UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)



[X]	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018



[ ]	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 0-13163



Acxiom Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	71-0581897 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

301 E. Dave Ward Drive Conway, Arkansas (Address of Principal Executive Offices)	72032 (Zip Code)

(501) 342-1000 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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 [X] No [ ]

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 [X] No [ ]

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



Large accelerated filer [X]	Accelerated filer [ ]

Non-accelerated filer [ ]	Smaller reporting company [ ]

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Emerging growth company [ ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

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

Yes [ ] No [X]

The number of shares of common stock, $ 0.10 par value per share, outstanding as of August ~~1, 2017~~6, 2018 was ~~79,504,961.~~77,354,458.

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

June 30, ~~2017~~2018




Part I. Financial Information		Page No.
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, ~~2017~~2018 (Unaudited) and March 31, ~~2017~~2018	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016~~2017 (Unaudited)	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive ~~Income (Loss)~~Loss for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016~~2017 (Unaudited)	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 (Unaudited)	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016~~2017 (Unaudited)	7
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	9
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	2227
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	3642
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	3642

Part II. Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	3743
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	3743
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	3745
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	3746
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	3746
Item 5.	Other Information	3746
Item 6.	Exhibits	3847

Signature		3948

~~Exhibit Index~~		40

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)


	June 30, 2017			March 31, 2017			June 30, 2018			March 31, 2018
ASSETS	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	163,146		$	170,343		$	95,099		$	142,279
Trade accounts receivable, net	131,339			142,768			163,767			167,188
Refundable income taxes	15,925			7,098			11,761			9,733
Other current assets	44,809			48,310			40,167			41,145
Total current assets	355,219			368,519			310,794			360,345

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	154,250			155,974			151,407			156,533
Software, net of accumulated amortization	44,089			47,638			31,719			34,984
Goodwill	592,761			592,731			595,795			595,995
Purchases software licenses, net of accumulated amortization	7,159			7,972
Purchased software licenses, net of accumulated amortization							6,670			7,703
Deferred income taxes	12,240			10,261			11,488			12,225
Deferred commissions, net							18,137			—
Other assets, net	48,179			51,443			40,958			41,468
	$	1,213,897		$	1,234,538		$	1,166,968		$	1,209,253
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	$	2,339		$	39,819		$	1,327		$	1,583
Trade accounts payable	41,414			40,208			47,668			46,688
Accrued payroll and related expenses	22,230			53,238			21,939			42,499
Other accrued expenses	58,111			59,861			58,938			55,865
Deferred revenue	32,522			37,087			31,621			31,720
Total current liabilities	156,616			230,213			161,493			178,355

Long-term debt	228,145			189,241			227,435			227,837
Deferred income taxes	60,026			58,374			42,258			40,243
Other liabilities	15,653			17,730			13,726			13,723
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Common stock	13,407			13,288			13,773			13,609
Additional paid-in capital	1,174,496			1,154,429			1,256,442			1,235,679
Retained earnings	603,551			602,609			638,043			628,331
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8,651			7,999			8,899			10,767
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,046,648		)	(1,039,345		)	(1,195,101		)	(1,139,291		)
Total equity	753,457			738,980			722,056			749,095
	$	1,213,897		$	1,234,538		$	1,166,968		$	1,209,253

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


	For the three months ended						For the three months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2017			2016			2018			2017
Revenues	$	212,514		$	214,801		$	226,960		$	212,514
Cost of revenue	113,960			122,819			117,271			113,960
Gross profit	98,554			91,982			109,689			98,554
Operating expenses:
Research and development	23,563			18,652			24,536			23,563
Sales and marketing	48,440			37,348			54,850			48,440
General and administrative	32,356			27,506			34,718			32,356
Gains, losses and other items, net	(98		)	314			1,286			(98		)
Total operating expenses	104,261			83,820			115,390			104,261
Income (loss) from operations	(5,707		)	8,162
Loss from operations							(5,701		)	(5,707		)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(2,342		)	(1,812		)	(2,838		)	(2,342		)
Other, net	(672		)	307			524			(672		)
Total other expense	(3,014		)	(1,505		)	(2,314		)	(3,014		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(8,721		)	6,657
Loss before income taxes							(8,015		)	(8,721		)
Income taxes (benefit)	(7,421		)	2,681			(5,000		)	(7,421		)
Net earnings (loss)	$	(1,300	)	$	3,976
Net loss							$	(3,015	)	$	(1,300	)

Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	0.05
Basic loss per share							$	(0.04	)	$	(0.02	)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	0.05
Diluted loss per share							$	(0.04	)	$	(0.02	)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE ~~INCOME (LOSS)~~LOSS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

For the three months ended
June 30,
2017 2016
Net earnings (loss) $ (1,300 ) $ 3,976
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment 652
(1,005 )
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap —
5
Other comprehensive income (loss) 652
(1,000 )
Comprehensive income (loss) $ (648 ) $ 2,976



	For the three months ended
	June 30,
	2018			2017
Net loss	$	(3,015	)	$	(1,300	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,868		)	652
Comprehensive loss	$	(4,883	)	$	(648	)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, ~~2017~~2018

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)


										Accumulated																			Accumulated
	Common Stock			Additional						other		Treasury Stock								Common Stock			Additional						other			Treasury Stock
	Number			paid-in			Retained			comprehensive		Number					Total			Number			paid-in			Retained			comprehensive			Number					Total
	of shares	Amount		Capital			earnings			income		of shares		Amount			Equity			of shares	Amount		Capital			earnings			income (loss)			of shares		Amount			Equity
Balances at March 31, 2017	132,875,373	$	13,288	$	1,154,429		$	602,609		$	7,999	(54,582,392	)	$	(1,039,345	)	$	738,980
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-09	—	—		384			2,242			—		—		—			$	2,626
Balances at March 31, 2018																				136,079,676	$	13,609	$	1,235,679		$	628,331		$	10,767		(58,304,917	)	$	(1,139,291	)	$	749,095
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2014-09																				—	—		—			12,727			—			—		—			$	12,727
Employee stock awards, benefit plans and other issuances	238,675	24		4,740			—			—		(279,462	)	(7,303		)	$	(2,539	)	233,784	23		4,093			—			—			(391,898	)	(10,044		)	$	(5,928	)
Non-cash stock-based compensation	157,698	16		15,022			—			—		—		—			$	15,038		149,416	15		16,796			—			—			—		—			$	16,811
Restricted stock units vested	794,213	79		(79		)	—			—		—		—			$	—		1,259,681	126		(126		)	—			—			—		—			$	—
Comprehensive income (loss):
Acquisition of treasury stock																				—	—		—			—			—			(1,853,071	)	(45,766		)	$	(45,766	)
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation	—	—		—			—			652		—		—			$	652		—	—		—			—			(1,868		)	—		—			$	(1,868	)
Net loss	—	—		—			(1,300		)	—		—		—			$	(1,300	)	—	—		—			(3,015		)	—			—		—			$	(3,015	)
Balances at June 30, 2017	134,065,959	$	13,407	$	1,174,496		$	603,551		$	8,651	(54,861,854	)	$	(1,046,648	)	$	753,457
Balances at June 30, 2018																				137,722,557	$	13,773	$	1,256,442		$	638,043		$	8,899		(60,549,886	)	$	(1,195,101	)	$	722,056

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)


	For the three months ended						For the three months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2017			2016			2018			2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	(1,300	)	$	3,976
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss							$	(3,015	)	$	(1,300	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	21,110			20,790			21,529			21,110
Loss on disposal of assets	163			—
Loss on disposal or impairment of assets							48			163
Accelerated deferred debt costs	720			—			—			720
Deferred income taxes	2,497			(678		)	(1,335		)	2,497
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	15,038			8,590
Non-cash stock compensation expense							20,360			15,038
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	11,960			9,487			4,329			11,960
Other assets	(3,377		)	5,383
Deferred costs and other assets, net							(2,995		)	(3,377		)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(37,073		)	(41,021		)	(21,704		)	(37,073		)
Deferred revenue	(4,787		)	(5,777		)	(33		)	(4,787		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,951			750			17,184			4,951

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capitalized software development costs	(3,388		)	(3,982		)	(3,606		)	(3,388		)
Capital expenditures	(6,888		)	(10,694		)	(4,399		)	(6,888		)
Data acquisition costs	(190		)	(20		)	(179		)	(190		)
Equity investments							(2,500		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,466		)	(14,696		)	(10,684		)	(10,466		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	230,000			—			—			230,000
Payments of debt	(225,572		)	(8,053		)	(592		)	(225,572		)
Fees for debt refinancing	(4,001		)	—			(300		)	(4,001		)
Sale of common stock, net of stock acquired for withholding taxes	(2,539		)	2,974			(5,928		)	(2,539		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	—			514
Acquisition of treasury stock	—			(20,207		)	(45,766		)	—
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,112		)	(24,772		)	(52,586		)	(2,112		)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	430			(751		)	(1,094		)	430

Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(7,197		)	(39,469		)	(47,180		)	(7,197		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	170,343			189,629			142,279			170,343
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	163,146		$	150,160		$	95,099		$	163,146

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)


	For the three months ended					For the three months ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2017		2016			2018		2017
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	2,375	$	2,258		$	2,607	$	2,375
Income taxes, net of refunds	354		(76		)	1,100		354

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Acxiom Corporation (“Registrant,” ~~“Acxiom”,~~“Acxiom,” we, us or the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” ~~or the “Commission”~~). In the opinion of the Registrant’s management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods included have been made, and the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain note information has been omitted because it has not changed significantly from that reflected in Notes 1 through 1918 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of Item 8 of the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, ~~2017~~2018 (“~~2017~~2018 Annual Report”), as filed with the ~~Commission~~SEC on May ~~26, 2017.~~25, 2018. This quarterly report and the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with the ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report. The financial information contained in this quarterly report is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other period or for the full fiscal year ending March 31, ~~2018.~~2019.

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain of the accounting policies used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are complex and require management to make judgments and/or significant estimates regarding amounts reported or disclosed in these financial statements. Additionally, the application of certain of these accounting policies is governed by complex accounting principles and their interpretation. A discussion of the Company’s significant accounting principles and their application is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Company’s ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Current Year

In ~~January 2017,~~May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. ~~2017-01, "Business Combinations~~2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic ~~805)~~606) and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016 and December 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively. Topic 606 supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the new guidance is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted Topic 606 as of April 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. See Note 2 for further details.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 719): ~~Clarifying~~Scope of Modification Accounting" ("ASU 2017-09"). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when changes to the ~~Definition~~terms or conditions of a ~~Business" ("ASU 2017-01") which amended the existing FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The standard provides additional guidance to assist entities with evaluation of whether transactions should~~stock-based payment award must be accounted for as ~~acquisitions (or disposals)~~modifications. ASU 2017-09 will reduce diversity in practice and result in fewer changes to the terms of ~~assets~~an award being accounted for as modifications. Under ASU 2017-09, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a stock-based payment award if the award's fair value, vesting conditions and classification as an equity or ~~businesses.~~liability instrument are the same immediately before and after the change. ASU 2017-09 will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The ~~definition of a business affects many areas of accounting, including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill,~~guidance is effective for annual periods, and ~~consolidation.~~interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU ~~2017-01~~2017-09 is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal ~~2019, with early adoptions permitted.~~2019. We adopted the standard in the current fiscal quarter, ~~on a prospective basis,~~ and ~~do not expect the~~ adoption of this guidance todid not have a material impact on our condensed ~~consolidated~~ financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" ("ASU 2016-18"). This standard is intended to reduce diversity in the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The standard requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included as components of total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years; earlier adoption is permitted. We adopted the new standard during the current fiscal quarter. Early adoption did not result in any changes to our existing accounting policies, presentation of items in our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, or any changes resulting from the retrospective application to all periods reported.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09") which is intended to improve the accounting for stock-based payment transactions as part of the FASB's simplification initiative. The ASU changes five aspects of the accounting for stock-based payment award transactions that will affect public companies,

including: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; and (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. The inclusion of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as a component of income tax expense will increase volatility within our provision for income taxes as the amount of excess tax benefits or deficiencies from stock-based compensation awards depends on our stock price at the date the awards vest. This guidance also requires excess tax benefits to be presented as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows and allows an entity to make an accounting policy election to either estimate expected forfeitures or to account for them as they occur.

We adopted ASU No. 2016-09 during the current fiscal quarter, which required us to reflect any adjustments as of April 1, 2017. We elected to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating expected forfeitures. We recorded the cumulative impact of the adoptions through an increase in retained earnings of $2.2 million, of which $2.6 million related to deferred tax assets from certain federal and state research tax credit carryforwards attributable to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation that had not been previously recognized, offset by $0.4 million related to elimination of the forfeiture pool. We elected to prospectively adopt the effect on the statement of cash flows and accordingly, did not restate the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" ("ASU 2017-04"), which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill

allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years; earlier adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed ~~consolidated~~ financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASU 2016-02"), as a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing guidance for leases and requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. The new standard will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases ~~with the exception of~~except short-term leases. For lessees, leases will continue to be classified as either operating or ~~finance~~financing in the income statement. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model. Lessors will continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing or sales-type leases. Subsequently, the FASB has issued various ASU's to provide further clarification around aspects of Topic 842. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal ~~years. Earlier~~years, with early adoption is permitted. InWe will adopt the ~~financial statements in which~~new standard on April 1, 2019 using the ~~ASU is first applied, leases shall be measured and recognized at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented with an adjustment to equity.~~modified retrospective approach. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued update ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" ("ASU 2014-09") and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016 and December 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively (ASU 2014-09 and the subsequent amendments, collectively, "Topic 606"). Topic 606 supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the new guidance is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. The guidance defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation, among others. Topic 606 also provides guidance on the recognition of costs related to obtaining customer contracts. The effective date for the Company is the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using either of two methods: (i) retrospective application to each prior reporting period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients; or (ii) retrospective application with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures. The Company has completed its preliminary assessment of the new standard and is continuing assessment as we complete

implementation design activities. Preliminarily, we plan to adopt Topic 606 in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 pursuant to the aforementioned adoption method (ii) and we do not believe there will be a material impact to our revenues upon adoption. We are continuing to evaluate the impact to our revenues related to our pending adoption of Topic 606 and our preliminary assessments are subject to change. We are also continuing to evaluate the provisions of Topic 606 related to costs of obtaining customer contracts.

