UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

R

þ

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

March 31, 2013

OR

o

£

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

Commission File Number 1-14443

Gartner, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

04-3099750

GARTNER, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

04-3099750

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification Number)

P.O. Box 10212

06902-7700

56 Top Gallant Road

(Zip Code)

Stamford, CT

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 316-1111

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. YesþR Noo£

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YesþR Noo£

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

Large accelerated filerþR

Accelerated filero£

Non-accelerated filero£

Smaller reporting companyo£

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

As of October 31, 2012, 93,655,027April 24, 2013, 93,751,149 shares of the registrant’s common shares were outstanding.



Table of Contents

Page

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 and December 31, 20112012

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012 and 2011

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012 and 2011

5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the NineThree Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012 and 2011

6

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

19

18

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

28

26

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

29

27

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

30

28

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

30

28

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

30

28

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

31

29


2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GARTNER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited; in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

 

 


 


 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

255,391

 

$

142,739

 

Fees receivable, net

 

 

370,951

 

 

421,033

 

Deferred commissions

 

 

65,870

 

 

78,492

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

89,766

 

 

63,521

 

 

 



 



 

Total current assets

 

 

781,978

 

 

705,785

 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

 

80,344

 

 

68,132

 

Goodwill

 

 

519,200

 

 

508,550

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

13,142

 

 

7,060

 

Other assets

 

 

84,484

 

 

90,345

 

 

 



 



 

Total Assets

 

$

1,479,148

 

$

1,379,872

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

206,290

 

$

259,490

 

Deferred revenues

 

 

682,603

 

 

611,647

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

80,000

 

 

50,000

 

 

 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

968,893

 

 

921,137

 

Long-term debt

 

 

120,000

 

 

150,000

 

Other liabilities

 

 

128,790

 

 

126,951

 

 

 



 



 

Total Liabilities

 

 

1,217,683

 

 

1,198,088

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.0005 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 156,234,415 shares issued for both periods

 

 

78

 

 

78

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

671,255

 

 

646,815

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net

 

 

8,673

 

 

5,793

 

Accumulated earnings

 

 

849,659

 

 

742,579

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 62,579,388 and 62,891,251 common shares, respectively

 

 

(1,268,200

)

 

(1,213,481

)

 

 



 



 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

261,465

 

 

181,784

 

 

 



 



 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,479,148

 

$

1,379,872

 

 

 



 



 

  March 31,
2013
  December 31,
2012
 
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $269,063  $299,852 
Fees receivable, net of allowances of $6,120 and $6,400, respectively  441,405   463,968 
Deferred commissions  82,929   87,933 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  81,643   75,713 
Total current assets  875,040   927,466 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net  88,508   89,089 
Goodwill  516,525   519,506 
Intangible assets, net  10,477   11,821 
Other assets  76,845   73,395 
Total Assets $1,567,395  $1,621,277 
         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $180,896  $287,763 
Deferred revenues  736,696   692,237 
Current portion of long-term debt  57,500   90,000 
Total current liabilities  975,092   1,070,000 
Long-term debt  147,500   115,000 
Other liabilities  125,646   129,604 
Total Liabilities  1,248,238   1,314,604 
Stockholders’ Equity        
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding      
Common stock, $.0005 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 156,234,415 shares issued for both periods  78   78 
Additional paid-in capital  689,182   679,871 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net  2,763   5,968 
Accumulated earnings  945,157   908,482 
Treasury stock, at cost, 62,494,184 and 62,873,100 common shares, respectively  (1,318,023)  (1,287,726)
Total Stockholders’ Equity  319,157   306,673 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $1,567,395  $1,621,277 

See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


3

GARTNER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

��


 


 


 


 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research

 

$

284,048

 

$

255,979

 

$

836,970

 

$

749,429

 

Consulting

 

 

71,731

 

 

70,815

 

 

222,970

 

 

219,407

 

Events

 

 

18,627

 

 

18,990

 

 

81,119

 

 

72,058

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total revenues

 

 

374,406

 

 

345,784

 

 

1,141,059

 

 

1,040,894

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and product development

 

 

151,143

 

 

142,696

 

 

458,853

 

 

428,473

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

164,888

 

 

148,461

 

 

492,627

 

 

442,891

 

Depreciation

 

 

6,301

 

 

6,638

 

 

18,378

 

 

19,143

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

1,362

 

 

739

 

 

3,029

 

 

5,788

 

Acquisition and integration charges

 

 

944

 

 

 

 

2,126

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

324,638

 

 

298,534

 

 

975,013

 

 

896,295

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating income

 

 

49,768

 

 

47,250

 

 

166,046

 

 

144,599

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(2,209

)

 

(2,282

)

 

(6,557

)

 

(7,863

)

Other expense, net

 

 

(748

)

 

(541

)

 

(1,802

)

 

(1,494

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income before income taxes

 

 

46,811

 

 

44,427

 

 

157,687

 

 

135,242

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

15,436

 

 

13,963

 

 

50,607

 

 

43,364

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

31,375

 

$

30,464

 

$

107,080

 

$

91,878

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.32

 

$

1.15

 

$

0.95

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.12

 

$

0.92

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

93,522

 

 

96,057

 

 

93,429

 

 

96,462

 

Diluted

 

 

95,611

 

 

98,259

 

 

95,791

 

 

99,467

 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2013  2012 
       
Revenues:        
Research $310,331  $274,620 
Consulting  72,633   74,563 
Events  23,790   19,988 
Total revenues  406,754   369,171 
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of services and product development  163,737   146,463 
Selling, general and administrative  180,478   162,518 
Depreciation  7,100   5,895 
Amortization of intangibles  1,334   739 
Acquisition and integration charges  100    
         
Total costs and expenses  352,749   315,615 
Operating income  54,005   53,556 
Interest expense, net  (2,436)  (2,195)
Other income (expense), net  211   (978)
Income before income taxes  51,780   50,383 
Provision for income taxes  15,105   16,162 
Net income $36,675  $34,221 
         
Income per common share:        
Basic $0.39  $0.37 
Diluted $0.38  $0.36 
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
Basic  93,595   93,416 
Diluted  95,537   96,199 

See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


4

GARTNER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited; in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

31,375

 

$

30,464

 

$

107,080

 

$

91,878

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

5,383

 

 

(5,352

)

 

3,720

 

 

(3,828

)

Unrealized loss on interest rate swap hedge

 

 

(470

)

 

(5,283

)

 

(1,139

)

 

(8,170

)

Amortization of pension unrealized actuarial gain

 

 

(51

)

 

(33

)

 

(157

)

 

(100

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

4,862

 

 

(10,668

)

 

2,424

 

 

(12,098

)

Tax effect of comprehensive income items

 

 

188

 

 

2,113

 

 

456

 

 

3,268

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effect

 

 

5,050

 

 

(8,555

)

 

2,880

 

 

(8,830

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Comprehensive income

 

$

36,425

 

$

21,909

 

$

109,960

 

$

83,048

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2013  2012 
       
Net income $36,675  $34,221 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:        
Interest rate swap (cash flow hedge) – gain  561   32 
Defined benefit pension plans – actuarial gain (loss)  23   (54)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (3,789)  2,676 
Other comprehensive (loss) income  (3,205)  2,654 
Comprehensive income $33,470  $36,875 

See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


5

GARTNER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited; in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 


 


 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

107,080

 

$

91,878

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization of intangibles

 

 

21,407

 

 

24,931

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

28,021

 

 

24,750

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

 

(20,366

)

 

(22,458

)

Deferred taxes

 

 

(3,268

)

 

3,812

 

Amortization of debt issue costs

 

 

1,512

 

 

1,733

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees receivable, net

 

 

54,157

 

 

16,023

 

Deferred commissions

 

 

13,202

 

 

11,354

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(18,803

)

 

(6,241

)

Other assets

 

 

2,429

 

 

2,051

 

Deferred revenues

 

 

60,681

 

 

74,021

 

Accounts payable, accrued, and other liabilities

 

 

(37,301

)

 

(45,389

)

 

 



 



 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

208,751

 

 

176,465

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

(30,800

)

 

(23,720

)

Acquisition (net of cash acquired)

 

 

(10,336

)

 

 

 

 



 



 

Cash used in investing activities

 

 

(41,136

)

 

(23,720

)

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock issued under stock plans

 

 

10,560

 

 

17,771

 

Proceeds from debt issuance

 

 

22,500

 

 

5,000

 

Payments on debt

 

 

(22,500

)

 

(15,156

)

Purchases of treasury stock

 

 

(89,300

)

 

(141,214

)

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

 

20,366

 

 

22,458

 

 

 



 



 

Cash used by financing activities

 

 

(58,374

)

 

(111,141

)

 

 



 



 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

109,241

 

 

41,604

 

Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

3,411

 

 

(4,882

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

142,739

 

 

120,181

 

 

 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

255,391

 

$

156,903

 

 

 



 



 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2013  2012 
Operating activities:        
Net income $36,675  $34,221 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles  8,434   6,634 
Stock-based compensation expense  12,342   10,939 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation  (13,219)  (13,784)
Deferred taxes  (1,872)  (1,664)
Amortization and write-off of debt issue costs  858   509 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:        
Fees receivable, net  17,851   39,695 
Deferred commissions  4,113   3,665 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (4,467)  (6,105)
Other assets  (6,467)  (2,141)
Deferred revenues  51,019   34,822 
Accounts payable, accrued, and other liabilities  (85,574)  (88,112)
Cash provided by operating activities  19,693   18,679 
         
Investing activities:        
Additions to property, equipment and leasehold improvements  (9,648)  (7,118)
Cash used in investing activities  (9,648)  (7,118)
         
Financing activities:        
Proceeds from stock issued under stock plans  1,955   5,524 
Proceeds from debt issuance  200,000   47,793 
Payments for debt issuance costs  (3,553)   
Payments on debt  (200,000)  (7,500)
Purchases of treasury stock  (48,527)  (77,157)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation  13,219   13,784 
Cash used by financing activities  (36,906)  (17,556)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  (26,861)  (5,995)
Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  (3,928)  2,241 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  299,852   142,739 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $269,063  $138,985 

See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


6

GARTNER, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Note 1 — Business and Basis of Presentation

Business.Gartner, Inc. is a global information technology research and advisory company founded in 1979 with its headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. Gartner delivers its products and services through three business segments: Research, Consulting, and Events. When used in these notes, the terms “Gartner,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Gartner, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of presentation. TheseThe accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 270 for interim financial information and with the applicable instructions of the U.S. Securities and& Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X on Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company filed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. 2012.

The fiscal year of Gartner represents the twelve-month calendar period from January 1 through December 31. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring accruals and adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented herein have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 may not be indicative of the results of operations for the remainder of 2012.2013.

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

Principles of consolidation. The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly- and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use of estimates. The preparation of the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the valuation of accounts receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets, as well as tax accruals and other liabilities. In addition, estimates are used in revenue recognition, income tax expense, performance-based compensation charges, depreciation and amortization, and the allowance for losses. Management believes its use of estimates in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements is reasonable.

Management continuously evaluates and revises its estimates using historical experience and other factors, including the general economic environment and actions it may take in the future. SuchManagement adjusts these estimates are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. However, these estimates may involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. In addition, these estimates are based on management’s best judgment at a point in time. As a result, differences between suchour estimates and actual results could be material and would be reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Adoption of new accounting rules. The Company adopted new accounting rules in the three months ended March 31, 2013 related to accumulated other comprehensive income (see Note 2 — AcquisitionComprehensive Income) and balance sheet offsetting of receivables and payables arising from derivative contracts (see Note 10 — Derivatives and Hedging). The adoption of these new rules resulted in additional disclosures only.

