deferred Rent and Other Non-Current Liabilities line item (non-current portion) of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contributions are amortized as a reduction to rent expense over the non-cancelable lease terms to which they pertain. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, cash contributions from landlords were $1.5 million, $1.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Derivative Instruments
FactSet conducts business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and Philippine Peso. As such, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar. To manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, the Company utilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). The Company’s primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The Company does not enter into foreign exchange forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

FactSet enters into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. In designing a specific hedging approach, FactSet considers several factors, including offsetting exposures, significance of exposures, forecasting risk and potential effectiveness of the hedge. These transactions are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts mitigate the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. All derivatives are assessed for effectiveness at each reporting period.


Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities include estimates relating to employee compensation, operating expenses and tax liabilities. Approximately 15-20%15% of the Company’s employee incentive compensation programs are discretionary. At the end of each fiscal year, FactSet conducts a final review of both Company and departmental individual performance within each fiscal year enddepartment to determine the amount of discretionary employee compensation. The Company also reviews compensation throughout the year to determine how overall performance tracks against management’s expectations. Management takes these and other factors, including historical performance, into account in reviewing accrued compensation estimates quarterly and adjusting accrual rates as appropriate. The amount of the variable employee compensation recorded within accrued compensation as of August 31, 20122015 and 2011, were $35.92014, was $38.6 million and $37.2$37.3 million, respectively.

Treasury Stock

Derivative Instruments

FactSet conducts business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the Indian Rupee, Philippine Peso, British Pound Sterling, Euro and Japanese Yen. As such, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar. The Company accountsutilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts) to manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations and reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The Company does not enter into foreign exchange forward contracts for repurchased common stock undertrading or speculative purposes. In designing a specific hedging approach, FactSet considers several factors, including offsetting exposures, significance of exposures, forecasting risk and potential effectiveness of the cost methodhedge. These transactions are designated and includes such treasury stockaccounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with applicable accounting guidance.The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of itsaccumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts mitigate the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. All derivatives are assessed for effectiveness at each reporting period.


Foreign Currency Translation

Certain wholly owned subsidiaries within the European and Asia Pacific segments operate under a functional currency different from the U.S. dollar, such as the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and Philippine Peso. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Translation gains and losses that arise from translating assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of foreign operations are recorded in AOCL as a component of stockholders’ equity. At the time treasury stock retirement is approved by FactSet’s Board of Directors, the Company’s accounting policy is to deduct its par value from common stock, reduce additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) by the amount recorded in APIC when the stock was originally issuedThe accumulated foreign currency translation loss totaled $43.7 million and any remaining excess of cost as a deduction from retained earnings.


$18.4 million at August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Income and Deferred Taxes

Income tax expense is based on taxable income determined in accordance with currentcurrently enacted laws and tax rates. Deferred income taxes are recorded for the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.


FactSet recognizes the financial effect of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will prevail upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position as of the reporting date. Otherwise, no benefit or expense can be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, FactSet accrues interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. Interest and penalties areis classified as income tax expense in the financial statements. As of August 31, 2012,2015, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling $5.5$6.8 million, including $1.0$1.3 million of accrued interest, recorded as non-current taxes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
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Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company discloses comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with applicable standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income (loss) in a set of financial statements. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in net assets of a business enterprise during a period from transactions generated from non-owner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. See Note 13 for further disclosure of comprehensive income (loss).
Foreign Currency Translation
Certain wholly owned subsidiaries within the Europe and Asia Pacific segments operate under a functional currency different from the U.S. dollar, such as the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and Philippines Peso. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Translation gains and losses that arise from translating assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of foreign operations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of stockholders’ equity. The accumulated foreign currency translation loss totaled $21.2 million and $6.25 million at August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Accounting guidance requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including stock options, restricted stock and common shares acquired under employee stock purchases based on estimated fair values of the share awards that are scheduled to vest during the period. FactSet uses the straight-line attribution method for all awards with graded vesting features and service conditions only. Under this method, the amount of compensation expense that is recognized on any date is at least equal to the vested portion of the award on that date. For all stock-based awards with performance conditions, the graded vesting attribution method is used by the Company to determine the monthly stock-based compensation expense over the applicable vesting periods.

As stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures wereare estimated based primarily on historical experience. Windfall tax benefits, defined as tax deductions that exceed recorded stock-based compensation, are classified as cash inflows from financing activities.


Performance-based stock options require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving Company performance targets on a quarterly basis. Thebasis.The number of performance-based options that vest will be predicated on the Company achieving certain performance levels. A change in the financial performance levels the Company achieves could result in changes to FactSet’s current estimate of the vesting percentage and related stock-based compensation.


Legal Matters
From

Treasury Stock

The Company accounts for repurchased common stock under the cost method and includes such treasury stock as a component of its stockholders’ equity. At the time treasury stock retirement is approved by FactSet’s Board of Directors, the Company’s accounting policy is to time,deduct its par value from common stock, reduce APIC by the Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims,amount recorded in APIC when the stock was originally issued and litigation arising in the ordinary courseany remaining excess of business, including intellectual property litigation. FactSet accrues liabilities for contingencies when management believes thatcost as a loss is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, while contingent gains are recognized only when realized. Legal costs for services rendered in the course of these proceedings are charged to expense as they are incurred.


deduction from retained earnings.

Operating Leases

The Company conducts all of its operations in leased facilities which have minimum lease obligations under non-cancelable operating leases. Certain of these leases contain rent escalations based on specified percentages. Most of the leases contain renewal options and require payments for taxes, insurance and maintenance. Rent expense is charged to operations as incurred except for escalating rents, which are charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Leaselease.Lease incentives, relating to allowances provided by landlords, are amortized over the term of the lease as a reduction of rent expense. Costs associated with acquiring a subtenant, including broker commissions and tenant allowances, are amortized over the sublease term as a reduction of sublease income.


Business Combinations

The Company records acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. All of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, contractual contingencies and contingent consideration are recognized at their fair value on the acquisition date. The application of the purchase method of accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in order to properly allocate purchase price consideration between assets that are depreciated and amortized from goodwill. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.

Concentrations of Risk

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate its credit risks by spreading such risks across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties.

New Accounting Standards or Updates Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance


Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements
On September 1, 2011, FactSet adopted guidance

Except for the new accounting standard updates disclosed below, the new updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) on disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. The guidance requiresduring the disclosure of roll-forward activities on purchases, sales, issuance, and settlements of the assets and liabilities measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 fair value measurements). Adoption of this new guidancelast three fiscal years did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to require reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to be presented either in the financial statements or in the notes to the financial statements. This accounting standard update became effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the additional information has been disclosed in Note 6,Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.

Cumulative Translation Adjustments

In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update requiring an entity to release into net income the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to its investment in a foreign entity when as a parent it either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. This accounting standard update was adopted by FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Standards or Updates Not Yet Effective

Reporting Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the accounting standard update, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when either it qualifies as held for sale, disposed of by sale, or disposed of other than by sale. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.The Company does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which provides clarified principles for recognizing revenue arising from contracts with clients and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the revenue model to contracts within its scope, an entity will identify the contract with a client, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption in fiscal 2018 permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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On March 1, 2012, FactSet adopted guidance issued by

Going Concern

In August 2014, the FASB onissued an accounting standard update that requires management to evaluate and disclose whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after financial statements are issued. The evaluation and disclosure requirements relatedwill be required to fair value measurements.be made for both annual and interim reporting periods, if applicable, along with an evaluation as to whether management’s plans alleviate that doubt. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The guidance is the result of joint efforts byCompany does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Statement Presentation – Extraordinary and Unusual Items

In January 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The standard primarily involves presentation and International Accounting Standards Boarddisclosure and, therefore, is not expected to develop a single, converged fair value framework on how to measure fair value and what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements. The most significant change in disclosures is an expansion of the information required for Level 3 measurements based on unobservable inputs. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or its cash flows.

Simplification Guidance on Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in the applicable financial statements. Under the accounting standard update, an entity should present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. This accounting standard update will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.


In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to amend the previous guidance issued in April 2015 and address debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. The accounting standard update allows an entity to present debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the arrangement. This accounting standard update did not impact the effective date of the previously issued guidance and the Company does not believe it will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Customers’ Accounting for Cloud Computing Costs

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to provide guidance on a customer’s accounting for cloud computing costs. Under the accounting standard update, a customer must determine whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license. If so, the customer would account for the fees related to the software license element in a manner consistent with how the accounting for software licenses is accounted for under previously issued guidance. If the arrangement does not contain a software license, the customer would account for the arrangement as a service contract. This guidance will be effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company does not believe this new accounting standard update will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during fiscal 2012as of August 31, 2015 have had or are expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Balance Sheet Offsetting
In December 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update requiring enhanced disclosures about certain financial instruments and derivative instruments that are offset in the balance sheet or that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements. This accounting standard update is effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Other than requiring additional disclosures, the adoption is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income
In June 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to provide guidance on increasing the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The guidance eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. Instead, it requires that the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new guidance also required entities to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance which indefinitely defers the guidance related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. The Company expects to present comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements upon adoption, beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Other than the change in presentation, the adoption is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment Testing
In September 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update intended to simplify how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. The guidance will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. An entity no longer will be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This accounting standard update is effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
In July 2012, the FASB issued an accounting standard update intended to simplify how an entity tests indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment by providing entities with an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. This accounting standard update is effective for FactSet beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3.

4. FAIR VALUE MEASURES


Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. WhenIn determining the fair value, measurements for assetsthe use of various valuation methodologies, including market, income and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, thecost approaches is permissible. The Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

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(a)

Fair Value Hierarchy

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value based on the reliability of inputs. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. FactSet has categorized its cash equivalents, investments and derivatives within the hierarchy as follows:


Level 1 -applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These Level 1 assets and liabilities include FactSet’s corporate money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents.


Level 2 -applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. The Company’s certificates of deposit and derivative instruments are classified as Level 2.


Level 3 -applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities held by FactSet as of August 31, 20122015 or 2011.2014.


(b) Assets

(a) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables shows by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at August 31, 20122015 and 20112014 (in thousands):

  
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
August 31, 2012 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Assets            
Corporate money market funds (1)
 $160,169  $-  $-  $160,169 
Certificates of deposit (2)
  -   13,919   -   13,919 
Total assets measured at fair value $160,169  $13,919  $-  $174,088 
                 
Liabilities                
Derivative instruments (3)
 $-  $2,374  $-  $2,374 
Total liabilities measured at fair value $-  $2,374  $-  $2,374 
  
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
August 31, 2011 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Assets                
Corporate money market funds (1)
 $161,168  $-  $-  $161,168 
Derivative instruments (3)
  -   897   -   897 
Total assets measured at fair value $161,168  $897  $-  $162,065 

  

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

August 31, 2015

 

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Total

 

Assets

                

Corporate money market funds(1)

 $89,443  $  $  $89,443 

Certificates of deposit(2)

     23,497      23,497 

Derivative instruments(3)

     1,035      1,035 

Total assets measured at fair value

 $89,443  $24,532  $  $113,975 
                 

Liabilities

                

Derivative instruments(3)

 $  $1,602  $  $1,602 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 $  $1,602  $  $1,602 

  

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

August 31, 2014

 

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Total

 

Assets

                

Corporate money market funds(1)

 $75,363  $  $  $75,363 

Certificates of deposit(2)

     20,008      20,008 

Derivative instruments(3)

     1,406      1,406 

Total assets measured at fair value

 $75,363  $21,414  $  $96,777 
                 

Liabilities

                

Derivative instruments(3)

 $  $591  $  $591 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 $  $591  $  $591 

 

(1)

The Company’s corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company’s corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet.


 

(2)

The Company’s certificatescertificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2.2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.


 

(3)

The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments (foreign(foreign exchange forward contracts). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates,as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore are classified as Level 2.


The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the periods presented.

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Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at August 31, 2012 and 2011 as follows (in thousands):

  
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
August 31, 2012 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Cash and cash equivalents $160,169  $-  $-  $160,169 
Investments (short-term)  -   13,919   -   13,919 
Total assets measured at fair value $160,169  $13,919  $-  $174,088 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (derivative liabilities) $-  $2,374  $-  $2,374 
Total liabilities measured at fair value $-  $2,374  $-  $2,374 
  
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
August 31, 2011 Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
Cash and cash equivalents $161,168  $-  $-  $161,168 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (derivative assets)  -   897   -   897 
Total assets measured at fair value $161,168  $897  $-  $162,065 

(c)

(b) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets, including goodwill and intangible assets, and liabilities, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances such as when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The fair values of these non-financial assets and liabilities are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available, and may include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow projections. An impairment charge is recorded when the cost exceeds its fair value, and this condition is determined to be other-than-temporary.based upon the results of such valuations. During fiscal 2012,2015 and 2014, no fair value adjustments or material fair value measurements were required for the Company’s non-financial assets or liabilities.

 
4. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash

(c)Assets and cash equivalents consistLiabilities Measured at Fair Value for Disclosure Purposes only

As of demand deposits and corporate money market funds with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition and are reported at fair value.


The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents at August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

  
Amortized
Cost
  
Gross
Unrealized Gain
  
Fair
Value
 
Cash on hand $28,875  $-  $28,875 
Corporate money market funds  160,169   -   160,169 
Total cash and cash equivalents $189,044  $-  $189,044 

The following table summarizes2015, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents at August 31, 2011 (in thousands):

  
Amortized
Cost
  
Gross
Unrealized Gain
  
Fair
Value
 
Cash on hand $20,517  $-  $20,517 
Corporate money market funds  161,168   -   161,168 
Total cash and cash equivalents $181,685  $-  $181,685 

Investments - during the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company purchased $15.0 million of certificates of deposit with maturity dates ranging from nine months to twelve months from purchase date. These certificates of deposit are held for investment and are not debt securities. During fiscal 2012, interest income from the certificates of deposit was $1.1 million. Thefair value of the certificatesCompany’s long-term debt was $35.0 million, which approximated its carrying amount given its floating interest rate basis. FactSet did not have any long-term debt as of deposit at August 31, 20122014. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was $13.9 milliondetermined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity, and reportedthus categorized as investments (short-term)Level 2 in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The impact of foreign currency reduced thefair value by $2.2 million as these certificates of deposit are held in Indian Rupees. The Company’s cash, cash equivalents and investments portfolio did not experience any realized or unrealized losses as a result of counterparty credit risk or ratings change during fiscal 2012 and 2011. The Company did not hold any investments at August 31, 2011.
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5. hierarchy.

5.DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS


Foreign Exchange Risk Management

Cash Flow Hedges

FactSet conducts business outside the U.S. in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and Philippine Peso. As such, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar. ToThe Company utilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts) to manage the exposures related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations the Company utilizes derivative instruments (foreign currency forward contracts). The Company’s primary objective in holding derivatives is toand reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The Company does not enter into foreign exchange forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes.


Cash Flow Hedges
FactSet enters into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. In designing a specific hedging approach, FactSet considered several factors, including offsetting exposures, significance of exposures, forecasting risk and potential effectiveness of the hedge. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts offset the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. There was no discontinuance of cash flow hedges during fiscal 2012 or fiscal 2011 and as such, no corresponding gains or losses were reclassified into earnings. The changes in fair value for these foreign currency forward contracts are initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”)AOCL and subsequently reclassified into operating expenses when the hedged exposure affects earnings.