The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of any other recent accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

2. ~~EARNINGS (LOSS)~~TOPIC 606 ADOPTION IMPACT AND REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS:

On April 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of April 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after April 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic reporting under Topic 605.

Under Topic 606, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. The Company enters into contracts that can include various combinations of products and services, which are generally capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:

Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract

Determination of the transaction price

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation

We recorded a net increase to our opening retained earnings of $12.7 million, net of tax, due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 606, with the impact primarily related to the capitalization of costs of obtaining customer contracts.

The details of the significant changes and quantitative impact of the changes are disclosed below.

Costs of Obtaining Customer Contracts

The Company previously recognized commission payments made for obtaining a contract as an operating expense when incurred. Under Topic 606, the Company capitalizes incremental costs to acquire contracts and amortizes them over the expected period of benefit, which we have determined as a range of two to five years. As of June 30, 2018, the remaining unamortized contract costs were $18.1 million and are included in deferred commissions, net, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Net capitalized costs of $2.9 million were recorded as a reduction to operating expense for the three months ended June 30, 2018. No impairment was recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Contingent Revenue

The Company previously limited revenue recognition to the amount that was not contingent on the provision of future services. This was typically from fees paid over the contract term for services delivered at the beginning of the contract term.

Impacts on Financial Statements



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	Impact of changes in accounting policies
	As reported June 30, 2018		Adjustments			Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Trade accounts receivable, net	$	163,767	$	(1,943	)	$	161,824
Refundable income taxes	11,761		540			12,301
Deferred income taxes	11,488		(64		)	11,424
Deferred commissions, net	18,137		(18,137		)	—
Others	961,815		—			961,815
Total assets	$	1,166,968	$	(19,604	)	$	1,147,364

Deferred revenue	$	31,621	$	(232	)	$	31,389
Deferred income taxes	42,258		(4,761		)	37,497
Others	371,033		—			371,033
Total liabilities	444,912		(4,993		)	439,919

Retained earnings	638,043		(14,611		)	623,432
Other equity	84,013		—			84,013
Total equity	722,056		(14,611		)	707,445
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,166,968	$	(19,604	)	$	1,147,364



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations	Impact of changes in accounting policies
	As reported for the three months ended June 30, 2018			Adjustments			Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Revenues	$	226,960		$	296		$	227,256
Cost of revenue	117,271			—			117,271
Gross profit	$	109,689		$	296		$	109,985

Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	$	54,850		$	2,939		$	57,789
Other operating expenses	60,540			—			60,540
Total operating expenses	115,390			2,939			118,329

Loss from operations	(5,701		)	(2,643		)	(8,344		)
Total other expense	(2,314		)	—			(2,314		)
Loss before income taxes	(8,015		)	(2,643		)	(10,658		)
Income taxes	(5,000		)	(695		)	(5,695		)
Net loss	$	(3,015	)	$	(1,948	)	$	(4,963	)



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss	Impact of changes in accounting policies
	As reported for the three months ended June 30, 2018			Adjustments			Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Net loss	$	(3,015	)	$	(1,948	)	$	(4,963	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,868		)	—			(1,868		)
Comprehensive loss	$	(4,883	)	$	(1,948	)	$	(6,831	)



Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Impact of changes in accounting policies
	As reported for the three months ended June 30, 2018			Adjustments			Balances without adoption of Topic 606
Net loss	$	(3,015	)	$	(1,948	)	$	(4,963	)
Adjustments for:
Deferred income taxes	(1,335		)	(695		)	(2,030		)
Others	41,937			—			41,937
Changes in:
Accounts receivable, net	4,329			(256		)	4,073
Deferred costs and other assets	(2,995		)	2,939			(56		)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(21,704		)	—			(21,704		)
Deferred revenue	(33		)	(40		)	(73		)
Net cash from operating activities	17,184			—			17,184
Net cash from investing activities	(10,684		)	—			(10,684		)
Net cash from financing activities	(52,586		)	—			(52,586		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,094		)	—			(1,094		)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(47,180		)	—			(47,180		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	142,279			—			142,279
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	95,099		$	—		$	95,099

Disaggregation of Revenue

In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by primary geographical market and major service offerings. The table also includes a reconciliation of the disaggregated revenue within the reportable segments.



Reportable Segments
June 30, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Primary Geographical Markets	Acxiom Marketing Solutions		LiveRamp		Total
United States	$	150,307	$	56,222	$	206,529
Europe	11,115		4,908		16,023
APAC	3,080		1,328		4,408
	$	164,502	$	62,458	$	226,960

Major Offerings/Services
Audience Creation	$	45,452	$	—	$	45,452
Data Analytics	9,025		—		9,025
Data Management	110,025		—		110,025
Subscription	—		51,329		51,329
Marketplace and Other	—		11,129		11,129
	$	164,502	$	62,458	$	226,960



Reportable Segments
June 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Primary Geographical Markets	Acxiom Marketing Solutions		LiveRamp		Total
United States	$	152,129	$	42,118	$	194,247
Europe	10,735		3,802		14,537
APAC	2,893		837		3,730
	$	165,757	$	46,757	$	212,514

Major Offerings/Services
Audience Creation	$	51,303	$	—	$	51,303
Data Analytics	8,858		—		8,858
Data Management	105,596		—		105,596
Subscription	—		37,052		37,052
Marketplace and Other	—		9,705		9,705
	$	165,757	$	46,757	$	212,514

Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations

We have performance obligations, primarily related to AMS offerings, associated with fixed commitments in customer contracts for future services that have not yet been recognized in our condensed consolidated financial statements. The amount of fixed revenue not yet recognized was $1.1 billion as of June 30, 2018. The Company expects to recognize revenue on approximately 75% of these remaining performance obligations by March 31, 2021 with the balance recognized thereafter.

3. LOSS PER SHARE AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

~~Earnings (Loss)~~Loss Per Share

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted ~~earnings (loss)~~loss per share is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

For the three months ended
June 30,
2017 2016
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings (loss) $ (1,300 ) $ 3,976

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 78,672
77,471

Basic earnings (loss) per share $ (0.02 ) $ 0.05

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 78,672
77,471
Dilutive effect of common stock options, warrants, and restricted stock as computed under the treasury stock method —
1,882
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 78,672
79,353

Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.02 ) $ 0.05



	For the three months ended
	June 30,
	2018			2017
Basic loss per share:
Net loss	$	(3,015	)	$	(1,300	)

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	76,935			78,672

Basic loss per share	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.02	)

Diluted loss per share:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	76,935			78,672
Dilutive effect of common stock options, warrants, and restricted stock as computed under the treasury stock method	—			—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	76,935			78,672

Diluted loss per share	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.02	)

Due to the net loss incurred by the Company during the ~~quarter~~quarters ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the dilutive effect of options, warrants and restricted stock units covering 2.4 million and 2.8 million shares of common stock, respectively, was excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation since the impact on the calculation was anti-dilutive.

Additional options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units that were outstanding during the periods presented but were not included in the computation of diluted ~~earnings (loss)~~loss per share because the effect was anti-dilutive are shown below ~~(in thousands, except per share amounts)~~(shares in thousands):


	For the three months ended		For the three months ended
	June 30,		June 30,
	2017	2016	2018	2017
Number of shares outstanding under options, warrants and restricted stock units	20	709	119	20
Range of exercise prices for options	$32.85	$19.07-$32.85	$32.85	$32.85

Stockholders’ Equity

repurchase program, the Company may purchase up to ~~$400.0~~$500.0 million of its common stock through the period

ending ~~June 30, 2018. The Company did not repurchase any shares during~~December 31, 2019. During the three months ended June 30, ~~2017.~~2018, the Company repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock for $45.8 million. Through June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company had repurchased ~~16.8~~a total of 22.0 million shares of its stock for ~~$285.7~~$420.4 million, leaving remaining capacity of ~~$114.3~~$79.6 million under the stock repurchase program.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income accumulated balances of ~~$8.7~~$8.9 million and ~~$8.0~~$10.8 million at June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and March 31, ~~2017,~~2018, respectively, reflect accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments.

3.4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION:

Share-based Compensation Plans

The Company has stock option and equity compensation plans for which a total of ~~30.0~~34.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance since the inception of the plans. These plans provide that the exercise prices of qualified options will be at or above the fair market value of the common stock at the time of the grant. Board policy requires that nonqualified options also be priced at or above the fair market value of the common stock at the time of grant. At June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, there were a total of ~~1.2~~5.1 million shares available for future grants under the plans.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, the Board voted to amend the Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, pending shareholder approval, to increase the number of shares available under the plan from 28.4 million shares to 32.9 million shares, bringing the total number of shares reserved for issuance since inception of the plans to 34.5 million shares.

Stock Option Activity

Stock option activity for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was:

Weighted-average
Weighted-average remaining Aggregate
Number of exercise price contractual term Intrinsic value
shares per share (in years) (in thousands)
Outstanding at March 31, 2017 3,033,071
$ 13.14

Performance units converted to options 299,641
$ 21.32

Exercised (130,157 ) $ 14.66
$ 1,532
Forfeited or canceled (2,052 ) $ 14.80

Outstanding at June 30, 2017 3,200,503
$ 13.85
5.9 $ 38,971
Exercisable at June 30, 2017 2,412,279
$ 14.49
5.1 $ 27,826



					Weighted-average
			Weighted-average		remaining	Aggregate
	Number of		exercise price		contractual term	Intrinsic value
	shares		per share		(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at March 31, 2018	2,565,287		$	13.61
Exercised	(125,437	)	$	8.80		$	2,426
Forfeited or canceled	(25,831	)	$	14.25
Outstanding at June 30, 2018	2,414,019		$	13.86	5.1	$	38,910
Exercisable at June 30, 2018	2,169,170		$	14.58	4.8	$	33,397

The aggregate intrinsic value at period end represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between Acxiom’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the period and the exercise price for each in-the-money option) that would have been received by the option holders had option holders exercised their options on June 30, ~~2017.~~2018. This amount changes based upon changes in the fair market value of Acxiom’s common stock.

A summary of stock options outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was:


					Options outstanding				Options exercisable							Options outstanding				Options exercisable
Range of	Range of					Weighted-average	Weighted-average			Weighted-average		Range of					Weighted-average	Weighted-average			Weighted-average
exercise price	exercise price				Options	remaining	exercise price		Options	exercise price		exercise price				Options	remaining	exercise price		Options	exercise price
per share	per share				outstanding	contractual life	per share		exercisable	per share		per share				outstanding	contractual life	per share		exercisable	per share
$	0.61	—	$	9.99	801,586	7.1 years	$	1.67	460,516	$	1.71	0.61	—	$	9.99	545,583	5.2 years	$	1.62	390,000	$	1.71
$	10.00	—	$	19.99	1,396,449	5.2 years	$	15.10	1,184,653	$	14.62	10.00	—	$	19.99	1,176,361	4.4 years	$	14.95	1,092,595	$	14.74
$	20.00	—	$	24.99	982,916	6.0 years	$	21.62	752,447	$	21.74	20.00	—	$	24.99	672,523	6.2 years	$	21.30	667,023	$	21.30
$	25.00	—	$	32.85	19,552	6.4 years	$	32.85	14,663	$	32.85	25.00	—	$	32.85	19,552	5.4 years	$	32.85	19,552	$	32.85
					3,200,503	5.9 years	$	13.85	2,412,279	$	14.49					2,414,019	5.1 years	$	13.86	2,169,170	$	14.58

Total expense related to stock options for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016~~2017 was approximately ~~$1.4~~$1.0 million and ~~$1.8~~$1.4 million, respectively. Future expense for these options is expected to be approximately ~~$10.2~~$6.3 million in total over the next ~~four~~three years.

Performance Stock Option Unit Activity

Performance stock option unit activity for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was:

Weighted-average
Weighted-average remaining Aggregate
Number exercise price contractual term intrinsic value
of shares per share (in years) (in thousands)
Outstanding at March 31, 2017 555,123
$ 21.41

Performance units converted to options (183,322 ) $ 21.41

Forfeited or canceled (6,954 ) $ 21.32

Outstanding at June 30, 2017 364,847
$ 21.41
2.4
$ 1,668
Exercisable at June 30, 2017 —
$ —
—
$ —



					Weighted-average
			Weighted-average		remaining	Aggregate
	Number		exercise price		contractual term	intrinsic value
	of shares		per share		(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at March 31, 2018	329,404		$	21.42
Forfeited or canceled	(186,538	)	$	21.41
Outstanding at June 30, 2018	142,866		$	21.43	1.9	$	1,217
Exercisable at June 30, 2018	—		$	—	—	$	—

Of the performance stock option units outstanding at March 31, ~~2017, 183,322~~2018, 164,702 reached maturity of the relevant performance period at March 31, ~~2017. During~~2018. The units attained a 0% attainment level. As a result, they were cancelled in the ~~quarter ended June 30, 2017, the units vested at an approximate 163% attainment level resulting in issuance of 299,641 stock options having a weighted average exercise price of $21.32.~~current fiscal quarter.

Total expense related to performance stock option units for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was $0.3 million and $0.5 ~~million.~~million, respectively. Future expense for these performance stock option units is expected to be approximately ~~$3.2~~$1.1 million in total over the next ~~four~~three years.