Note 2 — Comprehensive Income

On May 31, 2012,January 1, 2013, the Company acquired Ideas International Limitedadopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“Ideas International”ASU”) 2013-02,Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, a publicly-owned Australian corporation (ASX: IDE) headquartered outsidean amendment to FASB ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires entities to prospectively disclose additional information about changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI’) balances by component and items reclassified out of Sydney with 40 employees that provides intelligence on IT infrastructure configurations and pricing dataAOCI to IT professionals. The Company paid aggregate cash considerationincome during the period. ASU 2013-02 does not change the existing requirement to present the components of $18.8 million for 100% ofcomprehensive income in the outstanding shares of Ideas International. The Company’s strategic objectives in acquiring Ideas International are to leverage Gartner’s scale and worldwide distribution capability and introduce Ideas International’s products and services to Gartner’s much larger end user client base and to further penetrate the technology vendor market. Ideas International’s business operations have been integrated into the Company’s Research segment.

Gartner’s financial statements includeand is intended to improve the operating resultstransparency of Ideas International beginning withreclassification amounts and their impact on the datefinancial statements. The information required by ASU 2013-02 is presented below.

7

The changes in AOCI by component (net of acquisition. These operating results were not material to the Company’s consolidated or segment operating resultstax) for the three and nine months ended


September 30, 2012. The Company recorded $0.9 million and $2.1 million of pre-tax acquisition and integration charges related to the acquisition March 31, 2013 are presented in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, which are classified in Acquisition and integration charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in these charges are legal, consulting, and severance costs, all of which were direct and incremental charges from the acquisition. Had the Company acquired Ideas International on January 1, 2010, the impact to the Company’s operating results for 2011 and 2010 would not have been material, and as a result pro forma financial information for those periods has not been presented.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting as prescribed by FASB ASC Topic 805,Business Combinations.The acquisition method of accounting requires the consideration paid to be allocated to the net assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, and any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, must be allocated to goodwill. The Company considers its allocation of the respective purchase price to be preliminary, particularly with respect to the valuation of certain tax related items. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, a final determination of the purchase price allocation and resulting goodwill must be made within one year of the acquisition date. The Company anticipates that none of the recorded goodwill arising from the acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes. All of the recorded goodwill was included in the Company’s Research segment. The Company believes the recorded goodwill is supported by the anticipated revenues related to the acquisition.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition (dollars in(in thousands) (1):

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

8,502

 

Fees receivable

 

 

1,310

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

560

 

Goodwill and amortizable intangible assets (1)

 

 

15,990

 

 

 



 

Total assets

 

$

26,362

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

2,203

 

Deferred revenues (2)

 

 

5,321

 

 

 



 

Total liabilities

 

$

7,524

 

 

 



 


  Interest Rate
Swap (Cash
Flow Hedge)
  Defined
Benefit
Pension Plans
  Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
  Total 
Balance – December 31, 2012 $(6,010) $(1,578) $13,556  $5,968 
Changes during the period:                
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications  (4)  17   (3,789)  (3,776)
Reclassifications from AOCI to income (2), (3)  565   6      571 
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period  561   23   (3,789)  (3,205)
Balance – March 31, 2013 $(5,449) $(1,555) $9,767  $2,763 

(1)

Amounts in parentheses represent debits.

(1)

(2)

Includes $7.5The hedge reclassification amount was recorded in Interest expense, net and is net of $0.4 million allocated to goodwill and $8.5 million allocated to amortizable intangible assets.of income tax benefit recorded in the Provision for income taxes. See Note 6—Goodwill10 – Derivatives and Intangible Assets belowHedging for additional information.

information regarding the hedge.

(2)

(3)

The fair value ofpension reclassification amount was recorded in SG&A and had an immaterial tax effect. See Note 12 – Employee Benefits for information regarding the cost to fulfill the deferred revenue obligations was determined by estimating the costs to provide the services plus a normal profit margin, and did not include costs associated with selling efforts.

Company’s defined benefit pension plans.

Note 3 — Earnings per Share

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 


 




 


 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share

 

$

31,375

 

$

30,464

 

$

107,080

 

$

91,878

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share

 

 

93,522

 

 

96,057

 

 

93,429

 

 

96,462

 

Common stock equivalents associated with stock-based compensation plans (1)

 

 

2,089

 

 

2,202

 

 

2,362

 

 

3,005

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share

 

 

95,611

 

 

98,259

 

 

95,791

 

 

99,467

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.32

 

$

1.15

 

$

0.95

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.31

 

$

1.12

 

$

0.92

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2013  2012 
Numerator:        
Net income used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share $36,675  $34,221 
Denominator:        
Weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share  93,595   93,416 
Common stock equivalents associated with stock-based compensation plans (1)  1,942   2,783 
Shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share  95,537   96,199 
Basic earnings per share $0.39  $0.37 
Diluted earnings per share $0.38  $0.36 

(1)


(1)

CertainFor the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, 0.2 million and 0.6 million of common stock equivalents, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. These amounted to 0.4 million and 1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and 0.7 million and 0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.


Note 4 — Stock-Based Compensation

The Company grants stock-based compensation awards as an incentive for employees and directors to contribute to the Company’s long-term success. The Company currently awards stock-settled stock appreciation rights, service-service-based and performance-based restricted stock units, and common stock equivalents. At September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, the Company had 6.36.0 million shares of its common stock, par value $.0005 per share (the “Common Stock”) available for awards of stock-based compensation under its 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topics 505 and 718, as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”) and No. 110 (“SAB No. 110”). Stock-based compensation expense is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant, which is then recognized as expense over the related service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The service period is the period over which the related service is performed, which is generally the same as the vesting period. Currently the Company issues treasury shares upon the exercise, release or settlement of stock-based compensation awards.

Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards requires the input of certain complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock compensation awards and the Common Stock price volatility. In addition, determining the appropriate amount of associated periodic expense requires management to estimate the amount of employee forfeitures and the likelihood of the achievement of certain performance targets. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards and the associated periodic expense represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change and the

8

Company deems it necessary in the future to modify the assumptions it made or to use different assumptions, or if the quantity and nature of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards changes, then the amount of expense may need to be adjusted and future stock-based compensation expense could be materially different from what has been recorded in the current period.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company recognized the following amounts of stock-based compensation expense by award type and expense category in the periods indicated (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

Award type:

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 


 


 


 


 


 

Stock appreciation rights (SARs)

 

$

2.4

 

$

1.0

 

$

5.0

 

$

3.4

 

Common stock equivalents (CSEs)

 

 

0.1

 

 

0.1

 

 

0.4

 

 

0.4

 

Restricted stock units (RSUs)

 

 

6.7

 

 

6.7

 

 

22.6

 

 

21.0

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total expense (1)

 

$

9.2

 

$

7.8

 

$

28.0

 

$

24.8

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

Amount recorded in:

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 


 


 


 


 


 

Cost of services and product development

 

$

3.5

 

$

3.3

 

$

12.0

 

$

11.3

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

5.7

 

 

4.5

 

 

16.0

 

 

13.5

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total expense (1)

 

$

9.2

 

$

7.8

 

$

28.0

 

$

24.8

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Award type: 2013  2012 
Stock appreciation rights $1.8  $1.6 
Common stock equivalents  0.1   0.1 
Restricted stock units  10.4   9.2 
Total $12.3  $10.9 

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Amount recorded in: 2013  2012 
Cost of services and product development $5.6  $5.3 
Selling, general and administrative  6.7   5.6 
Total stock-based compensation expense (1) $12.3  $10.9 

(1)


(1)

TheIncludes charges of $7.1 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011 included charges of $1.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related tofor awards to retirement-eligible employees since these awards granted to retirement-eligible employees vest on an accelerated basis. The nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 included charges of $4.7 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for retirement-eligible employees.

As of September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, the Company had $46.6$61.5 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, which is expected to be expensed over the remaining weighted-average service period of approximately 2.32.7 years.

Stock-Based Compensation Awards

The following disclosures provide information regarding the Company’s stock-based compensation awards, all of which are classified as equity awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 505:

Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) permit the holder to participate in the appreciation of the Common Stock. SARs are settled in shares of Common Stock by the employee once the applicable vesting criteria have been met. SARs vest ratably over a four-


yearfour-year service period and expire seven years from the grant date. The fair value of SARs awards is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over four years. At the present time, SARs arehave only been awarded only to the Company’s executive officers.

When SARs are exercised, the number of shares of Common Stock issued is calculated as follows: (1) the total proceeds from the SARs exercise (calculated as the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of exercise less the exercise price of the SARs, multiplied by the number of SARs exercised) is divided by (2) the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the exercise date. The Company withholds a portion of the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. SARs recipients do not have any stockholder rights until after actual shares of Common Stock are issued in respect of the award, which is subject to the prior satisfaction of the vesting and other criteria relating to such grants.

The following table summarizes changes in SARs outstanding during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2012:March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SARs
(in millions)

 

Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

 

 

2.5

 

$

20.39

 

$

7.66

 

 

4.00 years

 

Granted

 

 

0.4

 

 

37.81

 

 

12.99

 

 

6.36 years

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

n/a

 

Exercised

 

 

(0.8

)

 

18.60

 

 

6.86

 

 

n/a

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2012 (1), (2)

 

 

2.1

 

$

24.27

 

$

8.94

 

 

4.23 years

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2012 (2)

 

 

0.9

 

$

18.50

 

$

7.08

 

 

3.17 years

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

  SARs
(in millions)
  Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
  Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2012  2.0  $24.59  $9.04   4.10 years 
Granted  0.4   49.37   14.88   6.87 years 
Forfeited           n/a 
Exercised  (0.1)  20.25   7.58   n/a 
Outstanding at March 31, 2013 (1), (2)  2.3  $28.62  $10.00   4.41 years 
Vested and exercisable at March 31, 2013(2)  1.3  $20.42  $7.73   3.42 years 

n/a=not applicableapplicable.

9
(1)


(1)

As of September 30, 2012, 1.2March 31, 2013, 1.0 million of the SARs outstanding were unvested. The Company expects that substantially all of these unvested awards will vest in future periods.

(2)

As of September 30, 2012, totalTotal SARs outstanding had an intrinsic value of $45.4$58.6 million. SARs vested and exercisable had an intrinsic value of $25.5$44.5 million.

The fair value of the SARs was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(1)

 

 

 


 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 


 


 

Expected dividend yield (2)

 

 

0

%

 

0

%

Expected stock price volatility (3)

 

 

40

%

 

38

%

Risk-free interest rate (4)

 

 

0.8

%

 

2.2

%

Expected life in years (5)

 

 

4.6

 

 

4.8

 

 

 



 



 


  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2013  2012 
Expected dividend yield(1)  0%  0%
Expected stock price volatility(2)  35%  40%
Risk-free interest rate(3)  0.8%  0.8%
Expected life in years(4)  4.5   4.6 

(1)


(1)

The Company did not make any SARs grants during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

(2)

The dividend yield assumption is based on the history and expectation of the Company’s dividend payouts. Historically, Gartner has not paid cash dividends on its Common Stock.

(3)

(2)

The determination of expected stock price volatility was based on both historical Common Stock prices and implied volatility from publicly traded options in the Common Stock.

(4)

(3)

The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a maturity similar to the expected life of the award.

(5)

(4)

The expected life represents the Company’s weighted-average estimate of the period of time the SARs are expected to be outstanding (that is,(defined as the period between the service inception date and the expected exercise date). Beginning January 1, 2012, the expected life has been calculated, which is based on the Company’s historical exercise data. Previously, the Company determined the expected life based on a simplified calculation permitted by SEC SAB No. 107 and SAB No. 110 since the necessary historical exercise data was not available. The change in methodology had an insignificant impact on the calculation of the expected life.


Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units (RSUs) give the awardee the right to receive shares of Common Stock when the vesting conditions are met and the restrictions lapse, and each RSU that vests entitles the awardee to one common share. RSU awardees do not have any of the rights of a Gartner stockholder, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends and distributions, until after the common shares are released. The fair value of RSUs is determined on the date of grant based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date. Service-based RSUs vest ratably over four years and are expensed on a straight-line basis over four years. Performance-based RSUs are subject to both performance and service conditions, vest ratably over four years, and are expensed on an accelerated basis.