There was no discontinuance of cash flow hedges during fiscal 2015 or 2014, and as such, no corresponding gains or losses related to changes in the value of the Company’s contracts were reclassified into earnings prior to settlement.

As of August 31, 2015, FactSet maintained the following foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its Indian Rupee, British Pound Sterling and Euro exposure:

 ·

New Indian Rupee Hedging Contracts in Fiscal 2012 - During fiscal 2012, FactSet entered into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 90% of its Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013, 75% of its Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and 50% of its Indian Rupee exposure through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2015.


·
New Euro Hedging Contracts in Fiscal 2012 - In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, additional foreign currency forward contracts were entered into by FactSet to hedge approximately 50% of its net Euro exposure through the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2013.2018.


 ·

Hedging Contracts from Fiscal 2011British Pound Sterling - During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, FactSet entered into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 95%50% of its Japanese Yen operating incomeBritish Pound Sterling exposure through the end of the fourthsecond quarter of fiscal 2011. In the second half of fiscal 2010, FactSet entered into 2016.

Euro -foreign currency forward contracts to hedge approximately 95%50% of its net Euro exposure through the end of the firstfourth quarter of fiscal 2012.2016.


At August 31, 2012 the notional principal and fair value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was $36.3 million and ($2.4) million, respectively. At August 31, 2012, the notional principal and fair value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Euros with U.S. dollars were €8.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

The following is a summary of all hedging positions and corresponding fair values (in thousands):


  Gross Notional Value  Fair Value Asset (Liability) 
Currency Hedged (in USD) Aug 31, 2012  Aug 31, 2011  Aug 31, 2012  Aug 31, 2011 
Euro $10,160  $8,422  $60  $916 
Indian Rupee  36,286   -   (2,434)  - 
Japanese Yen  -   196   -   (19)
Total $46,446  $8,618  $(2,374) $897 

  

Gross Notional Value

  

Fair Value Asset (Liability)

 

Currency Hedged (in U.S. dollars)

 

Aug 31, 2015

  

Aug 31, 2014

  

Aug 31, 2015

  

Aug 31, 2014

 

Indian Rupee

 $56,320  $38,479  $(990) $700 

Philippine Peso

     6,500      115 

Euro

  20,263      143    

British Pound Sterling

  15,831      280    

Total

 $92,414  $44,979  $(567) $815 

As of August 31, 2015, the gross notional value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Indian Rupees with U.S. dollars was Rs. 4.0 billion. The gross notional value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase Euros with U.S. dollars was €18.1 million. The gross notional value of foreign exchange contracts to purchase British Pound Sterling with U.S. dollars was £10.5 million.

Counterparty Credit Risk

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to credit default swaps (“CDS”) as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. Because CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies.


To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions. The Company regularly reviews its credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties. The Company does not expect any losses as a result of default of its counterparties.

 

64


Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value amounts of derivative instruments and gains and losses on derivative instruments (in thousands):

Designation of Derivatives
 
Balance Sheet Location
  
Aug 31,
2012
   
Aug 31,
2011
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instrumentsAssets: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts        
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets $-  $897 
          
 Liabilities: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts        
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $2,374  $- 

Designation of Derivatives

Balance Sheet Location

 

Aug 31, 2015

  

Aug 31, 2014

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Assets: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

        
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 $1,035  $114 
 

Other assets

 $   1,292 
 

Liabilities: Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

        
 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 $  $591 
 

Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities

 $1,602  $ 

All derivatives were designated as hedging instruments as of August 31, 20122015 and 2011,2014, respectively.


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

The following table provides the pre-tax effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships for the twelve monthseach of the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

  
(Loss) Gain Recognized
in AOCL on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of (Loss) Gain
Reclassified from AOCL
 into Income
 
(Loss) Gain Reclassified
from AOCL into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships 2012  2011 (Effective Portion) 2012 2011 
Foreign currency forward contracts $(3,172) $5,010 SG&A 
$
(1,031) $4,182 

Note:

  

(Loss) Gain Recognized

in AOCL on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)

 

Location of Loss

 

(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCL into Income
(Effective Portion)

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 Reclassified from AOCL into Income(Effective Portion) 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 $(1,939) $8,294  $(6,258)

SG&A

 $(559) $(260) $(1,000)

No amount of ineffectiveness was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for these designated cash flow hedges and all components of each derivative’s gain or loss was included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table provides a summary As of the activity associated with allAugust 31, 2015, FactSet estimates that $1.0 million of the Company’s designatednet derivative gains related to its cash flow hedges reflectedincluded in AOCL will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

Offsetting of Derivative Instruments

FactSet’s master netting and other similar arrangements with its respective counterparties allow for net settlement under certain conditions. As of August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, information related to these offsetting arrangements was as follows (in thousands):

  

Derivatives Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

August 31, 2015

 

Gross Derivative Amounts

  

Gross Derivative Amounts Offset in Balance Sheet

  

Net

Amounts

 

Fair value of assets

 $1,040  $(5) $1,035 

Fair value of liabilities

  (1,607)  5   (1,602)

Total

 $(567) $  $(567)

  

Derivatives Offset in Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

August 31, 2014

 

Gross Derivative Amounts

  

Gross Derivative Amounts Offset in Balance Sheet

  

Net

Amounts

 

Fair value of assets

 $1,406  $  $1,406 

Fair value of liabilities

  (626)  35   (591)

Total

 $780  $35  $815 

   
Twelve Months Ended
August 31,
   2012  2011 
Beginning balance, net of tax  $   590  $  (238
Changes in fair value   (3,172  5,010 
Realized loss (gain) reclassified to earnings   1,031   (4,182
Ending balance, net of tax  $ (1,551 $     590 

6. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE(LOSS) INCOMEAND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of other comprehensive (loss) income during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

  

August 31,

2015

  

August 31,

2014

  

August 31,

2013

 
  

Pre-tax

  

Net of tax

  

Pre-tax

  

Net of tax

  

Pre-tax

  

Net of tax

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 $(25,263) $(25,263) $7,895  $7,895  $(5,151) $(5,151)

Realized loss on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings(1)

  559   352   260   164   1,000   622 

Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL

  (1,939)  (1,220)  8,294   5,193   (6,258)  (3,918)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 $(26,643) $(26,131) $16,449  $13,252  $(10,409) $(8,447)

(1)

Reclassified to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The components of AOCL are as follows (in thousands):

  

August 31,

2015

  

August 31,

2014

 

Accumulated unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax

 $(358) $510 

Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments

  (43,694)  (18,431)

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

 $(44,052) $(17,921)

7. SEGMENT INFORMATION


Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which itthey may earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available. FactSet’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for making decisions about resources allocated amongst the operating segments based on actual results.


FactSet’s reportableoperating segments are aligned with how the Company, including its CODM, manages the business and the demographic markets in which FactSet serves. The Company’s internal financial reporting structure is based on three reportable segments; U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. FactSet believes this alignment helps it better manage the business and view the markets the Company serves, which are centered on providing integrated global financial and economic information. Sales, consulting, data collection, product development and software engineering are the primary functional groups within the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific segments that provide global financial and economic information to investment managers, investment banks and other financial services professionals. The U.S. segment services finance professionals including financial institutions throughout North America,the Americas, while the European and Asia Pacific segments service investment professionals located throughout Europe and Asia, respectively.The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Note 2, 3,Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

The European segment is headquartered in London, England and maintains office locations in France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, DubaiSpain, South Africa, Sweden and Italy.Dubai. The Asia Pacific segment is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with office locations in Australia, Hong Kong, AustraliaSingapore and Mumbai, India. Segment revenues reflect direct sales to clients based in their respective geographic locations. There are no intersegment or intercompany sales of the FactSet service.services. Each segment records compensation expense, including stock-based compensation, data collection costs, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, marketing, office and other direct expenses. Expenditures associated with the Company’s data centers, third party data costs and corporate headquarters charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the other segments. The content collection centers located in India and the Philippines benefit all of the Company’s operating segments and thus the expenses incurred at these locations are allocated to each segment based on a percentage of revenues. Of the total $246$308.3 million of goodwill reported by the Company at August 31, 2012, 68%2015, 69% was recorded in the U.S. segment, 30% in the European segment and the remaining 2%1% in the Asia Pacific segment.

 

65


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


 
Year Ended August 31, 2012
  
U.S.
   
Europe
   
Asia Pacific
   
Total
 
Revenues from clients $550,474  $197,404  $57,915  $805,793 
Segment operating profit  149,968   95,417   27,605   272,990 
Total assets  377,320   266,967   49,856   694,143 
Depreciation and amortization  25,061   4,922   3,796   33,779 
Stock-based compensation  20,180   1,680   122   21,982 
Capital expenditures  20,408   488   1,624   22,520 
 
Year Ended August 31, 2011
  
U.S.
   
Europe
   
Asia Pacific
   
Total
 
Revenues from clients $497,564  $178,693  $50,253  $726,510 
Segment operating profit  135,327   79,637   23,371   238,335 
Total assets  353,205   274,139   30,096   657,440 
Depreciation and amortization  27,463   6,092   3,292   36,847 
Stock-based compensation  23,091   2,364   318   25,773 
Capital expenditures  20,588   2,770   5,985   29,343 
  
Year Ended August 31, 2010
 
U.S.
  
Europe
  
Asia Pacific
  
Total
 
Revenues from clients $435,351  $161,649  $44,059  $641,059 
Segment operating profit  124,976   72,239   24,419   221,634 
Total assets  401,684   216,171   26,753   644,608 
Depreciation and amortization  28,866   6,466   2,011   37,343 
Stock-based compensation  12,471   1,424   170   14,065 
Capital expenditures  13,890   684   6,194   20,768 

Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

U.S.

  

Europe

  

Asia Pacific

  

Total

 

Revenues from clients

 $678,774  $251,522  $76,472  $1,006,768 

Segment operating profit

  172,980   116,310   42,628   331,918 

Total assets

  427,990   239,689   68,992   736,671 

Depreciation and amortization

  23,645   5,135   2,569   31,349 

Stock-based compensation

  23,006   2,991   374   26,371 

Capital expenditures

  22,459   460   2,763   25,682 

Year Ended August 31, 2014

 

U.S.

  

Europe

  

Asia Pacific

  

Total

 

Revenues from clients

 $624,642  $227,395  $68,298  $920,335 

Segment operating profit

  165,004   100,937   36,278   302,219 

Total assets

  362,255   239,654   61,303   663,212 

Depreciation and amortization

  25,574   5,656   3,205   34,435 

Stock-based compensation

  20,288   2,231   372   22,891 

Capital expenditures

  16,047   647   1,049   17,743 

Year Ended August 31, 2013

 

U.S.

  

Europe

  

Asia Pacific

  

Total

 

Revenues from clients

 $586,865  $208,827  $62,420  $858,112 

Segment operating profit

  138,706   100,187   30,526   269,419 

Total assets

  444,406   193,202   52,589   690,197 

Depreciation and amortization

  27,757   4,027   3,995   35,779 

Stock-based compensation

  37,307   2,264   380   39,951 

Capital expenditures

  13,649   1,276   3,592   18,517 

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION -The following table sets forth information for those countries that are 10% or more of revenues (in thousands).:


Years Ended August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
Revenues*
         
United States $550,474  $497,564  $435,351 
United Kingdom  114,435   104,698   94,749 
All other European countries  82,969   73,995   66,900 
Asia Pacific  57,915   50,253   44,059 
Total revenues $805,793  $726,510  $641,059 

* Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the client.

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Revenues(1)

            

United States

 $678,774  $624,642  $586,865 

United Kingdom

  144,769   131,848   121,072 

All other European countries

  106,753   95,547   87,755 

Asia Pacific

  76,472   68,298   62,420 

Total revenues

 $1,006,768  $920,335  $858,112 

(1)

Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the client.

The following table sets forth long-lived assets by geographic area (in thousands):

At August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Long-lived Assets(1)

            

United States

 $49,923  $46,294  $51,184 

United Kingdom

  3,655   4,669   4,806 

All other European countries

  1,322   2,267   3,051 

Asia Pacific

  4,364   4,411   6,330 

Total long-lived assets

 $59,264  $57,641  $65,371 

(1)

Long-lived assets consist of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and exclude goodwill, intangible assets, deferred taxes and other assets.

At August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
Long-lived Assets**
         
United States $60,288  $60,092  $62,275 
United Kingdom  5,466   6,863   7,457 
All other European countries  2,951   4,075   2,283 
Philippines  3,420   4,181   2,413 
India  2,921   4,453   3,283 
All other Asia Pacific countries  1,484   1,956   1,784 
Total long-lived assets $76,530  $81,620  $79,495 
 
** Long-lived assets consist of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and exclude goodwill, intangible assets, deferred taxes and other assets.

66

7.

8. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS


StreetAccount

Code Red, Inc.

On June 29, 2012,February 6, 2015, FactSet acquired StreetAccount LLCCode Red, Inc. (“SA”Code Red”) to complementfor $36.0 million. At the Company's news offering with distilled and crucial market moving information for buy-side and sell-side institutions. Founded in 2003, SA is known for its timely and informative news summaries and provides investment professionals with an efficient method for managing news flow. The SA service includes real-time company updates, portfolio and sector filtering, email alerts, and market summaries.  Content is written by financial professionals and can be customized for portfolio, index, sector, market, time of day (i.e., Overnight Summaries),acquisition, Code Red employed 32 individuals and category (i.e., Top Stories, Market Summaries, Economic, M&A). As of the date of acquisition, SA had annual subscriptions of $11.4 million and employed 49 individuals. The acquisition of SA did not have an impact on FactSet’s fourth quarter diluted earnings per share.


As of August 31, 2012, SA does not have a significant international presence and FactSet believes it can leverage its international network to sell SA outside the U.S. as many of their current clients would like to see the SA news offering increase coverage in Europe and Asia. Additionally, the Company is now able to integrate proprietary content through this new channel by providing key corporate and economic data$9.3 million. Code Red provides research management technologies to the news team at StreetAccountinvestment community, including endowments and foundations, institutional asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and hedge funds. With the addition of Code Red to FactSet's existing Research Management Solutions (“RMS”), FactSet now offers an RMS for integration into their newswire. The opportunity for FactSetall its clients' workflows, which is consistent with the Company’s strategy of offering software and tools to grow by providing proprietary financial news to clients worldwidemake client workflows more efficient. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of the StreetAccountCode Red’s net tangible and intangible assets. As a result, FactSet recorded goodwill in connection with this transaction.

assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill.

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

Cash consideration $21,632 
Fair value of FactSet stock issued  3,974 
Working capital  753 
Total purchase price $26,359 

Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has not been finalized for this acquisition.

Cash consideration

 $32,962 

Fair value of FactSet stock issued

  2,991 

Total purchase price

 $35,953 

The purchase price is dependent on the final working capital adjustment to be finalized in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The total purchase price was allocated to StreetAccount’sCode Red’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition.


