The table below, for the periods indicated, provides selected cash flow information (in thousands):
Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to $132.3 million or 24% of our total assets at February 28, 2009, compared with $123.4 million or 23% of our total assets at February 29, 2008. All of our operating and capital expense requirements were financed entirely from cash generated from our operations. Our cash and cash equivalents increased $14.3 million since August 31, 2008 as a result of cash provided by operations of $75.4 million, $25.3 million of proceeds from the sale of investments and $8.4 million from the exercise of employee stock options partially offset from cash outflows of $59.5 million related to stock repurchases, dividends paid of $17.0 million and capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions of $15.1 million.
During the last twelve months, free cash flows rose 24% to $143 million. Free cash flows generated during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were $29.3 million, up 23% over the year ago quarter. Free cash flows generated in the first half of fiscal 2009 exceeded last year’s total by 88%. Drivers of free cash flow during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 were record levels of net income and higher non-cash expenses partially offset by a decline in working capital. The decrease in working capital was primarily from a $10 million increase in accounts receivable and the timing of our U.S. federal estimated tax payments.
The increase in accounts receivable was primarily due to the issuance of invoices for services to be provided over the next twelve months that aggregated to approximately $11 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Our accounts receivable balance, net of reserves, increased 14% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 which is comparable to the 12% and 14% sequential increase during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. Lastly, 88% of the accounts receivable balance at February 28, 2009 relates to invoices sent in January and February 2009, a positive indicator to us regarding the quality of our receivables on an aged basis. At February 28, 2009 our days sales outstanding (“DSO”) was 48 days as compared to 46 days at August 31, 2008 and 45 days at February 29, 2008.
In addition, during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 we remitted estimated tax payments for the first half of fiscal 2009 totaling $29 million, of which $14 million represented our estimated tax payment for the just completed first quarter, consistent with prior years.
The decline in working capital was primarily due to the payment of variable employee compensation related to the previous fiscal year in the first quarter of 2009. As disclosed in our previously filed 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we historically pay variable employee compensation related to the previous fiscal year in the first fiscal quarter. This cash outflow was $31.5 million, which reduced working capital in the first half of fiscal 2009.
For the quarter ended February 28, 2009 capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions for construction, totaled $6.4 million, down from $7.2 million in the same period a year ago. Expenditures for office space expansion were $4.9 million and the remainder covered computer equipment. Expenditures for office expansion included the building out of our new
Boston office space. During the first half of fiscal 2009 capital expenditures were $15.1 million, which included adding two Hewlett Packard Integrity mainframe machines to each of our data centers and the building out of new office space in our Boston, London, Norwalk and Chicago locations.
Capital Needs
We currently have no outstanding indebtedness, other than the letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, as discussed below.
In March 2008, we renewed our three-year credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank. The credit facility is available in an aggregate principal amount of up to $12.5 million for working capital and general corporate purposes, maturing on March 31, 2011. Approximately $3.3 million of the credit facility has been utilized for standby letters of credit issued during the ordinary course of business as of February 28, 2009. We are 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 contains covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios.
As of February 28, 2009 and August 31, 2008, we maintained a zero debt balance and were in compliance with all associated covenants.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K as of February 28, 2009.
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. During the three and six months ended February 28, 2009, there were no significant changes to our contractual obligations as of August 31, 2008. We currently have no significant capital commitments other than commitments under our operating leases, which decreased from $166.7 million at August 31, 2008 to $146.9 million at February 28, 2009.
Share Repurchases
On March 16, 2009, our Board of Directors approved an expansion of the existing share repurchase program by an additional $100 million. During the first half of fiscal 2009, we repurchased 1,390,281 shares for $59.5 million under the program. Including the expansion, $145 million remains 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 repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations.
We expect that for the next year, our operating expenses will continue to constitute a significant use of cash flow. In addition, we may use cash to fund other acquisitions, repurchase additional common stock, or invest in other businesses when opportunities arise. Based upon the predominance of our revenues from recurring sources and current expectations, we believe that our cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations and availability under our credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, dividend payments, stock repurchases and financing activities for the next year.
Dividends
On February 4, 2009, we announced a regular quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share. The cash dividend was paid on March 17, 2009, to common stockholders of record on February 27, 2009. Future cash dividends will be paid using our existing and future cash generated by operations.
Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 2, Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008. We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008. With the exception of the adoption of SFAS 157 as of September 1, 2008, there were no significant changes in our accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since the
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end of fiscal 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities did not have a material impact on our results of operations or the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption, which we include here by reference.
Recent Market Trends
In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to financial risks involving equity, foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations. Since September 1, 2008, major equity indices (e.g., Dow Jones Industrials, Russell 1000, MSCI EAFE, S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite) have experienced declines greater than 40% coupled with increased levels of volatility. A prolonged decline in equity indices of developed markets could impact the size and buying power of many of our clients.
We derive 80% of our revenues from investment management clients. The prosperity of these clients is tied to equity assets under management (“AUM”). An equity market decline not only depresses AUM 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 certain investment management clients cancelling products to fund the purchase of new services.
While increased use of our services among hedge funds is not a significant driver of our recent revenue growth, we do have more hedge fund clients today than three years ago. The recent steep decline in the equity markets could increase the normal rate of hedge fund closures and increase asset redemption rates in the near term. Many hedge funds rely on performance fees and utilize leverage. In addition, the rate closure related to small hedge funds may increase if they were relying on performance fees to cover operating costs.
Our sell-side clients account for approximately 20% of our revenues. A significant portion of these revenues relate to services deployed by large, bulge bracket banks. The credit crisis that began in August 2007 has deepened and continues to plague many of the large banking clients due to the amount of leverage deployed in past operations. Clients such as Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Wachovia recently were purchased by other firms as their viability as stand-alone entities came under question. More of our clients could encounter similar problems. The recent lack of confidence in the global banking system has frozen credit markets and caused declines in merger and acquisitions funded by debt. It is unknown how long credit markets will remain distressed.
We service equity research and M&A departments. 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 and equity research to compensate for the problems created by other departments that over extended the available capital of banks.
Historically, the correlation between the results of our operations and the performance of the global equity markets has not been one to one. Today, we believe that our market opportunity is 10 times our current size even if the global equity markets, which we service, shrink by 15%. Difficult market conditions may increase the value of our ability to consolidate services for clients, including deploying real time news and quotes, and may help advance the sales of proprietary content when we are the low cost provider.
Forward-Looking Factors
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to current and historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, 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 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,” “believes,” “estimates,” “may” and similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-
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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 below. We do not intend and are under no obligation to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances.
Risk Factors
Set forth below and elsewhere in this report and in other documents we file with the SEC are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. These risks are not the only ones we face. Additional risks we are not presently aware of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business could be harmed by any of these risks. In assessing these risks, investors should also refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, including the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto.
Our 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. Any of the following factors, or any other factors discussed elsewhere herein, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition that could adversely affect our stock price.
Risk factors which could cause future financial performance to differ materially from the expectations as expressed in any of our forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf include, without limitation:
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| – | A prolonged decline in the return equities of developed markets impacting the buying power of our investment management clients |
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| – | A global market crisis and related economic recession may affect our revenues and liquidity |
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| – | The status of the global economy, including the financial status of global investment banks |
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| – | Maintenance of our leading technological position through the introduction of new products and product enhancements |
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| – | The protection and privacy of our client data |
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| – | A prolonged or recurring outage at one of our data centers |
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| – | Our ability to integrate and market FactSet Fundamentals as a high quality asset and win new clients |
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| – | Our ability to integrate newly acquired companies |
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| – | The negotiation of contract terms supporting new and existing databases or products |
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| – | Exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact our financial results and cash flows |
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| – | Increased competition in our industry that may cause price reductions or loss of market share |
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| – | Our ability to achieve historical levels of profitability and growth rates for revenues, earnings per share and cash flows |
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| – | Our ability to hire and retain key qualified personnel |
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| – | Resolution of ongoing and other probable audits by tax authorities |
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| – | Third parties may claim infringement upon their intellectual property rights |
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| – | Changes in accounting may affect our reported earnings and operating income |
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| – | Internal controls may be ineffective |
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| – | Malicious, ignorant or illegal employee acts regarding insider information |
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| – | Resolution of ongoing and other probable audits by tax authorities |
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| – | Changes to our corporate headquarters or regional offices that impact our business continuity plan |
Business Outlook
The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of March 17, 2009. Given the number of risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed above, 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.