~~Stock Appreciation Right ("SAR") Activity~~

~~SAR activity for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was:~~

Weighted-average
Weighted-average remaining Aggregate
Number exercise price contractual term intrinsic value
of shares per share (in years) (in thousands)
Outstanding at March 31, 2017 245,404
$ 40.00

Forfeited or canceled (245,404 ) $ 40.00

Outstanding at June 30, 2017 —
$ —
—
$ —

All of the SAR units outstanding at March 31, 2017 reached maturity of the relevant performance period on March 31, 2017. The units achieved a 100% performance attainment level. However, application of the vesting multiplier resulted in zero shares granted and cancellation of all the units during the current fiscal quarter.

Restricted Stock Unit Activity

During the three months ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company granted time-vesting restricted stock units covering ~~1,156,431~~1,703,482 shares of common stock with a fair value at the date of grant of ~~$30.7~~$46.6 million. Of the restricted stock units granted in the current period, ~~137,113~~98,156 vest in equal annual increments over four years, ~~1,005,068~~1,586,724 vest 25% at the one-year anniversary and ~~then vest over~~75% in equal quarterly increments ~~during~~over the subsequent three years, and ~~14,250~~18,602 vest in one year. Grant date fair value of these units is equal to the quoted market price for the shares on the date of grant.

~~Non-vested time-vesting~~Time-vesting restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was:


			Weighted-average					Weighted-average
			fair value per		Weighted-average			fair value per		Weighted-average
	Number		share at grant		remaining contractual	Number		share at grant		remaining contractual
	of shares		date		term (in years)	of shares		date		term (in years)
Outstanding at March 31, 2017	3,307,577		$	22.57	2.45
Outstanding at March 31, 2018						3,449,001		$	24.35	2.32
Granted	1,156,431		$	26.55		1,703,482		$	27.34
Vested	(542,617	)	$	20.25		(692,206	)	$	23.14
Forfeited or canceled	(74,744	)	$	21.87		(227,978	)	$	24.98
Outstanding at June 30, 2017	3,846,647		$	24.11	2.78
Outstanding at June 30, 2018						4,232,299		$	25.72	2.82

During the three months ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock units covering ~~334,734~~216,727 shares of common stock ~~with~~having a fair value at the date of grant of ~~$9.2~~$6.7 million, determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. ~~Of the performance-based restricted stock units granted in the current period, 217,784~~The units vest subject to attainment of ~~performance criteria~~market conditions established by the compensation committee of the board of directors (“compensation committee”) and continuous employment through the vesting date. The ~~217,784~~216,727 units may vest in a number of shares from ~~zero~~25% to 200% of the award, based on the total shareholder return of Acxiom common stock compared to total shareholder return of a group of peer companies ~~(“TSR”)~~ established by the compensation committee for the period from April 1, ~~2017~~2018 to March 31, 2020. The remaining 116,950 performance-based restricted stock units granted in the current period vest in three equal tranches, each being subject to attainment of performance criteria established by the compensation committee and continuous employment through the vesting date. Each of the three tranches may vest in a number of shares, from zero to 300% of the initial award, based on the attainment of certain revenue growth and operating margin targets for the years ending March 31, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively.2021.

Non-vested performance-based restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was:


			Weighted-average					Weighted-average
			fair value per		Weighted-average			fair value per		Weighted-average
	Number		share at grant		remaining contractual	Number		share at grant		remaining contractual
	of shares		date		term (in years)	of shares		date		term (in years)
Outstanding at March 31, 2017	732,711		$	20.89	1.13
Outstanding at March 31, 2018						682,763		$	25.23	1.54
Granted	334,734		$	27.43		216,727		$	31.07
Additional performance shares	94,775		$	19.46
Vested	(252,760	)	$	19.46		(20,965	)	$	19.07
Forfeited or canceled	(586	)	$	17.98		(129,123	)	$	24.13
Outstanding at June 30, 2017	908,874		$	23.55	1.68
Outstanding at June 30, 2018						749,402		$	27.28	1.78

Of the performance-based restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2017, 157,985 related to a performance period ended March 31, 2017. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the units vested at a 160% attainment level based on performance results approved by the compensation committee, resulting in issuance of 252,760 shares of common stock, of which 94,775 were the additional performance shares referenced in the table above.

Total expense related to restricted stock for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016~~2017 was approximately ~~$8.8~~$10.9 million and ~~$6.2~~$8.8 million, respectively. Future expense for restricted stock units is expected to be approximately ~~$31.1~~$33.5 million for the nine months ending March 31, ~~2018, $30.4 million in fiscal~~ 2019, ~~$21.7~~$35.9 million in fiscal 2020, ~~$12.5~~$25.0 million in fiscal 2021, ~~and $0.9~~$13.6 million in fiscal ~~2022.~~

2022, and $1.4 million in fiscal 2023.

Other Performance Unit Activity

Other performance-based stock unit activity for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was:

Weighted-average
fair value per Weighted-average
Number share at grant remaining contractual
of shares date term (in years)
Outstanding at March 31, 2017 597,193
$ 4.14
0.30
Forfeited or canceled (201,464 ) $ 5.18

Outstanding at June 30, 2017 395,729
$ 3.61
0.21



			Weighted-average
			fair value per		Weighted-average
	Number		share at grant		remaining contractual
	of shares		date		term (in years)
Outstanding at March 31, 2018	111,111		$	5.33	-
Vested	(45,364	)	$	5.33
Forfeited or canceled	(65,747	)	$	5.33
Outstanding at June 30, 2018	—		$	—	-

~~Of the other~~The 111,111 performance-based ~~stock~~ units outstanding at March 31, ~~2017, 201,464~~2018 reached maturity of the relevant performance period on March 31, ~~2017.~~2018. The units achieved a 100% performance attainment level. However, application of the share price adjustment factor resulted in ~~zero~~a 59% reduction in shares ~~granted and cancellation of all the units during~~vested in the current fiscal quarter.

Of the other performance-based stock units outstanding at June 30, 2017, 284,618 reached maturity of the relevant performance period on June 30, 2017. The units are expected to have an approximate 9% performance attainment level, resulting in issuance of approximately 24,573 shares of common stock duringDuring the quarter ended ~~September~~June 30, ~~2017.~~

~~Total expense~~2018, the Company withheld approximately $10.0 million related to ~~other performance units~~employee tax withholding for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Future expense for these performance units is expected to be approximately $0.1 million over the next one year.stock-based compensation awards.

Consideration Holdback

As part of the Company’s acquisition of Arbor in fiscal 2017, $38.3 million of the acquisition consideration otherwise payable with respect to shares of restricted Arbor common stock held by certain key employees was subject to holdback by the Company pursuant to agreements with those employees (each, a “Holdback Agreement”). The consideration holdback vests in 30 equal monthly increments following the date of close, subject to the Arbor key employees continued employment through each monthly vesting date. At each vesting date, 1/30th of the $38.3 million holdback consideration vests and is settled in shares of Company common stock. The number of shares is based on the then-current market price of the Company common stock.

Total expense related to the Holdback ~~Agreement~~Agreements for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was $3.8 million in each period. Through June 30, 2018, the Company had recognized a total of $24.3 million expense related to the Holdback Agreements. Future expense related to the Holdback Agreements is expected to be approximately ~~$3.8 million.~~ $14.0 million over the next two fiscal years.

~~4. DISPOSITION:~~

~~Disposition of Impact email business~~

Pacific Data Partners ("PDP") Assumed Performance Plan

In connection with the fiscal ~~2017,~~2018 acquisition of PDP, the Company ~~completed~~assumed the ~~sale~~outstanding performance compensation plan under the 2018 Equity Compensation Plan of ~~its Impact email business~~Pacific Data Partners, LLC ("PDP PSU plan"). Total expense related to ~~Zeta Interactive~~the PDP PSU plan for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $3.9 million. Through June 30, 2018, the Company had recognized a total ~~consideration~~ of ~~$22.0~~$5.9 million ~~including a $4.0~~related to the PDP PSU plan. Future expense is expected to be approximately $11.9 million ~~subordinated promissory note with interest accruing at a rate~~in fiscal 2019, $15.7 million in fiscal 2020, $15.8 million in fiscal 2021, and $15.7 million in fiscal 2022, based on expectations of ~~6.0% per annum. The note is payable on~~full attainment. At March 31, 2018, the ~~12-month anniversary of~~recognized, but unpaid, portion balance related to the ~~closing date, and is included~~PDP PSU plan in other ~~current assets~~accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company also entered into a separate multi-year contract to provide Zeta Interactive with Connectivity and Audience Solutions services. Prior to the disposition, the Impact email businesssheet was ~~included in the Marketing Services segment results. The business did not meet the requirements of a discontinued business; therefore, all financial results are included in continuing operations.~~

~~Revenue and loss from operations from the disposed Impact email business are shown below (dollars in thousands):~~

For the three months ended
June 30,
2017 2016
Revenues $ —
$ 12,319
Loss from operations $ —
$ (129 )
$5.3 million.

5. OTHER CURRENT AND NONCURRENT ASSETS:

Other current assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):


	June 30, 2017		March 31, 2017		June 30, 2018		March 31, 2018
Prepaid expenses and other	$	21,321	$	25,714	$	25,823	$	27,594
Escrow deposit	5,880		5,880
Note receivable	4,000		4,000
Assets of non-qualified retirement plan	13,608		12,716		14,344		13,551
Other current assets	$	44,809	$	48,310	$	40,167	$	41,145

Other noncurrent assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):


	June 30, 2017		March 31, 2017		June 30, 2018		March 31, 2018
Acquired intangible assets, net	$	41,337	$	43,884	$	31,453	$	33,922
Deferred data acquisition costs	1,073		1,116		879		1,036
Other miscellaneous noncurrent assets	5,769		6,443		8,626		6,510
Noncurrent assets	$	48,179	$	51,443	$	40,958	$	41,468

6. OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES:

Other accrued expenses consist of the following (dollars in thousands):


	June 30, 2017		March 31, 2017		June 30, 2018		March 31, 2018
Accrued purchase consideration	$	5,880	$	5,880
Liabilities of non-qualified retirement plan					14,344		13,551
Other accrued expenses	52,231		53,981		44,594		42,314
Other accrued expenses	$	58,111	$	59,861	$	58,938	$	55,865

7. ~~GOODWILL:~~GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

~~The following table summarizes~~ Goodwill ~~activity,~~ by operating segment for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 (dollars in thousands). was as follows:

Marketing
Services

Audience
Solutions
Connectivity Total
Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 118,890
$ 273,448
$ 200,393
$ 592,731
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment 21
—
9
30
Balance at June 30, 2017 $ 118,911
$ 273,448
$ 200,402
$ 592,761



	LiveRamp			Acxiom Marketing Solutions			Total
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	203,639		$	392,356		$	595,995
Reallocation of segments	1,377			(1,377		)	—
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	(62		)	(138		)	(200		)
Balance at June 30, 2018	$	204,954		$	390,841		$	595,795

Goodwill by component included in each segment as of June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was:


	Marketing Services		Audience Solutions		Connectivity		Total		LiveRamp		Acxiom Marketing Solutions		Total
U.S.	$	110,910	$	273,448	$	196,833	$	581,191	$	201,449	$	382,981	$	584,430
APAC	8,001		—		3,569		11,570		3,505		7,860		11,365
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	118,911	$	273,448	$	200,402	$	592,761
Balance at June 30, 2018									$	204,954	$	390,841	$	595,795

The amounts allocated to intangible assets from acquisitions include developed technology, customer relationships, trade names, and publisher relationships. Amortization lives for those intangibles range from two years to ten years. The following table shows the amortization activity of intangible assets (dollars in thousands):



	June 30, 2018			March 31, 2018
Developed technology, gross (Software)	$	54,150		$	54,150
Accumulated amortization	(47,119		)	(43,533		)
Net developed technology	$	7,031		$	10,617

Customer relationship/Trade name, gross (Other assets, net)	$	43,346		$	43,364
Accumulated amortization	(29,421		)	(27,953		)
Net customer/trade name	$	13,925		$	15,411

Publisher relationship, gross (Other assets, net)	$	23,800		$	23,800
Accumulated amortization	(6,280		)	(5,289		)
Net publisher relationship	$	17,520		$	18,511

Total intangible assets, gross	$	121,296		$	121,314
Total accumulated amortization	(82,820		)	(76,775		)
Total intangible assets, net	$	38,476		$	44,539

Intangible assets by operating segment as of June 30, 2018 was (dollars in thousands):



	LiveRamp		Acxiom Marketing Solutions		Total
Developed technology	7,031		—		7,031
Customer/Trade name	13,921		4		13,925
Publisher relationship	17,520		—		17,520
Balance at June 30, 2018	$	38,472	$	4	$	38,476

Total amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was $6.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively. The following table presents the estimated future amortization expenses related to purchased and other intangible assets. The amount for 2019 represents the remaining nine months ending March 31, 2019. All other periods represent fiscal years ending March 31 (dollars in thousands):



Fiscal Year:
2019	$	9,917
2020	11,950
2021	8,025
2022	5,150
2023	3,434
	$	38,476

8. LONG-TERM DEBT:

Long-term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):


	June 30,		March 31,		June 30, 2018		March 31, 2018
	2017		2017
Term loan credit agreement	$	—	$	155,000
Revolving credit borrowings	230,000		70,000		$	230,000	$	230,000
Other debt	5,041		5,612		2,701		3,293
Total long-term debt	235,041		230,612		232,701		233,293

Less current installments	2,339		39,819		1,327		1,583
Less deferred debt financing costs	4,557		1,552		3,939		3,873
Long-term debt, excluding current installments and deferred debt financing costs	$	228,145	$	189,241	$	227,435	$	227,837

~~On June 20, 2017,~~The revolving loan borrowings under the ~~Company entered into a~~Company's Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "restated credit agreement") as part of refinancing its prior credit agreement. On that day, the Company used an initial draw of $230 million to pay off the outstanding $225 million term and revolving loan balances, with interest, along with $4.0 million in fees related to the restated credit agreement. The fees will be amortized over the term of the agreement.