Based upon these estimated fair values and the preliminary intangible assets valuation, the purchase price and the valuation, the preliminary allocation is as follows (in thousands):

Tangible assets acquired $3,598 
Amortizable intangible assets:    
Client relationships  2,822 
Software technology  2,332 
Data content  613 
Non-compete agreements  404 
Trade name  186 
Goodwill  21,991 
Total assets acquired  31,946 
Liabilities assumed  (5,587)
Net assets acquired $26,359 

Tangible assets acquired

 $3,090 

Amortizable intangible assets

    

Software technology

  4,728 

Client relationships

  3,089 

Non-compete agreements

  277 

Trade name

  127 

Goodwill

  29,627 

Total assets acquired

 $40,938 

Liabilities assumed

  (4,985)

Net assets acquired

 $35,953 

Intangible assets of $6.4$8.2 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of software technology, amortized over six years using a straight-line amortization method; client relationships, amortized over seven years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology,non-compete agreements, amortized over fivefour years using a straight-line amortization method; data content,and trade name, amortized over three years using a straight-line amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over four years using an accelerated amortization method; and trade name, amortized over two years using a straight-line amortization method.


Goodwill totaling $22.0$29.6 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill will not be amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill generated from the StreetAcountCode Red acquisition is included in the U.S. segment and is not deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations of Code Red have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income since the completion of the acquisition on February 6, 2015 and the results did not have a material impact as of August 31, 2015. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of this acquisition was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial results.

Matrix Data Limited

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, FactSet acquired Matrix Data Limited (“Matrix”) for a total purchase price of $31.8 million. Matrix’ primary line of business is providing intelligence to the UK financial services industry and covering market share of mutual fund distribution. Matrix has developed customer, channel and market benchmarking solutions that help clients optimize product distribution and improve marketing effectiveness to drive revenue growth. At the time of acquisition, Matrix had annual subscriptions of $7 million. The acquisition of Matrix allows FactSet to expand its current U.S. advisor-sold investments and insurance products to the UK, with the potential to ultimately expand this coverage throughout continental Europe. The opportunity for FactSet to develop an international presence and complement its existing U.S. product offerings contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of the Matrix net tangible and intangible assets, leading to the recognition of goodwill in connection with the acquisition.

The purchase price was allocated to Matrix’ net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. There were no material adjustments between the preliminary and final allocation of purchase price.


The final Matrix purchase price of $31.8 million was allocated as follows (in thousands):

Tangible assets acquired

 $7,459 

Amortizable intangible assets

    

Data content

  3,408 

Client relationships

  2,816 

Software technology

  1,708 

Trade name

  670 

Non-compete agreements

  147 

Goodwill

  25,531 

Total assets acquired

 $41,739 

Liabilities assumed

  (9,941)

Net assets acquired

 $31,798 

Intangible assets of $8.7 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of data content, amortized over four years using a straight-line amortization method; client relationships, amortized over eight years using an accelerated amortization method; software technology, amortized over five years using a straight-line amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over three years using a straight-line amortization method; and trade name, amortized over four years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling $25.5 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill generated from the Matrix acquisition is included in the European segment and is deductible for income tax purposes. The results of the operations of StreetAccountMatrix have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income since the completion of the acquisition on June 29, 2012 and did not have a material impact on the fourth quarterconsolidated fiscal 2012. Pro2014 financial results, and as such, pro forma information has not been presented becausepresented.

Revere Data

On September 1, 2013, FactSet paid $15.3 million in cash to acquire the effectassets of this acquisition was not material onRevere Data, LLC (“Revere”) to complement the Company’s fiscal 2012 consolidated financial results.

67


Market Metrics
On June 1, 2010, FactSet acquired Market Metrics forCompany's commitment to provide its clients with insightful content sets. Revere classifies companies into a total purchase priceunique industry taxonomy and offers a database of $57.7 million. Formed in 1996supply chain relationships that helps investors identify companies’ interrelationships and headquartered in Massachusetts, Market Metrics is the leading market research firm in the U.S. focused on advisor-sold investments and insurance products. Each year Market Metrics conducts more than 20,000 in-depth surveys of financial advisors, brokers, research analysts and gatekeepers. Leveraging this unique body of data, Market Metrics helps senior managers to understand better their competitive strengths and weaknesses, and how they can improve their relationships with customers and increase market share.mutual dependencies. As of the date of acquisition, Market MetricsRevere had annual subscriptions of $16 million and employed 25 individuals.

Market Metrics represents a new, unique content set for FactSet. The analytical content Market Metrics creates is original and is in demand in this industry, but it is not available from any other source.$5 million. The opportunity for FactSet to grow by providingoffer this unique contentdata to new and existing clients worldwide contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of the Market MetricsRevere net tangible and intangible assets. As a result, FactSet recorded goodwill in connection with this transaction.

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


Cash consideration $57,100 
Working capital  632 
Total purchase price $57,732 
Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been finalized for this acquisition. The total purchase price was allocated to Market Metrics’Revere’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition.

Based upon Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was finalized during the valuation,second quarter of fiscal 2014. There were no material adjustments between the preliminary and final allocation isof purchase price. The final Revere purchase price of $15.3 million was allocated as follows (in thousands):

Tangible assets acquired $4,587 
Amortizable intangible assets:    
Data content  8,070 
Client relationships  6,990 
Non-compete agreements  1,750 
Trade name  380 
Goodwill  46,130 
Total assets acquired  67,907 
Liabilities assumed  (10,175)
Net assets acquired $57,732 

Tangible assets acquired

 $544 

Amortizable intangible assets

    

Data content

  2,799 

Client relationships

  827 

Non-compete agreements

  162 

Trade name

  293 

Goodwill

  11,612 

Total assets acquired

 $16,237 

Liabilities assumed

  (949)

Net assets acquired

 $15,288 

Intangible assets of $17.2$4.1 million washave been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of data content, amortized over five years using a straight-line amortization method; client relationships, amortized over nineseven years using an accelerated amortization method; non-compete agreements, amortized over fivetwo years using a straight-line amortization method; and trade name, amortized over threefour years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling $46.1$11.6 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill generated from the Market MetricsRevere acquisition is included in the U.S. segment and is deductible for income tax purposes. The results of the operations of Market MetricsRevere have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income since the completion of the acquisition on JuneSeptember 1, 20102013 and did not have a material impact on the fiscal 2010 fourth quarter.2014 results. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effecteffects of this acquisition waswere not material onto the Company’s consolidated financial results.

 

68


8.

9. GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for fiscal years ended August 31, 20122015 and 20112014 are as follows (in thousands):

  U.S.  Europe  Asia Pacific  Total 
Balance at August 31, 2010 $145,826  $72,278  $3,887  $221,991 
Goodwill acquired during the period            
Foreign currency translations     5,894   380   6,274 
Balance at August 31, 2011 $145,826  $78,172  $4,267  $228,265 
Goodwill acquired during the period  21,991         21,991 
Foreign currency translations     (4,366)  (99)  (4,465)
Balance at August 31, 2012 $167,817  $73,806  $4,168  $245,791 
During fiscal 2012, $22.0 million of goodwill was acquired as a result of the purchase of StreetAccount on June 29, 2012 for a total purchase price of $26.4 million. There was no goodwill acquired during fiscal 2011.

  

U.S.

  

Europe

  

Asia Pacific

  

Total

 

Balance at August 31, 2013

 $167,822  $73,424  $3,327  $244,573 

Goodwill acquired during the period

  11,612   25,531      37,143 

Foreign currency translations

     4,077   (185)  3,892 

Balance at August 31, 2014

 $179,434  $103,032  $3,142  $285,608 

Goodwill acquired during the period

  32,435         32,435 

Foreign currency translations

     (9,307)  (449)  (9,756)

Balance at August 31, 2015

 $211,869  $93,725  $2,693  $308,287 

Goodwill is not amortized as it has an estimated infiniteindefinite life. On an ongoing basis,At least annually, the Company evaluatesis required to test goodwill at the reporting unit level for indications of potential impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment based on the present value of discounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on discounted cash flows. The Company has three reporting units, which are consistent with the operating segments reported becauseas there is no discrete financial information available for the subsidiaries within each operating segment. The Company’s reporting units evaluated for potential impairment were the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which reflects the level of internal reporting the Company uses to manage its business and operations. The Company performed anits annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, consistent with the timing of previous years, 2012, 2011 and 2010,at which time it was determined that there were no reporting units that were deemed at risk. Theindications of impairment, with the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units significantly exceededexceeding carrying value, thus there had been no impairment. The measurement period for purchase price allocations ends as soon as information on the facts and circumstances becomes available, but will not exceed 12 months.


9. value.

10.INTANGIBLE ASSETS

FactSet’s identifiable intangible assets consist of acquired content databases, client relationships, software technology, non-compete agreements and trade names resulting from previous acquisitions, which have been fully integrated into the Company’s operations. The weighted average useful life of the Company’s acquired intangible assets at August 31, 20122015 was 11.611.1 years.


The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives.lives, which are evaluated quarterly to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. There were no changes to the estimate of the remaining useful lives during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment based on undiscounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on discounted cash flows. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. The intangible assets have no assigned residual values.

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


 At August 31, 2012 Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount 
Data content $49,120  $18,521  $30,599 
Client relationships  22,841   14,089   8,752 
Software technology  20,892   18,482   2,410 
Non-compete agreements  2,154   810   1,344 
Trade names  758   492   266 
Total $95,765  $52,394  $43,371 

 At August 31, 2011 Gross Carrying Amount  Accumulated Amortization  Net Carrying Amount 
Data content $52,438  $16,849  $35,589 
Client relationships  21,088   12,782   8,306 
Software technology  19,093   18,222   871 
Non-compete agreements  1,750   437   1,313 
Trade names  572   341   231 
Total $94,941  $48,631  $46,310 
69


At August 31, 2015

 

Gross Carrying Amount

  

Accumulated Amortization

  

Net Carrying Amount

 

Data content

 $39,911  $16,667  $23,244 

Client relationships

  27,873   18,241   9,632 

Software technology

  21,203   15,042   6,161 

Non-compete agreements

  1,058   637   421 

Trade names

  1,614   1,020   594 

Total

 $91,659  $51,607  $40,052 

At August 31, 2014

 

Gross Carrying Amount

  

Accumulated Amortization

  

Net Carrying Amount

 

Data content

 $56,974  $27,644  $29,320 

Client relationships

  25,821   17,443   8,378 

Software technology

  22,881   20,089   2,792 

Non-compete agreements

  2,465   1,881   584 

Trade names

  1,729   958   771 

Total

 $109,870  $68,015  $41,855 

During fiscal 2012, $6.42015, $9.1 million of intangible assets were acquired with a weighted average useful life of 5.5 years as a result6.3 years.


The details of the acquisition of StreetAccount on June 29, 2012.


     
 
Weighted Average
Amortization Period
(years)
 Acquisition Cost 
Client relationships7.0 $2,822 
Software Technology5.0  2,332 
Data content3.0  613 
Non-compete agreements4.0  404 
Trade name2.0  186 
Total5.5 $6,357 
There were no intangible assets acquired in the Code Red acquisition during fiscal 2011.

2015 are outlined as follows (in thousands):

Code Red Preliminary Intangible Assets Allocation

 

Amortization Period (years)

  

Acquisition Cost

 

Software technology

  6.0  $4,728 

Client relationships

  7.0   3,089 

Non-compete agreements

  4.0   277 

Trade name

  3.0   127 

Total

  6.3  $8,221 

Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets during fiscal years 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 20102013 was $7.5$8.2 million, $8.4$8.5 million and $8.5$7.1 million, respectively. As of August 31, 2012,2015, estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):

 Fiscal Year
 Estimated Amortization Expense 
2013  $7,078 
2014   5,974 
2015   5,050 
2016   3,404 
2017   3,269 
Thereafter   18,596 
Total  $43,371 

10.

Fiscal Year

 

Estimated Amortization Expense

 

2016

 $7,031 

2017

  6,949 

2018

  5,816 

2019

  4,492 

2020

  3,461 

Thereafter

  12,303 

Total

 $40,052 

11. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following (in thousands):

At August 31,  2012 2011 
Leasehold improvements$88,327 $83,478 
Computers and related equipment  74,370  65,934 
Furniture and fixtures  26,849  24,578 
Subtotal$   189,546 $ 173,990 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (113,016)    (92,370) 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net$76,530 $81,620 

At August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

 

Leasehold improvements

 $92,427  $90,487 

Computers and related equipment

  87,732   81,853 

Furniture and fixtures

  33,120   29,373 
         

Subtotal

 $213,279  $201,713 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (154,015)  (144,072)

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 $59,264  $57,641 

Depreciation expense was $26.1$23.1 million, $27.9$25.9 million and $28.8$28.4 million for fiscal years 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 2010,2013, respectively.


11.

12. COMMON STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On May 8, 2012,12, 2015, FactSet’s Board of Directors approved a 15%12.8% increase in the regular quarterly dividend beginning with the Company’s dividend payment in June 2012 of $0.31from $0.39 to $0.44 per share, or $1.24$1.76 per share per annum.


Shares of common stock outstanding were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
Balance, beginning of year  45,055   46,024   46,740 
Common stock issued for employee stock plans  825   1,283   2,068 
Stock issued for acquisition of business  43   0   0 
Repurchase of common stock  (1,644)  (2,252)  (2,784)
Balance, end of year  44,279   45,055   46,024 
70

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Balance, beginning of year (September 1)

  41,793   43,324   44,279 

Common stock issued for employee stock plans

  1,213   959   2,459 

Repurchases of common stock

  (1,689

)

  (2,490

)

  (3,414

)

Balance, end of year (August 31)

  41,317   41,793   43,324 

A reconciliation of the weighted average shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

  Net Income (Numerator)  Weighted Average Common Shares (Denominator)  Per Share Amount 

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Basic EPS

                                    

Income available to common stockholders

 $241,051  $211,543  $198,637   41,572   42,436   43,890  $5.80  $4.98  $4.53 

Diluted EPS

                                    

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock

       663   534   734             

Income available to common stockholders

 $241,051  $211,543  $198,637   42,235   42,970   44,624  $5.71  $4.92  $4.45 

  
Net Income (Numerator)
 
  
Weighted Average Common
 Shares (Denominator)
 
 
Per Share Amount
 
 
Years Ended August 31, 2012  2011  2010  2012  2011  2010  2012  2011  2010 
Basic EPS                           
Income available to common stockholders $188,809  $171,046  $150,211   44,784   45,953   46,698  $4.22  $3.72  $3.22 
Diluted EPS                                    
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock              1,026   1,402   1,306             
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions $188,809  $171,046  $150,211   45,810   47,355   48,004  $4.12  $3.61  $3.13 

Dilutive potential common shares consist of stock options and unvested restricted stock. There were 383,05888,090 stock options excluded from the fiscal 20122015 calculation of diluted earnings per share compared to 2,670 stock options excluded from the fiscal 2011 calculation because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. NoThere were no stock options excluded from the fiscal 2014 calculation of diluted earnings per share while 6,408 stock options were excluded from the fiscal 2010 calculation of diluted earnings per share. There were 30,456 restricted stock awards excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2012 as compared to 11,284 in fiscal 2011 and zero in fiscal 2010.


2013 calculation.

As of August 31, 2012, 20112015, 2014, 2013, 478,945, 380,653 and 2010, 1,710,017, 1,672,975 and 1,692,743,1,202,685, respectively, performance-based stock option grantsoptions were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.Performance-based stock options are omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share until the performance criteria have been met.


12.

13.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

At August 31, 20122015 and 2011,2014, there were 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($.01 par value per share) authorized, of which no shares were issued and outstanding. FactSet’s Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock and, in connection with the creation of such series, determine the characteristics of each such series including, without limitation, the preference and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the series.