The following table summarizes the changes in RSUs outstanding during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2012:March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted
Stock Units
(RSUs)
(in millions)

 

Per Share
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

 

 


 


 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

 

 

3.1

 

$

21.53

 

Granted (1)

 

 

0.7

 

 

37.97

 

Vested and released

 

 

(1.3

)

 

19.51

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2012 (2), (3)

 

 

2.5

 

$

27.93

 

 

 



 



 


  Restricted
Stock Units
(RSUs)
(in millions)
  Per Share
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2012  2.5  $27.95 
Granted(1)  0.6   49.37 
Vested and released  (1.2)  22.08 
Forfeited      
Outstanding at March 31, 2013(2), (3)  1.9  $37.37 

(1)


(1)

The 0.70.6 million RSUs granted in 20122013 consisted of 0.3 million performance-based RSUs awarded to executives and 0.40.3 million service-based RSUs awarded to non-executive employees and certain board members. The 0.3 million performance-based RSUs awarded to executives represents the target amount of the award for the year, which is tied to an increase in the Company’s subscription-based Research contract value (“CV”) for 2012.2013. The final number of performance-based RSUs that will be granted to executives in 2012 could range2013 ranges from 0% to 200% of the target amount, dependingwith the final number dependent on the actual increase in CV for the year as measured on December 31, 2012.2013. If the specified minimum level of achievement is not met, the performance-based RSUs will be forfeited in their entirety, and any compensation expense previously recorded will be reversed.

(2)

The Company expects that substantially all of the outstanding awards will vest in future periods.

(3)

The weighted-average remaining contractual term of the outstanding RSUs is approximately 1.21.7 years.

10

Common Stock Equivalents

Common stock equivalents (CSEs) are convertible into Common Stock and each CSE entitles the holder to one common share. Members of our Board of Directors receive directors’ fees payable in CSEs unless they opt to receive up to 50% of the fees in cash. Generally, the CSEs have no defined term and are converted into common shares when service as a director terminates unless the director has elected an accelerated release. The fair value of the CSEs is determined on the date of grant based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date. CSEs vest immediately and as a result are recorded as expense on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the changes in CSEs outstanding during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2012:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common
Stock
Equivalents
(CSEs)

 

Per Share
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

 

 


 


 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

 

 

97,268

 

$

15.93

 

Granted

 

 

8,631

 

 

44.63

 

Converted to common shares

 

 

(6,173

)

 

44.60

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2012

 

 

99,726

 

$

16.64

 

 

 



 



 

Stock OptionsMarch 31, 2013:

Historically, the Company granted stock options to employees that allowed them to purchase shares of Common Stock at a certain price. The Company has

  Common
Stock
Equivalents
(CSEs)
  Per Share
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2012  100,545  $16.89 
Granted  2,387   54.48 
Converted to common shares  (1,925)  54.48 
Outstanding at March 31, 2013  101,007  $17.06 

na=not made any stock option grants since 2006. All outstanding options are fully vested and there is no remaining unamortized cost. The Company received $7.7 million and $15.2 million in cash from option exercises in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.available


The following table summarizes the changes in stock options outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options in
millions

 

Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Vested and outstanding at December 31, 2011

 

 

1.2

 

$

10.93

 

 

1.47 years

 

$

27.7

 

Exercised (1)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

10.80

 

 

n/a

 

 

n/a

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and outstanding at September 30, 2012

 

 

0.4

 

$

11.13

 

 

1.30 years

 

$

15.6

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

n/a=not applicable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


(1)

Options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 had an intrinsic value of $22.1 million.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESP Plan”) under which eligible employees are permitted to purchase Common Stock through payroll deductions, which may not exceed 10% of an employee’s compensation (or a maximum of $23,750 in any calendar year), at a price equal to 95% of the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange at the end of each offering period.

At September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, the Company had 1.31.2 million shares available for purchase under the ESP Plan. The ESP Plan is considered non-compensatory under FASB ASC Topic 718, and as a result the Company does not record stock-based compensation expense for employee share purchases. The Company received $2.9$1.3 million and $2.6$1.1 million in cash from share purchases under the ESP Plan induring the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Note 5 — Segment Information

The Company manages its business through three reportable segments: Research, Consulting and Events. Research consists primarily of subscription-based research products, access to research inquiry, peer networking services, and membership programs. Consulting consists primarily of consulting, measurement engagements, and strategic advisory services. Events consists of various symposia, conferences, and exhibitions.

The Company evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on gross contribution margin. Gross contribution, as presented in the table below, is defined as operating income excluding certain Cost of services and product development andexpenses, Selling, general and administrative expenses,expense, depreciation, amortization of intangibles, and acquisition and integration charges. Certain bonus and fringe benefit costs included in consolidated Cost of services and product development are not allocated to segment expense. The accounting policies used by the reportable segments are the same as those used by the Company. There are no intersegment revenues.

The Company does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by reportable segment. Accordingly, assets are not reported by segment because the information is not available by segment and is not reviewed in the evaluation of segment performance or in making decisions in the allocation of resources.

The following tables present information about the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012:

 

Research

 

Consulting

 

Events

 

Consolidated

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Revenues

 

$

284,048

 

$

71,731

 

$

18,627

 

$

374,406

 

Gross contribution

 

 

193,540

 

 

24,380

 

 

4,511

 

 

222,431

 

Corporate and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(172,663

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

49,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011:

 

Research

 

Consulting

 

Events

 

Consolidated

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Revenues

 

$

255,979

 

$

70,815

 

$

18,990

 

$

345,784

 

Gross contribution

 

 

173,615

 

 

24,458

 

 

5,553

 

 

203,626

 

Corporate and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(156,376

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

47,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013: Research  Consulting  Events  Consolidated 
Revenues $310,331  $72,633  $23,790  $406,754 
Gross contribution  215,214   22,538   7,108   244,860 
Corporate and other expenses              (190,855)
Operating income             $54,005 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:

 

Research

 

Consulting

 

Events

 

Consolidated

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Revenues

 

$

836,970

 

$

222,970

 

$

81,119

 

$

1,141,059

 

Gross contribution

 

 

571,547

 

 

79,886

 

 

32,867

 

 

684,300

 

Corporate and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(518,254

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

166,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011:

 

Research

 

Consulting

 

Events

 

Consolidated

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Revenues

 

$

749,429

 

$

219,407

 

$

72,058

 

$

1,040,894

 

Gross contribution

 

 

506,420

 

 

78,820

 

 

28,533

 

 

613,773

 

Corporate and other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(469,174

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

144,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012: Research  Consulting  Events  Consolidated 
Revenues $274,620  $74,563  $19,988  $369,171 
Gross contribution  188,602   27,600   7,895   224,097 
Corporate and other expenses              (170,541)
Operating income             $53,556 

Note 6 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. The evaluation of goodwill is performed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, which requires an annual assessment of potential goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit can be an operating segment or a business if discrete financial information is prepared and reviewed by management. The Company has three reporting units: Research, Consulting, and Events.

The following table presents changes to the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research

 

Consulting

 

Events

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Balance, December 31, 2011

 

$

366,980

 

$

99,677

 

$

41,893

 

$

508,550

 

Addition due to acquisition (1)

 

 

7,455

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,455

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

2,488

 

 

683

 

 

24

 

 

3,195

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Balance, September 30, 2012 (2)

 

$

376,923

 

$

100,360

 

$

41,917

 

$

519,200

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


  Research  Consulting  Events  Total 
Balance, December 31, 2012 (1) $377,225  $100,349  $41,932  $519,506 
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (2)  (2,106)  (837)  (38)  (2,981)
Balance, March 31, 2013 $375,119  $99,512  $41,894  $516,525 

(1)


(1)

The Company acquired Ideas International in the second quarter of 2012 and recorded $7.5 million of goodwill. All of the recorded goodwill resulting from the acquisition has been included in the Research segment. See Note 2—Acquisition above for additional information.

(2)

The Company does not have any accumulated goodwill impairment losses.

(2)Includes the impact of foreign currency translation and certain immaterial goodwill adjustments.

Amortizable Intangible Assets

The following tables present reconciliations of the carrying amounts of amortizable intangible assets as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

Trade
Name

 

Customer
Relationships

 

Content

 

Software

 

Total

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Gross cost, December 31, 2011

 

$

5,758

 

$

7,210

 

$

 

$

 

$

12,968

 

Additions due to acquisition (1)

 

 

240

 

 

3,170

 

 

3,170

 

 

1,955

 

 

8,535

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

18

 

 

207

 

 

234

 

 

134

 

 

593

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Gross cost

 

 

6,016

 

 

10,587

 

 

3,404

 

 

2,089

 

 

22,096

 

Accumulated amortization (2)

 

 

(3,210

)

 

(5,238

)

 

(284

)

 

(222

)

 

(8,954

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, September 30, 2012

 

$

2,806

 

$

5,349

 

$

3,120

 

$

1,867

 

$

13,142

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

Trade
Name

 

Customer
Relationships

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross cost, December 31, 2010

 

$

5,758

 

$

7,210

 

$

12,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross cost

 

 

5,758

 

 

7,210

 

 

12,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization (2)

 

 

(2,303

)

 

(3,605

)

 

(5,908

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011

 

$

3,455

 

$

3,605

 

$

7,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2013 Trade
Name
  Customer
Relationships
  Content  Software  Total 
Gross cost, December 31, 2012 $6,019  $10,562  $3,447  $2,124  $22,152 
Foreign currency translation adjustments     13   (14)  (18)  (19)
Gross cost  6,019   10,575   3,433   2,106   22,133 
Accumulated amortization (1)  (3,852)  (6,559)  (713)  (532)  (11,656)
Balance, March 31, 2013 $2,167  $4,016  $2,720  $1,574  $10,477 

December 31, 2012 Trade
Name
  Customer
Relationships
  Content  Software  Total 
Gross cost $6,019  $10,562  $3,447  $2,124  $22,152 
Accumulated amortization (1)  (3,531)  (5,896)  (497)  (407)  (10,331)
Balance, December 31, 2012 $2,488  $4,666  $2,950  $1,717  $11,821 



(1)


(1)

The Company acquired Ideas International in the second quarter of 2012 and recorded a total of $8.5 million of amortizable intangible assets. See Note 2—Acquisition above for additional information.

(2)

Intangible assets are being amortized against earnings over the following periods: Trade name—2 to 5 years; Customer relationships—4 years; Content—4 years; Software—3 years.

Aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets was $1.4$1.3 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011, respectively, and $3.0 million and $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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

 

 

 

 

 

2012 (remaining three months)

 

$

1,370

 

2013

 

 

5,475

 

2014

 

 

3,600

 

2015

 

 

1,995

 

2016

 

 

702

 

 

 



 

 

 

$

13,142

 

 

 



 

2013 (remaining nine months) $4,155 
2014  3,610 
2015  2,000 
2016  712 
  $10,477 
12

Note 7 — Debt

2013 Credit Agreement

The

On March 7, 2013, the Company hasentered into a new credit arrangement that(the “2013 Credit Agreement”) with a syndication of banks led by JPMorgan Chase to take advantage of favorable financing conditions and obtain additional liquidity through a larger revolving credit facility. The 2013 Credit Agreement provides for a five-year, $200.0$150.0 million term loan and a $400.0$600.0 million revolving credit facility that it entered into in December 2010 (the “2010 Credit Agreement”). The 2010facility. In addition, the 2013 Credit Agreement contains an expansion feature by which the term loan and revolving credit facility may be increased, at the Company’s option and under certain conditions, by up to an additional $150.0$250.0 million in the aggregate.

The term loan will be repaid in 1916 consecutive quarterly installments which commenced on March 31, 2011,commencing June 30, 2013, plus a final payment due on December 22, 2015,March 7, 2018, and may be prepaid at any time without penalty or premium (other than applicable breakage costs) at the Company’s option. The revolving credit facility may be used for loans, and up to $40.0 million may be used for letters of credit. The revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed until December 22, 2015,March 7, 2018, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid.

