The following description of the Acxiom Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement (the Agreement) for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
The Plan is a defined contribution Plan covering substantially all employees of Acxiom Corporation and its domestic subsidiaries (Acxiom, the Company, or the Employer). The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended.
The Plan includes a 401(k) provision whereby each non-highly compensated participant may defer up to 30% of annual compensation not to exceed limits determined under Section 415(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Deferrals for highly compensated participants are limited to meet nondiscrimination requirements of the IRC and are currently limited to 6% of annual compensation.
Effective March 1, 2004, the Plan provides a discretionary matching contribution of 50% of deferrals for deferrals up to 6% (maximum matching contribution of 3%). Prior to March 1, 2004, the discretionary matching contribution was 25% for deferrals up to 6% (maximum matching contribution of 1.5%).
Participant contributions to the Plan are invested as directed by participants into various investment options. The Company’s matching contributions are made with Acxiom common stock and are recorded based on the fair value of the common stock at the date contributed. During the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 the Company contributed 319,302 and 228,488 shares, respectively, of Acxiom common stock. Immediately upon deposit into the Plan, the match shares are 100% diversifiable, at the election of the participant, among the other investment options with the Plan.
Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution, the Company’s matching contribution, and discretionary contributions, if any, and is adjusted for investment income/losses. Allocations of income/losses are made according to formulas specified in the Agreement based on participant compensation or account balances. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.
ACXIOM CORPORATION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
| (d) | Participant Notes Receivable |
Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balance. Loans are repayable through payroll deductions ranging up to five years unless the loan is for the purchase of a primary residence, in which case the loan can be repaid over ten years. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at the prime rate in effect at the date of the loan plus 2%. The interest rates on outstanding participant loans at December 31, 2005 and 2004 range from 6% to 11.5%, with maturity dates ranging to September 2015.
Participants are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions and the earnings thereon. Participants are vested in the remainder of their accounts based on years of service, whereby partial vesting occurs in 20% increments beginning after two years of service until participants become fully vested after six years of service. If applicable, nonvested portions of Company contributions are forfeited as of an employee’s termination date and are used to reduce future Company matching contributions or to pay Plan expenses.
At December 31, 2005 and 2004, forfeited nonvested accounts totaled $34,974 and $854,378, respectively. These accounts will be used to reduce future Employer contributions. During 2005 $360,117 of participants’ accounts were forfeited and Employer contributions were reduced by $1,040,547 from forfeited nonvested accounts. During 2005 the forfeiture account balance was decreased by $104,429 on the fair market value of the investments held in the account.
Upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant may direct employee contributions in any of 21 mutual funds and two common collective trust funds currently offered by T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. (T. Rowe Price) (note 4) or the Acxiom common stock fund. In addition, participants have the option to open a self-directed brokerage account with T. Rowe Price in order to invest in numerous other stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
The Plan’s investment in the T. Rowe Price Stable Value Fund (the Fund), a common trust fund, holds substantial investments in guaranteed investment contracts, bank investment contracts, and synthetic investment contracts. The value of the Fund reflects the value of the underlying contracts, which consist of changes in principal value, reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, and approximate fair market value. The stated interest rates of the contracts vary and the average yield for the year ended December 31, 2005 was 4.4% after expenses.
The Plan’s investment in the T. Rowe Price Equity Index Trust (the Trust), a common trust fund, holds substantial investments in common stocks of companies that comprise the S&P Index. The returns from the investments vary and the average yield for the year ended December 31, 2005 was 5.01% after expenses.
ACXIOM CORPORATION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
| (g) | Benefits Paid to Participants and Beneficiaries |
Benefits paid upon retirement, death, or disability are made in the form of a lump-sum payment of cash or common stock of the Company. If a participant receives benefits prior to retirement, death, or disability, the benefits paid from the participant’s Employer contribution account shall not exceed the participant’s vested balance therein.
| (h) | Net Assets Transferred from Other Plans |
On April 1, 2005 and October 3, 2005, the account balances of all participants in the SmartDM Admin Staff 401(k) Plan totaling $449,785 and Digital Impact Inc. plan totaling $6,162,821 were transferred to the Plan, respectively.