Common Stock

At the fiscal 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of FactSet held on December 13, 2011, the stockholders of FactSet voted onAugust 31, 2015 and approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized2014, there were 150,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par value $0.01,per share) authorized, of FactSet from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000 shares. Such amendment to FactSet’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation had previously been approved on October 24, 2011, by the Company’s Board of Directors. On December 16, 2011, a Certificate of Amendment was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware to effect, as of such date, the foregoing amendment of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation.which 50,328,423 and 49,110,218 shares were issued, respectively. The newly authorized shares of common stock are issuable for any proper corporate purpose, including future stock splits, stock dividends, acquisitions, raising equity capital or to adopt additional employee benefit plans. These additional shares provide the Company the flexibility to issue shares for future corporate needs without potential expense or delay incident to obtaining stockholder approval for any particular issuance.


Treasury Stock

On December

At August 31, 2011, FactSet retired 16,658,7412015 and 2014, there were 9,011,521 and 7,317,416 shares of treasury stock. These retiredstock (at cost) outstanding, respectively. As a result, 41,316,902 and 41,792,802 shares are now included in the Company’s pool of authorized but unissued shares. The retired treasury stock was initially recorded using the cost method and had a carrying value of $850.9 million at December 31, 2011. The Company’s accounting policy upon the formal retirement of treasury stock is to deduct its par value fromFactSet common stock ($0.2 million), reduce APIC by the amount recorded in APIC when the stock was originally issued ($361.4 million)were outstanding at August 31, 2015 and any remaining excess of cost as a deduction from retained earnings ($489.3 million).

71


2014, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

On May 8, 2012,December 15, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $200$300.0 million expansion toof the existing share repurchase program. During fiscal 2012,2015, the Company repurchased 1.6 million1,689,337 shares for $153$252.8 million under the existing share repurchase program leaving $190$134.2 million authorized for future share repurchases atas of August 31, 2012. 2015. During fiscal 2014, the Company repurchased 2,489,993 shares for $275.4 million. At August 31, 2014, $87.0 million remained authorized for future share repurchases.

Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the share repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid for using existing and future cash generated by operations.


During fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased 2.3 million shares for $217 million under the share repurchase program, leaving $142 million authorized for future share repurchases at August 31, 2011.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. During fiscal 2012, FactSet did not grant restricted stock awards as compared to 154,281 granted during fiscal 2011. Approximately 14,2582015, 94,870 of the previously granted restricted stock awards vested during fiscal 2012 and arewere included in the common stock outstanding as of August 31, 2012.


2015 (less 23,192 shares repurchased from employees at a cost of $3.1 million to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During fiscal 2014, 135,205 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of August 31, 2014 (less 41,093 shares repurchased from employees at a cost of $4.4 million to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During fiscal 2014, 149,741 restricted stock awards vested.

Dividends

The Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividends during the periods presented:

Declaration Date

 

Dividends Per
Share of
Common Stock

 

Type

Record Date

 

Total $ Amount
(in thousands)

 

Payment Date

August 10, 2015

 $0.44 

Regular (cash)

August 31, 2015

 $18,179 

September 15, 2015

May 12, 2015

 $0.44 

Regular (cash)

May 29, 2015

 $18,274 

June 16, 2015

February 11, 2015

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

February 27, 2015

 $16,236 

March 17, 2015

November 12, 2014

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

November 28, 2014

 $16,216 

December 16, 2014

August 14, 2014

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

August 29, 2014

 $16,299 

September 16, 2014

May 5, 2014

 $0.39 

Regular (cash)

May 30, 2014

 $16,386 

June 17, 2014

February 11, 2014

 $0.35 

Regular (cash)

February 28, 2014

 $14,827 

March 18, 2014

November 14, 2013

 $0.35 

Regular (cash)

November 29, 2013

 $15,046 

December 17, 2013

August 15, 2013

 $0.35 

Regular (cash)

August 31, 2013

 $15,164 

September 17, 2013

May 14, 2013

 $0.35 

Regular (cash)

May 31, 2013

 $15,413 

June 18, 2013

February 21, 2013

 $0.31 

Regular (cash)

February 28, 2013

 $13,510 

March 19, 2013

November 15, 2012

 $0.31 

Regular (cash)

November 30, 2012

 $13,746 

December 18, 2012

 
Declaration Date  
Dividends Per
Share of
Common Stock
  TypeRecord Date  
Total $ Amount
(in thousands)
  Payment Date
August  8, 2012 $0.31 Regular (cash)August 31, 2012 $13,727 September 18, 2012
May 8, 2012 $0.31 Regular (cash)May 31, 2012 $13,893 June 19, 2012
February 14, 2012  $0.27  Regular (cash)February 29, 2012  $12,085  March 20, 2012
November 10, 2011  $0.27  Regular (cash)November 30, 2011  $12,181  December 20, 2011
August 11, 2011  $0.27  Regular (cash)August, 31 2011  $12,165  September 20, 2011
May 9, 2011  $0.27  Regular (cash)May 31, 2011  $12,374  June 21, 2011
February 9, 2011  $0.23  Regular (cash)February 28, 2011  $10,612  March 15, 2011
November 10, 2010  $0.23  Regular (cash)November 30, 2010  $10,660  December 21, 2010
August 10, 2010  $0.23  Regular (cash)August, 31 2010  $10,586  September 21, 2010
May 14, 2010  $0.23  Regular (cash)May 28, 2010  $10,655  June 15, 2010
February 9, 2010  $0.20  Regular (cash)February 26, 2010  $9,329  March 16, 2010
November 10, 2009  $0.20  Regular (cash)November 30, 2009  $9,423  December 15, 2009

All of the above cash dividends were paid from existing cash resources. Future dividend payments will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by the Company and is subject to final determination by the Company’s Board of Directors.


13. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive Income
The components of comprehensive income were as follows for the periods presented (in thousands):
At August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
Net income $188,809  $171,046  $150,211 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:            
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges  (2,141)  828   (1,089)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (14,925)  14,897   (10,073)
Comprehensive income $171,743  $186,771  $139,049 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows (in thousands):
At August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
Accumulated unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax $(1,551) $590  $(238)
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments  (21,175)  (6,250)  (21,147)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $(22,726) $(5,660) $(21,385)
72

14. EMPLOYEE

14. STOCK OPTION AND RETIREMENT PLANS


Stock Options

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plans


and Award Plan, as Amended and Restated (the “Option Plan”) provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards to employees of FactSet. The expiration date of the Option Plan is December 14, 2020. Stock Option Awards
Optionsoptions granted without performance conditions under the Company’s stock option plansOption Plan expire either seven or ten years from the date of grant and the majority vest atratably over a rateperiod of 20% after the first year and 1.67% per month thereafter for years two through five.five years. Options become vested and exercisable provided the employee continues employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date and remain exercisable until expiration or cancellation. The majority of the options granted with performance conditions expire either seven or ten years from the date of grant and vest at a rate of 40% after the first two years and 1.67% per month thereafter for years three through five. Options are not transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During the grantee’s lifetime, theythe options may be exercised only by the grantee.

Stock Option Activity

In fiscal years 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 2010,2013, stock options to purchase 1,468,513; 998,038;828,652, 391,478 and 2,069,3361,674,966 shares of common stock, respectively, at prices which ranged from $63.09 to $103.30 were granted to existing employees and non-employee directors of the Company. These options have a weighted average grant date exercise price of $141.79, $106.73 and $92.21 for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Number

Outstanding

  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price Per Share

 

Balance at August 31, 2012

  6,083  $64.76 

Granted – non performance-based

  645   92.22 

Granted – performance-based

  1,011   92.22 

Granted – non-employee Directors grant

  19   91.06 

Exercised

  (2,286

)

  52.25 

Forfeited(1)

  (743

)

  93.84 

Balance at August 31, 2013

  4,729  $75.95 

Granted – non performance-based

  174   103.36 

Granted – performance-based

  203   109.56 

Granted – non-employee Directors grant

  14   107.65 

Exercised

  (789

)

  57.56 

Forfeited(2)

  (849

)

  91.98 

Balance at August 31, 2014

  3,482  $79.67 

Granted – non performance-based

  677   140.49 

Granted – performance-based

  138   148.52 

Granted – non-employee Directors grant

  14   138.48 

Exercised

  (1,060

)

  63.03 

Forfeited

  (134

)

  106.01 

Balance at August 31, 2015

  3,117  $100.71 

(1)

In November 2011,FactSet granted 665,551 performance-based employee stock options. None of these performance-based stock options granted vested because FactSet did not achieve certain performance levels during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2013. As such, these stock options were recorded as forfeitures in August 2013.

(2)

In November 2012, FactSet granted 1,011,510 performance-based employee stock options. Based upon the actual growth in both organic ASV and diluted EPS during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, 20% of the shares became eligible to vest on August 31, 2014 and the remainingwere recorded as forfeitures inAugust2014.


Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable

The following table summarizes the number of options outstanding and exercisable during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively (in thousands, except per share data):


 2012  2011  2010 
At August 31,
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
  
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
  
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
 
Outstanding at fiscal year end6,083 $64.76  6,132 $57.28  6,451 $  47.73 
Exercisable at fiscal year end2,858 $48.44  2,643 $38.99  3,331 $  34.49 

The following table summarizes ranges of outstanding and exercisable options as of August 31, 20122015 (in thousands, except per share data):

        Outstanding   Exercisable 
Range of Exercise Prices Per Share   
Number
Outstanding
   
Weighted Average Remaining Years of Contractual Life
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   
Number
Exercisable
   
Weighted
Average Exercise Price Per Share
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
$14.97$39.99   1,048   2.08  $28.47  $66,865   977  $27.94  $62,882 
$40.00$59.99   936   1.52  $49.56  $39,985   910  $49.72  $38,719 
$60.00$66.46   1,585   3.77  $65.55  $42,347   799  $66.03  $20,952 
$66.47$89.99   994   4.81  $71.12  $21,033   157  $74.30  $2,816 
$90.00$103.30   1,520   9.24  $94.17  $(2,887)  15  $98.88  $(102)
       6,083   4.67  $64.76  $167,343   2,858  $48.44  $125,267 
The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of August 31, 2012 was 2.8 million with adata and the weighted average exercise priceremaining years of $48.17. As of August 31, 2011, 2.6 million in-the-money outstanding options were exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $38.99. contractual life):

      

Outstanding

  

Exercisable

 

Range of Exercise Prices Per Share

 

Number Outstanding

  

Weighted Average
Remaining Years
of Contractual Life

  

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share

  

Aggregate Intrinsic Value

  

Number Exercisable

  Weighted
Average Exercise Price Per Share
  

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 
$35.80 – $63.09  255   1.0  $54.62  $26,340   255  $54.62  $26,340 

$66.46 – $66.81

  351   1.2  $66.47  $32,098   351  $66.47  $32,098 

$87.26 – $90.92

  372   5.6  $90.14  $25,213   169  $89.44  $11,574 

$91.06 – $92.22

  654   7.1  $92.19  $42,986   336  $92.20  $22,083 

$94.84 – $96.10

  326   6.0  $94.88  $20,550   227  $94.85  $14,317 

$102.01 – $110.31

  358   8.2  $106.88  $18,273   14  $107.64  $704 

$131.31 – $139.02

  484   9.1  $131.91  $12,586     $  $ 

$148.52 – $166.74

  317   9.6  $157.21  $225     $  $ 

Total Fiscal 2015

  3,117   6.3  $100.71  $178,271   1,352  $78.70  $107,116 

Prior Year Amounts

  August 31, 2014   August 31, 2013 
  

Number of

Shares

  

Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share

  

Number of

Shares

  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price Per Share

 

Outstanding at fiscal year end

  3,482  $79.67   4,729  $75.95 

Exercisable at fiscal year end

  1,899  $68.78   1,925  $59.70 

The aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money stock options exercisable at August 31, 20122015 and 20112014 was $125.4$107.1 million and $129.3$111.3 million, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price of $92.27$157.92 at August 31, 20122015 and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options exercisable as of that date. The weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options exercisable at August 31, 2015 and 2014 was 3.9 years and 3.4 years, respectively. The total pre-tax intrinsic value of stock options exercised during fiscal 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 20102013 was $43.0$92.7 million, $71.3$44.0 million, and $83.5$99.1 million, respectively.

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Stock Option Activity
A summary of stock option activity is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
  
Number
Outstanding
  
Weighted Average
 Exercise Price Per Share
 
Balance at August 31, 2009  7,553  $39.51 
Granted – non performance-based  329   63.42 
Granted – performance-based  1,721   66.91 
Granted – non-employee Directors grant  19   66.81 
Exercised  (1,980)  25.77 
Forfeited*  (1,191)  64.47 
Balance at August 31, 2010  6,451  $47.73 
Granted – non performance-based  91   89.45 
Granted – performance-based  892   89.39 
Granted – non-employee Directors grant  15   95.05 
Exercised  (1,209)  32.08 
Forfeited  (108)  66.55 
Balance at August 31, 2011  6,132  $57.28 
Granted – non performance-based  540   93.96 
Granted – performance-based  907   93.80 
Granted – non-employee Directors grant  21   87.26 
Exercised  (731)  35.96 
Forfeited**  (786)  87.37 
Balance at August 31, 2012  6,083  $64.76 
* In August 2008, the Company granted 1,058,981 performance-based employee stock options. None of these performance-based stock options granted vested because FactSet did not achieve certain performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2010. As such, these performance-based stock options were recorded as forfeitures in August 2010.

** In November 2010, the Company granted 734,334 performance-based employee stock options. None of these performance-based stock options granted vested because FactSet did not achieve certain performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2012. As such, these performance-based stock options were recorded as forfeitures in August 2012.

Performance-based Stock Options

Performance-based stock options require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving Company performance targets. The number of performance-based options that vest will be predicated on the Company achieving performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal yearsmeasurement period subsequent to the date of grant. Dependent on the financial performance levels attained by FactSet, during the two subsequent fiscal years, 0%, 20%, 60% or 100%a percentage of the performance-based stock options will vest to the grantees of those stock options. However, there is no current guarantee that such options will vest in whole or in part.


October 2009 Annual Employee Performance-based Option Grant Review
In October 2009, FactSet granted 900,665 performance-based employee stock options. 100% of these options are expected to vest because FactSet achieved organic ASV and diluted earnings per share growth of more than 10% on a compounded annual basis for the two years ended August 31, 2011. This reflected a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly increased the number of options that will vest, which required FactSet to record an incremental $5.8 million (pre-tax) of stock-based compensation during fiscal 2011. The $5.8 million of additional stock-based compensation represented the cumulative adjustment to change the vesting percentage from 60% to 100% as of August 31, 2012.

November 2010 Annual Employee Performance-based Option Grant Review
In November 2010, the Company granted 734,334 performance-based employee stock options. None of these options granted vested because FactSet did not achieve certain performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2012. This reflected a lower performance level than previously estimated and accordingly decreased the number of options that will vest to zero, which required the Company to reverse $1.4 million of stock-based compensation during fiscal 2012. These performance-based options were recorded as forfeitures in fiscal 2012.
74


November 2011 Annual Employee Performance-based Option Grant Review
In November 2011, FactSet granted 665,551 performance-based employee stock options. The number of performance-based options that vest is based on the Company achieving performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2013. At August 31 2012, the Company believed that it was not probable FactSet would achieve the required ASV and diluted earnings per share growth as ASV growth rate decelerated to 7%. As such, the Company estimated that none (0%) of the performance-based stock options will vest. However, a change in the actual financial performance levels achieved over the next 12 months could result in the following changes to the Company’s current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

Vesting
Percentage
  
Total Unamortized Stock-based
Compensation Expense at August 31, 2012
  
Cumulative Catch-up
Adjustment*
  Average Remaining Quarterly Expense to be Recognized 
0%  $0  $0  $0 
20%  $2,726  $914  $164 
60%  $8,178  $2,742  $492 
100%  $13,630  $4,570  $820 

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there had been a change in the vesting percentage as of August 31, 2012.

