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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
ýQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017
2021
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-11689
Fair Isaac Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware94-1499887
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)Identification No.)
181 Metro Drive, Suite 700
San Jose, California
95110-1346
San Jose,California
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 408-535-1500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per shareFICONew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Act:
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Large Accelerated FilerNon-accelerated filerýAccelerated FilerSmaller reporting companyo
Non-Accelerated FileroSmaller Reporting CompanyEmerging growth companyo
Emerging Growth Companyo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    ý  No
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   
YesNo
The number of shares of common stock outstanding on January 12, 2018April 16, 2021 was 30,073,08528,776,867 (excluding 58,783,69860,079,916 shares held by us as treasury stock).



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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Item 1.
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 





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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements
FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
December 31,
2017
 September 30,
2017
March 31,
2021
September 30, 2020
(In thousands, except par value data) (In thousands, except par value data)
Assets   Assets
Current assets:   Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$94,213
 $105,618
Cash and cash equivalents$197,836 $157,394 
Accounts receivable, net164,660
 168,586
Accounts receivable, net264,804 334,180 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets40,263
 36,727
Prepaid expenses and other current assets40,335 42,504 
Assets held for saleAssets held for sale48,843 
Total current assets299,136
 310,931
Total current assets551,818 534,078 
Marketable securities15,816
 13,791
Marketable securities30,437 25,513 
Other investments11,734
 11,724
Other investments1,340 1,060 
Property and equipment, net38,808
 40,703
Property and equipment, net34,897 46,419 
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets50,986 57,656 
Goodwill806,332
 804,414
Goodwill789,123 812,364 
Intangible assets, net19,514
 21,185
Intangible assets, net7,437 9,236 
Deferred income taxes40,699
 47,204
Deferred income taxes15,003 14,629 
Other assets8,806
 5,668
Other assets98,567 105,285 
Total assets$1,240,845
 $1,255,620
Total assets$1,579,608 $1,606,240 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:   Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$19,201
 $19,510
Accounts payable$19,767 $23,033 
Accrued compensation and employee benefits49,031
 77,610
Accrued compensation and employee benefits71,347 117,952 
Other accrued liabilities25,305
 32,104
Other accrued liabilities60,062 63,367 
Deferred revenue58,743
 55,431
Deferred revenue100,396 115,159 
Current maturities on debt201,000
 142,000
Current maturities on debt225,000 95,000 
Liabilities related to assets held for saleLiabilities related to assets held for sale23,989 
Total current liabilities353,280
 326,655
Total current liabilities500,561 414,511 
Long-term debt462,834
 462,801
Long-term debt740,226 739,435 
Operating lease liabilitiesOperating lease liabilities59,100 73,207 
Other liabilities39,089
 39,627
Other liabilities56,418 48,005 
Total liabilities855,203
 829,083
Total liabilities1,356,305 1,275,158 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Commitments and contingencies00
Stockholders’ equity:   Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding)
 
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 88,857 shares issued and 30,246 and 30,243 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively)302
 302
Paid-in-capital1,160,274
 1,195,431
Treasury stock, at cost (58,611 and 58,614 shares at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively)(2,337,205) (2,301,097)
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; NaN issued and outstanding)Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; NaN issued and outstanding)
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 88,857 shares issued and 28,829 and 29,096 shares outstanding at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively)Common stock ($0.01 par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 88,857 shares issued and 28,829 and 29,096 shares outstanding at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively)288 291 
Additional paid-in-capitalAdditional paid-in-capital1,181,692 1,218,583 
Treasury stock, at cost (60,028 and 59,761 shares at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively)Treasury stock, at cost (60,028 and 59,761 shares at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively)(3,239,109)(2,997,856)
Retained earnings1,625,694
 1,598,395
Retained earnings2,348,225 2,193,059 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(63,423) (66,494)Accumulated other comprehensive loss(67,793)(82,995)
Total stockholders’ equity385,642
 426,537
Total stockholders’ equity223,303 331,082 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,240,845
 $1,255,620
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,579,608 $1,606,240 
See accompanying notes.

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FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)


 Quarter Ended March 31,Six Months Ended March 31,
 2021202020212020
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:
Transactional and maintenance$280,919 $240,702 $533,069 $461,076 
Professional services37,794 47,905 79,219 91,930 
License12,648 19,364 31,487 53,469 
Total revenues331,361 307,971 643,775 606,475 
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues88,333 88,139 177,861 178,897 
Research and development43,612 39,439 84,263 78,382 
Selling, general and administrative97,272 103,465 191,183 215,486 
Amortization of intangible assets945 1,202 1,882 2,998 
Restructuring and impairment charges3,104 
Gain on sale of product line assets(7,334)
Total operating expenses230,162 232,245 447,855 478,867 
Operating income101,199 75,726 195,920 127,608 
Interest expense, net(9,943)(11,254)(19,584)(21,022)
Other income (expense), net568 (2,008)3,448 (2,227)
Income before income taxes91,824 62,464 179,784 104,359 
Income tax provision (benefit)23,150 4,176 24,618 (8,850)
Net income68,674 58,288 155,166 113,209 
Other comprehensive gain (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1,846)(19,056)15,202 (4,964)
Comprehensive income$66,828 $39,232 $170,368 $108,245 
Earnings per share:
Basic$2.36 $2.00 $5.33 $3.89 
Diluted$2.33 $1.94 $5.23 $3.76 
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic29,087 29,194 29,107 29,109 
Diluted29,531 29,985 29,660 30,076 
 Quarter Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:   
Transactional and maintenance$174,662
 $153,660
Professional services42,626
 43,543
License18,033
 22,397
Total revenues235,321
 219,600
Operating expenses:   
Cost of revenues *74,359
 69,997
Research and development28,974
 26,142
Selling, general and administrative *90,296
 85,214
Amortization of intangible assets *1,788
 3,320
Total operating expenses195,417
 184,673
Operating income39,904
 34,927
Interest expense, net(6,460) (6,172)
Other income (expense), net513
 (100)
Income before income taxes33,957
 28,655
Provision for income taxes6,658
 (9,246)
Net income27,299
 37,901
Other comprehensive income (loss):   
Foreign currency translation adjustments3,071
 (14,347)
Comprehensive income$30,370
 $23,554
Earnings per share:   
Basic$0.91
 $1.22
Diluted$0.86
 $1.16
Shares used in computing earnings per share:   
Basic30,078
 30,989
Diluted31,561
 32,536
* Cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses exclude the amortization of intangible assets. See Note 4.
See accompanying notes.