~~The Company's restated credit agreement provides for (1) revolving credit facility borrowings consisting of revolving loans, letters of credit participation, and swing-line loans (the “revolving loans~~”) in an aggregate amount of $600 million and (2) a provision allowing the Company to request an increase of the aggregate amount of the revolving loans in an amount not to exceed $150 million. The restated credit agreement is secured by the accounts receivable of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as by the outstanding stock of certain subsidiaries of the Company. The restated credit agreement contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, default and acceleration provisions. The restated credit agreement matures, and is fully due and payable, on June 20, 2022 and allows for prepayments before maturity.

~~The revolving loan borrowings~~ bear interest at LIBOR or at an alternative base rate plus a credit spread. At June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the revolving loan borrowing bears interest at LIBOR plus a credit spread of 2%1.75%. The weighted-average interest rate on revolving credit borrowings at June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was ~~3.3%~~3.9%. There were no material outstanding letters of credit at June 30, ~~2017~~2018 or March 31, ~~2017.~~2018.

Under the terms of the restated credit agreement, the Company is required to maintain certain debt-to-cash flow and interest coverage ratios, among other restrictions. At June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and restrictions.

9. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:

Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts, returns and credits of ~~$5.8~~$5.2 million at June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~$6.1~~$6.8 million at March 31, ~~2017.~~2018.

10. SEGMENT INFORMATION:

The Company reports segment information consistent with the way management internally disaggregates its operations to assess performance and to allocate resources.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company realigned its portfolio into two distinct business segments: LiveRamp, the identity infrastructure for powering exceptional customer experiences, and Acxiom Marketing Solutions, the leading provider of services for creating a unified approach to data-driven marketing. This realignment allows Acxiom to best meet client needs in a rapidly evolving marketplace, create a strong foundation for continued growth and enhance value for shareholders.

This structure configured Acxiom’s three previous segments into two, aligning key Audience Solutions’ assets to each. All identity assets including IdentityLink, AbiliTec® intellectual property and Acxiom’s TV integrations were consolidated under LiveRamp. The remaining Audience Solutions’ lines of business for data and data services were combined with Marketing Services to create Acxiom Marketing Solutions.

As a result of this organizational realignment, information that our chief operating decision maker regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance changed.

Revenues and cost of revenue are generally directly attributed to the segments. Certain revenue contracts are allocated among the segments based on the relative value of the underlying products and services. Cost of revenue, excluding non-cash stock compensation expense and purchased intangible asset amortization, is directly charged in most cases and allocated in certain cases based upon proportional usage.

Operating expenses, excluding non-cash stock compensation expense and purchased intangible asset amortization, are attributed to the segment groups as follows:

Research and development expenses are primarily directly recorded to each segment group based on identified products supported.

Sales and marketing expenses are primarily directly recorded to each segment group based on products supported and sold.

General and administrative expenses are generally not allocated to the segments unless directly attributable.

Gains, losses and other items, net are not allocated to the segment groups.

We do not track our assets by operating segments. Consequently, it is not practical to show assets by operating segment.

The following table presents information by business segment (dollars in thousands):

For the three months ended
June 30,
2017 2016
Revenues:
Marketing Services $ 91,594
$ 109,715
Audience Solutions 75,734
73,744
Connectivity 45,186
31,342
Total segment revenues $ 212,514
$ 214,801

Gross profit⁽¹⁾:

Marketing Services $ 31,358
$ 37,466
Audience Solutions 47,210
41,912
Connectivity 27,525
17,575
Total segment gross profit $ 106,093
$ 96,953

Income (loss) from operations⁽¹⁾:

Marketing Services $ 19,784
$ 20,145
Audience Solutions 28,542
25,096
Connectivity (48 ) 291
Total segment income from operations $ 48,278
$ 45,532



	For the three months ended
	June 30,
	2018		2017
Revenues:
LiveRamp	$	62,458	$	46,757
Acxiom Marketing Solutions	164,502		165,757
Total segment revenues	$	226,960	$	212,514

Gross profit⁽¹⁾:
LiveRamp	$	44,200	$	28,229
Acxiom Marketing Solutions	73,174		77,864
Total segment gross profit	$	117,374	$	106,093

Income (loss) from operations⁽¹⁾:
LiveRamp	$	9,203	$	(97	)
Acxiom Marketing Solutions	47,458		48,374
Total segment income from operations	$	56,661	$	48,277

⁽¹⁾ Gross profit and ~~Income (loss)~~income from operations reflect only the direct and allocable controllable costs of each segment and do not include allocations of corporate expenses (primarily general and administrative expenses) and gains, losses, and other items, net. Additionally, segment gross profit and ~~Income (loss)~~income from operations do not ~~reflect~~include non-cash stock compensation expense and purchased intangible asset amortization.

The following table reconciles total segment gross profit to gross profit and total operating segment income from operations to income ~~(loss)~~ from operations (dollars in thousands):


	For the three months ended					For the three months ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2017			2016		2018			2017
Total segment gross profit	$	106,093		$	96,953	$	117,374		$	106,093

Less:
Purchased intangible asset amortization	5,966			4,077		6,054			5,966
Non-cash stock compensation	1,573			894		1,631			1,573
Gross profit	$	98,554		$	91,982	$	109,689		$	98,554

Total segment income from operations	$	48,278		$	45,532	$	56,661		$	48,277

Less:
Corporate expenses (principally general and administrative)	25,967			24,389		27,840			25,966
Separation and transformation costs included in general and administrative	7,119			—		6,822			7,119
Gains, losses and other items, net	(98		)	314		1,286			(98		)
Purchased intangible asset amortization	5,966			4,077		6,054			5,966
Non-cash stock compensation	15,031			8,590		20,360			15,031
Income (loss) from operations	$	(5,707	)	$	8,162
Loss from operations						$	(5,701	)	$	(5,707	)

11. RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES:

The following table summarizes the restructuring activity for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 (dollars in thousands):


	Associate-related reserves			Lease accruals			Total			Associate-related reserves			Lease accruals			Total
March 31, 2017	$	2,400		$	4,308		$	6,708
March 31, 2018										$	2,751		$	5,292		$	8,043
Restructuring charges and adjustments	(100		)	—			(100		)	1,286			—			1,286
Payments	(1,313		)	(798		)	(2,111		)	(2,923		)	(335		)	(3,258		)
June 30, 2017	$	987		$	3,510		$	4,497
June 30, 2018										$	1,114		$	4,957		$	6,071

The above balances are included in other accrued expenses and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance ~~sheet.~~sheets.

Restructuring Plans

In the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded a total of $1.3 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The expense related to fiscal year 2018 restructuring plans primarily for associates in the United States required to render service until termination to receive the termination benefits. These costs are expected to be paid out in fiscal 2019.

In fiscal 2018, the Company recorded a total of $6.4 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The expense included severance and other associate-related charges of $3.8 million, and lease accruals and adjustments of $2.6 million.

The associate-related accruals of $3.8 million related to the termination of associates in the United States and Europe. Of all amounts accrued for fiscal year 2018 associate-related plans, $0.7 million remained accrued as of June 30, 2018. These costs are expected to be paid out in fiscal 2019. The lease accruals and adjustments of $2.6 million result from the Company's exit from certain leased office facilities.

In fiscal 2017, the Company recorded a total of $8.9 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The expense included severance and other associate-related charges of $3.8 million, lease accruals and adjustments of $3.0 million, and leasehold improvement ~~write offs~~write-offs of $2.1 million. Of the associate-related accruals of $3.8 million, ~~$0.4~~$0.2 million remained accrued as of June 30, ~~2017.~~2018. These costs are expected to be paid out in fiscal ~~2018. Of the~~2019. The lease accruals and adjustments of $3.0 million ~~$2.8~~resulted from the Company's exit from certain leased office facilities ($1.5 million) and adjustments to estimates related to the fiscal 2015 lease accruals ($1.5 million). Of the amount accrued for fiscal 2017 lease accruals, $2.3 million remained accrued as of June 30, 2017. The Company intends to sublease the facilities to the extent possible. The liability will be satisfied over the remainder of the leased properties’ terms, which continue through November 2025. Actual sublease receipts may differ from the estimates originally made by the Company. Any future changes in the estimates or in the actual sublease income could require future adjustments to the liabilities, which would impact net earnings (loss) in the period the adjustment is recorded.2018.

In fiscal 2016, the Company recorded a total of $12.0 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The expense included

severance and other associate-related charges of $8.6 million, lease termination charges and accruals of $3.0 million, and leasehold improvement write-offs of $0.4 million. Of the associate-related accruals of $8.6 million, ~~$0.3~~$0.1 million remained accrued as of June 30, ~~2017.~~2018. These amounts are expected to be paid out in fiscal ~~2018. The lease termination charges and accruals of $3.0 million were fully paid during fiscal 2016.~~2019.

In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded a total of $21.8 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items, net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The expense included severance and other associate-related charges of $13.3 million, lease accruals of $6.5 million, and the write-off of leasehold improvements of $2.0 million. Of the associate-related accruals of $13.3 million, $0.3 million remained accrued as of June 30, ~~2017.~~2018. These amounts are expected to be paid out in fiscal ~~2018.~~2019. Of the lease accruals of $6.5 million, ~~$0.7~~$0.3 million remained accrued as of June 30, ~~2017.~~2018.

With respect to the fiscal 2015, 2017, and 2018 lease accruals described above, the Company intends to sublease the facilities to the extent possible. The ~~liability~~liabilities will be ~~paid out~~satisfied over the remainder of the leased ~~properties’~~properties' terms, which continue through November 2025. Actual sublease ~~terms~~receipts may differ from the estimates originally made by the Company. Any future changes in the estimates or in the actual sublease income could require future adjustments to the liabilities, which would impact net earnings (loss) in the period the adjustment is recorded.

Gains, Losses and Other Items

Gains, losses and other items for each of the periods presented are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	For the quarter ended					For the three months ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2017			2016		2018		2017
Restructuring plan charges and adjustments	$	(100	)	$	279	$	1,286	$	(100	)
Other	2			35		—		2
	$	(98	)	$	314	$	1,286	$	(98	)

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Legal Matters

The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings. Management routinely assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as ranges of probable losses, to the extent losses are reasonably estimable. The Company records accruals for these matters to the extent that management concludes a loss is probable and the financial impact, should an adverse outcome occur, is reasonably estimable. These accruals are reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In management’s opinion, the Company has made appropriate and adequate accruals for these matters, and management believes the probability of a material loss beyond the amounts accrued to be remote. However, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if accruals are not adequate, an adverse outcome could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The Company maintains insurance coverage above certain limits. There are currently no matters pending against the Company or its subsidiaries for which the potential exposure is considered material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Commitments

The Company leases data processing equipment, office furniture and equipment, land and office space under noncancellable operating leases. The Company has a future commitment for lease payments over the next 2322 years years of ~~$81.0~~$76.5 million.

In connection with the disposition of Acxiom Impact ~~email disposition~~ during fiscal 2017, the Company assigned a facility lease to the buyer of the business. The Company guaranteed the facility lease as required by the asset disposition agreement. Should the assignee default, the Company would be required to perform under the terms of the facility lease, which continues through September 2021. At June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company’s maximum potential future rent payments under this guarantee totaled ~~$2.5~~$2.0 million.

13. INCOME TAX:

In determining the quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company makes its best estimate of the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. The estimated effective income tax rate for the current fiscal year is impacted by ~~nondeductible~~the reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate (discussed below), non-deductible stock-based compensation, state income taxes, research tax credits, and losses in foreign jurisdictions. State income taxes are influenced by the geographic and legal entity mix of the ~~Company’s~~Company's U.S. income as well as the diversity of rules among the states. The Company does not record a tax benefit for certain foreign losses due to uncertainty of future utilization.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted significant tax law changes following the passage of H.R. 1, "An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 "the Tax Act") (previously known as "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act"). The Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, among other provisions. We believe we have properly estimated our federal and state income tax liabilities for the impacts of the Tax Act, including provisional amounts under SAB No. 118 related to the rate change, the impact of increased bonus depreciation, and the effects on executive compensation deductions. The Tax Act may be subject to technical amendments, as well as interpretations and implementing of regulations by the Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service, any of which could increase or decrease one or more impacts of the legislation. As such, we will continue to analyze the effects of the Tax Act and may record adjustments to provisional amounts during the measurement period ending no later than December 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2018, we have not changed the provisional estimates recognized in fiscal 2018. Any impacts to our income tax expense as a result of ~~adopting ASU 2016–09, all excess tax benefits and deficiencies from stock–based compensation~~additional guidance will be ~~recognized as income tax benefit and expense~~recorded in the ~~Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in the reporting~~ period in which ~~they occur. This will result in increased volatility in~~ the ~~Company’s effective tax rate. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recognized a discrete income tax benefit of $1.5 million related to net excess tax benefits.~~ guidance is issued.

14. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

Cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, unbilled and notes receivable, short-term borrowings and trade payables - The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Long-term debt - The interest rate on the revolving credit agreement is adjusted for changes in market rates and therefore the carrying value approximates fair value. The estimated fair value of other long-term debt was determined based upon the present value of the expected cash flows considering expected maturities and using interest rates currently available to the Company for long-term borrowings with similar terms. At June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the estimated fair value of long-term debt approximates its carrying value.

Under applicable accounting standards financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company assigned assets and liabilities to the hierarchy in the accounting standards, which is Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, Level 2 - significant other observable inputs and Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs.