July 2012 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In July 2012, FactSet granted 241,546 performance-based employee stock options. The number of performance-based options, thatwhich are eligible to vest is dependentin 20% tranches depending upon future StreetAccount user growth through August 31, 2017. The five year performance measurement period is basedDuring the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the first growth target as outlined within the terms of the grant was achieved, thus 20% or 48,314 options vested on growing usage of FactSet and StreetAccount. At August 31, 2012, FactSet estimated2013. The second 20% tranche vested on August 31, 2014 as a result of accelerated expansion of Street Account users during fiscal 2014. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015,the third growth target was achieved, thus the third 20% tranche vested on August 31, 2015. As of August 31, 2015, the Company estimates that the fourth 20% or 48,309 of the performance-based stock optionstranche will vest based on forecasted StreetAccount user growth, which resultsby August 31, 2017, resulting in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $1.5$0.6 million to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of approximately 3.02.0 years. A change, up or down, in the actual financial performance levels achieved by the Company due to unforeseen significant StreetAccount growth in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):


Vesting
Percentage
  
Cumulative
Catch-up Adjustment*
  
Remaining Expense
to be Recognized
 
0%  $(84) $0 
20%  $0  $1,516 
40%  $136  $3,064 
60%  $200  $4,600 
80%  $257  $6,143 
100%  $330  $7,670 

Vesting

Percentage

 

Cumulative

Catch-up Adjustment*

  

Remaining Expense

to be Recognized

 

Fourth 20% (current expectation)

 $0  $619 

Fifth 20%

 $1,216  $1,003 

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of August 31, 2012.2015. 


Other

November 2012 Annual Employee Performance-based Stock Options Granted

·Between June 2010 and July 2011, FactSet granted 746,415 performance-based employee stock options that vest based on FactSet achieving certain ASV targets. At August 31, 2012, the Company estimated that none (0%) of these performance-based stock options will vest. A change in the actual financial performance levels achieved by FactSet due to unforeseen significant ASV growth in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

Vesting
Percentage
  
Cumulative
Catch-up Adjustment*
  
Remaining Expense
to be Recognized
 
0%  $0  $0 
50%  $3,380  $4,370 
100%  $8,474  $7,026 

Option Grant Review

In November 2012, FactSet granted 1,011,510 performance-based employee stock options. The number of performance-based options that would become eligible to vest was based upon the Company achieving performance levels for both organic ASV and diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2014. Based upon the actual growth in organic ASV and diluted EPS through August 31, 2014, 20%, or 185,014 (net of options forfeited through the end of fiscal 2014), of the previously granted shares became eligible to vest on August 31, 2014. The remaining 80% of the performance-based options previously granted were recorded as forfeitures in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. As of the end of fiscal 2015, total unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 2.1 years in connection with this grant.

February 2015 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In connection with the acquisition of Code Red during the second quarter of fiscal 2015, FactSet granted 137,522 performance-based stock options. These performance-based options are eligible to vest four years from date of grant if certain Code Red ASV and operating margin targets are achieved over the measurement period. The option holders must also remain employed by FactSet to be eligible to vest. Of the total grant, 68,761 performance-based options are eligible for vesting based on achieving the growth targets over a four year measurement period ending February 28, 2019 and the remaining 68,761 options are eligible to cliff vest based on a two year measurement period ending February 28, 2017. As of August 31, 2015, total unamortized stock-based compensation of $2.1 million will be recognized as expense over the remaining vesting period of 3.4 years. A change, up or down, in the actual financial performance levels achieved by Code Red in future fiscal years could result in the following changes to the current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

Vesting

Percentage

 

Cumulative

Catch-up Adjustment*

  

Remaining Expense

to be Recognized

 

0%

 $(338) $0 

10%

 $(253) $516 

40% (current expectation)

 $0  $2,063 

70%

 $253  $3,609 

100%

 $506  $5,156 

* Amounts represent the cumulative catch-up adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of August 31, 2012.


·FactSet granted 204,508 performance-based employee stock options between June 2010 and July 2011 that vest based on achieving certain ASV targets. Of this total, 133,958 vested during fiscal 2012 because FactSet achieved certain ASV levels. At August 31, 2012, the Company estimated that the remaining performance-based stock options will vest based on forecasted ASV growth, resulting in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million to be recognized.
75

2015. 

Other Performance-based Option Grants

In connection with the acquisitions of Matrix and Revere, FactSet granted 165,949 and 36,695 performance-based stock options, respectively, during fiscal 2014. The performance-based options granted in connection with the acquisition of Matrix will vest only if ASV and operating margin targets related to the Matrix business are met during a five year measurement period ending December 23, 2018, and the option holders remain employed by FactSet. As of August 31, 2015 FactSet does not believe these targets are probable of being achieved, and as such, no stock-based compensation expense is expected to be realized in connection with these options. Of the 36,695 performance-based stock options granted in connection with the Revere acquisition, 18,553 options became eligible to vest based upon the achievement of certain ASV and operating margins during the measurement period ending August 31, 2015. This results in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 3.0 years. Of the remaining 18,142 performance-based options previously granted, 6,184 were recorded as forfeitures in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 while the remaining 11,958 vest 80% after four years if the measurement criterion is achieved over the four year period ending August 31, 2017.

Restricted Stock and Stock Unit Awards


The Company’s optionOption Plan plans permit the issuance of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards are subject to continued employment over a specified period. A summary of restricted stock award activity is as follows (in thousands, except per award data):

  
Number Outstanding
  
Weighted Average Grant
Date Fair Value Per Award
 
Balance at August 31, 2010  261  $61.65 
Granted (restricted stock and stock units)  154  $87.55 
Vested  -  $- 
Canceled/forfeited  (8) $69.41 
Balance at August 31, 2011  407  $71.31 
Granted (restricted stock and stock units)  -  $- 
Vested*  (14) $69.02 
Canceled/forfeited  (10) $77.13 
Balance at August 31, 2012  383  $71.34 

* Between June 2010Restricted Stock and July 2011,Stock Unit Awards Activity

In fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, FactSet granted 21,102 restricted stock units which entitled the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest. A restricted stock unit is a promise to deliver shares to the employee at a future date if certain vesting conditions are met. These restricted stock units are performance-based54,862, 204,124 and cliff vest 25% when certain ASV targets are met. Of the total 21,102 units granted, 14,258 units vested during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 because FactSet achieved three of the four ASV growth targets. As of August 31, 2012, the Company estimated that the remaining 25% will vest based on forecasted ASV growth, resulting in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million.


During fiscal 2012, there were no131,702 restricted stock awards and restricted stock units granted.  During fiscal 2011, there were 154,281 restricted stock awards and restricted stock units granted as summarized below.

November 2010 Employee Restricted Stock Award
In November 2010,to employees of the Company, granted 117,723 restricted stockrespectively. These awards which entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. The Company’s restricted stock awards cliff vest 60% after three years and the remaining 40% after five years. Restricted stock grants are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. Employees granted restricted stock awards in November 2010 are not entitled to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. As such, thehave a weighted average grant date fair value of the award was measured by reducing the grant date price of FactSet’s share by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares during the requisite service period, discounted at the appropriate risk-free interest rate. The resulting fair value of the restricted stock awards granted in November 2010 was $84.38. $138.23, $101.95 and $85.80 for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of August 31, 2012,2015, a total of 313,407 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units were unvested and outstanding, which results in unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $5.2$20.5 million is to be amortized torecognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining vesting period of 3.2 years.


January 2011 Employee Restricted Stock Award
In January 2011, the Company granted 366

A summary of restricted stock awards with a fair value of $95.24, which entitle the holder to shares of common stockaward activity is as the awards vest over time. The Company’s restricted stock awards cliff vest 60% after three years and the remaining 40% after five years. Restricted stock grants are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method and are not entitled to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. As of August 31, 2012, unamortized stock-based compensation expense of less than $0.1 million is to be amortized ratably to compensation expense over the remaining vesting period of 3.4 years.


April 2011 Employee Restricted Stock Award
In April 2011, the Company granted 30,090 restricted stock awards with a fair value of $99.75, which entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. The Company’s restricted stock awards cliff vest 100% after three years. Restricted stock grants are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method and are not entitled to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. As of August 31, 2012, unamortized stock-based compensation expense of $1.6 million is to be amortized to compensation expense over the remaining vesting period of 1.6 years.
76


follows:

(in thousands, except per award data)

 

Number

 Outstanding

 

Weighted Average Grant

Date Fair Value Per Award

 

Balance at August 31, 2012

  383  $71.34 

Granted (restricted stock and stock units)

  132   85.80 

Vested(1)

  (150)  62.34 

Canceled/forfeited

  (7)  81.38 

Balance at August 31, 2013

  358  $80.43 

Granted (restricted stock and stock units)

  204   101.95 

Vested(2)

  (135)  84.48 

Canceled/forfeited

  (59)  86.39 

Balance at August 31, 2014

  368  $89.77 

Granted (restricted stock and stock units)

  55   138.23 

Vested(3)

  (95)  70.94 

Canceled/forfeited

  (15)  101.04 

Balance at August 31, 2015

  313  $103.34 

(1)

Of the total 149,741 restricted stock awards that vested during fiscal 2013, 87,758 related to awards granted on October 23, 2009. These restricted stock awards cliff vested 60% after three years (on October 23, 2012) and 40% after five years (on October 23, 2014). An additional 55,572 awards that vested in fiscal 2013 related to awards granted on February 9, 2010 which cliff vested 100% after three years (on February 9, 2013). The remaining 6,411 restricted stock awards that vested were previously granted between June 2010 and July 2011 and vesting occurred when certain ASV targets were met in fiscal 2013.

(2)

The 135,205 restricted stock awards that vested during fiscal 2014 were comprised of: 62,544 of awards granted on November 8, 2010, which cliff vested 60% after three years (on November 8, 2013) with the remaining 40% cliff vesting after five years (on November 8, 2015); 29,087 of awards granted on April 14, 2011, which vested 100% after three years on April 14, 2014; 26,344 restricted stock awards that were granted on April 8, 2013, which cliff vest 20% annually upon the anniversary date of the grant; and 17,230 awards relating to restricted stock granted on February 9, 2010 which cliff vested 50% after four years (on February 9, 2014).

(3)

The94,870 restricted stock awards that vested during fiscal 2015 were comprised of:53,495 of awards granted onOctober 23, 2014,whichcliff vested 60% after three years (on October 23, 2012) and 40% after five years (on October 23, 2014);14,683 restricted stock awards that were granted on April 8, 2013, which cliff vest 20% annually upon the anniversary date of the grant;17,228 awards relating to restricted stock granted on February 9, 2010; and 9,464restricted stock awards that were previously granted betweenNovember 2013 and November 2014.

Share-based Awards Available for Grant


A summary of share-based awards available for grant is as follows (in thousands):

  

Share-based Awards

Available for Grant under the

Employee Stock Option Plan

  

Share-based Awards

Available for Grant under the

Non-Employee Stock Option Plan

 

Balance at August 31, 2012

  4,340   126 

Granted – non performance-based options

  (645)   

Granted – performance-based options

  (1,011)   

Granted – non-employee Directors grant

     (19)

Restricted stock awards granted(1)

  (329)   

Share-based awards canceled/forfeited(2)

  761    

Balance at August 31, 2013

  3,116   107 

Granted – non performance-based options

  (174)   

Granted – performance-based options

  (203)   

Granted – non-employee Directors grant

     (14)

Restricted stock awards granted(1)

  (510)   

Share-based awards canceled/forfeited(2)

  993   9 

Balance at August 31, 2014

  3,222   102 

Granted – non performance-based options

  (677)   

Granted – performance-based options

  (138)   

Granted – non-employee Directors grant

     (14)

Restricted stock awards granted(1)

  (137)   

Share-based awards canceled/forfeited(2)

  171    

Balance at August 31, 2015

  2,441   88 

(1)

Each restricted stock award granted is equivalent to 2.5 shares granted under the Company’sOption Plan.

(2)

Under the Company’sOptionPlan, for each restricted stock award canceled/forfeited, an equivalent of 2.5 shares is added back to the available share-based awards balance.


  
Share-based Awards
Available for Grant under
Employee Stock Option Plans
  
Share-based Awards
Available for Grant under
Non-Employee Stock Option Plans
 
Balance at August 31, 2009  4,124   181 
Granted – non performance-based options  (329)  - 
Granted – performance-based options  (1,721)  - 
Granted – non-employee Directors grant  -   (19)
Restricted stock awards granted*  (667)  - 
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited  1,204   - 
Share-based awards expired**  (395)  - 
Balance at August 31, 2010  2,216   162 
Amendment to the 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance***  4,000   - 
Granted – non performance-based options  (91)  - 
Granted – performance-based options  (892)  - 
Granted – non-employee Directors grant  -   (15)
Restricted stock awards granted*  (386)  - 
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited  130   - 
Balance at August 31, 2011  4,977   147 
Granted – non performance-based options  (540)  - 
Granted – performance-based options  (907)  - 
Granted – non-employee Directors grant  -   (21)
Restricted stock awards granted*  -   - 
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited  810   - 
Balance at August 31, 2012  4,340   126 
* For each share awarded as restricted stock under

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

At the Company’s Option Plans, an equivalent2014 Annual Meeting of 2.5 shares were deducted from the available share-based awards balance.


** Represents the remaining stock options available for grant within the Company’s 2000 Stock Option plan that expired in January 2010 because they were never granted.

*** As of November 30, 2010, 1.0 million shares remained available for future grant of share-based awards under the Company’s 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan, a number that the Company believed to be insufficient to meet its anticipated needs over the next 12 to 18 months. Therefore, the Company’s Board of Directors approved, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to increase the maximum number of sharesStockholders of FactSet common stock issuable underheld on December 16, 2014, the 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan by 4,000,000 shares. The stockholders of FactSet voted on and approved the Amended and Restated FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan at the Company’s annual meeting held on December 14, 2010, including the reservation of an additional 4,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On December 16, 2008, the Company’s stockholders ratified the adoption of the FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”). A total, including the reservation of an additional 500,000 shares have been reservedof common stock for issuance underthereunder. The amendment and restatement of the Purchase Plan.Plan was approved by FactSet’s Board of Directors on October 23, 2014 and became effective with stockholder approval on December 16, 2014. As a result of such stockholder approval, the Purchase Plan was amended and modified to increase the maximum number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance over the term of the Purchase Plan by 500,000 shares. There is no expiration date for the Purchase Plan.

Shares of FactSet common stock may be purchased by eligible employees under the Purchase Plan in three-month intervals at a purchase price equal to at least 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on either the first day or the last day of each three-month offering period. Employee purchases may not exceed 10% of their gross compensation during an offering period.


During fiscal 2012,2015, employees purchased 85,48763,265 shares at a weighted average price of $75.20 as compared to 75,71874,889 shares at a weighted average price of $75.36 in fiscal 20112014 and 91,42975,281 shares at a weighted average price of $53.84 in fiscal 2010.2013. At August 31, 2012, 195,0512015, 481,616 shares were reserved for future issuance under the Purchase Plan.