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Third Quarter Fiscal 2009 Expectations
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| – | Revenues are expected to range between $153 million and $157 million. This range includes an ASV reduction from the merger of Bank of America and Merrill Lynch that we estimate will be significantly less than 1% of ASV. |
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| – | EPS should range between $0.72 and $0.74 per share. This guidance represents a double digit percentage increase in EPS at all points in the range and includes $0.03 dilution from FactSet Fundamentals. |
Full Year Fiscal 2009
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| – | The 2009 guidance for capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions, has been lowered by $10 million. The range is now $22 million to $28 million. |
Market Sensitivities
We are exposed to various economic and financial risks associated with equity and foreign currency markets as well as risks related to interest rate fluctuations during the normal course of business. The major equity indices (for example Dow Jones Industrials, Russell 1000, NASDAQ Composite, MSCI EAFE, and S&P 500) have experienced significant volatility during the past five years. Since September 1, 2008, the major equity indices have declined by more than 40% with increased levels of volatility. The demand for our solutions could be disproportionately affected by the recent downturns in the global equity and credit markets, which may cause clients and potential clients to exit the industry or delay, cancel or reduce any planned expenditures for investment management systems and software products.
Continued volatility in general economic and market conditions is still possible in the near future. A continued decline in the worldwide markets could adversely impact a significant number of our clients (primarily investment management firms and investment banks) and increase the likelihood of personnel and spending reductions among our existing and potential clients. External factors such as the threat of terrorist activities or volatile energy prices could undermine the general economic environment. Interest rate increases adopted by the Federal Reserve Bank, continued inflationary pressures or both could hinder the economic environment and adversely affect the operations of our clients.
The fair market value of our cash and investment portfolio at February 28, 2009 was $132 million. Our cash and investments portfolio is invested in U.S. treasury money market funds and U.S. government agency securities. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our portfolio will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates. Preservation of principal is the primary goal of our investment policy. Pursuant to our established investment guidelines, we try to achieve high levels of credit quality, liquidity and diversification. Our investment policy dictates that the weighted average duration of short-term investments may not exceed two years. 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.
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ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
We have exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate risk. Our non-dollar denominated revenues to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $22.5 million while our non-dollar denominated expenses are $104.5 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $82.0 million per year or $20.5 million per quarter. To limit our exposure related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we may continue to utilize foreign currency forward contracts. Refer to the annualized foreign currency table disclosed in the Foreign Currency section within our Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further analysis of our market risk.
There have been no material changes to our exposure to interest rate risks from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008. Refer to Market Sensitivities in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our fiscal 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
With respect to recent global economic events, there is an unprecedented uncertainty in the financial markets, which could bring potential liquidity risks to the Company. Such risks could include reduction in revenues and operating income, additional declines in our stock value, less availability and higher costs of additional credit, potential counterparty defaults and further commercial bank failures. We do not believe that the value or liquidity of our cash and investments have been significantly impacted by the recent credit crisis. In addition, the credit worthiness of our clients is constantly monitored by us and we believe that our current group of clients are sound and represent no abnormal business risk.
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ITEM 4. | 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 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
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 Company’s second quarter of fiscal 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
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ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Items 2(a) and (b) are inapplicable.
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(c) | 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 February 28, 2009: |
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Period | | | Total number of shares purchased | | Average price paid per share | | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | | (1) Maximum number of shares (or approximate dollar value) of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in thousands) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
December 2008 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | $ | 62,676 | |
January 2009 | | | 300,000 | | $ | 41.59 | | | 300,000 | | | 50,199 | |
February 2009 (1) | | | 113,400 | | $ | 42.07 | | | 113,400 | | | 145,429 | |
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| | | 413,400 | | $ | 41.72 | | | 413,400 | | $ | 145,429 | |
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(1) | On March 16, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $100 million expansion to the existing share repurchase program. At that time, the Company had $45 million remaining under the program. Including the $100 million expansion, $145 million remains 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 repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations. |
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EXBHIT NUMBER | | DESCRIPTION |
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31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
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31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
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32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
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32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC. |
| (Registrant) |
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Date: April 9, 2009 | /s/ PETER G. WALSH |
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| Peter G. Walsh |
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| (Principal Financial Officer) |
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| /s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI |
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| Maurizio Nicolelli |
| Vice President and Comptroller |
| (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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