The following table presents the balances of assets ~~and liabilities~~ measured at fair value as of June 30, ~~2017~~2018 (dollars in thousands):


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Other current assets	$	13,608	$	—	$	—	$	13,608	$	14,344	$	—	$	—	$	14,344
Total assets	$	13,608	$	—	$	—	$	13,608	$	14,344	$	—	$	—	$	14,344

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On July 2, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell Acxiom Marketing Solutions ("AMS") to The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (“IPG”) for $2.3 billion in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction is subject to standard regulatory review, Acxiom shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions. In addition:

As required regulatory approvals are being sought and received, Acxiom intends to solicit shareholder approval for the transaction;

Once shareholder approval has been received, which is expected in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company expects to report the results of AMS as discontinued operations;

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of fiscal 2019; and

The Company expects to report a gain on the sale.

The Company expects to realize approximately $1.7 billion in net cash proceeds, after taxes and fees. Following the closing, the Company intends to:

Retire its existing $230 million debt balance;

Initiate a $500 million cash tender offer for its common stock;

Increase its outstanding share repurchase authorization by up to an additional $500 million, and extend the duration of its program to December 31, 2020;

Use the remainder of the proceeds to fund its growth initiatives, strategic acquisition opportunities and meet its ongoing cash needs;

Transfer the Acxiom brand name and associated trademarks to IPG; and

Rename the Company LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. and, shortly thereafter, begin trading its common stock under the new ticker symbol “RAMP”.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

We begin Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations with an overview of our operating segments, summary financial results and notable events. This overview is followed by a summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates that we believe are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments incorporated in our reported financial results. We then provide a more detailed analysis of our results of operations and financial condition.

Introduction and Overview

Acxiom Corporation is a global technology and ~~enablement~~ services company with a vision to transform data into value for everyone. Through a simple, open approach to connecting systems and data, we provide the data foundation for the world’s best marketers. By making it safe and easy to activate, validate, enhance, and unify data, we provide marketers with the ability to deliver relevant messages at scale and tie those messages back to actual results. Our products and services enable people-based marketing, allowing our clients to generate higher return on investment and drive better omnichannel customer experiences.

Acxiom is a Delaware corporation founded in 1969 in Conway, Arkansas. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ACXM.” We serve a global client base from locations in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) region. Our client list includes many of the world’s largest and ~~best known~~best-known brands across most major industry verticals, including but not limited to financial, insurance and investment services, automotive, retail, telecommunications, high tech, healthcare, travel, entertainment, non-profit, and government.

Operating Segments

As a result of this organizational realignment, information that our chief operating decision maker regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance changed.

Our operating segments provide management with a comprehensive view of our key businesses based on how we manage our operations and measure results. Additional information related to our operating segments and geographic information is contained in Note 10 - Segment Information of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

~~Connectivity~~LiveRamp

~~As shown in~~LiveRamp is the ~~illustration below, our Connectivity segment enables our clients to build an omnichannel view~~leading independent provider of ~~the consumer~~identity and ~~activate that understanding across the marketing ecosystem.~~

data connectivity for powering exceptional customer experiences. Through integrations with ~~more than 550~~approximately 600 leading digital marketing platforms and data providers, we have become a key point of entry into the digital ecosystem, helping our clients eliminate data silos and unlock greater value from the marketing tools they use every day. We provide athe foundational identity ~~resolution layer enabling~~technology that enables our clients to ~~identify and reach~~engage consumers across ~~channels~~any channel and measure the impact of marketing on ~~sales, using~~sales. In addition, we operate as a neutral, open platform that enables all parts of the marketing ~~platform of their choice.~~ecosystem to connect and use data in responsible, ethical ways at scale.

~~Today,~~

IdentityLink

IdentityLink™ is our ~~primary Connectivity offering is LiveRamp IdentityLink, an~~category leading identity resolution ~~service~~platform that ~~ties~~connects people, data, ~~back to real people~~ and ~~makes it possible to onboard that data for~~devices across the physical and digital world, powering privacy-compliant, people-based marketing ~~initiatives across digital channels.~~that allows consumers to better connect with the brands and products they love. Leveraging ~~AbiliTec and~~ the LiveRamp deterministic identity graph, IdentityLink first resolves a client’s ~~first-~~data (first-, second-,

~~and third-party, exposure, and transaction data~~ or third-party) to ~~persistent anonymous~~ consumer identifiers that represent real people in a ~~privacy-safe way.~~way that protects consumer privacy. This omnichannel view of the consumer can then be ~~onboarded~~delivered to ~~and between~~ any of the ~~550 plus~~600 partners in our ecosystem through a process called "data onboarding" in order to support targeting, personalization and measurement use ~~cases.~~cases.



Targeting	Personalization	Measurement

Example	Example	Example
Clients can deploy targeted ads to known customers by using IdentityLink to upload ~~known~~ data from first-, second-, and third-party data sources, resolve it to an omnichannel ~~privacy-safe~~privacy-compliant link ~~with IdentityLink,~~and then onboard to one of ~~550+~~600 LiveRamp ~~partners to deploy targeted ads to known customers.~~partners.	Clients can deliver highly relevant content the moment viewers visit their website landing page, no login required. Leveraging IdentityLink, clients can resolve customer segment data to devices and digital IDs, onboard that data to a personalization platform and provide one-to-one experiences without compromising user privacy.	Clients can connect exposure data with first- and third-party purchase data across channels by resolving all customer devices back to the customers to which they belong. Then, clients can onboard that data to a measurement platform to clearly establish cause, effect and impact.

Consumer privacy and data protection are at the center of how we design our products and services. Accordingly, IdentityLink operates in ~~an Acxiom~~a SafeHaven® certified environment with technical, operational, and personnel controls designed to ensure our clients’ data is kept private and secure.

IdentityLink is sold to brands and the companies ~~brands~~with which they partner to execute their marketing, including marketing technology providers, ~~data providers,~~ publishers and ~~agencies.~~data providers.

IdentityLink for Brands and Agencies. IdentityLink allows brands and their agencies to execute people-based marketing by creating an omnichannel ~~understanding~~view of the consumer and activating ~~that understanding~~for use across their choice of best-of-breed digital marketing platforms.

IdentityLink for ~~Marketing Technology Providers.~~Platforms and Publishers. IdentityLink provides marketing technology providers and digital publishers with the ability to offer people-based targeting, measurement and personalization within their platforms. This adds value for brands by increasing reach, as well as the speed at which they can activate their marketing data.

IdentityLink for Data Owners. IdentityLink allows data owners to easily connect their data to the digital ecosystem and better monetize it. Data can be distributed directly to clients or made available through the IdentityLink Data Store feature. This adds value for brands as it allows them to augment their understanding of consumers, and increase both the extent of their reach ~~against~~to and depth of their understanding of customers and prospects.

~~IdentityLink~~We charge for ~~Publishers.~~ IdentityLink ~~allows publishers to offer people-based marketing on their properties. This adds value for brands by providing direct access to their customers and prospects in the publisher’s premium inventory.~~

~~Our Connectivity revenue consists primarily of monthly recurring subscription fees sold~~ on an annual subscription basis. ToOur subscription pricing is based primarily on data volume supported by our platform.

IdentityLink Data Store

As we have scaled the LiveRamp network and technology, we have found additional ways to leverage our platform, deliver more value to clients and create incremental revenue streams. Leveraging LiveRamp’s common identity system and broad integration network, the IdentityLink Data Store is a ~~lesser extent, we~~data marketplace that seamlessly connects data owners’ audience data across the marketing ecosystem. The IdentityLink Data Store allows data owners to easily monetize their data across hundreds of marketing platforms and publishers with a single contract. At the same time, the Data Store provides a single gateway where data buyers, including platforms and publishers, in addition to brands and their agencies, can access high-quality third-party data from more than 150 data owners, supporting all industries and encompassing all types of data. Data providers include sources and

brands exclusive to LiveRamp, emerging platforms with access to previously unavailable deterministic data, and data partnerships enabled by IdentityLink. LiveRamp thoroughly vets all data sources to ensure any data listed on the Data Store is privacy safe and sourced ethically.

We generate revenue from the IdentityLink Data Store through revenue-sharing arrangements with data ~~providers~~owners that are monetizing their data assets on our marketplace. This revenue is typically transactional in nature, tied to data volume purchased on the Data Store.

LiveRamp Revenue Model

LiveRamp recognizes revenue from the following sources: (i) subscription revenue, which consists of subscription fees from clients accessing our IdentityLink platform; and (ii) marketplace and other revenue, which primarily consists of revenue generated from data owners as well as certain ~~digital~~ publishers and addressable TV providers in the form of revenue-sharing ~~agreements.~~

~~Audience Solutions (“AS”)~~

arrangements. Our ~~AS segment helps clients validate the accuracy~~subscription pricing is tiered based on data volume supported by our platform. The majority of ~~their data, enhance it with additional insight,~~our subscription revenue is derived from subscriptions that are one year in duration and keep it up to date, enabling clients to reach desired audiences with highly relevant messages. Leveraging our recognition and data assets, clients can identify, segment, and differentiate their audiences for more effective marketing and superior customer experiences. AS offerings include InfoBase, our large consumer data store that serves as theinvoiced on a monthly basis, ~~for Acxiom’s consumer demographics products, and AbiliTec, our patented identity resolution technology that assists our clients in reconciling and managing variations~~although some of ~~customer identity over time and across multiple channels.~~

~~InfoBase.~~ With more than 1,500 demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle data elements and several thousand predictive models, our InfoBase products provide marketers with the ability to identify and reach the right audience with the right message across both traditional and digital channels. Through partnerships with over 100 online publishers and digital marketing platforms, including Facebook, Google, Twitter, 4INFO, AOL, eBay and MSN, marketers can use InfoBase data to create and target specific audiences. Data can be accessed directly or through the Acxiom Audience Cloud, a web-based, self-service tool that makes it easy to build and distribute third-party custom data segments.

~~AbiliTec.~~ ~~As shown in the illustration below, AbiliTec helps brands recognize individuals and households using a number of different input variables and connects identities online and offline.~~

~~By identifying and linking multiple identifiers and data elements back to a persistent ID,~~ our clients are ~~able to create a single view of the customer, which allows them to perform more effective audience targeting and deliver better, more relevant customer experiences.~~

~~Our AS revenue includes licensing fees, which~~entering into multi-year subscriptions that are typically in the form of recurring monthly billings, as well as transactional revenue based on volume or one-time usage. In addition, AS generates digital data revenue from certain digital publishers and addressable television providers in the form of revenue sharing agreements. Our Marketing Database clients are a significant channel for our AS offerings.invoiced annually.

Acxiom Marketing ~~Services (“MS”~~Solutions ("AMS")

Our MSAMS segment designs, builds and manages the unified foundation of data and technology that helps clients ~~unify data at the individual level~~grow revenue, win new customers, increase customer loyalty, and optimize marketing spend in a privacy-safe ~~environment, so they can execute people-based marketing campaigns, tie back to real results, and drive a continual cycle of optimization.~~environment. We help architect the foundation for data-driven marketing by delivering solutions that integrate customer and prospect data across the enterprise, thereby enabling our clients to establish a single view of the customer. ~~We also~~In addition, we help our clients validate the accuracy of their data, enhance it with additional insight, and keep it up to date, enabling brands to reach desired audiences with highly relevant messages. Leveraging our suite of data services, clients can identify, segment, and differentiate their audiences for more effective and targeted marketing. Finally, we support our clients in navigating the complexities of consumer privacy regulation, making it easy and safe for them to use innovative technology, maintain choice in channels and media, and stay agile in this competitive era of the consumer. ~~These~~Together, these solutions and services allow our clients to generate higher return on marketing investments and, at the same time, drive better, more relevant customer experiences.

The MSAMS segment includes the following service offerings: ~~Marketing Database Services~~Data Management, Audience Creation and ~~Strategy and~~Data Analytics. ~~The MS segment also included Impact Email Platform and Services until the disposition of the business in August 2016.~~

~~Marketing Database Services.~~Data Management. Our ~~Marketing Database~~Data Management offering provides solutions that unify consumer data across an enterprise ~~enabling~~within a Unified Data Layer - a data environment that enables clients to execute relevant, people-based marketing across channels and ~~activate data across the marketing ecosystem.~~devices. Our consumer marketing ~~databases,~~solutions, which we design, build, and manage for our clients, make it possible for our clients to collect and analyze information from all sources, thereby increasing customer acquisition, retention, and loyalty. Through our growing partner network, clients are able to integrate their data with best-of-breed marketing ~~solutions~~applications while respecting and protecting consumer privacy. We provide the connective tissue across the martech and adtech systems our clients use to establish an integrated, omnichannel consumer data foundation that can power all forms of marketing - from email, direct mail, display and search, to social, mobile, and more. We deploy a flexible, open, and modular approach that enables our clients to easily expand their marketing stack over time.

~~Marketing Database Services~~Data Management services are generally provided under long-term contracts. Our revenue consists primarily of recurring monthly billings, and to a lesser extent, other volume and variable based billings.

~~Strategy~~Audience Creation. Our Audience Creation offering comprises global third-party data products and ~~Analytics~~services, including InfoBase®, digital data and global data. With data on over 2.5 billion addressable consumers, InfoBase provides the most comprehensive, accurate, and descriptive consumer data in the market. Example InfoBase audience data elements:

Clients can enhance their understanding of consumers and their preferences by appending InfoBase data to their own consumer profiles or purchase InfoBase data in list form for digital and offline customer acquisition. In addition, we sell our consumer data indirectly through more than 100 different digital publishers and martech platforms, including Google, OATH, Adobe and The Trade Desk, providing marketers with the ability to create and target specific audiences on those platforms. Our global data offerings are ethically sourced and developed using hundreds of data sources, each carefully evaluated, screened, and monitored for appropriate data collection and privacy policy practices including proper consumer notice and choice.

Our Audience Creation revenue includes licensing fees, which are typically in the form of recurring monthly billings, as well as transactional revenue based on volume or one-time usage. In addition, when our data is sold through indirect digital channels, we generate data revenue from certain digital publishers and martech platforms in the form of revenue sharing agreements.