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401(k) Plan


The Company established a 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) in fiscal 1993. The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all full-time, U.S. employees of the Company and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Each year, participants may contribute up to 60% of their eligible annual compensation, subject to annual limitations established by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches up to 4% of employees’ earnings, capped at the IRS annual maximum. Company matching contributions are subject to a five year graduated vesting schedule. All full-time, U.S. employees are eligible for the matching contribution by the Company. The Company contributed $6.7$8.6 million, $5.9$7.7 million, and $5.5$7.5 million in matching contributions to employee 401(k) accounts during fiscal 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 2010,2013, respectively.


15.

15.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION


Accounting guidance requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including stock options, restricted stock and common shares acquired under employee stock purchases based on estimated fair values of the share awards that are scheduled to vest during the period. As stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $22.0$26.4 million, $25.8$22.9 million and $14.1$40.0 million in fiscal 2012, 2011,2015, 2014, and 2010,2013, respectively. Included in fiscal 2011 was a pre-tax stock-based compensation charge of $7.9 million from an increase in the estimated number of performance-based options that will vest due to accelerating levels of ASV and diluted EPS than previously expected. The revised estimate reflects a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly, increased the number of performance-based options that will vest and be expensed.


As of August 31, 2012, $39.22015, $60.5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.13.4 years. There was no stock-based compensation capitalized as of August 31, 20122015 and 2011,2014, respectively.

Employee Stock Option Fair Value Determinations

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


Fiscal 2012

Q1 2015 

·
Q1 2012 – 419,593 non performance-based employee stock options and 665,551 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $94.84 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $32.08 per share.
·
Q2 2012 – There were no employee stock options granted during the second quarter.
·
Q3 2012 – There were no employee stock options granted during the third quarter.
·
Q4 2012 – 120,847 non performance-based employee stock options and 241,546 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $90.92 and fair value of $33.11 per share.

Fiscal 2011
·
Q1 2011 – 84,811 non performance-based employee stock options and 809,239 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $88.40 and fair value of $24.42 per share.
·
Q2 2011 – 65,224 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $99.78 and fair value of $29.07 per share.
·
Q3 2011 – 6,408

462,913 non performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $103.30$131.31 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $23.41$37.67 per share.

Q2 2015 

·
Q4 2011 – 17,842

25,075 non performance-based employee stock options and 137,522 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $96.10$147.05 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $28.02$43.05 per share.

78

Fiscal 2010

Q3 2015 

·
Q1 2010 – 32,476 non performance-based employee stock options and 900,665 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $66.46 and fair value of $19.99 per share.
·
Q2 2010 – 297,483

61,210 non performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $63.09$159.14 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $21.01$44.95 per share.

Q4 2015

·
Q3 2010 – there were no stock options granted during the third quarter.
·
Q4 2010 – 820,202

128,090 non performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $67.41$165.02 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $20.19$54.10 per share.

Q1 2014 

35,508 non performance-based employee stock options and 36,695 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $109.49 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $31.78 per share.

Q2 2014 

138,902 non performance-based employee stock options and 165,949 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $106.03 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $29.14 per share.

Q3 2014 

There were no employee stock options granted during the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Q4 2014 

There were no employee stock options granted during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Q1 2013 

635,308 non performance-based employee stock options and 1,011,510 performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $92.22 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $26.87 per share.

Q2 2013 

9,367 non performance-based employee stock options were granted at a weighted average exercise price of $92.55 and a weighted average estimated fair value of $26.69 per share.

Q3 2013 

There were no employee stock options granted during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Q4 2013 

There were no employee stock options granted during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.


The weighted average estimated fair value of employee stock options granted during fiscal 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 20102013 was determined using the binomial model with the following weighted average assumptions:

  2012  2011  2010 
Term structure of risk-free interest rate  0.13% -2.41 %   0.18% -1.88 %   0.15% -3.30 % 
Expected life (years)  7.6 -9.1    4.0 -6.5   4.0 -6.7  
Term structure of volatility  29% -36 %   23% -35 %   27% -36 % 
Dividend yield   1.16%     1.25%     1.51%  
Weighted average estimated fair value   $32.34     $24.78     $20.22  
Weighted average exercise price   $93.86     $89.39     $66.35  
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price   34.5%     27.7%     30.5%  

  2015  2014  2013 

Term structure of risk-free interest rate

 0.01%-2.3%  0.01%-2.6%  0.16%-1.91% 

Expected life (years)

 5.8-9.4  7.6-7.8  7.6-7.8 

Term structure of volatility

 20%-31%  23%-33%  24%-33% 

Dividend yield

   1.32%    1.35%    1.30% 

Weighted average estimated fair value

   $41.87    $29.64    $26.87 

Weighted average exercise price

   $141.84    $106.69    $92.22 

Fair value as a percentage of exercise price

   29.5%    27.8%    29.1% 

The risk-free interest rate assumption for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based on a combination of historical volatility of the Company’s stock and implied volatilities of publicly traded options to buy FactSet common stock with contractual terms closest to the expected life of options granted to employees. The approach to utilize a mix of historical and implied volatility was based upon the availability of actively traded options on the Company’s stock and the Company’s assessment that a combination of implied volatility and historical volatility is best representative of future stock price trends. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee termination within the valuation model. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is a derived output of the binomial model. The binomial model estimates employees exercise behavior is based on the option’s remaining vested life and the extent to which the option is in-the-money. The binomial model estimates the probability of exercise as a function of these two variables based on the entire history of exercises and cancellations of all past option grants made by the Company.


Non-Employee Director Stock Option Grants

Fair Value Determinations

The 2008 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”) was ratified by the Company’s stockholders on December 16, 2008 and provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options, to non-employee directors of FactSet. A total of 250,000 shares of FactSet common stock have been reserved for issuance under the Directors’ Plan. The expiration date of the Directors’ Plan is December 1, 2018. The shares of common stock to be issued may be either authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury. The Directors’ Plan provides for annual equity grants for each non-employee director and allows the Company greater flexibility to change the vesting schedule per option grant, modify the number of options granted on an annual basis and adjust the term of the grants.


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


Fiscal 2012

2015

On January 13, 2012,15, 2015, FactSet granted 20,97613,842 stock options to the Company’s non-employee Directors including a one-time new Director grant of 5,244 stock options for Robin A. Abrams, who was elected to FactSet’s Board of Directors on December 13, 2011. All of the options granted on January 13, 2012 haveat a weighted average estimated fair value of $24.79$28.18 per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate

  0.941.45

%

Expected life (years)

  5.435.4 

Expected volatility

  33.623

%

Dividend yield

  1.111.30

%

 

79

Fiscal 2011

2014

On January 14, 2011, 14,51415, 2014, FactSet granted 14,424 stock options were granted to the Company’s non-employee Directors withat a weighted average estimated fair value of $26.87$27.04 per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate

  2.131.66

%

Expected life (years)

  5.435.4 

Expected volatility

  31.129

%

Dividend yield

  1.181.35

%


Fiscal 2010

2013

On January 15, 2010, 18,5102013, FactSet granted 18,781 stock options were granted to the Company’s non-employee Directors withat a weighted average estimated fair value of $21.06$24.23 per share, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate

  2.540.89

%

Expected life (years)

  5.435.4 

Expected volatility

  35.432

%

Dividend yield

  1.421.30

%


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


Restricted StockFair Value Determinations

Restricted stock granted to employees entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests over time, but not to dividends declared on the underlying shares while the restricted stock is unvested. The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards are measured by reducing the grant date price of FactSet’s share by the present value of the dividends expected to be paid on the underlying stock during the requisite service period, discounted at the appropriate risk-free interest rate. Restricted stock awards are amortized to expense over the vesting period.


Fiscal 2012

Fiscal 2015

 ·

There

9,384 restricted stock units with a fair value of $127.88 were no restricted stocks awards granted during fiscal 2012.on November 3, 2014.


Fiscal 2011

 ·

117,723

841 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $84.38$124.18 were granted on November 8, 2010.3, 2014.

 ·

366

15,070 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $95.24$132.71 were granted on January 27, 2011.December 17, 2014.

 ·

3,291

1,724 restricted stock units with a fair value of $83.49$145.01 were granted on November 8, 2010.February 9, 2015.

 ·

1,719 restricted stock units with a fair value of $94.50 were granted on January 27, 2011.
·30,090

21,294 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $99.75$140.88 were granted on April 14, 2011.February 9, 2015.

 ·

1,092 restricted stock units with a fair value of $91.54 were granted on July 22, 2011.

Fiscal 2010
·161,794

397 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $62.85$151.50 were granted on October 23, 2009.May 1, 2015.

 ·

90,030

448 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $59.42$153.89 were granted on February 9, 2010. Of the total numberMay 1, 2015.

5,704 shares of restricted stock awardswith a fair value of $157.84 were granted 55,572 cliff vest 100% after three years. The remaining 34,458 restricted stock awards cliff vest 50% after four years and the other 50% after six years.on July 31, 2015.

Fiscal 2014

 ·

15,000

7,744 restricted stock units with a fair value of $62.49$103.30 were granted on JuneSeptember 17, 2013.

153,972 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $102.22 were granted on November 1, 2010.2013.

30,144 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $102.84 were granted on December 23, 2013.

12,264 restricted stock units with a fair value of $95.45 were granted on February 3, 2014.

Fiscal 2013

131,702 restricted stock units granted on April 8, 2013 with a fair value of $85.80.


Employee Stock Purchase Plan Fair Value Determinations

During fiscal 2012,2015, employees purchased 85,48763,265 shares at a weighted average price of $75.20 as$122.76 compared to 75,71874,889 shares at a weighted average price of $75.36$89.28 in fiscal 20112014 and 91,42975,281 shares at a weighted average price of $53.84$80.77 in fiscal 2010. At August 31, 2012, 195,051 shares were reserved for future issuance under the Purchase Plan.2013. Stock-based compensation expense recorded during fiscal 2012, 2011,2015, 2014, and 20102013 relating to the employee stock purchase plan was $1.5 million, $1.3 million $1.1and $1.2 million, and $1.0 million, respectively.

80


The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to calculate the estimated fair value for the employee stock purchase plan. The weighted average estimated fair value of employee stock purchase plan grants during fiscal years 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 20102013 were $16.09, $15.99,$24.05, $17.76 and $11.21$15.79 per share, respectively, with the following weighted average assumptions:


  2012  2011  2010 
Risk-free interest rate  0.06%  0.10%  0.12%
Expected life (months)  3   3   3 
Expected volatility  14.8%  11.9%  13.8%
Dividend yield  1.26%  1.04%  1.33%

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Risk-free interest rate

  0.03

%

  0.04

%

  0.07

%

Expected life (months)

  3   3   3 

Expected volatility

  16.3

%

  9.8

%

  9.8

%

Dividend yield

  1.15

%

  1.38

%

  1.38

%

Accuracy of Fair Value Estimates

The Company is responsible for determining the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of its share-based payment awards. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeiture rates and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable.


16.

16. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense is based on taxable income determined in accordance with current enacted laws and tax rates. Deferred income taxes are recorded for the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.

Provision for Income Taxes


The provision for income taxes by geographic operations is as follows (in thousands):


Years Ended August 31,2012 2011  2010 
U.S. operations $229,772  $198,688  $182,038 
Non-U.S. operations  44,933   40,270   40,143 
Income before income taxes $274,705  $238,958  $222,181 
U.S. operations $76,020  $58,125  $62,554 
Non-U.S. operations  9,876   9,787   9,416 
Total provision for income taxes $85,896  $67,912* $71,970**
Effective tax rate  31.3%  28.4% *    32.4% **  

* Includes income tax benefits of $6.3 million from the finalization of the fiscal 2010 tax return and the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in December 2010. The fiscal 2011 annual effective tax rate before discrete items of $6.3 million was 30.9% or 40 basis points lower than the 2012 effective tax rate due to the expiration of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2011, which negatively impacted the fiscal 2012 annual effective tax rate by 130 basis points.

** Includes income tax benefits of $1.3 million from the finalization of the fiscal 2009 tax return, adjustments to certain reserves to reflect the lapse of statute of limitations and higher levels of non-U.S. taxable income. The fiscal 2010 annual effective tax rate before discrete items of $1.3 million was 32.9%.

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

U.S. operations

 $263,411  $242,839  $220,778 

Non-U.S. operations

  70,343   60,625   50,132 

Income before income taxes

 $333,754  $303,464  $270,910 
             

U.S. operations

 $88,147  $81,998  $61,328 

Non-U.S. operations

  4,556   9,923   10,945 

Total provision for income taxes

 $92,703  $91,921  $72,273 

Effective tax rate

  27.8%  30.3%  26.7%

The components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following (in thousands):

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Current

            

U.S. federal

 $82,885  $77,368  $52,625 

U.S. state and local

  4,419   3,972   3,309 

Non-U.S.

  6,368   10,350   11,188 

Total current taxes

 $93,672   91,690  $67,122 

Deferred

            

U.S. federal

 $720  $547  $5,036 

U.S. state and local

  123   111   358 

Non-U.S.

  (1,812

)

  (427

)

  (243

)

Total deferred taxes

 $(969

)

 $231  $5,151 

Total provision for income taxes

 $92,703  $91,921  $72,273 


Years Ended August 31, 2012 2011  2010 
Current         
U.S. federal $73,272  $53,925  $63,712 
U.S. state and local  4,305   4,833   4,839 
Non-U.S.  10,224   10,728   10,151 
Total current taxes $87,801  $69,486  $78,702 
Deferred            
U.S. federal $1,405  $606  $5,718 
U.S. state and local  152   27   279 
Non-U.S.  348   941   735 
Total deferred taxes $1,905  $1,574  $6,732 
Total provision for income taxes $85,896  $67,912  $71,970 
81

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes as a result of the following factors (expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes):


Years Ended August 31, 2012  2011  2010 
Tax at federal U.S. statutory tax rate  35.0%  35.0%  35.0%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:            
State and local taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefit  2.1   2.2   2.1 
Foreign income at other than U.S. rates  (1.9)  (1.7)  (1.8)
Domestic production activities (Section 199) deduction  (2.6)  (2.1)  (1.9)
Income tax benefit from R&D tax credits  (0.8)  (4.9)  (0.6)
Income tax benefits from foreign tax credits  (0.5)  (0.7)  (0.5)
Other, net  0.0   0.6   0.1 
Effective tax rate  31.3%  28.4%  32.4%

Years Ended August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Tax at U.S. Federal statutory tax rate

  35.0

%

  35.0

%

  35.0

%

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:

            

State and local taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefit

  1.6   1.8   2.0 

Foreign income at other than U.S. rates

  (3.0

)

  (2.9

)

  (2.5

)

Domestic production activities deduction

  (2.2

)

  (2.1

)

  (2.6

)

Income tax benefits from R&D tax credits

  (2.7

)

  (1.1

)

  (4.1

)

Income tax benefits from foreign tax credits

  (0.3

)

  (0.4

)

  (1.2

)

Other, net

  (0.6

)

  0.0   0.1 

Effective tax rate

  27.8

%

(1)  30.3

%

  26.7

%(2)

(1)

The fiscal 2015 effective tax rate of 27.8% includesincome tax benefits of $8.8 million primarily from the reenactment of the U.S. FederalR&D Tax Credit (the “U.S. Federal R&D tax credit”) in December 2014,finalizing prior year tax returns and other discrete items.