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FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSTATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Common StockAdditional
Paid-in-Capital
Treasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock     Retained Earnings 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
 
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
Shares Par Value Paid-in-Capital Treasury Stock 
Balance at September 30, 201730,243
 $302
 $1,195,431
 $(2,301,097) $1,598,395
 $(66,494) $426,537
(In thousands) (In thousands) SharesPar ValueAdditional
Paid-in-Capital
Treasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2020Balance at December 31, 202029,236 $292 
Share-based compensation
 
 16,510
 
 
 
 16,510
Share-based compensation— — 28,206 — — — 28,206 
Issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans338
 3
 (51,667) 13,490
 
 
 (38,174)Issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans34 7,593 1,766 — — 9,359 
Repurchases of common stock(335) (3) 
 (49,598) 
 
 (49,601)Repurchases of common stock(441)(4)— (205,207)— — (205,211)
Net income
 
 
 
 27,299
 
 27,299
Net income— — — — 68,674 — 68,674 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 
 3,071
 3,071
Foreign currency translation adjustments— — — — — (1,846)(1,846)
Balance at December 31, 201730,246
 $302
 $1,160,274
 $(2,337,205) $1,625,694
 $(63,423) $385,642
Balance at March 31, 2021Balance at March 31, 202128,829 $288 $1,181,692 $(3,239,109)$2,348,225 $(67,793)$223,303 
Common StockAdditional
Paid-in-Capital
Treasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands) (In thousands) SharesPar Value
Balance at December 31, 2019Balance at December 31, 201929,186 $292 $1,148,190 $(2,843,097)$2,011,569 $(75,993)$240,961 
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation— — 22,788 — — — 22,788 
Issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plansIssuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans186 (1,761)8,930 — — 7,171 
Repurchases of common stockRepurchases of common stock(290)(3)— (95,998)— — (96,001)
Net incomeNet income— — — — 58,288 — 58,288 
Foreign currency translation adjustmentsForeign currency translation adjustments— — — — — (19,056)(19,056)
Balance at March 31, 2020Balance at March 31, 202029,082 $291 $1,169,217 $(2,930,165)$2,069,857 $(95,049)$214,151 
Common StockAdditional
Paid-in-Capital
Treasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands) (In thousands) SharesPar Value
Balance at September 30, 2020Balance at September 30, 202029,096 $291 $1,218,583 $(2,997,856)$2,193,059 $(82,995)$331,082 
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation— — 53,338 — — — 53,338 
Issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plansIssuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans275 (90,229)13,964 — — (76,263)
Repurchases of common stockRepurchases of common stock(542)(5)— (255,217)— — (255,222)
Net incomeNet income— — — — 155,166 — 155,166 
Foreign currency translation adjustmentsForeign currency translation adjustments— — — — — 15,202 15,202 
Balance at March 31, 2021Balance at March 31, 202128,829 $288 $1,181,692 $(3,239,109)$2,348,225 $(67,793)$223,303 
Common StockAdditional
Paid-in-Capital
Treasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands) (In thousands) SharesPar Value
Balance at September 30, 2019Balance at September 30, 201928,944 $289 $1,225,365 $(2,802,450)$1,956,648 $(90,085)$289,767 
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation— — 45,933 — — — 45,933 
Issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plansIssuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans596 (102,081)28,291 — — (73,784)
Repurchases of common stockRepurchases of common stock(458)(4)— (156,006)— — (156,010)
Net incomeNet income— — — — 113,209 — 113,209 
Foreign currency translation adjustmentsForeign currency translation adjustments— — — — — (4,964)(4,964)
Balance at March 31, 2020Balance at March 31, 202029,082 $291 $1,169,217 $(2,930,165)$2,069,857 $(95,049)$214,151 
See accompanying notes.

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FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended December 31, Six Months Ended March 31,
2017 2016 20212020
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:   Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$27,299
 $37,901
Net income$155,166 $113,209 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization7,731
 9,058
Depreciation and amortization13,701 15,535 
Share-based compensation16,510
 14,519
Share-based compensation53,338 45,933 
Deferred income taxes6,717
 
Deferred income taxes(287)(1,213)
Net gain on marketable securities

(90) 
Net (gain) loss on marketable securitiesNet (gain) loss on marketable securities(2,669)2,526 
Non-cash operating lease costsNon-cash operating lease costs8,005 10,000 
Provision for doubtful accounts, net
 463
Provision for doubtful accounts, net266 2,459 
Net loss on sales of property and equipment9
 
Net loss on sales and abandonment of property and equipmentNet loss on sales and abandonment of property and equipment96 59 
Gain on sale of product line assetsGain on sale of product line assets(7,334)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable4,656
 8,253
Accounts receivable64,304 (13,823)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(6,527) (16,876)Prepaid expenses and other assets4,572 (19,656)
Accounts payable(119) (725)Accounts payable(3,695)1,833 
Accrued compensation and employee benefits(28,672) (29,030)Accrued compensation and employee benefits(46,147)(37,339)
Other liabilities(1,174) (2,091)Other liabilities(9,989)(4,659)
Deferred revenue2,437
 11,506
Deferred revenue2,143 6,995 
Net cash provided by operating activities28,777
 32,978
Net cash provided by operating activities231,470 121,859 
Cash flows from investing activities:   Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment(4,044) (4,319)Purchases of property and equipment(4,220)(13,166)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities8
 
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities2,264 3,385 
Purchases of marketable securities(1,943) 
Purchases of marketable securities(4,379)(5,232)
Net cash used in investing activities(5,979) (4,319)
Proceeds from sale of product line assetsProceeds from sale of product line assets8,291 
(Purchase of) distribution from equity investment(Purchase of) distribution from equity investment(210)55 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activitiesNet cash provided by (used in) investing activities1,746 (14,958)
Cash flows from financing activities:   Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit79,000
 60,000
Proceeds from revolving line of credit251,000 156,000 
Payments on revolving line of credit(20,000) (10,000)Payments on revolving line of credit(121,000)(377,000)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notesProceeds from issuance of senior notes350,000 
Payments on debt issuance costs

(240) 
Payments on debt issuance costs(6,840)
Payments on finance leasesPayments on finance leases(176)(712)
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans693
 3,663
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock under employee stock plans10,390 23,216 
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards(38,867) (35,598)Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards(86,653)(97,000)
Dividends paid
 (618)
Repurchases of common stock(55,263) (30,442)Repurchases of common stock(250,356)(148,008)
Net cash used in financing activities(34,677) (12,995)Net cash used in financing activities(196,795)(100,344)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash474
 (3,489)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash4,021 (4,017)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(11,405) 12,175
Increase in cash and cash equivalentsIncrease in cash and cash equivalents40,442 2,540 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period105,618
 75,926
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period157,394 106,426 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$94,213
 $88,101
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$197,836 $108,966 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:   Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds$2,221
 $7,463
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds of $288 and $1,538 during the six months ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, respectivelyCash paid for income taxes, net of refunds of $288 and $1,538 during the six months ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively$18,131 $4,475 
Cash paid for interest$7,087
 $5,851
Cash paid for interest$18,488 $16,181 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:   Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment included in accounts payable$1,482
 $3,816
Purchase of property and equipment included in accounts payable$388 $1,920 
Unsettled repurchases of common stockUnsettled repurchases of common stock$4,866 $8,002 
Finance lease obligations incurredFinance lease obligations incurred$$5,148 
See accompanying notes.