On March 7, 2013, the Company drew down $150.0 million from the term loan and $50.0 million from the revolving credit facility which was used to repay amounts outstanding under the Company’s prior credit arrangement, which was terminated in connection with the refinancing. Future amounts to be drawn down under the revolving credit facility will be used for general working capital purposes. The Company recorded a charge of $0.3 million for capitalized debt issuance costs related to the termination of the previous credit arrangement, which was recorded in Interest expense, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company incurred $3.6 million in debt issuance costs related to the new credit facility, which was capitalized and will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2013 Credit Agreement.

Amounts borrowed under the 20102013 Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’sGartner’s option, either (i) the greatest of: the administrative agent’sAdministrative Agent’s prime rate; the average rate on overnight federal funds plus 1/2 of 1%; and the Eurodollar rate (adjusted for statutory reserves) plus 1%, in each case plus a margin equal to between 0.50%0.25% and 1.25%0.75% depending on the Company’sGartner’s leverage ratio as of the end of the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended, or (ii) the Eurodollar rate (adjusted for statutory reserves) plus a margin equal to between 1.50%1.25% and 2.25%1.75%, depending on the Company’sGartner’s leverage ratio as of the end of the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended.

The 20102013 Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive loan covenants, including, among others, financial covenants requiring a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum interest expense coverage ratio, and covenants limiting the Company’sGartner’s ability to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make acquisitions, be acquired, dispose of assets, pay dividends, repurchase stock, make capital expenditures, make investments and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The 2013 Credit Agreement contains customary events of default that include, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or fees, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, violation of covenants, cross defaults to certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, ERISA defaults, material judgments, and events constituting a change of control. The occurrence of an event of default will increase the applicable rate of interest by 2.0%, allows the lenders to terminate their obligations to lend under the 2013 Credit Agreement and could result in the acceleration of Gartner’s obligations under the credit facility and an obligation of any or all of the guarantors to pay the full amount of Gartner’s obligations under the credit facility. As of March 31, 2013, the Company was in full compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.the loan covenants.

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s borrowings under the 2010 Credit Agreement:total outstanding borrowings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description:

 

 

Amount
Outstanding
September 30,
2012
(In thousands)

 

Contractual
Annualized
Interest Rate
September 30,
2012

 

Amount
Outstanding
December 31,
2011
(In thousands)

 


 

 


 


 


 

Term loan (1)

 

$

157,500

 

1.86

%

 

$

180,000

 

Revolver (1), (2)

 

 

42,500

 

1.86

%

 

 

20,000

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

Total

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 


Description: Amount
Outstanding
March 31,
2013
(In thousands)
  Contractual
Annualized
Interest Rate
March 31,
2013
  Amount
Outstanding
December 31,
2012
(In thousands)
 
Term loans (1) $150,000   1.66% $150,000 
Revolver loans (1), (2)  50,000   1.66%  50,000 
Other (3)  5,000   3.00%  5,000 
Total $205,000      $205,000 

(1)


(1)

TheBoth the term and revolver contractualloan rates consisted of a 0.36%, three-month floating Eurodollar base rate of 0.28% plus a margin of 1.50%1.38%. However, the Company has an interest rate swap contract which converts the floating Eurodollar base ratesrate to a 2.26% fixed base rate on the first $200.0 million of Company borrowings (see below). As a result, the Company’s effective annual interest rate on the total$200.0 million of outstanding debt outstanding under the 20102013 Credit Facility as of March 31, 2013, including the effect of the swap,margin, was 3.76% as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.



3.64%.

(2)

(2)The Company had $354.2$546.7 million of additionalavailable borrowing capacity on the revolver (not including the expansion feature) as of September 30, 2012.

March 31, 2013.
13
(3)The Company borrowed $5.0 million in December 2012 as part of an economic development program through the State of Connecticut in connection with the Company’s renovation of its Stamford headquarters facility. The loan has a 10 year maturity and bears a 3.0% fixed rate of interest. Principal payments are deferred for the first five years and the loan may be repaid at any point by the Company without penalty. The loan has a principal forgiveness provision in which up to $2.5 million of the loan may be forgiven if the Company meets certain employment targets in the State of Connecticut during the first five years of the loan.

Interest Rate Swap Hedge

The Company has a $200.0 million notional fixed-for-floating interest rate swap contract which it designates as a hedge of the forecasted interest payments on the Company’s variable rate borrowings. Under the swap terms, the Company pays a base fixed rate of 2.26% and in return receives a floating Eurodollar base rate on $200.0 million of notional borrowings. The Company entered into this swap contract in December 2010 and it matures in September 2015.

The Company accounts for the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815. Since the swap is hedging forecasted interest payments, changes in the fair value of the swap are recorded in OCI as long as the swap continues to be a highly effective hedge of the designated interest rate risk. Any ineffective portion of change in the fair value of the hedge is recorded in earnings. There was no ineffective portionThe swap continued to be a highly effective hedge of the hedge at September 30, 2012 or Decemberforecasted interest payments as of March 31, 2011.2013. The interest rate swap had a negative fair value to the Company of $11.0$9.1 million and $9.9$10.0 million at September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2011,2012, respectively, which is deferred and classified in OCI, net of tax effect.

Letters of Credit

The Company had $10.1$10.2 million of letters of credit and related guarantees outstanding at September 30, 2012.March 31, 2013. The Company enters into these instruments in the ordinary course of business to facilitate transactions with customers and others.

Note 8 — Equity

Share Repurchase Program

The Company has a $500.0 million share repurchase program, of which $231.0$186.6 million remained available for share repurchases as of September 30, 2012.March 31, 2013. Repurchases may be made from time-to-time through open market purchases, private transactions, tender offers or other transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be subject to the availability of stock, prevailing market conditions, the market price of the stock, the Company’s financial performance and other conditions. Repurchases may also be made from time-to-time in connection with the settlement of the Company’s shared-based compensation awards. Repurchases may be funded from operating cash flow or borrowings.

The Company’s share repurchase activity is summarizedincluded in the following table:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Number of shares repurchased (1)

 

 

95,833

 

 

1,543,069

 

 

2,260,093

 

 

3,886,521

 

Cost of repurchased shares (in thousands)

 

$

4,626

 

$

53,354

 

$

89,300

 

$

141,214

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2013  2012 
Number of shares repurchased (1)  976,943   1,979,429 
Cost of repurchased shares (in thousands) $48,527  $77,158 

(1)


(1)

The average purchase price for the shares was $48.27$49.67 and $39.51$38.98 for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $34.58 and $36.33 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

Note 9 — Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $15.4$15.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 compared to $14.0$16.2 million in the prior year quarter.three months ended March 31, 2012. The effective tax rate was 33.0%29.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 and 31.4%32.1% for the same period in 2011.2012. The increasedecrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a changethe impact of tax law changes.The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “Tax Act”) was enacted in January of 2013 and contains beneficial tax provisions for the Company. Since the Tax Act was enacted in 2013, approximately $1.5 million of tax benefits relating to its application was recorded by the Company in the estimated annual mixfirst quarter of pre-tax income by jurisdiction. The provision for income taxes was $50.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $43.4 million for the same period in 2011. The effective tax rate was 32.1% for both the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.2013.

As of September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2011,2012, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $20.0$18.1 million and $18.3$17.6 million, respectively. The unrecognized tax benefits relate primarily to the utilization of certain tax attributes. It is reasonably possible that the gross unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by $4.8$3.5 million within the next 12 months, primarily due to settlementsanticipated closure of outstanding audits and the expiration of the relevantcertain statutes of limitation. The Company classifies uncertain tax positions not expected to be settled within one year as long term liabilities.As of September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2011,2012, the Company had Other liabilities of $15.2$14.6 million and $15.4$13.1 million, respectively, related to long-termlong term uncertain tax positions.

14

TheIn 2011 the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed its examination of the federal income tax return of the Company for the tax year ended December 31, 2007. The Company disagrees with certain of the proposed adjustments and is disputing this matter through applicable IRS and judicial procedures, as appropriate. Separately, in the second quarter of 2011 the IRS commenced an audit of the Company’s 2008 and 2009federal income tax years. The Company continues to comply with all information requests and no material adjustments of


the Company’s tax positions have been proposed at this timereturns for the 2008 and 2009 tax years. The IRS has proposed adjustments for both 2008 and 2009 and the Company expects to settle the audit in 2013. Although the final resolution of these audits is uncertain and there are no assurances that the ultimate resolution willaudit has not exceed the amounts recorded,been fully resolved, the Company believes that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

Note 10 — Derivatives and Hedging

The Company enters into a limited number of derivative contracts to offset the potentially negative economic effects of interest rate and foreign exchange movements. The Company accounts for its outstanding derivative contracts in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, which requires all derivatives, including derivatives designated as accounting hedges, to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s outstanding derivatives contracts (in thousands, except for number of outstanding contracts) as of the dates indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Contract Type

 

Number of
Outstanding
Contracts

 

Notional
Amounts

 

Fair Value
Asset
(Liability)
(4)

 

 

Balance
Sheet
Line Item

 

Unrealized
Loss Recorded
in OCI

 


 


 


 


 

 


 


 

Interest rate swap (1)

 

 

1

 

$

200,000

 

$

(11,000

)

 

Other liabilities

 

$

(6,617

)

Foreign currency forwards (2)

 

 

30

 

 

40,530

 

 

(240

)

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

31

 

$

240,530

 

$

(11,240

)

 

 

 

$

(6,617

)

 

 









 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Contract Type

 

Number of
Outstanding
Contracts

 

Notional
Amounts

 

Fair Value
Asset
(Liability)
(4)

 

 

Balance
Sheet
Line Item

 

Unrealized
Loss Recorded
in OCI

 


 


 


 


 

 


 


 

Interest rate swap (1)

 

 

1

 

$

200,000

 

$

(9,891

)

 

Other liabilities

 

$

(5,934

)

Interest rate swaps (3)

 

 

2

 

 

30,750

 

 

(98

)

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

Foreign currency forwards (2)

 

 

60

 

 

99,585

 

 

272

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 



 

Total

 

 

63

 

$

330,335

 

$

(9,717

)

 

 

 

$

(5,934

)

 

 









 

 

 

 



 


March 31, 2013

Derivative Contract Type Number of
Outstanding
Contracts
  Notional
Amounts
  Fair Value
Asset
(Liability), Net
(3)
  Balance
Sheet
Line Item
 Unrealized
Loss Recorded
in OCI
 
Interest rate swap (1)  1  $200,000  $(9,080) Other liabilities $(5,449)
Foreign currency forwards (2)  43   48,300   (20) Accrued Liabilities   
Total  44  $248,300  $(9,100)   $(5,449)

December 31, 2012

Derivative Contract Type Number of
Outstanding
Contracts
  Notional
Amounts
  Fair Value
Asset
(Liability), Net
(3)
  Balance
Sheet
Line Item
 Unrealized
Loss Recorded
in OCI
 
Interest rate swap (1)  1  $200,000  $(10,000) Other liabilities $(6,010)
Foreign currency forwards (2)  68   76,100   4  Current assets   
Total  69  $276,100  $(9,996)   $(6,010)

(1)


(1)

The CompanyThis swap has been designated, this swapand is accounted for, as a cash flow hedge of the forecasted interest payments on borrowings (see Note 7 — Debt). As a result, changes in fair value of this swap are deferred and are recorded in OCI, net of tax effect.

(2)

The Company has foreign exchange transaction risk since it typically enters into transactions in the normal course of business that are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the local functional currency. The Company enters into short-term foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset the economic effects of these foreign currency transaction risks. These contracts are accounted for at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized in Other expense, net since the Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. Substantially allThe majority of the outstanding contracts at September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 matured by the end of October 2012.

April 2013.

(3)

These swaps matured in January 2012. Changes in the fair value of these swaps were recognized in earnings.