(2)

The fiscal 2013 effective tax rate of 26.7% includes income tax benefits of $7.2 millionprimarily fromthe reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit in January 2013 andfinalizing prior year tax returns.

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The significant components of deferred tax assets that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):

At August 31,  2012  2011 
Deferred tax assets         
Current         
Receivable reserve $687  $736 
Deferred rent  3,175   3,272 
Deferred fees   1,223   - 
Net current deferred taxes  $5,085  $4,008 
Non-current         
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements  $2,498  $2,427 
Deferred rent   2,782   2,793 
Stock-based compensation  23,395   18,096 
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology   (6,801)  (5,295)
Other  1,239   2,145 
Net non-current deferred taxes  $23,113  $20,166 
Total deferred tax assets  $28,198  $24,174 

At August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

 

Current

        

Receivable reserve

 $541  $597 

Deferred rent

  794   1,067 

Other

  770   177 

Net current deferred tax assets

 $2,105  $1,841 

Non-current

        

Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements

 $10,880  $9,831 

Deferred rent

  5,108   3,572 

Stock-based compensation

  17,562   18,160 

Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology

  (17,533

)

  (10,750

)

Other

  4,582   1,564 

Net non-current deferred tax assets

 $20,599  $22,377 

Total deferred tax assets

 $22,704  $24,218 

The significant components of deferred tax liabilities that are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in thousands):


At August 31,  2012  2011 
Deferred tax liabilities (non-current)         
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology  $2,936   $3,712 
Stock-based compensation  (343)  - 
Total deferred tax liabilities (non-current) $2,593   $3,712 

At August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

 

Current

        

Other

 $562  $ 

Net current deferred tax liabilities

 $562  $ 

Non-current

        

Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology

 $1,886  $3,478 

Stock-based compensation

     (860

)

Other

  (189

)

  303 

Net non-current deferred tax liabilities

 $1,697  $2,921 

Total deferred taxliabilities

 $2,259  $2,921 

A provision has not been made for additional U.S. Federal taxes as of August 31, 2012 onall undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries except for France, because the Company intendsare considered to reinvest these fundsbe invested indefinitely to support foreign growth opportunities.or will be repatriated free of additional tax. The amount of such undistributed earnings of these foreign subsidiaries included in consolidated retained earnings was immaterial at August 31, 20122015 and 2011. It is not practicable to estimate2014. As such, the unrecognized deferred tax liability on thesethose undistributed earnings.earnings was immaterial. These earnings could become subject to additional tax if they are remitted as dividends, loaned to FactSet, or upon sale of the subsidiary’s stock.

 

82


Unrecognized Tax Positions

Applicable accounting guidance prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. A company can recognize the financial effect of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will prevail upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit or expense can be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, companies are required to accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws.


As of August 31, 2012,2015, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling $5.5$6.8 million, including $1.0$1.3 million of accrued interest, recorded as non-current taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheet. Approximately $1.0 million of these unrecognized tax benefits would have affected the current year effective tax rate if realized as of August 31, 2015. As of August 31, 2014, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling $5.5 million, including $1.1 million of accrued interest, recorded as non-current taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company recognizes interest and penalty charges related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense, which is consistent with the recognition in prior reporting periods. The Company recognized interest charges of $0.2 million, $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax positions taken on tax returns but not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements. When applicable, the Company adjusts the previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results when the position is effectivelyultimately settled. The Company regularly engages in discussions and negotiations with tax authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that certain federal, foreign, and state tax matters may be concluded in the next 12 months. However, FactSet has no reason to believe that such audits will result in the payment of additional taxes and/or penalties that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position, beyond current estimates. Any changes in accounting estimates resulting from new developments with respect to uncertain tax positions will be recorded as appropriate. The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next 12 months.


The following table summarizes the changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits from August 31, 2009 to August 31, 2012 (in thousands):

Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2009 $6,437 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  1,301 
Additions for tax positions of prior years  469 
Statute of limitations lapse  (861)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2010 $7,346 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  1,258 
Additions for tax positions of prior years  1,493 
Statute of limitations lapse  (964)
Reductions from settlements with taxing authorities  (1,929)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2011
 $7,204 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  691 
Additions for tax positions of prior years  470 
Statute of limitations lapse  (613)
Reductions from settlements with taxing authorities  (2,288)
Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2012 $5,464 

Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2012

 $5,464 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

  1,372 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

  986 

Statute of limitations lapse

  (1,103)

Reductions from settlements with taxing authorities

  (1,284)

Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2013

 $5,435 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

  921 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

  628 

Statute of limitations lapse

  (717)

Reductions from settlements with taxing authorities

  (766)

Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2014

 $5,501 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

  962 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

  1,122 

Statute of limitations lapse

  (809)

Unrecognized income tax benefits at August 31, 2015

 $6,776 

In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax filings are subject to audit by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. At August 31, 2012,2015, the Company remained subject to examination in the following major tax jurisdictions for the tax years as indicated below:

Major Tax Jurisdictions

Open Tax Years

U.S.

 

Federal

2009

2013 through 20122015

State (various)

2008

2010 through 20122015

  

Europe

 
France

United Kingdom

2010

2013 through 20122015

United Kingdom

France

2008

2012 through 20122015

 

83

17. DEBT

FactSet’s debt obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):

At August 31,

 

2015

  

2014

 

2015 Revolving Credit Facility(maturity date of September 21, 2018)

 $35,000  $ 

Total Outstanding Debt at fiscal year-end

 $35,000  $ 

On February 6, 2015, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) between FactSet, as the borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as the lender (the “Lender”). At that date, the Credit Agreement provided for a $35.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), under which the Company could request borrowings. The Credit Agreement also allowed FactSet to arrange for additional borrowings for an aggregate amount of up to $265.0 million provided that any such request for additional borrowings was in a minimum amount of $25.0 million.

For purposes of funding its acquisition of Code Red on February 6, 2015, FactSet borrowed $35.0 million in the form of a Eurodollar rate loan (the “Loan”) under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds of the Loan made under the Credit Agreement could be used for permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. There are no prepayment penalties if the Company elects to prepay the Loan prior to its scheduled maturity date. The principal balance is payable in full on the maturity date. The $35.0 million borrowed under the Loan bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 0.50% and is reported as long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2015. The Eurodollar rate is defined in the Credit Agreement as the rate per annum equal to one-month LIBOR. Interest on the Loan is payable quarterly in arrears and on the maturity date. During fiscal 2015 the Company paid approximately $0.1 million in interest on its outstanding Loan amount.

On September 21, 2015, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to borrow an additional $265.0 million (the “Second Amendment) in order to fund FactSet’s acquisition of Portware, LLC (“Portware”) which was announced on September 22, 2015, and closed on October 16, 2015. The maturity date on all outstanding loan amounts (which total $300.0 million as of October 30, 2015) is September 21, 2018. The Second Amendment also allows FactSet, subject to certain requirements, to arrange for additional borrowings with the Lender for an aggregate amount of up to $400.0 million, provided that any such request for additional borrowings must be in a minimum amount of $25.0 million. For more information on the Portware acquisition, seeNote 21,Subsequent Events.

As of August 31, 2015, no commitment fee was owed by FactSet since it borrowed the then-full amount of the Revolving Credit Facility on February 6, 2015. Other fees incurred by the Company, such as legal costs to draft and review the Credit Agreement, totaled less than $0.1 million and were capitalized as loan origination fees. These loan origination fees are being amortized into interest expense over the term of the Loan (three years) using the effective interest method and totaled less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2015.

The Credit Agreement contains covenants restricting certain FactSet activities, which are usual and customary for this type of loan.In addition, the Credit Agreement requires that FactSet must maintain a consolidated leverage ratio, as measured by total funded debt/EBITDA below a specified level as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants of the Credit Agreement as of August 31, 2015.

18.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


Commitments represent obligations, such as those for future purchases of goods or services that are not yet recorded on the balance sheet as liabilities. FactSet records liabilities for commitments when incurred (i.e., when the goods or services are received).


Lease Commitments

At August 31, 2012,2015, the Company leases approximately 193,000202,000 square feet of office space at its headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. In addition, FactSet leases office space for its U.S. reportable segment in New York, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; San Mateo,Francisco, California; Austin, Texas; Jackson, Wyoming; Atlanta, Georgia; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Newark, Ridgewood and Piscataway, New Jersey; Manchester, New Hampshire; Reston, Virginia, Youngstown, Ohio, and Reston, Virginia.Toronto, Canada. The Company’s European segment operates in leased office space in London, England; Paris and Avon, France; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Frankfurt, Germany; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Milan, Italy; and Milan, Italy.Riga, Latvia. Office space in Tokyo, Japan; Hong Kong; Singapore; Mumbai, India; and Sydney, Australia are leased by FactSet for its Asia Pacific operating segment. The data content collection centers located in Hyderabad, India and Manila, the Philippines benefit all of the Companies operating segments. The leases expire on various dates through March 2021.2031. Total minimum rental payments associated with the leases are recorded as rent expense (a component of selling, general and administrative expenses) on a straight-line basis over the periods of the respective non-cancelable lease terms. The Company believes that its leased office space is adequate for its current needs and that additional space is available for lease to meet any future needs.


The following new lease agreements were finalized during fiscal 2012 by FactSet:
·

Norwalk, CT: A new lease agreement was entered into during the first quarter of 2012 to expand FactSet’s corporate headquarters in Norwalk, CT by approximately 23,800 square feet. The new lease results in incremental future minimum rental payments of $3.8 million over the non-cancelable lease term of eight years.

·
New York, New York: New lease agreements for an additional 17,600 square feet of space to support the Company’s operations were entered into during the first quarter of 2012, which resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $3.1 million over the non-cancelable lease term of approximately 3.5 years.
·
Hong Kong: A new lease agreement was entered into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to relocate the existing office within Hong Kong in order to support the Company’s growing local presence. The new lease resulted in a net increase of approximately 3,000 rentable square feet and incremental future minimum rental payments of $5.4 million over the non-cancelable lease term of six years.
·
Manila, the Philippines: A new lease agreement was entered into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to expand the Company’s content collection operations within the Philippines by approximately 22,900 square feet. The lease results in future minimum rental payments of $2.1 million over the non-cancelable lease term of five years.
·
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A new lease agreement was entered into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to relocate the existing office within Dubai in order to support the Company’s growing local presence. The new lease resulted in a net increase of approximately 1,600 rentable square feet and incremental future minimum rental payments of $0.8 million over the non-cancelable lease term of three years.
·
StreetAccount (various locations): The acquisition of StreetAccount in June 2012 increased leased office by approximately 9,500 rentable square feet and future minimum rental payments by $0.5 million over the remaining non-cancelable lease terms.

Partially offsetting new lease agreements entered into during fiscal 2012 was the consolidation of the East Grinstead office into the larger London office. This consolidation was completed in March 2012 and resulted in a reduction in leased office space by 3,853 rentable square feet. At the time FactSet exited the office space in East Grinstead in March 2012, there were seven months remaining on the lease and less than $0.1 million in remaining rental payments due.

Including new lease agreements entered into during fiscal 2012 (as summarized above), the Company’s worldwide leased office space increased to approximately 807,000 square feet at August 31, 2012, up 11% from August 31, 2011.

During fiscal 2012, 20112015, 2014 and 2010,2013, rent expense (including operating costs) for all operating leases amounted to approximately $34.6$38.6 million, $32.8$37.7 million and $30.6$36.2 million, respectively. At August 31, 2015 and 2014, deferred rent reported within the consolidated balance sheet totaled $20.9 million and $18.3 million, of which $18.4 million and $14.9 million, respectively, was reported as a non-current liability within the line itemDeferred Rent and Other Non-Current Liabilities.

Approximately $4.3$1.0 million of standby letters of credit have been issued during the ordinary course of business in connection with the Company’s current leased office space as of August 31, 2012.2015. These standby letters of credit contain covenants that, among other things, require FactSet to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios. As of August 31, 20122015 and 2011,2014, FactSet was in compliance with all covenants contained in the standby letters of credit.

84

In fiscal 2015, FactSet entered into the following new lease agreements:

Boston, Massachusetts:A new lease amendment was signed to extend and expand the Company’s existing office space in Boston by 4,809 rentable square feet. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $6.6 million through June 2022.

Hyderabad, India:

-A new lease amendment was entered into during November 2014 to renew the Company’s existing office space in Hyderabad. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $2.2 million over the non-cancelable lease term through November 2019.

-A new lease agreement was entered into during April 2015 for 43,830 square feet of new office space in Hyderabad. At the time of signing, the new lease agreement resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $1.8 million over the lease term through September 2020.

Manila, Philippines:A new lease agreement was entered into during April 2015 for 13,043 square feet of new office space in Manila. At the time of signing, the new lease agreement resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $1.5 million over the non-cancelable lease term through June 2020.

New York, New York:A new lease amendment was signed to extend and expand the Company’s existing office space in New York by 19,979 rentable square feet. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $21.2 million through August 2031. The amendment included approximately $1.9 million in tenant allowances. 

Norwalk, Connecticut:A new lease amendment was signed to extend and expand the Company’s existing office space in Norwalk by 9,587 rentable square feet. At the time of signing, the renewal resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $0.9 million through December 2019.

London, England:A new lease agreement was entered into in July 2015 for 15,051 square feet of new office space in London. At the time of signing, the new lease agreement resulted in incremental future minimum rental payments of $21.1 million over the non-cancelable lease term through March 2031. 

At August 31, 2012,2015, the Company’s lease commitments for office space provide for the following future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases with remaining terms in excess of one year (in thousands):

Years Ended August 31, 
Minimum Lease
Payments
 
2013 $27,592 
2014  26,122 
2015  21,771 
2016  15,705 
2017  14,441 
Thereafter  35,540 
Total $141,171 

Years Ended August 31,

 

Minimum Lease

Payments

 

2016

 $22,695 

2017

  28,002 

2018

  27,373 

2019

  25,974 

2020

  20,129 

Thereafter

  145,929 

Total

 $270,102 

Purchase Commitments with Suppliers

Purchase obligations represent paymentpayments due in future periods in respect of commitments to the Company’s various data vendors as well as commitments to purchase goods and services such as telecommunication and computer maintenance services. These purchase commitments are agreements that are enforceable and legally binding on FactSet and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. As of August 31, 20122015 and 2011,2014, the Company had total purchase commitments with suppliers of $52.2$65.2 million and $47.8$53.3 million, respectively.


Contingencies


Legal Matters

FactSet accrues non income-tax liabilities for contingencies when management believes that a loss is probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, while contingent gains are recognized only when realized. The Company is subjectissubject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including intellectual property litigation. These matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future. Basedlitigation.Based on currentlyinformation available, information as of August 31, 2012, FactSet’s management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these unresolved matters against the Company,, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidatedCompany'sconsolidated financial position, its results of operations or its cash flowsflows.

.


Income Taxes

Uncertain income tax positions are accounted for in accordance with applicable accounting guidance (see Note 16). FactSet is currently under audit by multiple tax authorities. The Company has reserved for potential adjustments to its provision for income taxes that may result from examinations by, or any negotiated agreements with, these tax authorities, and the Company believes that the final outcome of these examinations or agreements will not have a material effect on its results of operations. If events occur which indicate payment of these amounts is unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in the recognition of tax benefits in the period FactSet determines the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the Company’s estimates of the federal, state, and foreign income tax liabilities are less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result.