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FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Nature of Business
Fair Isaac Corporation
Incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) is a provider of analytic, software and data management products and services that enable businesses to automate, improve and connect decisions. FICO provides a range of analyticalanalytic solutions, credit scoring and credit account management products and services to banks, credit reporting agencies, credit card processing agencies, insurers, retailers, telecommunications providers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations and public agencies and organizations in other industries.agencies.
In these condensed consolidated financial statements,this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Fair Isaac Corporation is referred to as “FICO,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Company.”
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
We have prepared the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and the applicable accounting guidance. Consequently, we have not necessarily included in this Form 10-Q all information and footnotes required for audited financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise indicated) necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.2020. The interim financial information contained in this report is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FICO and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
We make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures made in the accompanying notes. For example, we use estimates in determining the collectibility of accounts receivable; the appropriate levels of various accruals; variable considerations included in the transaction price for our customer contracts; labor hours in connection with fixed-fee service contracts; the amount of our tax provisionprovision; and the realizability of deferred tax assets. We also use estimates in determining the remaining economic lives and carrying values of acquired intangible assets, property and equipment, and other long-lived assets. In addition, we use assumptions to estimate the fair value of reporting units and share-based compensation. Actual results may differ from our estimates.


As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty and therefore require increased judgment. These estimates and assumptions may change in future periods and will be recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements as new events occur and additional information becomes known. To the extent our actual results differ materially from those estimates and assumptions, our future financial statements could be affected. For more information, see Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014,August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASUAccounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 606)350): Internal-Use Software (“ASU 2014-09”2018-15”). ASU 2014-09 requires an entity2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goodsdevelop or services to customers.obtain internal-use software. We adopted ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”), which defers the effective date for ASU 2014-09 by one year. For public entities, the guidance in ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods), which means it will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date of December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue versus Net)” (“ASU 2016-08”), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”), which reduces the complexity when applying the guidance for identifying performance obligations and improves the operability and understandability of the license implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12 “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”), which amends the guidance on transition, collectability, noncash consideration and the presentation of sales and other similar taxes. In December 2016, the FASB further issued ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2016-20”), which makes minor corrections or minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The amendments are intended to address implementation issues that were raised by stakeholders and provide additional practical expedients to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new revenue standard. These amendments have the same effective date as the new revenue standard.
We have established a cross-functional implementation team consisting of representatives across the organization to address the scope of work required to implement the recognition and disclosure requirements under the new standard. This cross-functional implementation team has developed a project plan, which includes evaluating customer contracts across the organization, developing policies, processes and tools to report financial results, and implementing and evaluating our internal controls over financial reporting that will be necessary under the new standard. We currently plan to adopt Topic 6062018-15 in the first quarter of our fiscal 2019 using the retrospective transition method. Our ability to adopt Topic 606 using the full retrospective method is dependent on system readiness,2021 and the completion of our analysis of information necessary to restate prior period financial statements. As we continue to assess the new standard along with industry trends and additional interpretive guidance, we may adjust our implementation plan accordingly.
We are continuing to assess the impact of adopting Topic 606 on our consolidated financial statements and believe the new standard will impact the following policies and disclosures:
Timing of revenue recognition of license revenue on term licenses and transactional revenue on guaranteed minimum fees related to our on-premises software products. Under the new standard, we expect to recognize revenue when control of the license is transferred to the customer, rather than at the date payments become due and payable or ratably over the term of the contract required under the current standard;
Presentation of contract balances. Under the new standard, when we enter into noncancellable contracts that provide unconditional rights to payment from our customers for services that we haveadoption did not yet completed providing or services we will provide in the near future, we expect to present the unconditional rights as receivables, regardless of whether cash has been received from customers;
Required disclosures including information about remaining transaction price and when we expect to recognize revenue; and
Accounting for commissions under the new standard will result in the deferral of incremental commission costs for obtaining contracts.
We do not currently expect Topic 606 to have a significant effectimpact on the timingour condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Table of revenue recognition for our maintenance or professional services revenues, or SaaS contracts.Contents

In OctoberJune 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 740)326): Intra-Entity TransfersMeasurement of Assets Other Than Inventory(“Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2016-16”2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05 and ASU 2019-11 (collectively, “Topic 326”). ASU 2016-16Topic 326 requires an entity to recognizemeasurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. We adopted Topic 326 in the income tax consequencesfirst quarter of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which means it will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. ASU 2016-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings at2021 and the beginning of the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements (interim or annual) havedid not been issued. We do not believe that adoption of ASU 2016-16 will have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASBRecent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
We do not expect that any recently issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize the expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. ASU 2016-02 states that a lessee would recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which means it will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the timing of our adoption and the impact that the updated standardaccounting pronouncements will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.
2. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure that is based on the extent and level of judgment used to estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities.
 
Level 1 - uses unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Our Level 1 assets are comprised of money market funds and certain equitymarketable securities. We did not have any liabilities that are valued using inputs identified under a Level 1 hierarchy as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
Level 2 - uses inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable through correlation with market data. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and inputs to valuation models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment because the inputs used in the model, such as interest rates and volatility, can be corroborated by readily observable market data. We dodid not have any assets that are valued using inputs identified under a Level 2 hierarchy as of DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017.2020. We measure the fair value of our senior notes based on Level 2 inputs, which include quoted market prices and interest rate spreads of similar securities.
Level 3 - uses one or more significant inputs that are unobservable and supported by little or no market activity, and that reflect the use of significant management judgment. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those whose fair value measurements are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar valuation techniques, and significant management judgment or estimation. We dodid not have any assets or liabilities that are valued using inputs identified under a Level 3 hierarchy as of DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017.2020.
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The following tables represent financial assets that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017:2020:

March 31, 2021Active Markets for
Identical Instruments
(Level 1)
Fair Value as of March 31, 2021
(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash equivalents (1)
$194 $194 
Marketable securities (2)
30,437 30,437 
Total$30,631 $30,631 
September 30, 2020Active Markets for
Identical Instruments
(Level 1)
Fair Value as of September 30, 2020
(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash equivalents (1)
$35,275 $35,275 
Marketable securities (2)
25,513 25,513 
Total$60,788 $60,788 
December 31, 2017
Active Markets for
Identical Instruments
(Level 1)
 Fair Value as of December 31, 2017
 (In thousands)
Assets:   
Cash equivalents (1)$4,105
 $4,105
Marketable securities (2)15,816
 15,816
Total$19,921
 $19,921
    
September 30, 2017Active Markets for
Identical Instruments
(Level 1)
 Fair Value as of September 30, 2017
 (In thousands)
Assets:   
Cash equivalents (1)$15,295
 $15,295
Marketable securities (2)13,791
 13,791
Total$29,086
 $29,086
(1)Included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017. Not included in these tables are cash deposits of $90.1 million and $90.3 million at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively.
(2)
(1)Included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020. Not included in these tables are cash deposits of $197.6 million and $122.1 million at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
(2)Represents securities held under a supplemental retirement and savings plan for senior management employees, which are distributed upon termination or retirement of the employees. Included in marketable securities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020.
See Note 7 for senior management employees, which are distributed upon termination or retirement of the employees. Included in marketable securities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017.
Where applicable, we use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities to determine fair value. This pricing applies to our Level 1 investments. To the extent quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities are not available, the valuation techniques used to measure the fair values of our financial assets incorporate market inputs, which include reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, benchmark securities and other inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. This methodology would apply to our Level 2 investments. We have not changed our valuation techniques in measuring the fair value of any financial assets and liabilities during the period.
For the fair value of our derivative instrumentssenior notes.
There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and senior notes, see NoteLevel 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the quarters and Note 7, respectively.six-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

3. Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative instruments to manage risks caused by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The primary objective of our derivative instruments is to protect the value of foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances from the effects of volatility in foreign exchange rates that might occur prior to conversion to their respective functional currencies. We principally utilize foreign currency forward contracts, which enable us to buy and sell foreign currencies in the future at fixed exchange rates and economically offset changes in foreign exchange rates. We routinely enter into contracts to offset exposures denominated in the British pound, Euro, and Euro.Singapore dollar.
Foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances are remeasured at foreign exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date with the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates reported in other income (expense), net. The forward contracts are not designated as hedges and are marked to market through other income (expense), net. Fair value changes in the forward contracts help mitigate the changes in the value of the remeasured receivable and cash balances attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates. The forward contracts are short-term in nature and typically have average maturities at inception of less than three months.
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Table of Contents
The following tables summarize our outstanding foreign currency forward contracts, by currency, at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017:2020:
 March 31, 2021
 Contract AmountFair Value
 Foreign
Currency
USDUSD
 (In thousands)
Sell foreign currency:
Euro (EUR)EUR 19,200 $22,643 $
Buy foreign currency:
British pound (GBP)GBP 14,780 $20,400 $
Singapore dollar (SGD)SGD5,790 $4,300 $
 December 31, 2017
 Contract Amount Fair Value
 
Foreign
Currency
 US$ US$
 (In thousands)
Sell foreign currency:      
Euro (EUR)EUR 7,350
 $8,825
 $
Buy foreign currency:      
British pound (GBP)GBP 5,398
 $7,300
 $
Singapore dollar (SGD)

SGD7,734
 $5,800
 $
September 30, 2017 September 30, 2020
Contract Amount Fair Value Contract AmountFair Value
Foreign
Currency
 US$ US$ Foreign
Currency
USDUSD
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Sell foreign currency:      Sell foreign currency:
Euro (EUR)EUR 5,050
 $5,968
 $
Euro (EUR)EUR 15,000 $17,656 $
Buy foreign currency:      Buy foreign currency:
British pound (GBP)GBP 9,341
 $12,500
 $
British pound (GBP)GBP 16,555 $21,300 $
Singapore dollar (SGD)Singapore dollar (SGD)SGD7,815 $5,700 $
The foreign currency forward contracts were entered into on DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017,2020, respectively; therefore, their fair value was $0 on each of these dates.
Gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments arewere recorded in our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as a component of other income (expense), net, and consisted of the following: 
 Quarter Ended March 31,Six Months Ended March 31,
 2021202020212020
 (In thousands)
Gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts$1,229 $(2,194)$2,915 $(1,049)
 Quarter Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In thousands)
Gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts$194
 $(560)


4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Amortization expense associated with our intangible assets which has beenis reflected as a separate operating expense caption — amortization of intangible assets — and is excluded from cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses within the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income,income. Amortization expense consisted of the following:
 Quarter Ended March 31,Six Months Ended March 31,
 2021202020212020
 (In thousands)
Completed technology$323 $463 $645 $1,038 
Customer contracts and relationships578 658 1,149 1,798 
Trade names38 75 
Non-compete agreements44 43 88 87 
       Total$945 $1,202 $1,882 $2,998 
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Table of Contents
 Quarter Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In thousands)
Cost of revenues$706
 $1,686
Selling, general and administrative expenses1,082
 1,634
 $1,788
 $3,320

Cost of revenues reflects our amortization of completed technology and selling, general and administrative expenses reflects our amortization of other intangible assets. Intangible assets, gross were $112.1 million and $114.5 million as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively.


Estimated future intangible asset amortization expense associated with intangible assets existing at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 was as follows (in thousands):follows:
Year Ended September 30, 
2018 (excluding the quarter ended December 31, 2017)$4,803
20196,085
20203,689
20212,433
20222,287
Thereafter217

$19,514
Year Ending September 30,(In thousands)
2021 (excluding the six months ended March 31, 2021)$1,804 
20223,400 
20231,316 
2024917 
       Total$7,437 
The following table summarizes changes to goodwill during the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2021, both in total and as allocated to our segments:
ApplicationsScoresDecision Management SoftwareTotal
 (In thousands)
Balance at September 30, 2020$596,804 $146,648 $68,912 $812,364 
Foreign currency translation adjustment3,679 1,040 4,719 
Reclassified as assets held for sale(27,960)(27,960)
Balance at March 31, 2021$572,523 $146,648 $69,952 $789,123 
 Applications Scores Decision Management Software Total
 (In thousands)
Balance at September 30, 2017$588,288
 $146,648
 $69,478
 $804,414
Foreign currency translation adjustment1,777
 