(4)

See Note 11 — Fair Value Disclosures for the determination of the fair value of these instruments.

The Company’s derivative counterparties are all large investment grade financial institutions. The Company did not have any collateral arrangements with its derivative counterparties, and none of the derivative contracts contained credit-risk guarantees.

The following table provides information regarding derivative gains and losses that have been recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

Amount recorded in:

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 


 


 


 


 


 

Interest expense, net (1)

 

$

907

 

$

1,022

 

$

2,657

 

$

3,100

 

Other expense (income), net (2)

 

 

36

 

 

(1,976

)

 

(563

)

 

1,794

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total expense (income), net

 

$

943

 

$

(954

)

$

2,094

 

$

4,894

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Amount recorded in:  2013   2012 
Interest expense, net (1) $940  $847 
Other expense (income), net (2)  73   (246)
Total expense, net $1,013  $601 

(1)


(1)

Consists of interest expense from an interest rate swap contracts.

contract.

(2)

Consists of realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts.


15

Note 11 — Fair Value Disclosures

The Company’s financial instruments include cash equivalents, fees receivable from customers, accounts payable, and accruals which are normally short-term in nature. The Company believes the carrying amounts of these financial instruments reasonably approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature. The Company’s financial instruments also include borrowingsits outstanding under its 2010 Credit Agreement, and at September 30, 2012, the Company had $200.0 million of floating rate debt outstanding under this arrangement, which is carried at amortized cost.borrowings. The Company believes the carrying amount of the outstanding borrowings reasonably approximates their fair value since the rate of interest on the borrowings reflect current market rates of interest for similar instruments with comparable maturities.

FASB ASC Topic 820 provides a framework for the measurement of fair value and a valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs used in the valuation of assets and liabilities. Classification within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the resulting fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy contains three levels. Level 1 measurements consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 measurements include significant other observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets; observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves; and other market-corroborated inputs. Level 3 measurements include significant unobservable inputs, such as internally-created valuation models.

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted ASU No. 2011-04,Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,which updates FASB ASC Topic 820 with new requirements. These include: (1) a prohibition on grouping financial instruments for purposes of determining fair value, except when an entity manages market and credit risks on the basis of the entity’s net exposure to the group; (2) an extension of the prohibition against the use of a blockage factor to all fair value measurements (that prohibition currently applies only to financial instruments with quoted prices in active markets); and (3) a requirement that for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements, entities disclose additional quantitative information about unobservable inputs, a description of the valuation process used and qualitative details about the sensitivity of the measurements and their potential impact on operating results.

The Company has a limited number of assets and liabilities recorded in its Consolidated Balance Sheets that are remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis, and the Company does not currently utilize Level 3 valuation inputs to remeasure any of its assets or liabilities. In addition, the Company typically does not transfer assets or liabilities between different levels of the fair value hierarchy. As a result, the adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 did not result in any changes to the Company’s processes for determining fair values or require additional fair value disclosures.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description:

 

Fair Value
September 30,
2012

 

Fair Value
December 31,
2011

 


 


 


 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred compensation plan assets (1)

 

$

27,000

 

$

25,050

 

Pension reinsurance asset (2)

 

 

14,350

 

 

12,980

 

Foreign currency forward contracts (3)

 

 

 

 

272

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

41,350

 

$

38,302

 

 

 



 



 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred compensation plan liabilities (1)

 

$

30,290

 

$

28,100

 

Foreign currency forward contracts (3)

 

 

240

 

 

 

Interest rate swap contract (4)

 

 

11,000

 

 

9,989

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

$

41,530

 

$

38,089

 

 

 



 



 


Description: Fair Value
March 31,
2013
  Fair Value
December 31,
2012
 
Assets:        
Deferred compensation plan assets (1) $29,345  $27,795 
Foreign currency forward contracts (2)  80   204 
  $29,425  $27,999 
Liabilities:        
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (1) $32,960  $31,260 
Foreign currency forward contracts (2)  100   200 
Interest rate swap contract (3)  9,080   10,000 
  $42,140  $41,460 

(1)


(1)

The Company has a deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain highly compensated employees. The assets consist of investments in money market and mutual funds, and company-owned life insurance contracts, all of which are valued based on Level 1 or Level 2 valuation inputs. The related deferred compensation plan liabilities are recorded at fair value, or the estimated amount needed to settle the liability, which the Company also considers to be based on a Level 2 input.

(2)

The Company maintains a pension reinsurance asset to fund payments for one of its defined benefit pension plans. The reinsurance asset is carried at its cash surrender value, which the Company believes approximates its fair value. The Company considers the reinsurance contract to be valued based on a Level 2 input.

(3)

The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Valuation of the foreign currency forward contracts is based on observable foreign currency exchange rates in active markets, which the Company considers a Level 2 input.



(4)

(3)The Company has an interest rate swap contract which hedges the forecasted interest ratepayments on its borrowings (see Note 7 — Debt). To determine the fair value of this over-the-counter financial instrument, the Company relies on a mark-to-market valuation prepared by a third-party broker. The valuation is based on observable interest rates from recently executed market transactions or broker quotes corroborated by other observable market data. Accordingly, the fair value of the swap is determined under a Level 2 input. The Company independently corroborates the reasonableness of the swap valuation prepared by the third-party broker through the use of an electronic quotation service.

Disclosures about Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities

On January 1, 2013, the Company adopted FASB ASU No. 2013-01,Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which updates FASB ASU No. 2011-11,Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. These rules require certain disclosures of assets and liabilities resulting from derivative transactions, repurchase agreements, and securities lending arrangements. Among the required disclosures are the gross amounts of assets and liabilities resulting from these transactions, amounts potentially subject to offset under master netting arrangements, and resulting amounts recorded in the balance sheets.

The Company enters into a limited number of derivatives transactions but does not enter into repurchase agreements or securities lending transactions. In addition, the Company does not enter into master netting arrangements and receivables or payables that result from derivatives transactions are recorded gross in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Information regarding the

16

Company’s derivatives contracts and related amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are included in the fair value table above.

Note 12 — Employee Benefits

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company has defined-benefit pension plans in several of its international locations. Benefits paid under these plans are based on years of service and level of employee compensation. The Company’s defined benefit pension plans are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topics 715 and 960. Net periodic pension expense was $0.8 and $0.6 million for both the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011, and $1.8 million and $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Note 13 — Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

The Company is involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that the potential liability, if any, in excess of amounts already accrued from all proceedings, claims and litigation will not have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows, or results of operations when resolved in a future period.

The Company has various agreements that may obligate us to indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters. Generally, these indemnification clauses are included in contracts arising in the normal course of business under which we customarily agree to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations related to such matters as title to assets sold and licensed or certain intellectual property rights. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts of each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by us under these agreements have not been material. As of September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, the Company did not have any indemnification agreements that could require material payments.


17

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The purpose of the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to help facilitate the understanding of significant factors influencing the quarterly operating results, financial condition and cash flows of Gartner, Inc. Additionally, the MD&A also conveys our expectations of the potential impact of known trends, events or uncertainties that may impact future results. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.2012. Historical results and percentage relationships are not necessarily indicative of operating results for future periods. References to “Gartner,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” in this MD&A are to Gartner, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

On May 31, 2012, we acquired Ideas International Limited (“Ideas International”), a publicly-owned Australian corporation (see Note 2—Acquisition in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). Ideas International’s business operations have been integrated into the Company’s Research segment, and its operating results and business measurements are included in the Company’s consolidated and segment results and disclosures beginning on the date of acquisition. The impact of the acquisition was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “should,” “could,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or other words of similar meaning.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Factors That May Affect Future Performance” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.2012. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinion only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to review or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances as they occur. Readers should review carefully any risk factors described in other reports we filed with the SEC.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. We deliver the technology-related insight necessary for our clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to supply chain professionals and technology investors, we are the valuable partner to clients in over 12,60013,200 distinct organizations. We work with every clientclients to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role.roles. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has approximately 5,400as of March 31, 2013, we had 5,634 associates, including almost 1,4001,452 research analysts and consultants, and clients in 85 countries.

The foundation for all Gartner products and services is our independent research on IT and supply chain issues. The findings from this research are delivered through our three business segments — Research, Consulting and Events:

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

Consultingprovides customized solutions to unique client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as proprietary tools for measuring and improving IT performance with a focus on cost, performance, efficiency, and quality.

Eventsprovide IT, supply chain and business professionals the opportunity to attend various symposia, conferences and exhibitions to learn, contribute and network with their peers. From our flagship event Symposium/ITxpo, to Summitssummits focused on specific technologies and industries, to experimental workshop-style Seminars,seminars, our events distill the latest Gartner research into applicable insight and advice.

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


18

BUSINESS MEASUREMENTS

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

BUSINESS SEGMENT

BUSINESS MEASUREMENTS

BUSINESS SEGMENT

Research

BUSINESS MEASUREMENTS



Research

Contract value represents the value attributable to all of our subscription-related research products that recognize revenue on a ratable basis. Contract value is calculated as the annualized value of all subscription research contracts in effect at a specific point in time, without regard to the duration of the contract.

Client retention rate represents a measure of client satisfaction and renewed business relationships at a specific point in time. Client retention is calculated on a percentage basis by dividing our current clients, who were also clients a year ago, by all clients from a year ago.

Wallet retention rate represents a measure of the amount of contract value we have retained with clients over a twelve-month period. Wallet retention is calculated on a percentage basis by dividing the contract value of clients, who were clients one year earlier, by the total contract value from a year earlier, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange. When wallet retention exceeds client retention, it is an indication of retention of higher-spending clients, or increased spending by retained clients, or both.


Consulting

Consulting

Consulting backlog represents future revenue to be derived from in-process consulting, measurement and strategic advisory services engagements.

Utilization ratesraterepresent represents a measure of productivity of our consultants. Utilization rates are calculated for billable headcount on a percentage basis by dividing total hours billed by total hours available to bill.

Billing Rate represents earned billable revenue divided by total billable hours.

Average annualized revenue per billable headcount represents a measure of the revenue generating ability of an average billable consultant and is calculated periodically by multiplying the average billing rate per hour times the utilization percentage times the billable hours available for one year.


Events

Events

Number of events represents the total number of hosted events completed during the period.

Number of attendees represents the total number of people who attend events.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION

We have executed a consistent growth strategy since 2005 to drive double-digit revenue and earnings growth. The fundamentals of our strategy include a focus on creatingare to create extraordinary research insight, deliveringdeliver innovative and highly differentiated product offerings, buildingbuild a strong sales capability, providingprovide world class client service with a focus on client engagement and retention, and continuously improvingimprove our operational effectiveness.

We had total revenues of $374.4$406.8 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2013, an increase of 10% compared to the first quarter of 2012 an increase of 8% compared to the third quarter of 2011 and 12%11% excluding the unfavorable foreign exchange impact. Revenues increased by 11%13% in our Research segment and 1%19% in Consulting,Events, while EventsConsulting revenues declined by 2%, primarily due to a shift in our events calendar.3%. For a more complete discussion of our results by segment, see Segment Results below. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, total revenues increased 10%, but excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, revenues increased 12%.

We had net income of $31.4$36.7 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2012,2013, an increase of 3%7% compared to thirdfirst quarter 2011. Diluted earnings per share increased $0.02 per share quarter-over-quarter, to $0.33 per share for the third quarter 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net income increased 17% compared to the same period in 2011. Diluted earnings per share was $1.12$0.38 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increasein first quarter of 22%.2013 compared to $0.36 in first quarter 2012.