Data Analytics.. Our ~~Strategy and~~Data Analytics offering ~~consists of marketing strategists~~includes analytical and ~~data scientists who leverage industry knowledge and advanced analytics to assist~~closed-loop measurement services that provide our clients with ~~identifying growth opportunities, addressing~~actionable insights to fuel people-based marketing ~~data~~across the full customer lifecycle. Our independent services help brands measure marketing ROI, attribute marketing impact, deepen audience insights, and ~~technology needs, and adopting best practices. In addition, we help our clients identify and address their data privacy and governance requirements.~~predict likely consumer behavior.

~~Strategy and~~Data Analytics revenue primarily consists ~~primarily~~ of ~~project-based fees.~~

~~Impact Email Platform and Services.~~ Until the August 2016 disposition, Acxiom Impact™ provided email and cross-channel data-driven marketing solutions for enterprise marketers, including a proprietary marketing platform and agency services.

recurring monthly billings, as well as transactional revenue based on volume or one-time usage.

~~Acxiom Impact~~^TM ~~revenue consisted of (1) volume-based fees for the use of the Impact email platform and (2) project-based and retainer-based fees for associated agency services.~~

Summary

Together, our products and services form the “power grid” for data, the critical foundation for people-based marketing that brands need to engage consumers across today’s highly fragmented landscape of channels and devices.

We provide ~~integrations with the largest number of marketing platforms and data providers in the digital marketing ecosystem, enabling our clients to innovate through their preferred choice of~~industry-leading technology ~~data,~~ and services ~~providers. Our industry-leading identity resolution~~that power data-driven customer experiences in ways that are ethical, secure, and data assets power best-in-class consumer identification and linking across channels and devices. And, our integrated services offering provides the expertise required to manage large sets of data legally, ethically, securely, and in a way that protectsprotect consumer privacy.

Summary Results and Notable Events

A summary of the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 is presented below:

Revenues were ~~$212.5~~$227.0 million, a ~~1.1% decrease~~6.8% increase from ~~$214.8~~$212.5 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Cost of revenue was ~~$114.0~~$117.3 million, a ~~7.2% decrease~~2.9% increase from ~~$122.8~~$114.0 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Gross margin increased to 48.3% from 46.4% ~~from 42.8%~~ in ~~fiscal 2017.~~the same quarter a year ago.

Total operating expenses were ~~$104.3~~$115.4 million, a ~~24.4%~~10.7% increase from ~~$83.8~~$104.3 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Cost of revenue and operating expenses for the quarters ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016~~2017 include the following items:


◦	Non-cash stock compensation of ~~$15.0~~$20.4 million and ~~$8.6~~$15.0 million, respectively (cost of revenue and operating expenses)


◦	Purchased intangible asset amortization of ~~$6.0~~$6.1 million and ~~$4.1~~$6.0 million, respectively (cost of revenue)


◦	Separation and transformation costs of ~~$7.1~~$6.8 million and ~~$0.0~~$7.1 million, respectively (operating expenses)

Net loss was $3.0 million or $0.04 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $1.3 million or ~~$.02~~$0.02 per ~~share compared to net earnings of $4.0 million or $.05 per~~diluted share in the same quarter a year ago.

Net cash provided by operating activities of ~~$5.0~~$17.2 million, a ~~$4.2~~$12.2 million increase compared to ~~$0.8~~$5.0 million in ~~fiscal 2016.~~the same quarter a year ago.

~~On June 20, 2017,~~The Company repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock for $45.8 million under the ~~Company refinanced its debt facility to consist of a $600 million revolving credit facility with a maturity in June, 2022.~~Company's common stock repurchase program.

This summary highlights financial results as well as other significant events and transactions of the Company during the ~~quarters~~quarter ended June 30, ~~2017 and 2016.~~2018. However, this summary is not intended to be a full discussion of the Company’s results. This summary should be read in conjunction with the following discussion of Results of Operations and Capital Resources and Liquidity and with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes accompanying this report.

Recent Developments

On July 2, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell AMS to The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (“IPG”) for $2.3 billion in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction is subject to standard regulatory review, Acxiom shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions. In addition:

As required regulatory approvals are being sought and received, Acxiom intends to solicit shareholder approval for the transaction;

Once shareholder approval has been received, which is expected in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company expects to report the results of AMS as discontinued operations;

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of fiscal 2019; and

The Company expects to report a gain on the sale.

The Company expects to realize approximately $1.7 billion in net cash proceeds, after taxes and fees. Following the closing, the Company intends to:

Retire its existing $230 million debt balance;

Initiate a $500 million cash tender offer for its common stock;

Increase its outstanding share repurchase authorization by up to an additional $500 million, and extend the duration of its program to December 31, 2020;

Use the remainder of the proceeds to fund its growth initiatives, strategic acquisition opportunities and meet its ongoing cash needs;

Transfer the Acxiom brand name and associated trademarks to IPG; and

Rename the Company LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. and, shortly thereafter, begin trading its common stock under the new ticker symbol “RAMP”.

Results of Operations

A summary of selected financial information for each of the periods reported is presented below (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):


	For the three months ended							For the three months ended
	June 30,							June 30,
						%								%
	2017			2016		Change		2018			2017			Change
Revenues	$	212,514		$	214,801	(1	)%	$	226,960		$	212,514		7
Cost of revenue	113,960			122,819		(7	)	117,271			113,960			3
Gross profit	98,554			91,982		7		109,689			98,554			11
Total operating expenses	104,261			83,820		24		115,390			104,261			11
Income (loss) from operations	(5,707		)	8,162		(170	)
Net earnings (loss)	(1,300		)	3,976		(133	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	0.05	(133	)%
Loss from operations								(5,701		)	(5,707		)	—
Net loss								(3,015		)	(1,300		)	132
Diluted loss per share								$	(0.04	)	$	(0.02	)	100

Revenues

The Company's revenues by reporting segment for the periods reported inis presented below (dollars in thousands):

For the three months ended
June 30,
%
Revenues 2017 2016      Change
   Marketing Services $ 91,594
$ 109,715
(17 )%
   Audience Solutions 75,734
73,744
3
   Connectivity 45,186
31,342
44
         Total revenues $ 212,514
$ 214,801
(1 )%



	For the three months ended
	June 30,
					%
Revenues	2018		2017		Change
LiveRamp	$	62,458	$	46,757	34
Acxiom Marketing Solutions	164,502		165,757		(1	)
Total revenues	$	226,960	$	212,514	7

Total revenues were ~~$212.5~~$227.0 million, ~~a decrease~~an increase of ~~1.1%~~6.8%, or ~~$2.3~~$14.4 million, from ~~$214.8~~$212.5 million in the same quarter a year ago. The impact of exchange rates was positive by approximately $1.3 million. Strong revenue growth in ~~Connectivity ($13.8 million)~~LiveRamp of $15.7 million was partially offset by a ~~few items totaling $14.4 million: the disposition~~decline in AMS of ~~the Acxiom Impact business ($12.3 million), the unfavorable impact~~$1.3 million. AMS was impacted by a decline of ~~exchange rates ($1.3 million)~~approximately $9 million from Facebook due to contract termination, offset partially by new logo wins and ~~the transition of the Australia operations business to a Connectivity focused business ($0.8 million reduction in MS~~other volume and ~~AS).~~contract increases.

MSLiveRamp revenue for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 was ~~$91.6~~$62.5 million, ~~an $18.1~~a $15.7 million, or 16.5%, decrease compared to the same quarter a year ago. On a geographic basis, U.S. MS revenue decreased $17.7 million, or 17.3%, due to the sale of Acxiom Impact ($12.3 million) and other volume and contract reductions. International MS revenue decreased $0.4 million, or 5.5%. Excluding the unfavorable impact of exchange rates ($0.6 million), International MS revenue increased $0.2 million. By line of business, Marketing Database revenue decreased $5.3 million (U.S. 4.0 million, Europe $0.8 million, APAC $0.6 million), Strategy and Analytics revenue declined $1.1 million (primarily U.S.) and Impact declined due to the sale of Acxiom Impact.

AS revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 was $75.7 million, a $2.0 million, or 2.7%, increase compared to the same quarter a year ago. On a geographic basis, U.S. AS revenue increased $2.4 million, or 3.7%, due to increases in Digital Data business with existing customers. International AS revenue decreased $0.4 million, or 5.6%, due primarily to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates ($0.5 million). By line of business, AS revenue growth in Digital Data ($8.3 million), through our publisher and digital partner network, was offset by declines in Consumer Data ($6.2 million) due in part to the restructuring in Australia. As the digital data business model evolves, some revenue sharing arrangements will convert to license arrangements and certain publishers will decide to seek alternative data relationships. These changes could impact AS growth rates in the future.

~~Connectivity revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 was $45.2 million, a $13.8 million, or 44.2%~~33.6%, increase compared to the same quarter a year ago. The increase was due to LiveRamp subscription growth ~~partially offset~~of 38.4%. Marketplace and Other revenue growth of 15.0% was negatively impacted by ~~a $3.0~~an approximately $2 million decrease in revenue from the revenue-sharing arrangements due to a lost customer. On a geographic basis,

U.S. ~~Connectivity~~LiveRamp revenue increased ~~$12.6~~$14.1 million, or ~~43.6%~~33.5%, from the same quarter a year ago. International ~~Connectivity~~LiveRamp revenue increased ~~$1.2~~$1.6 million, or ~~50.9%~~34.4%.

AMS revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 was $164.5 million, a $1.3 million, or 0.8%, decrease compared to the same quarter a year ago. On a geographic basis, U.S. AMS revenue decreased $1.8 million, or 1.2%, due to Facebook reductions, offset partially by new logo wins and other volume and contract increases. International AMS revenue increased $0.6 million, or 4.2%. Excluding the favorable impact of exchange rates ($1.0 million), International AMS revenue decreased $0.4 million. By lines of business, Data Management revenue increased $4.4 million, Audience Creation revenue decreased $5.9 million and Data Analytics revenue increased $0.2 million.

Cost of revenue and Gross profit

The Company’s cost of revenue and gross profit for each of the periods reported is presented below (dollars in thousands):


	For the three months ended								For the three months ended
	June 30,								June 30,
							%								%
	2017			2016			Change		2018			2017			Change
Cost of revenue	$	113,960		$	122,819		(7	)%	$	117,271		$	113,960		(1	)
Gross profit	$	98,554		$	91,982		7		$	109,689		$	98,554		11
Gross margin	46.4		%	42.8		%	8	%
Gross margin %									48.3		%	46.4		%	4

Cost of revenue: Includes all direct costs of sales such as data and other third-party costs directly associated with revenue. Cost of revenue also includes expenses for each of the Company’s operations functions including client services, account management, agency, strategy and analytics, IT, data acquisition, and product operations. Finally, cost of revenue includes amortization of internally developed software and other acquisition related intangibles.

Cost of revenue was ~~$114.0~~$117.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017, an $8.9~~2018, a $3.3 million, or ~~7.2%~~2.9%, ~~decrease~~increase from the same quarter a year ~~ago, due primarily to the disposition of Acxiom Impact ($11.0 million).~~ago. Gross margins increased to ~~46.4%~~48.3% compared to ~~42.8%~~46.4% in the prior year. The gross margin increase is due to the ~~AS and Connectivity~~LiveRamp revenue increases and cost efficiencies. U.S. gross margins increased to ~~47.7%~~49.6% in the current year from ~~43.7%~~47.7% in the prior year again due to the ASLiveRamp revenue growth and ~~Connectivity revenue growth.~~cost efficiencies. International gross margins ~~decreased~~increased to ~~31.9%~~35.4% from ~~32.8%~~31.9%.

Operating Expenses

The Company’s operating expenses for each of the periods reported is presented below (dollars in thousands):


	For the three months ended							For the three months ended
	June 30,							June 30,
						%							%
Operating expenses	2017			2016		Change		2018		2017			Change
Research and development	$	23,563		$	18,652	26	%	$	24,536	$	23,563		4
Sales and marketing	48,440			37,348		30		54,850		48,440			13
General and administrative	32,356			27,506		18		34,718		32,356			7
Gains, losses and other items, net	(98		)	314		(131	)	1,286		(98		)	(1,412	)
Total operating expenses	$	104,261		$	83,820	24	%	$	115,390	$	104,261		11

Research and development (“R&D”): Includes operating expenses for the Company’s engineering and product/project management functions supporting research, new development, and related product enhancement.

R&D expenses were ~~$23.6~~$24.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, an increase of ~~$4.9~~$1.0 million, or ~~26.3%~~4.1%, compared to the same quarter a year ago, and ~~is 11.1%~~are 10.8% of total revenues compared to ~~8.7%~~11.1% in the prior year. The increase is due primarily to ~~Connectivity and AS~~LiveRamp investments of ~~$5.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively.~~$1.8 million.

Sales and marketing (“S&M”): Includes operating expenses for the Company’s sales, marketing, and product marketing functions.

S&M expenses were ~~$48.4~~$54.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, an increase of ~~$11.1~~$6.4 million, or ~~29.7%~~13.2%, compared to the same quarter a year ago, and ~~is 22.8%~~are 24.2% of total revenues compared to ~~17.4%~~22.8% in the prior year. The increase is due to primarily to ~~Connectivity~~LiveRamp investments of ~~$10.6~~$9.6 million, ~~corporate marketing~~which includes an increase in non-cash stock compensation of ~~$3.0 million, and AS investments of $1.2 million~~$4.7 million. The increase in non-cash stock compensation was due primarily to ~~support revenue growth.~~the PDP acquisition.

General and administrative (G&A): Represents operating expenses for all corporate functions, including finance, human resources, legal, corporate IT, and the corporate office.

G&A expenses were ~~$32.4~~$34.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, an increase of ~~$4.9~~$2.4 million, or ~~17.6%~~7.3%, compared to the same quarter a year ago, and ~~is 15.2%~~are 15.3% of total revenues compared to ~~12.8%~~14.2% in the prior year. The increase is ~~due~~ primarily headcount related to ~~a $7.1 million increase in separation and transformation costs offset partially by a decrease in incentive compensation accruals.~~support business growth.