 141
 1,918
Balance at December 31, 2017$590,065
 $146,648
 $69,619
 $806,332

5. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions
The following table summarizespresents the composition of property and equipment, net and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization,other assets at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017:2020:
March 31,
2021
September 30,
2020
 (In thousands)
Property and equipment, net:
       Property and equipment$154,749 $161,119 
       Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(119,852)(114,700)
           Total$34,897 $46,419 
Other assets:
Long-term receivables$45,994 $54,074 
Prepaid commissions40,598 38,579 
Others11,975 12,632 
    Total$98,567 $105,285 

9
 December 31,
2017
 September 30,
2017
 (In thousands)
Property and equipment$139,344
 $135,360
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(100,536) (94,657)
 $38,808
 $40,703


Table of Contents
6. Revolving Line of Credit
On November 17, 2017, we amended ourWe have a $400 million unsecured revolving line of credit agreement with a syndicate of banks increasing our borrowing capacity under the unsecured revolving line of credit to $600 million. The revolving line of creditthat expires on December 30, 2019.May 8, 2023 with an option to increase it, subject to lender approval, by another $100 million. Proceeds from the credit facility can be used for working capital and general corporate purposes and may also be used for the refinancing of existing debt, acquisitions and the repurchase of our common stock. Interest on amounts borrowed under the credit facility is based on (i) a base rate, which is the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.500% and (c) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.000%, plus, in each case, an applicable margin, or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 0.875% and for LIBOR borrowings ranges from 1.000% to 1.875%, and is determined based on our consolidated leverage ratio. In addition, we must pay credit facility fees. The credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants including maintaining a minimum fixed charge ratio of 2.5 and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.0,3.25 on an average trailing four-quarter basis, subject to a step up to 3.53.75 following certain permitted acquisitions.acquisitions; and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.00. The credit agreement also contains other covenants typical of unsecured facilities. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2021, we had $420.0$225.0 million in borrowings outstanding at a weighted averageweighted-average interest rate of 2.655%, of which $350.0 million was classified as a long-term liability1.236% and recorded in long-term debt within the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under this credit facility as of December 31, 2017.facility.
7. Senior Notes
On May 7, 2008,8, 2018, we issued $275$400 million of senior notes in a private placementoffering to a group ofqualified institutional investors (the “2008“2018 Senior Notes”). The 20082018 Senior Notes were issued in four series with maturities ranging from 5 to 10 years. The outstanding 2008 Senior Notes’ weighted averagerequire interest payments semi-annually at a rate is 7.2%of 5.25% per annum and the weighted average maturity is 10.0 years. will mature on May 15, 2026.
On July 14, 2010,December 6, 2019, we issued $245$350 million of senior notes in a private placementoffering to a group ofqualified institutional investors (the “2010“2019 Senior Notes”Notes,” and with the 20082018 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The 2010 Senior Notes were issued in four series with maturities ranging from 6 to 10 years. The outstanding 2010 Senior Notes’ weighted average interest rate is 5.6% and the weighted average maturity is 9.8 years. The2019 Senior Notes require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 4.00% per annum and contain certain restrictive covenants, including the maintenance of consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio. will mature on June 15, 2028.
The purchase agreementsindentures for the Senior Notes also contain certain covenants typical of unsecured facilities. As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all financial covenants.obligations.
The following table presents the carrying amountsface values and fair values for the Senior Notes at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017:2020:
 March 31, 2021September 30, 2020
 Face Value (*)Fair ValueFace Value (*)Fair Value
 (In thousands)
The 2018 Senior Notes400,000 442,000 400,000 442,000 
The 2019 Senior Notes350,000 357,000 350,000 358,750 
       Total$750,000 $799,000 $750,000 $800,750 
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
 Carrying
Amounts
 Fair Value Carrying
Amounts
 Fair Value
 (In thousands)
The 2008 Senior Notes$131,000
 $132,814
 $131,000
 $134,250
The 2010 Senior Notes113,000
 117,669
 113,000
 119,106
Debt issuance costs(166) (166) (199) (199)
       Total$243,834
 $250,317
 $243,801
 $253,157
We measure the fair(*) The carrying value of the Senior Notes based on Level 2 inputs, which include quoted market prices and interest rate spreads of similar securities.
8. Restructuring Expenses
The following table summarizes our restructuring accruals related to facility closures and employee separation charges. The current portion and non-current portion is recorded in other accrued current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, withinwas the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The balance for all the facilities charges will be paidface value reduced by the endnet debt issuance costs of fiscal 2020. The balance for all the employee separation costs will be paid by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2018.$9.8 million and $10.6 million at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.


 Accrual at 
Cash
Payments
 Accrual at
 September 30, 2017  December 31, 2017
 (In thousands)
Facilities charges$8,120
 $(702) $7,418
Employee separation185
 (126) 59
 8,305
 $(828) 7,477
Less: current portion(3,077)   (3,524)
Non-current$5,228
   $3,953
9.8. Income Taxes
Effective Tax Rate
The effective income tax rate was 19.6%rates were 25.2% and (32.3)%6.7% during the quarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively, and 13.7% and (8.5)% during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The provision for income taxes during interim quarterly reporting periods is based on our estimates of the effective tax rates for the full fiscal year. The effective tax rate in any quarter can also be affected positively or negatively by adjustments that are required to be reported in the specific quarter of resolution.
The effective tax raterates for the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017 was significantly2021 and 2020 were both impacted by the recording the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017 by the U.S. government. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changesexcess tax benefits relating to the U.S. tax code that will affect our fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate and (2) requiring a one-time transition tax on certain un-repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries that is payable over eight years.
The Tax Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate to 21.0% effective January 1, 2018.stock awards. In accordance with Section 15 of the Internal Revenue Code, we will utilize a blended rate of 24.5% for our fiscal 2018 tax year, by applying a prorated percentage of the number of days prior to and subsequent to the January 1, 2018 effective date. We recorded provisional charges for the re-measurement of the deferred tax assets of $5.6 million to our income tax expense related to long-term deferred tax assets and $1.3 million related to short-term deferred tax assetsaddition, stock exercises during the quarter and six months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2020 resulted in an additional increase in excess benefits.
The Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (the “Transition Tax”) is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”)
10

Table of certain of our foreign subsidiaries. To determine the amount of the Transition Tax, we must determine, in addition to other factors, the amount of post-1986 E&P of the relevant subsidiaries, as well as the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid on such earnings. We are able to make a reasonable estimate and recorded a provisional Transition Tax obligation of $4.9 million.Contents
On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provision of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act. While we are able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the reduction in corporate rate and the deemed repatriation transition tax, the final impact of the Tax Act may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in our interpretations and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by the I.R.S., and actions we may take. We are continuing to gather additional information to determine the final impact.
The total unrecognized tax benefit for uncertain tax positions iswas estimated to be approximately $6.1$10.2 million and $6.5$8.0 million at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017,2020, respectively. We recognize interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as part of the provision for income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We have accrued interest of $0.5 million and $0.4 million related to unrecognized tax benefits as of DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017.2020, respectively.