We refinanced our credit facility during the first quarter of 2013 to take advantage of favorable market conditions, provide for additional liquidity, and extend the maturity of our debt. Our total borrowing capacity under the new facility is $1.0 billion, including a $250.0 million expansion feature. We had almost $209.0 million of operating cash flow in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of 18% compared to the same period in 2011 and the highest nine months’ operating cash flow in the Company’s history. At September 30, 2012, we had $255.4$269.1 million of cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2013 and over $354.0 million of available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility. Wewe believe that our liquidity is adequate to fund our current plans. During 2012 we have used $89.3 million of cashWe continue to repurchase


our common shares as part of our continued focus on enhancingenhance shareholder value through our share repurchase plan, and during the first quarter we used $10.3repurchased almost 1.0 million in cash onshares for a net basis to purchase Ideas International.total cost of $48.5 million.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements requires the application of appropriate accounting policies and the use of estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Gartner, Inc. contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.2012. Management considers the policies discussed below to be

19

critical to an understanding of our financial statements because their application requires complex and subjective management judgments and estimates. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are also described below.

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions about future events. We develop our estimates using both current and historical experience, as well as other factors, including the general economic environment and actions we may take in the future. We adjust such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. However, our estimates may involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. In addition, these estimates are based on our best judgment at a point in time and as such these estimates may ultimately differ materially from actual results. Also, on-going changes in our estimates could be material and would be reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Our critical accounting policies are as follows:

Revenue recognition — Revenue is recognized in accordance with the requirements of U.S. GAAP as well as SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (“SAB 101”), and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB 104”). Revenue is only recognized once all required criteria for revenue recognition have been met. Revenue by significant source is accounted for as follows:

Research revenues are derived from subscription contracts for research products and are deferred and recognized ratably over the applicable contract term. Fees from research reprints are recognized when the reprint is delivered.

Consulting revenues are principally generated from fixed fee and time and material engagements. Revenues from fixed fee contracts are recognized on a proportional performance basis. Revenues from time and materials engagements are recognized as work is delivered and/or services are provided. Revenues related to contract optimization contracts are contingent in nature and are only recognized upon satisfaction of all conditions related to their payment.

Events revenues are deferred and recognized upon the completion of the related symposium, conference or exhibition.

The majority of research contracts are billable upon signing, absent special terms granted on a limited basis from time to time. All research contracts are non-cancelable and non-refundable, except for government contracts that may have cancellation or fiscal funding clauses. It is our policy to record the entire amount of the contract that is billable as a fee receivable at the time the contract is signed with a corresponding amount as deferred revenue, since the contract represents a legally enforceable claim.

Uncollectible fees receivable — We maintain an allowance for losses which is composed of a bad debt allowance and a sales reserve. Provisions are charged against earnings, either as a reduction in revenues or an increase to expense. The measurement of likely and probable losses and the allowance for losses is based on historical loss experience, aging of outstanding receivables, an assessment of current economic conditions and the financial health of specific clients. This evaluation is inherently judgmental and requires estimates. These valuation reserves are periodically re-evaluated and adjusted as more information about the ultimate collectability of fees receivable becomes available. Circumstances that could cause our valuation reserves to increase include changes in our clients’ liquidity and credit quality, other factors negatively impacting our clients’ ability to pay their obligations as they come due, and the effectiveness of our collection efforts.

The following table provides our total fees receivable, along with the related allowance for losses, as of the date indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

 

 


 


 

Total fees receivable

 

$

377,751

 

$

428,293

 

Allowance for losses

 

 

(6,800

)

 

(7,260

)

 

 



 



 

Fees receivable, net

 

$

370,951

 

$

421,033

 

 

 



 



 


  March 31,
2013
  December 31,
2012
 
Total fees receivable $447,525  $470,368 
Allowance for losses  (6,120)  (6,400)
Fees receivable, net $441,405  $463,968 

Goodwill and other intangible assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized against earnings, but is periodically evaluated for impairment in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, which requires goodwill to be assessed for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In addition, an impairment evaluation of our amortizable intangible assets may also be performed on a periodic basis should events or circumstances indicate potential impairment. If we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit or an intangible asset is less than its related carrying amount, we must recognize an impairment charge against earnings. Among the factors we consider important that could trigger an impairment review are the following:

Significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results;

Significant changes in the manner of our use of acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;

Significant negative industry or general economic trends;

20
Significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and

Our market capitalization relative to net book value.

 

Significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and

Our market capitalization relative to net book value.

The determination of the estimated fair value of our reporting units, whether based on a quantitative or qualitative assessment, contains judgments and assumptions regarding future trends and events, with both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates subject to uncertainty. As a result, if the Company deems it necessary in the future to modify its judgments and assumptions, or if actual results are materially different from our expectations, then the estimated reporting unit values could change, potentially resulting in goodwill impairment charges in future periods. We completed our required annual goodwill impairment assessment as of September 30, 2012 utilizing a qualitative approach and concluded that the fair value of our reporting units continued to substantially exceed their respective carrying amounts.

Accounting for income taxes — As we prepare our consolidated financial statements, we estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions where we operate. This process involves estimating our current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when future realization is in question. We consider the availability of loss carryforwards, existing deferred tax liabilities, future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. In the event we determine that we are able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of our net recorded amount, an adjustment is made to reduce the valuation allowance and increase income in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we determine that we will not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance is charged against income in the period such determination is made.

Accounting for stock-based compensation— The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topics 505 and 718, as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”) and No. 110 (“SAB No. 110”). The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense, which is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant, over the related service period, net of estimated forfeitures (see Note 4 — Stock-Based Compensation in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards requires the input of certain complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock-based compensation awards and the Company’s Common Stock price volatility. In addition, determining the appropriate amount of associated periodic expense requires management to estimate the rate of employee forfeitures and the likelihood of the achievement of certain performance targets. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards and the associated periodic expense represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company deems it necessary in the future to modify the assumptions it made or to use different assumptions, or if the quantity and nature of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards changes, then the amount of periodic stock-based compensation expense may need to be adjusted which could be materially different from what has been recorded in the current period.

Restructuring and other accruals — We may record accruals for severance costs, costs associated with excess facilities that we have leased, contract terminations, asset impairments, the integration of acquired businesses, and other costs as a result of on-going actions we undertake to streamline our organization, reposition certain businesses and reduce ongoing costs, or acquire other companies. Estimates of costs to be incurred to complete these actions, such as future lease payments, sublease income, the fair value of assets, and severance and related benefits, are based on assumptions at the


21

time the actions are initiated. These accruals may need to be adjusted to the extent actual costs differ from such estimates. In addition, these actions may be revised due to changes in business conditions that we did not foresee at the time such plans were approved. We also record accruals during the year for our various employee cash incentive programs. Amounts accrued at the end of each reporting period are based on our estimates and may require adjustment as the ultimate amount paid for these incentives are sometimes not known with certainty until the end of our fiscal year.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overall Results

The following tables summarize the changes in selected income and expense lines in our interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2012

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2011

 

Income
Increase
(Decrease)
$

 

Income
Increase
(Decrease)
%

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Total revenues

 

$

374,406

 

$

345,784

 

$

28,622

 

 

8

%

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and product development

 

 

151,143

 

 

142,696

 

 

(8,447

)

 

(6

)

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

164,888

 

 

148,461

 

 

(16,427

)

 

(11

)

Depreciation

 

 

6,301

 

 

6,638

 

 

337

 

5

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

1,362

 

 

739

 

 

(623

)

 

(84

)

Acquisition and integration charges

 

 

944

 

 

 

 

(944

)

 

(100

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

49,768

 

 

47,250

 

 

2,518

 

 

5

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(2,209

)

 

(2,282

)

 

73

 

 

3

 

Other expense, net

 

 

(748

)

 

(541

)

 

(207

)

 

(38

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(15,436

)

 

(13,963

)

 

(1,473

)

 

(11

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

31,375

 

$

30,464

 

$

911

 

 

3

%

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2012

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2011

 

Income
Increase
(Decrease)
$

 

Income
Increase
(Decrease)
%

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Total revenues

 

$

1,141,059

 

$

1,040,894

 

$

100,165

 

 

10

%

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and product development

 

 

458,853

 

 

428,473

 

 

(30,380

)

 

(7

)

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

492,627

 

 

442,891

 

 

(49,736

)

 

(11

)

Depreciation

 

 

18,378

 

 

19,143

 

 

765

 

 

4

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

3,029

 

 

5,788

 

 

2,759

 

 

48

 

Acquisition and integration charges

 

 

2,126

 

 

 

 

(2,126

)

 

(100

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

166,046

 

 

144,599

 

 

21,447

 

 

15

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(6,557

)

 

(7,863

)

 

1,306

 

 

17

 

Other expense, net

 

 

(1,802

)

 

(1,494

)

 

(308

)

 

(21

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(50,607

)

 

(43,364

)

 

(7,243

)

 

(17

)

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

107,080

 

$

91,878

 

$

15,202

 

 

17

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



             
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2013
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012
  Income
Increase
(Decrease)
$
  Increase
(Decrease)
%
 
Total revenues $406,754  $369,171  $37,583   10%
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of services and product development  163,737   146,463   (17,274)  (12)
Selling, general and administrative  180,478   162,518   (17,960)  (11)
Depreciation  7,100   5,895   (1,205)  (20)
Amortization of intangibles  1,334   739   (595)  (81)
Acquisition and integration charges  100      (100)  (100)
Operating income  54,005   53,556   449   1 
Interest expense, net  (2,436)  (2,195)  (241)  (11)
Other income (expense), net  211   (978)  1,189   >100 
Provision for income taxes  (15,105)  (16,162)  1,057   7 
Net income $36,675  $34,221  $2,454   7%

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 increased $28.6$37.6 million, or 8%10%, compared to the same quarter in 2011,2012, primarily driven by our Research segment, which had a double-digit revenue increase. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, total quarterly revenues increased 12%11%. For the nine month periods, revenues increased over $100.0 million in 2012, or 10%, with increases in all three of our business units, including double-digit increases in Research and Events. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased 12% over the same period in 2011. Please refer to the section of this MD&A below entitled “Segment Results” for a discussion of revenues and results by segment.


Cost of services and product developmentincreased $8.4$17.3 million, or 6%12%, in the thirdfirst quarter of 20122013 compared to the thirdfirst quarter of 2011.2012. The increase was primarily due to $8.0$13.0 million in higher payroll and related benefits costs due to increased headcount and merit salary increases, and we also had higher travel expenses related to the increased headcount. These increases wereincreases. The increase was partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. Cost of services and product development as a percentage of revenues decreased by 1 point, towas 40% in the third quarter of 2012 from 41% in the third quarter of 2011, driven by the higher revenues and operating leverage inherent in our Research segment.for both quarters.

For the nine month periods, Cost of services and product development increased $30.4 million in 2012, or 7%, compared to 2011. Consistent with the quarter, the increase was primarily due to higher payroll and related benefits costs due to increased headcount and merit salary increases, which increased by about $28.0 million. We also had higher conference and travel costs, due to higher attendance at our events and additional associates. These increases were partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. Cost of services and product development as a percentage of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 40%, a decline of 1 point compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to higher revenues and the operating leverage in the Research business.

Selling, general and administrative(“SG&A”) increased $16.4$18.0 million, or 11%, quarter-over-quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll and related benefits costs, which was partially offset by favorable foreign currency impact. The higher payroll costs resulted from additional headcount, higher sales commissions, and merit salary increases. The increased headcount was primarily due to theincludes our investment in additional quota-bearing sales associates, which increased by 15%,13% quarter-over-quarter, to 1,3971,288 at September 30, 2012 from 1,215 at September 30, 2011. SG&AMarch 31, 2013.

Depreciation expense increased 11%, or $49.7 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in the prior year. Consistent with the20% quarter-over-quarter increase, the additional expense was primarily driven by higher payroll and benefit costs.

Depreciation expense declined in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decline was due to certain fixed assets becoming fully depreciated which was only partially offset byan additional depreciation from asset additions.renovated building on our Stamford headquarters campus placed into service.

Amortization of intangiblesincreased to $1.4$1.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 compared to $0.7 million in the same period in 20112012 due to the addition of intangibles from the mid-year 2012 acquisition of Ideas International. For the nine month periods, amortization declined in 2012 due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized, which was only partially offset by the additional amortization from the intangible assets resulting from the Ideas International acquisition.Limited.