(2) | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
The financial statements of the Plan are prepared under the accrual method of accounting.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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 additions to and deductions from net assets during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
| (c) | Investment Valuation and Income Recognition |
The Plan’s investments in mutual funds, Acxiom Corporation common stock, and participant brokerage accounts are stated at fair value, based upon quoted market prices, except for participant notes receivable, which are stated at unpaid principal balance, which approximates fair value. Purchases and sales of securities and related income are recorded on a trade date basis. Investments in common collective trust are valued based on their net asset value as determined by the Trustee, based on the fair value of the underlying assets.
The Plan provides for investment in investment securities that, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.
Benefits are recorded when paid.
ACXIOM CORPORATION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
| | | | | | | | 2005 | | 2004 |
| | | | | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | |
| | | | | | | | shares or | | | | shares or | | |
| | | | | | | | units | | Fair value | | units | | Fair value |
** | Acxiom common stock | | 3,167,521 | $ | 72,852,982* | | 3,246,801 | $ | 85,390,879* |
Participant brokerage accounts | | 1,167,548 | | 1,167,548 | | 866,875 | | 866,875 |
Mutual funds: | | | | | | | | | |
** | T. Rowe Price Equity Income | | | | | | | |
| | Fund | | | | 930,976 | | 24,130,899* | | 884,421 | | 23,516,751* |
** | T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund | 1,022,282 | | 20,210,522* | | 969,011 | | 19,089,526* |
** | T. Rowe Price Growth Stock | | | | | | | | |
| | Fund | | | | 780,187 | | 22,157,309* | | 777,127 | | 20,725,990* |
** | T. Rowe Price Small-Cap | | | | | | | | |
| | Value Fund | | 515,134 | | 19,013,583* | | 453,771 | | 16,190,559* |
** | T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap | | | | | | | | |
| | Growth Fund | | 469,709 | | 25,430,028* | | 391,127 | | 19,509,410* |
** | Other funds | | | | | 55,169,846 | | | | 38,913,652 |
| | | | | Total mutual funds | | | | 166,112,187 | | | | 137,945,888 |
Common collective trust funds: | | | | | | | | |
** | T. Rowe Price Stable Value | | | | | | | | |
| | Fund | | | | 17,813,028 | | 17,813,028* | | 16,274,040 | | 16,274,040* |
** | T. Rowe Price Equity | | | | | | | | |
| | Index Trust | | 190,533 | | 6,823,003 | | 137,146 | | 4,686,289 |
| | | | | Total common | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | collective trust funds | | 24,636,031 | | | | 20,960,329 |
** | Participant notes receivable | | | | | | | | |
| (6.0% – 11.5%) | | | | 5,555,017 | | | | 4,688,578 |
| | | | | Total investments | | | $ | 270,323,765 | | | $ | 249,852,549 |
* Represents 5% or more of net assets available for benefits. | | | | |
** All T. Rowe Price Funds are a party in interest. Other Funds consist of various investments |
| including T. Rowe Price Funds in the amount of $35,655,685 for 2005 and $27,400,367 for 2004. |
| Acxiom common stock and participant notes receivable are also related party transactions. |
ACXIOM CORPORATION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
During 2005, the Plan’s investments (including investments bought, sold, and held during the year) appreciated/depreciated in value as follows:
Acxiom common stock | $ | (10,565,457) |
Common collective trust | | 314,301 |
Mutual funds | | 6,470,695 |
| $ | (3,780,461) |
The Plan is administered by the Company. T. Rowe Price Trust Company (T. Rowe Price) is the recordkeeper and trustee of the Plan.
Certain fees for attorneys, accountants, and Plan administration have been paid by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2005. The Company may continue to pay these fees in the future, if it so chooses; otherwise, fees will be paid out of the trust of the Plan.
The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company in a letter dated July 21, 2003 that the Plan is designed in accordance with applicable sections of the IRC. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter. The Plan Administrator believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC.