Indemnifications

As permitted or required under Delaware law and to the maximum extent allowable under that law, FactSet has certain obligations to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was serving, at FactSet’s request in such capacity. These indemnification obligations are valid as long as the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The maximum potential amount of future payments FactSet could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is unlimited; however, FactSet has a director and officer insurance policy that it believes mitigates FactSet's exposure and enablesmay enable FactSet to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification obligations is minimal.


Revolving Credit Facility
FactSet’s three-year credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank matured on March 31, 2011. Prior to its maturity date, the credit facility was available in an aggregate principal amount of up to $12.5 million for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Company was obligated to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility at a weighted average annual rate of 0.125%. The facility also contained covenants that, among other things, required FactSet to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios.
85


18. RISKSimmaterial.

19.RISKS AND CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK


Financial Risk Management


In the normal course of business, FactSet is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk that could impact its financial position and results of operations.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company is exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which could affect its operating results, financial position and cash flows. The Company’s primary foreign currency market exposures include the Euro, British Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee and PhilippinesPhilippine Peso. The Company’s non-U.S. dollar denominated revenues expected to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $17 million while its non-U.S. dollar denominated expenses are $163 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $146 million per year. To the extent that FactSet’s international activities recorded in local currencies increase in the future, its exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will correspondingly increase. FactSet manages its exposure to foreign currency exchange risk through its regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. These derivative financial instruments are utilized to hedge currency exposures as well as to reduce earnings volatility resulting from shifts in market rates. FactSet only enters into foreign currency forward contracts to manage foreign currency exposures. The fair market values of all the Company’s derivative contracts change with fluctuations in currency rates and are designed so that any changes in their values are offset by changes in the values of the underlying exposures. See Note 5, to the Consolidated Financial StatementsDerivative Instruments, for additional analysis of the Company’s foreign currency exchange rate risk.


Interest Rate Risk

The fair market value of the Company’s cash and investments at August 31, 20122015 was $203$182.4 million. FactSet’s cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisitionfewer and are reported at fair value. The Company’s investments consist of certificates of deposits with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are reported as short-term investments. It is anticipated that the fair market value of the Company’s portfolio will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates. Because FactSet has a restrictive investment policy, its financial exposure to fluctuations in interest rates is expected to remain low. The Company does not believe that the value or liquidity of its cash and investments have been significantly impacted by the recent credit crisis.


As of August 31, 2015, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was $35.0 million, which approximated its carrying amount given its floating interest rate basis and was determined based on quoted market prices for debt with a similar maturity. The debt bears interest on the outstanding principal amount at a rate equal to 0.50% plus the Eurodollar rate, which is defined in the agreement as the rate per annum equal to one-month LIBOR.It is anticipated that the fair market value of the Company’s debt will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates and FactSet does not believe that the value of its debt has been significantly impacted by current market events.

Current market events have not required the Company to modify materially or change its financial risk management strategies with respect to its exposures to foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk.

Concentrations of Credit Risk


Cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are primarily maintained with severaltwo financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. These deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate its credit risks by spreading such risks across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties.


Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from clients located around the globe. FactSet performs ongoing credit evaluations of its clients and does not require collateral from its clients. The Company maintains reserves for potential write-offs and these losses have historically been within expectations. No single client represented 10% or more of FactSet's total revenues in any fiscal year presented.As ofAt August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively,2015, the Company’s largest individual client accounted for 2% of total subscriptions. In both years,subscriptions and annual subscriptions from the ten largest clients did not surpass 16%15% of total subscriptions.subscriptions, consistent with August 31, 2014. At August 31, 2015 and 2014, the receivable reserve was $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively.


Derivative Instruments

As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk. FactSet has incorporated counterparty risk into the fair value of its derivative assets and its own credit risk into the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities. FactSet calculates credit risk from observable data related to credit default swapsCDS as quoted by publicly available information. Counterparty risk is represented by CDS spreads related to the senior secured debt of the respective bank with whom FactSet has executed these derivative transactions. Because CDS spread information is not available for FactSet, the Company’s credit risk is determined based on using a simple average of CDS spreads for peer companies as determined by FactSet. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, FactSet enters into contracts with large financial institutions and regularly review credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparties.

86


Data Content Providers

Certain datasetsdata sets that FactSet relies on have a limited number of suppliers, although the Company makes every effort to assure that, where reasonable, alternative sources are available. However, FactSet is not dependent on any one third-partythird party data supplier in order to meet the needs of its clients. FactSet combines the data from these commercial databases into its own dedicated single online service, which the client accesses to perform their analysis. No single vendor or data supplier represented 10% or more of FactSet's total data expenses in any fiscal year presented.


19.presented.

20. UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA


The following table presents selected unaudited financial information for each of the eight quartersquarterly periods in the periodyears ended August 31, 2012.2015 and 2014. The results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of future quarterly results and, accordingly, period-to-period comparisons should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance (in thousands, except per share data).

Fiscal 2015

 

First

Quarter

  

Second

Quarter

  

Third

Quarter

  

Fourth

Quarter

 

Revenues

 $242,676  $247,792  $254,522  $261,779 

Cost of services

  97,543   99,516   100,686   107,595 

Selling, general and administrative

  64,873   67,628   68,480   68,531 

Operating income

  80,260   80,648   85,356   85,653 

Net income

  55,860   61,598   61,409   62,184 

Diluted earnings per common share(1)

 $1.32  $1.46  $1.45  $1.48 

Weighted average common shares (diluted)

  42,340   42,306   42,297   41,995 

(1)

Diluted earnings per common share is calculated independently for each of the periods presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the total for thefiscalyear.


Fiscal 2014

 

First

Quarter

  

Second

Quarter

  

Third

Quarter

  

Fourth

Quarter

 

Revenues

 $222,975  $226,934  $231,761  $238,664 

Cost of services

  83,250   87,254   90,661   92,521 

Selling, general and administrative

  64,985   64,626   68,063   66,757 

Operating income

  74,740   75,054   73,037   79,386 

Net income

  52,178   52,426   51,532   55,407 

Diluted earnings per common share(1)

 $1.19  $1.22  $1.21  $1.31 

Weighted average common shares (diluted)

  43,773   43,107   42,615   42,386 

(1)

Diluted earnings per common share is calculated independently for each of the periods presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the total for thefiscalyear.

21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

As previously announced, on September 21, 2015, FactSet agreed to acquire (the “Acquisition”) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Portware pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement by and among FactSet, Long Ridge Equity Partners I, LP, Long Ridge Offshore Subsidiary Holdings, LLC, Portware Investors Parallel Holdings LLC, Portware, Long Ridge Portware Holdings, Inc. and the Individual Sellers (as defined therein). On October 16, 2015, the Company completed the Acquisition for $265.0 million in cash, less certain adjustments set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, including, among others, a customary working capital adjustment. FactSet funded the Acquisition by borrowing $265.0 million on October 16, 2015 under its existing revolving credit facility, which it had amended on September 21, 2015.

With the acquisition of Portware, FactSet will offer a platform that will increase value to global asset managers by expanding its capabilities to include multi-asset trade automation. Revenue from Portware will be recognized based on geographic business activities in accordance with how the Company’s operating segments are currently aligned. The Company expects the majority of the purchase price to be allocated to goodwill and acquired intangible assets. The pro forma financials that may be required in connection with the Acquisition have not been included as the valuation of certain assets and liabilities is ongoing as of the date of this Form 10-K.

Fiscal 2012
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Revenues $196,448  $199,371  $202,311  $207,663 
Cost of services  66,833   67,531   68,878   72,295 
Selling, general and administrative  62,862   64,723   64,939   64,741 
Operating income  66,753   67,117   68,494   70,627 
Net income  45,544   46,746   47,980   48,539 
Diluted earnings per common share $0.99  $1.02  $1.05  $1.08 
Weighted average common shares (diluted)  46,103   45,707   45,736   45,152 
 
Fiscal 2011
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Revenues $173,289  $177,635  $183,647  $191,939 
Cost of services  56,785   60,137   62,224   65,477 
Selling, general and administrative  57,075   59,405   59,600   67,472 
Operating income  59,429   58,093   61,823   58,990 
Net income  41,601   45,254   43,311   40,880 
Diluted earnings per common share $0.88  $0.95  $0.92  $0.88 
Weighted average common shares (diluted)  47,487   47,427   47,154   46,595 

87

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

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


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

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting


The Company regularly reviews its system of internal control over financial reporting and makes changes to its processes and systems to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that the Company maintains an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, consolidating activities, and migrating processes.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of fiscal 20122015 that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting


See Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 8 on page 50.


45.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm under Item 8 on page 51.


47.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 
None.

88

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS,EXECUTIVE OFFICERSAND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item relating to our directors and nominees, regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Act of 1934, and regarding our Audit Committee is included under the captions “Corporate Governance” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and contained in the definitive Proxy Statement dated October 30, 2012,2015, all of which information is incorporated herein by reference.


Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information required by this item relating to our executive officers is included under the caption “Executive Officers” of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement dated October 30, 2012,2015, all of which information is incorporated herein by reference.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer and all members of our finance department, including the principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. This code of ethics, which consists of the “Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers,” is posted on our website, along with the charters of committees of our committee charters.Board of Directors. The Internet address for our Website iswww.factset.com, and the code of ethics may be found in the “Investor Relations” section under “Corporate Governance.” All employees, officers and directors are also subject to our “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” also posted on the “Corporate Governance” page of our website and the same information is available in print free of charge to any stockholder who submits a written request to the Company’s Investor Relations department at its corporate headquarters at 601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

We intend to satisfy any disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this code of ethics by posting such information on our website, at the address and general location specified above.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item relating to our executive compensation is included under the caption “Executive Compensation” contained in the definitive Proxy Statement dated October 30, 2012,2015, all of which information is incorporated herein by reference.

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

The information required by this item relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is included under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and the information required by this item relating to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is included under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” in the definitive Proxy Statement dated October 30, 2012,2015, all of which information is incorporated herein by reference.

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

The information required by this item relating to review, approval or ratification of transactions with related persons is included under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and the information required by this item relating to director independence is included under the captionscaption “Corporate Governance” and “Director Compensation,” contained in the definitive Proxy Statement dated October 30, 2012,2015, all of which information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTINGACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is included under the captionscaption “Proposal 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the definitive Proxy Statement dated October 30, 2012,2015, all of which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

89

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND ,FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

The Index to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 on page 4944 is incorporated herein by reference as the list of financial statements required as part of this report.

2.

Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


Years Ended August 31, 2012, 2011,2015, 2014, and 20102013 (in thousands):

 Receivable reserve
  and billing adjustments*
 
Balance at
Beginning
 of Year
  
Charged to
Expense/
Against Revenue
  
Write-offs,
Net of
 Recoveries
  
Balance at
End of Year
 
2012 $1,955  $1,863  $1,988  $1,830 
2011 $1,862  $1,748  $1,655  $1,955 
2010 $1,712  $2,903  $2,753  $1,862 
* Additions to the receivable reserve for doubtful accounts are charged to bad debt expense. Additions to the receivable reserve for billing adjustments are charged against revenues.

Receivable reserveand billing adjustments(1)

 

Balance at Beginning of Year

  

Charged to Expense/

Against Revenue

  

Write-offs,

Net of Recoveries

  

Balance at

End of Year

 

2015

 $1,662  $2.268  $2,350  $1,580 

2014

 $1,644  $2,135  $2,117  $1,662 

2013

 $1,830  $1,580  $1,766  $1,644 

��

(1)

Additions to the receivable reserve for doubtful accounts are charged to bad debt expense. Additions to the receivable reserve for billing adjustments are charged against revenues.

Additional financial statement schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.


3.

Exhibits

EXHIBIT 

NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

3.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation (1)(1)

3.2

Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation(2)(2)

3.3

Second Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation(3)(3)

3.4

By-laws of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (4)
3.5

Amended and Restated By-laws of FactSet Research Systems Inc.(5)(4)

4

Form of Common Stock(1)(1)

10.1

 

Severance Agreement dated September 20, 1999 between FactSet Research Systems Inc. and Peter G. Walsh

10.2

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan and 1996 Stock Option Plan(6)(5)

10.3

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan(7)(6)

10.4

 

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan, as Amended and Restated (8)(7)

10.5

 

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 1998 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan(9)(8)

10.6

 

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2008 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan(10)(9)

10.7

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (11)
10.8

The FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (10)as Amended and Restated (9)

21

Subsidiaries of the RegistrantFactSet Research Systems Inc.

23

23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmErnst & Young LLP

31.1

23.2

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

31.1

Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

31.2

Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

32.1

Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

32.2

Section 906 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

101.INS*

 

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.DEF*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

   
90


(1)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-04238).

(2)

(2)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2001.

(3)

(3)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s periodic report on Form 8-K, filed on December 16, 2011.


(4)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterlyperiodic report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of fiscal year 2000.

(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report8-K, filed on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.
December 17, 2013.

(6)

(5)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-22319).

(7)

(6)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-56870).

(8)

(7)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-171667).

(9)

(8)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-59839).

(10)

(9)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-156649)333-201498).

(11)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-57880).
 

91

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC

(Registrant)
INC.

(Registrant)

  

Date: October 30, 20122015

/s/ F. PHILIP A. HADLEY

SNOW 

F. Philip A. Hadley

Snow

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this reportReport has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrantRegistrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name

 

Title

Date

 
     

/SS/ F. PHILIP SNOW/ PHILIP A. HADLEY

 Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer and Director

October 30, 20122015

 
F. Philip A. HadleySnow (Principal Executive Officer)  
     

/s/ MAURIZIO MAURIZIO NICOLELLINICOLELLI

 

Senior Vice President, and PrincipalChief Financial Officer

October 30, 20122015

 
Maurizio Nicolelli (Principal Financial Officer)   
     

/s/ MATTHEW MATTHEW J. MCMCNULTYNULTY

 

Vice President, and Controller

October 30, 20122015

 
Matthew J. McNulty (Principal Accounting Officer)  
     

/S/ CHARLES J. SNYDER

S/ PHILLIP A. HADLEY

 Vice

Chairman of the Board of Directors

October 30, 20122015

 
Charles J. SnyderPhilip A. Hadley    
     

/S/ JAMESS/ JAMES J. MCGONIGLE

MCGONIGLE

 

Lead Independent Director

October 30, 20122015

 
James J. McGonigle    
     

/S/ ROBINS/ ROBIN A. ABRAMS

ABRAMS 

 

Director

October 30, 20122015

 
Robin A. Abrams    
     

/S/ SCOTTS/ SCOTT A. BILLEADEAU

BILLEADEAU

 

Director

October 30, 20122015

 
Scott A. Billeadeau    
     

/S/ MICHAEL F. DICHRISTINA

S/ JOSEPH E. LAIRD, JR.

 

Director

October 30, 2012

Michael F. DiChristina
/S/ JOSEPH E. LAIRD, JR.
DirectorOctober 30, 20122015

 
Joseph E. Laird, Jr.    
     

/S/ WALTERS/ WALTER F. SIEBECKER

SIEBECKER

 

Director

October 30, 20122015

 
Walter F. Siebecker    
     

/s/ JOSEPH R. ZIMMEL.ZIMMEL

 

Director

October 30, 20122015

 
Joseph R. Zimmel    

92

89