Acquisition and Integration Charges was $0.9 million and $2.1$0.1 million in the threefirst quarter of 2013 and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to zero in the same periods in 2011.first quarter of 2012. These charges relaterelated to the acquisition of Ideas International Limited and includeincluded legal, consulting, severance, and other costs.

Operating Income increased by $2.5 million, or 5%, quarter-over-quarter, to $49.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $47.3 million in the third quarter of 2011.1% quarter-over-quarter. Operating income as a percentage of revenues declined slightlyby approximately 2 points quarter-over-quarter, primarily due to our investment in additional headcount, to include the 2012 quarter. For the nine month periods, operating income increased 15%13% growth in 2012 comparedquote-bearing sales associates, and to 2011,a lesser extent, lower segment contributions in Consulting and as a percentage of revenues, operating income increased slightly in the 2012 period.Events.

Interest Expense, Netdecreased 3%increased 11% quarter-over-quarter, primarily due to $0.3 million in write-offs of capitalized debt issuance costs related to our debt refinancing. The additional debt issuance charge was slightly offset by lower interest expense on our debt due to a lower average amount of debt outstanding. For the nine month periods, Interest expense, net, decreased 17%, again primarily due to a lower average amount of debt outstanding.

22

Other (Expense) Income, Netconsisted of net foreign currency exchange gains and losses.


Provision For Income Taxes was $15.4$15.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 compared to $14.0$16.2 million in the same quarter of the prior year.three months ended March 31, 2012. The effective tax rate was 33.0%29.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 and 31.4%32.1% for the same period in 2011.2012. The increasedecrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to a changethe impact of tax law changes.The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “Tax Act”) was enacted in January of 2013 and contains beneficial tax provisions for the Company. Since the Tax Act was passed in 2013, approximately $1.5 million of tax benefits relating to its application was recorded by the Company in the estimated annual mixfirst quarter of pre-tax income by jurisdiction. The provision for income taxes was $50.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $43.4 million for the same period in 2011. The effective tax rate was 32.1% for both the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.2013.

Net Income increased 3% in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Both basic and7% quarter-over-quarter while diluted earnings per share increased by 6%, reflectingdue to the higher net income and a slightly lower number of weighted-average shares outstanding. For the nine month periods, net income increased 17% in 2012, while basic and diluted earnings per share increased by $0.20 per share, due to substantially higher net income and to a lesser extent, lower weighted-average shares outstanding.

SEGMENT RESULTS

We evaluate reportable segment performance and allocate resources based on gross contribution margin. Gross contribution is defined as operating income excluding certain Cost of services and product development charges, SG&A expenses, Depreciation, Acquisition and integration charges, and Amortization of intangibles. Gross contribution margin is defined as gross contribution as a percentage of revenues.


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

Research

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2012

 

As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2011

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)

 

As Of And
For The
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2012

 

As Of And
For The
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2011

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)

 

 













 As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2013
  As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 

Financial Measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

Revenues (1)

 

$

284,048

 

$

255,979

 

$

28,069

 

11

%

$

836,970

 

$

749,429

 

$

87,541

 

12

%

 $310,331  $274,620  $35,711   13%

Gross contribution (1)

 

$

193,540

 

$

173,615

 

$

19,925

 

11

%

$

571,547

 

$

506,420

 

$

65,127

 

13

%

 $215,214  $188,602  $26,612   14%

Gross contribution margin

 

68

%

 

68

%

 

 

 

68

%

 

68

%

 

 

 

  69%  69%      

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

Contract value (1)

 

$

1,174,700

 

$

1,035,926

 

$

138,774

 

13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 $1,269,200  $1,110,928  $158,272   14%

Client retention

 

83

%

 

82

%

 

1 point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  82%  82%      

Wallet retention

 

99

%

 

100

%

 

(1) point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  98%  99%  (1%)   

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)


(1)

Dollars in thousands.

Research segment revenues increased 11% on a quarter-over-quarter basis but excluding the unfavorable effect13% quarter-over-quarter. The impact of foreign currency translation revenues increased 14%.was not significant. The segment gross contribution margin was 68% for both quarterly periods. When comparing the nine month periods, revenues increased 12% in the 2012 period, but increased 14% when adjusted for foreign currency impact. The segment gross contribution margin was 68% for both the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

remained at 69%. Research contract value at September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 increased 13%14% compared to September 30, 2011 and 14% excluding theMarch 31, 2012 with only a minimal impact from foreign currency translation impact.translation. Contract value increased across all of the Company’s industry types, client sizes, and sales regions. Client retention increased by 1 pointwas 82% for both quarterly periods while wallet retention declined by 1 point.

Consulting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2012

 

As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2011

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)

 

As Of And
For The
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2012

 

As Of And
For The
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2011

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)

 

 













 As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2013
  As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 

Financial Measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

Revenues (1)

 

$

71,731

 

$

70,815

 

$

916

 

1

%

$

222,970

 

$

219,407

 

$

3,563

 

2

%

 $72,633  $74,563  $(1,930)  (3%)

Gross contribution (1)

 

$

24,380

 

$

24,458

 

$

(78

)

 

$

79,886

 

$

78,820

 

$

1,066

 

1

%

 $22,538  $27,600  $(5,062)  (18%)

Gross contribution margin

 

34

%

 

35

%

 

(1) point

 

 

36

%

 

36

%

 

 

 

  31%  37%  (6 points)   

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

Backlog (1)

 

$

106,100

 

$

92,887

 

$

13,213

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 $97,500  $95,533  $1,967   2%

Billable headcount

 

 

499

 

 

482

 

 

17

 

4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  528   476   52   11%

Consultant utilization

 

 

64

%

 

61

%

 

3 points

 

 

 

67

%

 

62

%

 

5 points

 

 

  65%  70%  (5 points)   

Average annualized revenue per billable headcount

 

$

415

 

$

404

 

$

11

 

3

%

$

425

 

$

404

 

$

21

 

5

%

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Average annualized revenue per billable headcount (1) $404  $437  $(33)  (8%)

(1)


(1)

Dollars in thousands.

Consulting revenues increased 1% quarter-over-quarter,decreased $1.9 million, or 3%, quarter-over-quarter. The decline was primarily due to higherlower revenues in the core consultingour Strategic advisory (SAS) business, primarily driven by higher utilization. This increase was partially offset byand to a lesser extent, lower revenues in our contract optimization business, which can fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter.business. Core consulting revenues were flat, but consultant utilization declined. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 4%decreased 2% quarter-over-quarter. The gross contribution margin declined by 1 point,6 points, primarily driven by the decline in utilization, and to a lesser extent, lower revenues in ourSAS and contract optimization business, which has a higher contribution margin than core consulting or SAS.

For the nine month periods, revenuesrevenue. Backlog at March 31, 2013 increased 2% in 2012, again due to higher core consulting revenues, which was partially offset by lower contract optimization and SAS revenues. Consulting revenues increased 4% excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation. The gross contribution margin was 36% for both nine month periods. Backlog at September 30, 2012 increased 14% compared to September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012.


23

Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2012

 

As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2011

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)

 

As Of And
For The
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2012

 

As Of And
For The
Nine Months
Ended
September 30, 2011

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)

 

 

 

















Financial Measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues (1)

 

$

18,627

 

$

18,990

 

$

(363

)

(2

)%

$

81,119

 

$

72,058

 

$

9,061

 

13

%

Gross contribution (1)

 

$

4,511

 

$

5,550

 

$

(1,039

)

(19

)%

$

32,867

 

$

28,533

 

$

4,334

 

15

%

Gross contribution margin

 

 

24

%

 

29

%

 

(5) points

 

 

 

41

%

 

40

%

 

1 point

 

 

 

 



 



 



 


 



 



 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of events

 

 

14

 

 

16

 

 

(2

)

(13

)%

 

48

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

Number of attendees

 

 

5,566

 

 

6,676

 

 

(1,110

)

(17

)%

 

23,759

 

 

22,308

 

 

1,451

 

7

%

 

 



 



 



 


 



 



 



 


 


  As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2013
  As Of And
For The
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Financial Measurements:                
Revenues (1) $23,790  $19,988  $3,802   19%
Gross contribution (1) $7,108  $7,895  $(787)  (10%)
Gross contribution margin  30%  39%  (9 points)   
Business Measurements:                
Number of events  12   13  (1)  (8%)
Number of attendees  5,788   5,707   81   1%

(1)


(1)

Dollars in thousands.

Events revenues were $18.6$23.8 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2012, a decrease2013, an increase of 2%19% compared to thirdfirst quarter 2011, due to a shift in the events calendar and the impact of foreign exchange.2012. Excluding the foreign exchange impact, total Events revenues increased 2%20%. We held 12 events in the thirdfirst quarter of 2013, which consisted of 10 ongoing events and 2 events that were moved into the quarter that were held in a different quarter in 2012. Two events that were held in the first quarter of 2012 will be held later in 2013.

Approximately $2.2 million of the revenue increase was due to the two events that were moved into the quarter. We also had $1.6 million in additional revenues from the 10 on-going events held in the quarter. Both attendees and exhibitors delivered double-digit revenue increases over the first quarter of 2012. The number of attendees was flat quarter-over-quarter while the number of exhibitors increased by double-digits. The gross contribution margin decreased 59 points in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the third quarter of 2011. Both revenues and the gross contribution margin were adversely impacted by the move of two large events into the fourth quarter of 2012 that previously were held in the third quarter of 2011.

For the nine month periods, Events revenues increased $9.1 million in 2012, or 13%, primarily due to higher revenues from our ongoing events. Adjusted for the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 16%. The 48 events held through September 30, 2012 consisted of 43 ongoing events and 5 new events. Overall, we had a 7% increase in the number of attendees and a 15% increase in exhibitors, while average revenue increased 4% for attendees but declined 3% for exhibitors. The gross contribution margin increased 1 point, primarily due to a combination of factors, including higher contributionoperating expenses from our ongoing events.several events that were upgraded or moved to larger facilities.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company hasentered into a new five-year credit agreement in March 2013 that provides for a $200.0$150.0 million term loan and a $400.0$600.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2010“2013 Credit Agreement”). Under the revolving credit facility, amounts may be borrowed, repaid, and re-borrowed through the maturity date of the agreement in December 2015.March 2018. The credit arrangement contains an expansion feature by which the term loan and revolving credit facility may be increased, at the Company’s option and under certain conditions, up to an additional $150.0$250.0 million in the aggregate.

We finance our operations primarily through cash generated from our on-going operating activities. At September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, we had $255.4$269.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and over $354.0$546.7 million of available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility. Our cash and cash equivalents are held in numerous locations throughout the world, with approximately 65%62% held outside the United States at September 30, 2012.March 31, 2013. We believe that we have adequate liquidity and that the cash we expect to earn from our on-going operating activities, our existing cash balances, and the borrowing capacity we have under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient for our currently anticipated needs.


The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s cash and cash equivalents (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2012

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2011

 

Cash
Increase
(Decrease)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

208,751

 

$

176,465

 

$

32,286

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

 

(41,136

)

 

(23,720

)

 

(17,416

)

Cash used by financing activities

 

 

(58,374

)

 

(111,141

)

 

52,767

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

109,241

 

 

41,604

 

 

67,637

 

Effects of exchange rates

 

 

3,411

 

 

(4,882

)

 

8,293

 

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

 

 

142,739

 

 

120,181

 

 

22,558

 

 

 



 



 



 

Ending cash and cash equivalents

 

$

255,391

 

$

156,903

 

$

98,488

 

 

 



 



 



 

  Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2013
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012
  Cash
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Cash provided by operating activities $19,693  $18,679  $1,014 
Cash used in investing activities  (9,648)  (7,118)  (2,530)
Cash used by financing activities  (36,906)  (17,556)  (19,350)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (26,861)  (5,995)  (20,866)
Effects of exchange rates  (3,928)  2,241   (6,169)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents  299,852   142,739   157,113 
Ending cash and cash equivalents $269,063  $138,985  $130,078 
24

Operating

Operating cash flow increased by $32.3$1.0 million when comparing the ninethree months ended September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 to the same period in 2011.2012. The increase was primarily due to $15.2$2.5 million in higher net income and significantly higher collections on receivables and other positive working capital changes. We also hadto a lesser extent, lower cash payments for interest on our debt.debt and higher landlord reimbursements from the renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility. These increases were partially offset by higher cash payments for income taxes in 2012.bonus and commissions.