(6) | Related Party Transactions |
Certain investments represent mutual funds managed by T. Rowe Price, the trustee. In addition, cash of $35,532 at December 31, 2005, is with T. Rowe Price. Accordingly, these transactions qualify as related party transactions. During 2005 and 2004, total fees paid to T. Rowe Price were $20,888 and $19,569, respectively. Other related party transactions involve the common stock of the Company and participant notes receivable.
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. Upon complete discontinuance of contributions, termination, or partial termination of the Plan, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts, in which event the value of such accounts shall be distributed as provided in the Plan.
ACXIOM CORPORATION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2005
Identity of issuer, borrower, | | | | | | | | | | | Current |
lessor, or similar party | | Description | | Shares | | Cost | | value |
* | Acxiom Corporation | | Common stock | | 3,167,521 | $ | ** | | 72,852,982 |
| Participant Brokerage Accounts | Tradelink Investments | | 1,167,548 | | ** | | 1,167,548 |
* | T. Rowe Price | | | Mutual funds: | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | PIMCO Total Return Admin. | | 120,290 | | ** | | 1,263,049 |
| | | | | | | | | American Growth Fund | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | of America | | 147,150 | | ** | | 4,541,061 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement Income Fund | | 6,637 | | ** | | 82,702 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2005 Fund | | 17,003 | | ** | | 184,827 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2010 Fund | | 42,498 | | ** | | 619,200 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2015 Fund | | 114,441 | | ** | | 1,284,024 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2020 Fund | | 87,064 | | ** | | 1,360,803 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2025 Fund | | 114,018 | | ** | | 1,307,788 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2030 Fund | | 106,833 | | ** | | 1,761,670 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2035 Fund | | 93,398 | | ** | | 1,120,143 |
| | | | | | | | | Retirement 2040 Fund | | 80,985 | | ** | | 1,341,929 |
| | | | | | | | | American Funds Europacific | | 256,571 | | ** | | 10,545,064 |
| | | | | | | | | | Growth | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | J P Morgan Mid-Cap Value, A | | 135,953 | | ** | | 3,164,988 |
| | | | | | | | | Growth Stock Fund | | 780,187 | | ** | | 22,157,309 |
| | | | | | | | | New Horizons Fund | | 362,560 | | ** | | 11,507,655 |
| | | | | | | | | Small-Cap Value Fund | | 515,134 | | ** | | 19,013,583 |
| | | | | | | | | Mid-Cap Growth Fund | | 469,709 | | ** | | 25,430,028 |
| | | | | | | | | Balanced Fund | | 1,022,282 | | ** | | 20,210,522 |
| | | | | | | | | Equity Income Fund | | 930,976 | | ** | | 24,130,899 |
| | | | | | | | | Spectrum Income Fund | | 632,117 | | ** | | 7,452,663 |
| | | | | | | | | Spectrum Growth Fund | | 418,896 | | ** | | 7,632,280 |
| | | | | | | | | | | Total mutual funds | | | | | | 166,112,187 |
| | | | | | | | Common collective trust funds: | | | | | | |
* | T. Rowe Price | | | | Stable Value Fund | | 17,813,028 | | ** | | 17,813,028 |
* | T. Rowe Price | | | | Equity Index Trust | | 6,823,003 | | ** | | 6,823,003 |
| | | | | | | | | | | Total common collective trust funds | | | | 24,636,031 |
* | Participant notes receivable, interest rates range from 6.0% – 11.5% | | | | | | |
| | and maturities of January 2006 to September 2015 | | | | | | 5,555,017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | Total investments | | | | | $ | 270,323,765 |
* | Indicates a party in interest to the Plan. | | | | | | | | |
** | Not applicable – cost is omitted as investments are participant directed. | | | | | | |
See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm report. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Acxiom Corporation has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Acxiom Corporation
As Sponsor and Administrator of the
Acxiom Corporation Retirement Savings Plan
Date: June 29, 2006 | By: /s/ Rodger S. Kline |
Rodger S. Kline
Chief Financial and Administration Leader
Exhibit Index
Exhibit 23.1 | Consent of KPMG LLP |
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