10. Share-Based Payments
We maintain the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) under which we grant equity awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, stock unit awards and other stock-based awards. All employees, consultants and advisors of FICO or any subsidiary, as well as all non-employee directors are eligible to receive awards under the 2012 Plan. We also have awards currently outstanding under the 1992 Long-term Incentive Plan, which was adopted in February 1992 and expired in February 2012. Stock option awards have a maximum term of seven years. In general, stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards not subject to market or performance conditions vest annually over four years. Restricted stock unit awards subject to market or performance conditions vest annually over three years based on the achievement of specified criteria.
Stock Options
The following table summarizes option activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2017:
  Shares Weighted-average Exercise Price Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value
  (In thousands)   (In years) (In thousands)
Outstanding at October 1, 2017 1,230
 $56.54
    
       Granted 3
 157.31
    
       Exercised (21) 33.10
    
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 1,212
 $57.19
 2.90 $116,380
Exercisable at December 31, 2017 1,051
 $53.34
 2.68 $105,003
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2017 1,207
 $57.06
 2.89 $116,081
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2017:
  Shares Weighted- average Grant-date Fair Value
  (In thousands)  
Outstanding at October 1, 2017 1,144
 $97.95
       Granted 358
 157.11
       Released (351) 86.88
       Forfeited (5) 109.08
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 1,146
 $119.76
Performance Share Units
The following table summarizes performance share unit activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2017:
  Shares Weighted- average Grant-date Fair Value
  (In thousands)  
Outstanding at October 1, 2017 204
 $105.37
       Granted 51
 157.03
       Released (95) 98.15
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 160
 $126.27

Market Share Units
The following table summarizes market share unit activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2017:
  Shares Weighted- average Grant-date Fair Value
  (In thousands)  
Outstanding at October 1, 2017 131
 $123.82
       Granted 102
 151.78
       Released (119) 113.70
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 114
 $159.34

11.9. Earnings per Share
The following table presents reconciliations for the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the quarters and six-month periods ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016:2020:
 Quarter Ended March 31,Six Months Ended March 31,
 2021202020212020
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for diluted and basic earnings per share:
Net income$68,674 $58,288 $155,166 $113,209 
Denominator - share:
Basic weighted-average shares29,087 29,194 29,107 29,109 
Effect of dilutive securities444 791 553 967 
Diluted weighted-average shares29,531 29,985 29,660 30,076 
Earnings per share:
Basic$2.36 $2.00 $5.33 $3.89 
Diluted$2.33 $1.94 $5.23 $3.76 
 Quarter Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 (In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator for diluted and basic earnings per share:   
Net Income$27,299
 $37,901
Denominator - share:   
Basic weighted-average shares30,078
 30,989
Effect of dilutive securities1,483
 1,547
Diluted weighted-average shares31,561
 32,536
Earnings per share:   
Basic$0.91
 $1.22
Diluted$0.86
 $1.16
We excludeAnti-dilutive stock-based awards excluded from the options to purchase sharescalculations of common stock in the computation of the diluted EPS wherewere immaterial during the exercise price of the options exceeds the average market price of our common stock as their inclusion would be antidilutive. There were 3,000 options excluded for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. There were no options excluded for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.periods presented.
12.10. Segment Information
We are organized into the following three3 operating segments, each of which is a reportable segment, to align with internal management of our worldwide business operations based on product offerings.
 
Applications. This segment includes pre-configured decision management applications designed for a specific type of business problem or process — such as marketing, account origination, customer management, fraud, collections and insurance claims management — as well as associated professional services. These applications are available to our customers as on-premises software, and many are available as hosted, software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) applications through the FICO® Analytic Cloud.
Applications. This segment includes decision management applications designed for a specific type of business problem or process — such as marketing, account origination, customer management, fraud, financial crimes compliance, collections and insurance claims management — as well as associated professional services. These applications are available to our customers as on-premises software, and many are available as hosted, software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) applications through the FICO® Analytic Cloud or Amazon Web Services (“AWS”).
Scores. This segment includes our business-to-business scoring solutions and services, our business-to-consumer scoring solutions and services including myFICO® solutions for consumers, and associated professional services. Our scoring solutions give our clients access to analytics that can be easily integrated into their transaction streams and decision-making processes. Our scoring solutions and services are either distributed through major credit reporting agencies worldwide or sold to our clients directly.
Decision Management Software. This segment is composed of analytic and decision management software tools that clients can use to create their own custom decision management applications, our FICO® Decision Management Suite, as well as associated professional services. Some of our decision management software is currently delivered as part of the FICO® Decision Management Platform and is increasingly being adopted to connect decisioning solutions or previously disconnected use cases. These tools are available to our customers as on-premises software, through the FICO® Analytic Cloud or AWS.
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Scores. This segment includes our business-to-business scoring solutions, our myFICO® solutions for consumers and associated professional services. Our scoring solutions give our clients access to analytics that can be easily integrated into their transaction streams and decision-making processes. Our scoring solutions are distributed through major credit reporting agencies, as well as services through which we provide our scores to clients directly.
Decision Management Software. This segment is composed of analytic and decision management software tools that clients can use to create their own custom decision management applications, our new FICO® Decision Management Suite, as well as associated professional services. These tools are available to our customers as on-premises software or through the FICO® Analytic Cloud.

Our Chief Executive Officer evaluates segment financial performance based on segment revenues and segment operating income. Segment operating expenses consist of direct and indirect costs principally related to personnel, facilities, consulting, travel and depreciation. Indirect costs are allocated to the segments generally based on relative segment revenues, fixed rates established by management based upon estimated expense contribution levels and other assumptions that management considers reasonable. We do not allocate broad-based incentive expense, share-based compensation expense, restructuring expense, amortization expense, various corporate charges and certain other income and expense measures to our segments. These income and expense items are not allocated because they are not considered in evaluating the segment’s operating performance. Our Chief Executive Officer does not evaluate the financial performance of each segment based on its respective assets, nor capital expenditures where depreciation amounts are allocated to the segments from their internal cost centers as described above.
The following tables summarize segment information for the quarters and six-month periods ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016:2020:
 Quarter Ended March 31, 2021
 ApplicationsScoresDecision Management SoftwareUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
Total
 (In thousands)
Segment revenues:
Transactional and maintenance$96,687 $167,212 $17,020 $— $280,919 
Professional services27,627 703 9,464 — 37,794 
License5,200 804 6,644 — 12,648 
Total segment revenues129,514 168,719 33,128 — 331,361 
Segment operating expense(102,142)(22,177)(43,300)(33,392)(201,011)
Segment operating income (loss)$27,372 $146,542 $(10,172)$(33,392)130,350 
Unallocated share-based compensation expense(28,206)
Unallocated amortization expense(945)
Operating income101,199 
Unallocated interest expense, net(9,943)
Unallocated other income, net568 
Income before income taxes$91,824 
Depreciation expense$4,110 $167 $902 $45 $5,224 
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Quarter Ended December 31, 2017 Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
Applications Scores Decision Management Software 
Unallocated
Corporate
Expenses
 Total ApplicationsScoresDecision Management SoftwareUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
Total
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Segment revenues:         Segment revenues:
Transactional and maintenance$93,213
 $69,574
 $11,875
 $
 $174,662
Transactional and maintenance$97,789 $127,610 $15,303 $— $240,702 
Professional services34,853
 278
 7,495
 