Investing

We used an additional $17.4$2.5 million of cash in our investment activities in the 2012 period. The increase2013 period which was primarily due to $8.0 million in additional capital expenditures from the on-going renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility, which are fully reimbursable byfacility. As of April 2013, the facility landlord, and $10.3 million of cash used for our acquisition of Ideas International.renovation was substantially completed.

Financing

We used significantly less$36.9 million of cash in our financing activities in the 2013 period compared to $17.6 million in 2012, an increase in cash used of $19.4 million. We had lower net cash proceeds from borrowings in the 2013 period, and we also paid $3.6 million of debt issuance costs related to our debt refinancing, and cash proceeds from employee stock compensation exercises also declined, primarily due to a lower number of shares repurchased.because there are fewer remaining stock options outstanding. Cash used for share repurchases declined $51.9 million, from $141.2 million in the 2011 periodfirst quarter of 2013 declined by $28.6 million compared to $89.3 million in the 2012 period. The Company repurchased 2.3 million shares through September 30, 2012 compared to 3.9 million shares through September 30, 2011. The decrease in the number of shares repurchased was due to the substantially higher market value of our Common Stock in the 2012 period.first quarter 2012.

OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

20102013 Credit Agreement

The 20102013 Credit Agreement provides for a five-year, $200.0$150.0 million term loan and a $400.0$600.0 million revolving credit facility, and an expansion feature by which the term loan and revolving credit facility may be increased, at the Company’s option and under certain conditions, by up to an additional $150.0$250.0 million in the aggregate. To date, the Company has not borrowed under the expansion feature. The Company had $200.0 million outstanding under the 20102013 Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, which included $157.5$150.0 million outstanding under the term loan and $42.5$50.0 million outstanding under the revolver.

The term loan will be repaid in 1916 consecutive quarterly installments which commencedwill commence on March 31, 2011,June 30, 2013, plus a final payment due on December 22, 2015,March 7, 2018, and may be prepaid at any time without penalty or premium at the Company’s option. The revolving credit facility may be used for loans, and up to $40.0 million may be used for letters of credit. The revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed until December 22, 2015,March 7, 2018, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. See Note 7 — Debt herein in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the 20102013 Credit Agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Through September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, we have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements or transactions with unconsolidated entities or other persons.

BUSINESS AND TRENDS

Our quarterly and annual revenues, operating income, and cash flows fluctuate as a result of many factors, including: the timing of our Symposium/ITxpo series that normally occurs during the fourth calendar quarter, as well as our other events; the amount of new business generated; the mix of domestic and international business; domestic and international economic conditions; changes in market demand for our products and services; changes in foreign currency rates; the timing of the development, introduction and marketing of new products and services; competition in the industry; the payment of performance compensation; and other factors. The potential fluctuations in our operating income could cause period-to-period comparisons of operating results not to be meaningful and could provide an unreliable indication of future operating results.


FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE PERFORMANCE

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment that involves numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. A description of the risk factors associated with our business is included under “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A. of our 20112012 Annual Report on Form 10-K which is incorporated herein by reference.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Accounting rules issued by the various U.S. standard setting and governmental authorities that have not yet become effective and may impact our Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods are described below, together with our assessment of the potential impact they may have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in future periods:

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In December 2011,March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11,2013-05,Disclosures about OffsettingParent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets and Liabilitieswithin a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity.. The newASU No. 2013-05 provides updated guidance requires disclosures aboutto resolve diversity in practice concerning the release of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment into net income when a parent sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets and liabilities that are offsetwithin a foreign entity. When a company ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary within a foreign entity, the company should recognize any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or have the potential to be offset. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offsettransfer results in the statementcomplete or substantially complete liquidation of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject tothe foreign entity in which the subsidiary had resided. Upon the partial sale of an agreement similar toequity method investment that is a master netting arrangement. In addition,foreign entity, the standard requires disclosurecompany should release into earnings a pro rata portion of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreementsthe cumulative translation adjustment. Upon the partial sale of an equity method investment that is not a foreign entity, the company should release into earnings the cumulative translation adjustment if the partial sale represents a complete or similar arrangements. These disclosures are intended to address differences insubstantially complete liquidation of the asset and liability offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This new guidance will beforeign entity that holds the equity method investment.

ASU No. 2013-05 is effective for Gartner for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013, with retrospective application required. While the Company’s quarter ending March 31, 2014. The adoption of this new guidance may result in additional disclosures, we dois not expect itexpected to have a material impacteffect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows,financial position or financial position.liquidity.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

INTEREST RATE RISK

We have exposure to changes in interest rates arising from borrowings under our 20102013 Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, we had $157.5$150.0 million outstanding under the term loan and $42.5$50.0 million outstanding under the revolver. Borrowings under this facility are floating rate, which may be either prime-based or Eurodollar-based. The rate paid for these borrowings includes a base floating rate plus a margin between 0.50%0.25% and 1.25%0.75% on prime borrowings and between 1.50%1.25% and 2.25%1.75% on Eurodollar-based borrowings.

We have an interest rate swap contract which effectively converts the floating base rate on the first $200.0 million of our borrowings to a 2.26% fixed rate. The Company only hedges the base interest rate risk on the first $200.0 million of its outstanding borrowings. Accordingly, we are exposed to interest rate risk on borrowings in excess of $200.0 million. A 25 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would change pre-tax annual interest expense on the additional revolver borrowing capacity under the 20102013 Credit Agreement (not including the expansion feature) by approximately $0.9$1.4 million.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

We have customers in numerous countries, and 46% and 44% of our revenues for the fiscal yearsyear ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively,2012 were derived from sales outside of the U.S. As a result, we conduct business in numerous currencies other than the U.S dollar. Among the major foreign currencies in which we conduct business are the Euro, the British Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Australian dollar, and the Canadian dollar. Our foreign currency exposure results in both translation risk and transaction risk:

Translation Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency translation risk since the functional currencies of our foreign operations are generally denominated in the local currency. Translation risk arises since the assets and liabilities that we report for our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, and these exchange rates fluctuate over time. These foreign currency translation adjustments are deferred and are recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity and do not impact our operating results.

A measure of the potential impact of foreign currency translation on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets can be determined through a sensitivity analysis of our cash and cash equivalents. At September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, we had over $255.0$269.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, a substantial portion of which was denominated in foreign currencies. If the foreign exchange rates of the major currencies in which we operate changed in comparison to the U.S. dollar by 10%, the amount of cash and cash equivalents we would have reported on September 30, 2012, wouldMarch 31, 2013, could have increased or decreased by approximately $12.0 million.

Because our foreign subsidiaries generally operate in a local functional currency that differs from the U.S. dollar, revenues and expenses in these foreign currencies translate into higher or lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars as the U.S. dollar continuously weakens or strengthens against these other currencies. Therefore, changes in exchange rates may affect our consolidated revenues and expenses (as expressed in U.S. dollars) from foreign operations. Historically, this impact on our consolidated earnings has not been material since foreign currency movements in the major currencies in which we operate tend to impact our revenues and expenses fairly equally.


Transaction Risk

We have foreign exchange transaction risk since we typically enter into transactions in the normal course of business that are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the local functional currency in which the foreign subsidiary operates. We typically enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset the effects of foreign currency transaction risk. These contracts are normally short term in duration and unrealized and realized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings. At September 30, 2012,March 31,

26

2013, we had 3043 outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with a total notional amount of $40.5$48.3 million and an immaterial net unrealized loss. AllMost of these outstanding contracts matured by the end of October 2012.April 2013.

CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of short-term, highly liquid investments classified as cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and interest rate swap contracts. The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and its interest rate swap contractscontract are with large investment grade commercial banks that are participants in the Company’s 20102013 Credit Agreement. Accounts receivable balances deemed to be collectible from customers have limited concentration of credit risk due to our diverse customer base and geographic dispersion.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We have established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner. Specifically, these controls and procedures ensure that the information is accumulated and communicated to our executive management team, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management conducted an evaluation, as of September 30, 2012,March 31, 2013, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them in a timely manner to material Company information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Exchange Act.

In addition, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


27

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in legal and administrative proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that the potential liability, if any, in excess of amounts already accrued from all proceedings, claims and litigation will not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations when resolved in a future period.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed its examination of the federal income tax return of the Company for the tax year ended December 31, 2007. The Company disagrees with certain of the proposed adjustments and is disputing this matter through applicable IRS and judicial procedures, as appropriate. Separately, in the second quarter of 2011 the IRS commenced an audit of the Company’s 2008 and 2009 tax years. The Company continues to comply with all information requests and no material adjustments of the Company’s tax positions have been proposed at this time for the 2008 and 2009 tax years. Although the final resolution of these audits is uncertain and there are no assurances that the ultimate resolution will not exceed the amounts recorded, the Company believes that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

A description of the risk factors associated with our business is included under “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A. of our 20112012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the period covered by this report.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company has a $500.0 million share repurchase program to be utilized to acquire shares of Common Stock. Repurchases may be made from time-to-time through open market purchases, private transactions, tender offers or other transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be subject to the availability of stock, prevailing market conditions, the trading price of the stock, the Company’s financial performance and other conditions. Repurchases may also be made from time-to-time in connection with the settlement of the Company’s shared-based compensation awards. Repurchases will be funded from cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Company’s Credit Agreement. The following table provides detail related to repurchases of our Common Stock for treasury in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2012:March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that may
yet be Purchased
Under our Share
Repurchase
Program
(in millions)

 


 


 


 


 

2012 (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January

 

 

86,123

 

$

34.89

 

 

 

 

February

 

 

1,287,473

 

 

38.70

 

 

 

 

March

 

 

605,833

 

 

40.16

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

1,979,429

 

$

38.98

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April

 

 

1,113

 

$

42.94

 

 

 

 

May

 

 

38,824

 

 

42.97

 

 

 

 

June

 

 

144,894

 

 

40.04

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

184,831

 

$

40.67

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July

 

 

784

 

$

45.63

 

 

 

 

August

 

 

87,101

 

 

48.07

 

 

 

 

September

 

 

7,948

 

 

50.68

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

95,833

 

$

48.27

 

$

231

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


Period Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
Per Share
  Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that may
yet be Purchased
Under our Share
Repurchase
Program
(in thousands)
 
2013(1)            
January  1,841  $50.07     
February  774,917   49.32     
March  200,185   51.02     
Total  976,943  $49.67  $187,000 

(1)


(1)

The Company paid a total of $4.6 million and $89.3$48.5 million in cash for share repurchases in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

March 31, 2013.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
10.1

Credit Agreement dated as of March 7, 2013 among Gartner, Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and RBS Citizens, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents; HSBC Bank USA, National Association, Keybank National Association, TD Bank, N.A., U.S. Bank National Association and Union Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents; JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent; and the several lenders thereto.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

31.1

DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT



31.1

Certification of chief executive officer under Rule 13a — 14(a)/15d — 14(a).

31.2

Certification of chief financial officer under Rule 13a — 14(a)/15d — 14(a).

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Certification under 18 U.S.C. 1350.

101

Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2011,2012, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2013 and 2012, and 2011, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Items 3, 4, and 5 of Part II are not applicable and have been omitted.


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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Gartner, Inc.

Date: November 6, 2012

May 2, 2013

/s/ Christopher J. Lafond


Christopher J. Lafond

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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