Gains, losses, and other items, net: Represents restructuring costs and other ~~adjustments~~adjustments.

Gains, losses and ~~were insignificant in both periods.~~other items, net of $1.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 increased $1.4 million compared to the same quarter a year ago from workforce reduction related severance costs.

~~Income (Loss)~~Loss from Operations and ~~Profit (Loss) Margins~~Operating Margin

The Company’s ~~income (loss)~~loss from operations, as well as operating margin by segment, for each of the periods reported is presented below (dollars in thousands):


	For the three months ended						For the three months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2017			2016			2018			2017
Operating income (loss) and margin:
Marketing Services	$	19,784		$	20,145
LiveRamp							$	9,203		$	(97	)
	21.6		%	18.4		%
Audience Solutions	28,542			25,096
	37.7		%	34.0		%
Connectivity	(48		)	291
Acxiom Marketing Solutions							47,458			48,374
	(0.1		)%	0.9		%
Less:
Corporate	25,967			24,389
Corporate expenses							27,840			25,967
Purchased intangible asset amortization	5,966			4,077			6,054			5,966
Non-cash stock compensation	15,031			8,590			20,360			15,031
Separation and transformation costs	7,119			—			6,822			7,119
Gains, losses and other items, net	(98		)	314			1,286			(98		)
Income (loss) from operations	$	(5,707	)	$	8,162
Loss from operations							$	(5,701	)	$	(5,707	)
Total operating margin	(2.7		)%	3.8		%	(2.8		)%	(2.7		)%

Loss from operations was $5.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to ~~income of $8.2~~$5.7 million for the same quarter a year ago. Operating margin was a negative ~~2.7%~~2.8% compared to ~~3.8%~~a negative 2.7%. ~~The decrease in loss from operations of $13.9 million was due primarily to increases in non-cash stock compensation and separation and transformation costs.~~

MSLiveRamp income from operations was ~~$19.8~~$9.2 million, a ~~21.6%~~14.7% margin, for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to ~~$20.1~~loss from operations of $0.1 million, ~~an 18.4%~~a negative 0.2% margin, for the same quarter a year ago. A $16.0 million increase in gross profit was partially offset by R&D and S&M investments.

AMS income from operations was $47.5 million, a 28.8% margin, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 compared to $48.4 million, a 29.2% margin, for the same quarter a year ago. U.S. margins ~~increased~~decreased to ~~23.7%~~30.7% in the current quarter from ~~19.0%~~31.3% due to ~~R&D and S&M cost reductions, including R&D reductions related to~~ the ~~Impact disposition.~~

~~AS income from operations was $28.5 million, a 37.7% margin, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 compared to $25.1 million, a 34.0% margin, for the same quarter a year ago. U.S.~~decrease in Audience Creation revenue. International operating margins increased to ~~39.6% in the current quarter~~9.5% from ~~35.7%~~6.0% due to ~~gross profit improvements of $5.2 million offset partially by investments in S&M and R&D. International operating margins decreased slightly to 20.5% from 20.7%.~~

~~Connectivity loss from operations was $0.0 million, a negative 0.1% margin, for~~ the ~~quarter ended June 30, 2017 compared to income of $0.3 million, a 0.9% margin, for the same quarter a year ago. A $9.9 million increase in gross profit was offset by R&D and S&M investments.~~

revenue increase.

Corporate expenses were ~~$26.0~~$27.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to ~~$24.4~~$26.0 million for the same quarter a year ago, and ~~is 12.2%~~are 12.3% of total revenues compared to ~~11.4%~~12.2% in the prior year. ~~The increase was primarily related to corporate marketing costs.~~

Other Expense, Income Taxes and Other Items

Interest expense was ~~$2.3~~$2.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to ~~$1.8~~$2.3 million for the same quarter a year ago. The increase is primarily related to ~~$70 million of borrowings~~an increase in ~~the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 related to the Arbor and Circulate acquisitions. The average balance of the term loan and line of credit increased approximately $40.0 million and~~ the average rate ~~increased~~of approximately 7060 basis points. ~~On June 20, 2017, the Company refinanced its debt facility to consist of a $600 million revolving credit facility, of which $230 million was outstanding at June 30, 2017.~~

Other ~~expense~~income was ~~$0.7~~$0.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to other ~~income~~expense of ~~$0.3~~$0.7 million for the same quarter a year ago. Other income and expense primarily consists of interest income and foreign currency transaction gains and losses in each period reported. The ~~current~~prior year quarter includes $0.7 million expense for accelerated deferred debt costs related to the debt refinancing.

Income tax benefit was ~~$7.4~~$5.0 million on pretax loss of ~~$8.7~~$8.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to income tax ~~expense~~benefit of ~~$2.7~~$7.4 million on pretax ~~income~~loss of ~~$6.7~~$8.7 million for the same quarter last year. The effective tax rates for both periods were impacted by ~~nondeductible share–based~~non-deductible stock-based compensation related to the Arbor and Circulate acquisitions. In the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company ~~also~~ recognized a discrete tax benefit of ~~$1.5~~$1.3 million related to net excess tax benefits from ~~share–based compensation.~~stock-based compensation compared to $1.5 million for the same quarter last year. The quarter ended June 30, 2018 was also impacted by the Tax Act's permanent reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Working Capital and Cash Flow

Working capital at June 30, ~~2017~~2018 totaled ~~$198.6~~$149.3 million, a ~~$60.3~~$32.7 million ~~increase~~decrease when compared to ~~$138.3~~$182.0 million at March 31, ~~2017,~~2018, due primarily to the ~~debt refinancing, as the amended credit agreement does not require periodic principal debt service.~~repurchase of 1.9 million shares of common stock for $45.8 million.

The Company’s cash is primarily located in the United States. Approximately ~~$16.5~~$22.4 million of the total cash balance of ~~$163.1~~$95.1 million, or approximately ~~10.1%~~23.6%, is located outside of the United States. The Company has no current plans to repatriate this cash to the United States.

Accounts receivable days sales outstanding was 5666 days at June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to 5761 days at March 31, ~~2017,~~2018, and is calculated as follows (dollars in thousands):


	June 30, 2017		March 31, 2017		June 30, 2018		March 31, 2018
Numerator – trade accounts receivable, net	$	131,339	$	142,768	$	163,767	$	167,188
Denominator:
Quarter revenue	212,514		224,867		226,960		244,781
Number of days in quarter	91		90		91		90
Average daily revenue	$	2,335	$	2,499	$	2,494	$	2,720
Days sales outstanding	56		57		66		61

Net cash provided by operating activities was ~~$5.0~~$17.2 million for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, compared to ~~$0.8~~$5.0 million in the same period a year ago. The ~~$4.2~~$12.2 million increase resulted primarily from ~~improved cash adjusted net earnings.~~favorable changes in working capital.

Investing activities used cash of ~~$10.5~~$10.7 million during the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to ~~$14.7~~$10.5 million in the same period a year ago. Investing activities consisted primarily ~~consisted~~ of capital expenditures ($~~6.9~~4.4 million compared to ~~$10.7~~$6.9 million in the prior period) ~~and~~, capitalization of software ($~~3.4~~3.6 million compared to ~~$4.0~~$3.4 million in the prior period)., and $2.5 million in the current year for a long-term investment.

Financing activities used cash of ~~$2.1~~$52.6 million during the three months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 compared to ~~$24.8~~$2.1 million in the same period a year ago. ~~Proceeds~~The current year primarily consisted of treasury stock purchases of $45.8 million (1.9 million shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to the board of directors' approved stock repurchase plan). The prior year consisted primarily of proceeds from the debt refinancing of $230.0 million which were used to pay off the outstanding $225 million term and revolving loan balances, with interest, along with $4.0 million in fees related to the restated credit agreement. ~~Other financing activities in the prior year period consisted of treasury stock purchases of $20.2 million.~~

On August 29, 2011, the board of directors adopted a common stock repurchase program. That program was subsequently modified and expanded, most recently on ~~July 28, 2016~~March 30, 2018 (see Note 23 - Earnings Per Share). Under the modified common stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase up to ~~$400~~$500.0 million of its common stock through the period ending ~~June 30, 2018.~~December 31, 2019. During the three months ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company ~~did not repurchase any~~repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common ~~stock.~~stock for $45.8 million. Through June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company had repurchased a total of ~~16.8~~22.0 million shares of its stock for ~~$285.7~~$420.4 million, leaving remaining capacity of ~~$114.3~~$79.6 million under the stock repurchase program.

Credit and Debt Facilities

See Note 8 “Long-Term Debt” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details related to the Company’s amended and restated credit agreement.

Based on our current expectations, we believe our liquidity and capital resources will be sufficient to operate our business. However, we may take advantage of opportunities to generate additional liquidity or refinance existing debt through capital market transactions. The amount, nature, and timing of any capital market transactions will depend on our operating performance and other circumstances; our then-current commitments and obligations; the amount, nature, and timing of our capital requirements; any limitations imposed by our current credit arrangements; and overall market conditions.

Off-Balance Sheet Items and Commitments

In connection with the August 2016 disposition of Acxiom Impact, ~~disposition,~~ the Company assigned a facility lease to the buyer of the business. The Company guaranteed the facility lease as required by the asset ~~disposition.~~disposition agreement. Should the assignee default, the Company would be required to perform under the terms of the facility lease, which continues through September 2021. At June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company's maximum potential future rent payments subject to this guarantee totaled ~~$2.5~~$2.0 million.

There were no material outstanding letters of credit at June 30, ~~2017~~2018 or March 31, ~~2017.~~2018.

Contractual Commitments

The following table presents the Company’s contractual cash obligations, exclusive of interest, and purchase commitments at June 30, ~~2017.~~2018. The table does not include the future payment of liabilities related to uncertain tax positions of ~~$5.0~~$2.2 million as the Company is not able to predict the periods in which the payments will be made. The amounts for ~~2018 represents~~2019 represent the remaining nine months ending March 31, ~~2018.~~2019. All other periods represent fiscal years ending March 31 (dollars in thousands).


	For the years ending March 31,														For the years ending March 31,
	2018		2019		2020		2021		2022		Thereafter		Total		2019		2020		2021		2022		2023		Thereafter		Total
Revolving credit borrowings	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	230,000	$	230,000
Term loan															$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	230,000	$	—	$	230,000
Other debt	1,747		1,584		1,362		348		—		—		5,041		991		1,362		348		—		—		—		2,701
Total long-term debt and capital leases	1,747		1,584		1,362		348		—		230,000		235,041
Total long-term debt															991		1,362		348		—		230,000		—		232,701
Operating leases	14,458		13,249		12,468		12,076		11,709		17,012		80,972		12,482		16,063		15,464		14,539		8,099		9,836		76,483
Total contractual cash obligations	$	16,205	$	14,833	$	13,830	$	12,424	$	11,709	$	247,012	$	316,013	$	13,473	$	17,425	$	15,812	$	14,539	$	238,099	$	9,836	$	309,184

For the years ending March 31,

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
Total
Total purchase commitments
$ 32,523

$ 19,766

$ 15,398

$ 7,825

$ 834

$ —

$ 76,346



	For the years ending March 31,
	2019		2020		2021		2022		2023		Thereafter		Total
Total purchase commitments	$	33,891	$	18,226	$	9,298	$	1,539	$	338	$	—	$	63,292

Purchase commitments include contractual commitments for the purchase of data and open purchase orders for equipment, paper, office supplies, construction and other items. Purchase commitments in some cases will be satisfied by entering into future operating leases, capital leases, or other financing arrangements, rather than payment of cash. The above commitments relating to long-term obligations do not include future payments of interest. The Company estimates future interest payments on debt for the remainder of fiscal ~~2018~~2019 of ~~$7.7~~$9.2 million.

The following are contingencies or guarantees under which the Company could be required, in certain circumstances, to make cash payments as of June 30, ~~2017~~2018 (dollars in thousands):


Lease guarantees	$	2,548	$	1,972
Surety bonds	$	405	$	405

While the Company does not have any other material contractual commitments for capital expenditures, certain levels of investments in facilities and computer equipment continue to be necessary to support the growth of the business. In some cases, the Company also licenses software and sells hardware to clients. Management believes that the Company’s existing available debt and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. The Company also evaluates acquisitions from time to time, which may require up-front payments of cash.

For a description of certain risks that could have an impact on results of operations or financial condition, including liquidity and capital resources, see “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A, of the Company’s ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report.

Non-U.S. Operations

The Company has a presence in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Australia, and China. Most of the Company’s exposure to exchange rate fluctuation is due to translation gains and losses as there are no material transactions that cause exchange rate impact. In general, each of the foreign locations is expected to fund its own operations and cash flows, although funds may be loaned or invested from the U.S. to the foreign subsidiaries subject to limitations in the Company’s revolving credit facility. These advances are considered long-term investments, and any gain or loss resulting from changes in exchange rates as well as gains or losses resulting from translating the foreign financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Exchange rate movements of foreign currencies may have an impact on the Company’s future costs or on future cash flows from foreign investments. The Company has not entered into any foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. ~~GAAP.~~GAAP as set forth in the FASB ASC and we consider the various staff accounting bulletins and other applicable guidance issued by the SEC. These accounting principles require management to make certain judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The consolidated financial statements in the Company’s ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report include a summary of significant accounting policies used in the preparation of Acxiom’s consolidated financial statements. In addition, the Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed as part of the ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report contains a discussion of the policies ~~which~~that management has identified as the most critical because they require management’s use of complex and/or significant judgments. None of the Company’s critical accounting policies have materially changed since the date of the last annual report.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Current Year

See “Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Current Year” under Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of certain accounting standards that have been issued and were adopted during the current fiscal year.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted” under Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of certain accounting standards that have been issued but not yet adopted.