 42,626
Professional services35,134 819 11,952 — 47,905 
License13,343
 63
 4,627
 
 18,033
License7,356 719 11,289 — 19,364 
Total segment revenues141,409
 69,915
 23,997
 
 235,321
Total segment revenues140,279 129,148 38,544 — 307,971 
Segment operating expense(102,619) (15,887) (31,853) (26,760) (177,119)Segment operating expense(111,456)(15,660)(47,354)(33,785)(208,255)
Segment operating income (loss)$38,790
 $54,028
 $(7,856) $(26,760) 58,202
Segment operating income (loss)$28,823 $113,488 $(8,810)$(33,785)99,716 
Unallocated share-based compensation expense        (16,510)Unallocated share-based compensation expense(22,788)
Unallocated amortization expense        (1,788)Unallocated amortization expense(1,202)
Operating income        39,904
Operating income75,726 
Unallocated interest expense, net        (6,460)Unallocated interest expense, net(11,254)
Unallocated other income, net        513
Unallocated other expense, netUnallocated other expense, net(2,008)
Income before income taxes        $33,957
Income before income taxes$62,464 
Depreciation expense$3,943
 $155
 $1,412
 $284
 $5,794
Depreciation expense$4,553 $141 $1,158 $108 $5,960 


 Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
 ApplicationsScoresDecision Management SoftwareUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
Total
 (In thousands)
Segment revenues:
Transactional and maintenance$194,418 $305,802 $32,849 $— $533,069 
Professional services58,232 820 20,167 — 79,219 
License12,225 6,748 12,514 — 31,487 
Total segment revenues264,875 313,370 65,530 — 643,775 
Segment operating expense(202,001)(43,803)(90,520)(63,645)(399,969)
Segment operating income (loss)$62,874 $269,567 $(24,990)$(63,645)243,806 
Unallocated share-based compensation expense(53,338)
Unallocated amortization expense(1,882)
Unallocated gain on sale of product line assets7,334 
Operating income195,920 
Unallocated interest expense, net(19,584)
Unallocated other income, net3,448 
Income before income taxes$179,784 
Depreciation expense$8,484 $361 $1,886 $78 $10,809 
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Quarter Ended December 31, 2016 Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
Applications Scores Decision Management Software 
Unallocated
Corporate
Expenses
 Total ApplicationsScoresDecision Management SoftwareUnallocated
Corporate
Expenses
Total
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Segment revenues:         Segment revenues:
Transactional and maintenance$84,881
 $58,252
 $10,527
 $
 $153,660
Transactional and maintenance$196,626 $235,056 $29,394 $— $461,076 
Professional services34,341
 521
 8,681
 
 43,543
Professional services69,157 1,083 21,690 — 91,930 
License15,543
 609
 6,245
 
 22,397
License26,674 8,147 18,648 — 53,469 
Total segment revenues134,765
 59,382
 25,453
 
 219,600
Total segment revenues292,457 244,286 69,732 — 606,475 
Segment operating expense(99,797) (13,319) (29,085) (24,633) (166,834)Segment operating expense(227,466)(33,372)(97,999)(67,995)(426,832)
Segment operating income (loss)$34,968
 $46,063
 $(3,632) $(24,633) 52,766
Segment operating income (loss)$64,991 $210,914 $(28,267)$(67,995)179,643 
Unallocated share-based compensation expense        (14,519)Unallocated share-based compensation expense(45,933)
Unallocated amortization expense        (3,320)Unallocated amortization expense(2,998)
Unallocated restructuring and impairment chargesUnallocated restructuring and impairment charges(3,104)
Operating income        34,927
Operating income127,608 
Unallocated interest expense, net        (6,172)Unallocated interest expense, net(21,022)
Unallocated other expense, net        (100)Unallocated other expense, net(2,227)
Income before income taxes        $28,655
Income before income taxes$104,359 
Depreciation expense$3,868
 $266
 $1,126
 $349
 $5,609
Depreciation expense$8,902 $257 $2,144 $333 $11,636 
Information about disaggregated revenue by product deployment methods was as follows:
Quarter Ended March 31, 2021
Reportable SegmentsOn-PremisesSaaSScoresTotalPercentage
(Dollars in thousands)
Applications$66,182 $63,332 $$129,514 39 %
Scores168,719 168,719 51 %
Decision Management Software22,287 10,841 33,128 10 %
      Total$88,469 $74,173 $168,719 $331,361 100 %
Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
Reportable SegmentsOn-PremisesSaaSScoresTotalPercentage
(Dollars in thousands)
Applications$76,341 $63,938 $$140,279 46 %
Scores129,148 129,148 42 %
Decision Management Software28,847 9,697 38,544 12 %
      Total$105,188 $73,635 $129,148 $307,971 100 %
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Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
Reportable SegmentsOn-PremisesSaaSScoresTotalPercentage
(Dollars in thousands)
Applications$137,402 $127,473 $$264,875 41 %
Scores313,370 313,370 49 %
Decision Management Software45,065 20,465 65,530 10 %
      Total$182,467 $147,938 $313,370 $643,775 100 %
Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
Reportable SegmentsOn-PremisesSaaSScoresTotalPercentage
(Dollars in thousands)
Applications$162,319 $130,138 $$292,457 48 %
Scores244,286 244,286 40 %
Decision Management Software52,526 17,206 69,732 12 %
      Total$214,845 $147,344 $244,286 $606,475 100 %
Information about disaggregated revenue by primary geographical markets was as follows:
Quarter Ended March 31, 2021
Reportable SegmentsNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEurope, Middle East and AfricaAsia PacificTotal
(In thousands)
Applications$70,117 $9,112 $34,913 $15,372 $129,514 
Scores159,047 2,740 5,642 1,290 168,719 
Decision Management Software17,514 2,929 9,120 3,565 33,128 
      Total$246,678 $14,781 $49,675 $20,227 $331,361 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
Reportable SegmentsNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEurope, Middle East and AfricaAsia PacificTotal
(In thousands)
Applications$78,900 $9,672 $34,271 $17,436 $140,279 
Scores123,249 2,619 1,720 1,560 129,148 
Decision Management Software21,007 5,917 6,920 4,700 38,544 
      Total$223,156 $18,208 $42,911 $23,696 $307,971 
Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
Reportable SegmentsNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEurope, Middle East and AfricaAsia PacificTotal
(In thousands)
Applications$149,454 $18,339 $70,170 $26,912 $264,875 
Scores299,457 3,043 7,355 3,515 313,370 
Decision Management Software34,061 5,842 17,698 7,929 65,530 
      Total$482,972 $27,224 $95,223 $38,356 $643,775 
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Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
Reportable SegmentsNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEurope, Middle East and AfricaAsia PacificTotal
(In thousands)
Applications$164,366 $19,189 $74,055 $34,847 $292,457 
Scores233,446 2,903 3,258 4,679 244,286 
Decision Management Software36,594 10,250 14,185 8,703 69,732 
      Total$434,406 $32,342 $91,498 $48,229 $606,475 