Forward-looking Statements

This ~~document~~Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. These statements, which are not statements of historical fact, may contain estimates, assumptions, projections and/or expectations regarding the Company’s financial position, results of operations, market position, product development, growth opportunities, economic conditions, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “foresee,” or the negative of these terms or other similar variations thereof. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to the following:

management’s expectations about the macro economy;

statements containing a projection of revenues, income (loss), earnings (loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure, or other financial items;

statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, but not limited to, those statements contained under the heading ~~“Acxiom’s Growth~~“Growth Strategy” in Part I, Item 1 of the Company's ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K;

statements of future economic performance, including, but not limited to, those statements contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Company's ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K;

statements containing any assumptions underlying or relating to any of the above statements; and

statements containing a projection or estimate.

Among the factors that may cause actual results and expectations to differ from anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are the following:

the risk factors described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in the Company's ~~2017~~2018 Annual Report and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the SEC;

the possibility that, in the event a change of control of the Company is sought, ~~that~~ certain clients may attempt to invoke provisions in their contracts allowing for termination upon a change in control, which may result in a decline in revenue and profit;

the possibility that the integration of acquired businesses may not be as successful as planned;

the possibility that the fair value of certain of our assets may not be equal to the carrying value of those assets now or in future time periods;

the possibility that sales cycles may lengthen;

the possibility that we will not be able to properly motivate our sales force or other associates;

the possibility that we may not be able to attract and retain qualified technical and leadership associates, or that we may lose key associates to other organizations;

the possibility that we will not be able to continue to receive credit upon satisfactory terms and conditions;

the possibility that competent, competitive products, technologies or services will be introduced into the marketplace by other companies;

the possibility that there will be changes in consumer or business information industries and markets that negatively impact the Company;

the possibility that we will not be able to protect proprietary information and technology or to obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms;

the possibility that there will be changes in the legislative, accounting, regulatory and consumer environments affecting our business, including but not limited to litigation, legislation, regulations and customs impairing our ability to collect, manage, aggregate and use data;

the possibility that data suppliers might withdraw data from us, leading to our inability to provide certain products and services;

the possibility that data purchasers will reduce their reliance on us by developing and using their own, or alternative, sources of data generally or with respect to certain data elements or categories;

the possibility that we may enter into short-term contracts, which would affect the predictability of our revenues;

the possibility that the amount of ad hoc, volume-based and project work will not be as expected;

the possibility that we may experience a loss of data center capacity or interruption of telecommunication links or power sources;

the possibility that we may experience failures or breaches of our network and data security systems, leading to potential adverse publicity, negative customer reaction, or liability to third parties;

the possibility that our clients may cancel or modify their agreements with us;

the possibility that we will not successfully complete customer contract requirements on time or meet the service levels specified in the contracts, which may result in contract penalties or lost revenue;

the possibility that we may experience processing errors ~~which~~that result in credits to customers, re-performance of services or payment of damages to customers; ~~and~~

general and global negative economic ~~conditions.~~conditions; and

our tax rate and other effects of the changes to U.S. federal tax law.

With respect to the provision of products or services outside our primary base of operations in the United States, all of the above factors apply, along with the difficulty of doing business in numerous sovereign jurisdictions due to differences in scale, competition, culture, laws and regulations.

Other factors are detailed from time to time in periodic reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. The Company believes that it has the product and technology offerings, facilities, associates and competitive and financial resources for continued business success, but future revenues, costs, margins and profits are all influenced by a number of factors, including those discussed above, all of which are inherently difficult to forecast.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information or otherwise.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We believe there have been no material changes in our market risk exposures for the three months ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, as compared with those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, ~~2017.~~2018.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and President (our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (our principal financial and accounting officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial and accounting officer concluded that as of June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There are currently no matters pending against the Company or its subsidiaries for which the potential exposure is considered material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The risks described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, ~~2017,~~2018 (the "2018 Form 10-K"), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May ~~26, 2017,~~25, 2018, remain current in all material respects. ~~Those~~We are updating the risk factors in our 2018 Form 10-K to include the following additional risk factors. The following risk factors should be read in conjunction with the risk factors discussed in Part 1, Item 1A of our 2018 Form 10-K. The risk factors in our 2018 Form 10-K, as updated to include the risk factors below, do not identify all risks that we face. Our operations could also be affected by factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial to our operations. If any of the identified risks or others not specified in our SEC filings materialize, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock could decline.

The announcement and pendency of our sale of the Acxiom Marketing Solutions business (the “AMS Business”) to The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (“IPG”) for $2.3 billion in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments (the “AMS Sale”), and the planned Holdco Merger and LLC Conversion (each, as defined below, and, together with the AMS Sale, the “AMS Sale and Reorganization”) whether or not consummated, may adversely affect our business.

The announcement and pendency of the AMS Sale and Reorganization, whether or not consummated, may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, our business or our relationships with clients, vendors and employees. As a result of the announcement and pendency of the AMS Sale and Reorganization, third parties may be unwilling to enter into material agreements with respect to our business. New or existing clients, vendors and other business partners may prefer to enter into agreements with our competitors who have not expressed an intention to sell a portion of their business because clients and business partners may perceive that such new relationships are likely to be more stable. In addition, pending the completion of the AMS Sale and Reorganization, we may be unable to attract and retain key personnel as our employees may become concerned about the future of our business and lose focus or seek other employment. Furthermore, our management’s focus and attention and employee resources may be diverted from operational matters during the pendency of the AMS Sale and Reorganization. The Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated as of July 2, 2018 by and among IPG, LiveRamp, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary (“LiveRamp”), Acxiom Holdings, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary (“Holdco”), and us (the “Purchase Agreement”) also imposes certain restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to the completion of the AMS Sale and Reorganization, which could delay or prevent us from undertaking business opportunities that may arise pending completion of the AMS Sale and Reorganization. In the event that the AMS Sale and Reorganization is not completed, the announcement of the termination of the Purchase Agreement may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, our business or our relationships with clients, vendors and employees.

We cannot be sure if or when the AMS Sale and Reorganization will be completed.

The consummation of the AMS Sale and Reorganization is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions, including the authorization of the AMS Sale by our stockholders and the authorization of our holding company merger with Holdco (the “Holdco Merger”) and our conversion into a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “LLC Conversion”) by our stockholders. We cannot guarantee that the closing conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement or related documents will be satisfied. If we are unable to satisfy the closing conditions in IPG’s favor, or if other mutual closing conditions are not satisfied, IPG will not be obligated to complete the AMS Sale.

If the AMS Sale is not completed, our board of directors, in discharging its fiduciary obligations to our stockholders, will evaluate other strategic alternatives to the AMS Sale that may be available, which alternatives may not be as favorable to our stockholders as the AMS Sale. Any future sale of substantially all of our assets or other transactions may be subject to further stockholder approval.

If we fail to complete the AMS Sale and Reorganization, the failure to maintain existing business relationships or enter into new ones could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If we fail to complete the AMS Sale and Reorganization, we expect that we will also retain and continue to operate the AMS Business. The potential for loss or disaffection of employees or clients or vendors of the AMS Business following a failure to consummate the AMS Sale could have a material, negative impact on the value of our business.

In addition, if the AMS Sale and Reorganization are not consummated, our management and other employees will have expended extensive time and effort and their focus and attention will have been diverted from operational matters during the pendency of AMS Sale and Reorganization, and we will have incurred significant third party transaction costs, in each case, without any commensurate benefit, which may have a material and adverse effect on our stock price and results of operations.

The Purchase Agreement limits our ability to pursue alternatives to the AMS Sale and Reorganization.

The Purchase Agreement contains provisions that prohibit us from selling the AMS Business to any party other than IPG. The Purchase Agreement also contains provisions that make it more difficult for us to sell the entire Company. These provisions include the prohibition on our ability to solicit a competing proposal with respect to the AMS Sale and the requirement that we pay a termination fee equal to $86.25 million or, in certain circumstances, up to $15 million of expenses (which is creditable toward the termination fee if it is also payable) if the Purchase Agreement is terminated in specified circumstances. These provisions could make it less advantageous for a third party that might have an interest in acquiring us to consider or propose an alternative transaction, even if that party were prepared to pay consideration with a higher value than the consideration to be paid by IPG.

Because our LiveRamp business (the “LiveRamp Business”) represented a relatively small portion of our consolidated revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, if the AMS Sale and Reorganization are completed, our business will be substantially different and may never achieve or sustain profitability.

The revenue generated from our LiveRamp Business for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 constituted approximately 24% of our consolidated revenue for that fiscal year. Although we expect the revenue generated from our LiveRamp Business to grow in the future, our business will be substantially different following the AMS Sale and Reorganization, and there can be no assurance that we will achieve sustained growth in our LiveRamp Business, achieve or sustain profitability in our LiveRamp Business, or generate positive cash flows from our LiveRamp Business, or in new products or business opportunities we may pursue.

In addition, since our focus following the closing of the AMS Sale and Reorganization will be on our LiveRamp Business, our management may face even greater expectations from investors and analysts to more quickly produce improved quarterly financial results for our LiveRamp Business as compared to the periods prior to the AMS Sale and Reorganization. This might cause distractions for our management and our board of directors and might at times conflict with our desire to build long-term stockholder value.

Our stockholders will not receive any distribution from the AMS Sale and Reorganization, and may never receive any return of value.

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the AMS Sale to, among other things, pay the approximately $230 million balance of our outstanding loans under the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2017, by and among the Company and the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders, and related fees, to initiate a $500 million cash tender offer for our common stock, increase our outstanding share repurchase authorization by up to $500 million, and extend the duration of the program to December 31, 2020, and to fund growth initiatives, strategic acquisition opportunities and meet on going cash needs. However, there is no guarantee that the cash tender offer or increase or extension in the share repurchase program will occur.

In addition, we have not declared any cash dividends and do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Stockholders also do not have appraisal rights in connection with the AMS Sale and Reorganization. Stockholders will not directly receive any liquidity from the AMS Sale and Reorganization and the only return to them will be based on any future appreciation in our stock price or upon a future sale or liquidation of us. Much depends on our future business, including the success or failure of our LiveRamp Business. There are no assurances that we will be successful, and current stockholders may never get a return on their investment.

There can be no assurances that we will be successful in investing the proceeds of the AMS Sale.

The process to identify potential investment opportunities, growth initiatives, strategic acquisition opportunities and to evaluate the future returns therefrom and business prospects thereof can be time consuming and uncertain. Our management could spend or invest the proceeds from the AMS Sale in ways with which our stockholders may not agree, and our management and the board of directors may authorize such spending or investment without seeking stockholder approval. The investment of these proceeds may not yield a favorable return and there can be no assurances that we will be successful in the investment of these proceeds.

We will continue to incur the expenses of complying with public company reporting requirements following the closing of the AMS Sale and Reorganization.

After the AMS Sale and Reorganization, we will continue to be required to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and NASDAQ, and will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses in connection with that compliance. In addition, our management and other personnel will need to continue to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives.

We may be exposed to litigation related to the AMS Sale and Reorganization from the holders of our common stock.

Transactions such as the AMS Sale and Reorganization are often subject to lawsuits by stockholders. Particularly because the holders of our common stock will not receive any consideration from the AMS Sale and Reorganization, it is possible that they may sue the Company or the board of directors. Such lawsuits could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a)Not applicable.

(b)Not applicable.

(c)The table below provides information regarding purchases by Acxiom of its common stock during the periods indicated.

Maximum Number (or Approximate
Total Number Average Price Total Number of Shares Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet
of Shares Paid Purchased as Part of Publicly Be Purchased Under the
Period Purchased Per Share Announced Plans or Programs Plans or Programs
April 2017 —
n/a —
$ 114,250,978
May 2017 —
n/a —
—
June 2017 —
n/a —
—
Total —
n/a —
$ 114,250,978



				Maximum Number (or Approximate
	Total Number	Average Price	Total Number of Shares	Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet
	of Shares	Paid	Purchased as Part of Publicly	Be Purchased Under the
Period	Purchased	Per Share	Announced Plans or Programs	Plans or Programs
April 2018	1,291,374	23.93	1,291,374	$	94,458,537
May 2018	561,697	26.45	561,697	79,600,656
June 2018	—	—	—	79,600,656
Total	1,853,071	24.70	1,853,071	N/A

On August 29, 2011, the board of directors adopted a common stock repurchase program. That program was subsequently modified and expanded, most recently on ~~July 28, 2016.~~March 30, 2018. Under the modified common stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase up to ~~$400.0~~$500.0 million of its common stock through the period ending ~~June 30, 2018.~~December 31, 2019. Through June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, the Company had repurchased ~~16.8~~a total of 22.0 million shares of its stock for ~~$285.7~~$420.4 million, leaving remaining capacity of ~~$114.3~~$79.6 million under the stock repurchase program.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this quarterly report:



~~10.01~~			~~Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation~~

31.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101			The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, ~~2017,~~2018 and March 31, ~~2017,~~2018, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016,~~2017, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive ~~Income (Loss)~~Loss for the Three Months ended June 30, ~~2017~~2018 and ~~2016,~~2017, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity for the Three Months ended June 30, ~~2017,~~2018, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended June 30, ~~2017 and 2016,~~2018, and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail.

SIGNATURE

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.




	Acxiom Corporation


Dated: August ~~4, 2017~~9, 2018

	By:	/s/ Warren C. Jenson
		(Signature)
		Warren C. Jenson
		Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President
		(principal financial and accounting officer)

~~EXHIBIT INDEX~~



~~Exhibit~~ ~~Number~~			~~Description~~
~~10.01~~			~~Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation~~

~~31.1~~			Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

~~31.2~~			Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

~~32.1~~			~~Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002~~

~~32.2~~			Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

~~101~~			The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2017, and March 31, 2017, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity for the Three Months ended June 30, 2017, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail.

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