11. Contract Balances and Performance Obligations
Contract Balances
We record a receivable when we satisfy a performance obligation prior to invoicing if only the passage of time is required before payment is due or if we have an unconditional right to consideration before we satisfy a performance obligation. We record a contract asset when we satisfy a performance obligation prior to invoicing but our right to consideration is conditional. We record deferred revenue when the payment is made or due before we satisfy a performance obligation.
Receivables at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 consisted of the following:

 March 31,
2021
September 30,
2020
 (In thousands)
Billed$155,838 $211,776 
Unbilled159,891 181,550 
315,729 393,326 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts(4,931)(5,072)
Net receivables310,798 388,254 
    Less: long-term receivables *(45,994)(54,074)
    Short-term receivables *$264,804 334,180 
* Short-term receivables and long-term receivables were recorded in accounts receivable, net and other assets, respectively, within the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Contract assets balance at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 was immaterial.
Deferred revenue primarily relates to our maintenance and SaaS contracts billed annually in advance and generally recognized ratably over the term of the service period. Significant changes in the deferred revenues balances during the six months ended March 31, 2021 were as follows:
Six Months Ended  
March 31, 2021
(In thousands)
Deferred revenues at September 30, 2020 *$122,141 
Revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenues balance at the beginning of the period(75,600)
Increases due to billings, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period78,945 
Reclassified as liabilities related to assets held for sale$(16,508)
Deferred revenues at March 31, 2021 *$108,978 
* Deferred revenues at September 30, 2020 included current portion of $115.2 million and long-term portion of $6.9 million that were recorded in deferred revenue and other liabilities, respectively, within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Deferred revenues at March 31, 2021 included current portion of $100.4 million and long-term portion of $8.6 million that were recorded in deferred revenue and other liabilities, respectively, within the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
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Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 60 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined our contracts generally do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our products and services, not to provide customers with financing or to receive financing from our customers. Examples include multi-year on-premises licenses that are invoiced annually with revenue recognized upfront, and invoicing at the beginning of a SaaS subscription term with revenue recognized ratably over the contract period.
13.Performance Obligations
Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue that will be recognized in future periods, which is comprised of deferred revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. This does not include:
Revenue that will be recognized in future periods from usage-based royalty from license sales;
SaaS transactional revenue from variable considerations that will be recognized in the distinct service period during which it is earned; and
Revenue from variable considerations that will be recognized in accordance with the “right-to-invoice” practical expedient, such as fees from our professional services billed basedon a time and materials basis.
Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations was $334.4 million as of March 31, 2021, of which we expect to recognize approximately 50% over the next 20 months and the remainder thereafter.

12. Contingencies
We are in disputes with certain customers regarding amounts owed in connection with the sale of certain of our products and services. We also have had claims asserted by former employees relating to compensation and other employment matters. We are also involved in various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. We record litigation accruals for legal matters which are both probable and estimable. For legal proceedings for which there is a reasonable possibility of loss (meaning those losses for which the likelihood is more than remote but less than probable), we have determined we do not have material exposure on an aggregate basis.

13. Assets Held for Sale
As discussed in Note 14 - Subsequent Events, we entered into an agreement to divest our Collections and Recovery business (“C&R”) on May 4th, 2021. As a result of meeting the criteria to classify the disposal group as held for sale under ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, the C&R disposal group was classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2021. Assets classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and are not depreciated or amortized. Classification of a disposal group as held for sale occurs when sufficient authority to sell the disposal group has been obtained, the disposal group is available for immediate sale, and its sale is probable within one year. If at any time these criteria are no longer met, the disposal group would be reclassified as held and used. We evaluate the held for sale classification during each reporting period. The C&R disposal group did not meet the requirements for presentation as discontinued operations and is included in income from continuing operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021.
We did not have any assets held for sale as of September 30, 2020. The following table presents the carrying amounts of major classes of assets and liabilities related to assets held for sale with respect to the C&R disposal group as of March 31, 2021.

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March 31, 2021
(In thousands)
Assets:
     Accounts receivable, net$18,310 
     Property and equipment, net312 
     Goodwill27,960 
     Operating lease right-of-use assets2,261 
          Total assets held for sale$48,843 
Liabilities:
     Accounts payable$99 
     Accrued compensation and employee benefits2,131 
     Deferred revenue16,508 
     Operating lease liabilities5,251 
          Total liabilities related to assets held for sale$23,989 

14. Subsequent Events
On May 4th, 2021, we signed a definitive agreement to sell our C&R business. The transaction is expected to close in our current fiscal year, subject to customary closing conditions. The decision to sell the C&R business was the result of management’s decision to divest non-platform businesses and focus resources on the growth of our FICO Decision Management Platform. Our C&R business is part of the Applications segment.
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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this report that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.1995 (the “PSLRA”). In addition, certain statements in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.PSLRA. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenue, income or loss, expenses, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other statements concerning future financial performance; (ii) statements of our plans and objectives by our management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services, research and development, and the sufficiency of capital resources; (iii) statements of assumptions underlying such statements, including those related to economic conditions; (iv) statements regarding results of business combinations; (v) statements regarding business relationships with vendors, customers or collaborators, including the proportion of revenues generated from international as opposed to domestic customers; and (v)(vi) statements regarding products, their characteristics, performance, sales potential or effect in the hands of customers. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “targeted,” “should,” “potential,” “goals,” “strategy,” “outlook,” “plan,” “estimated,” “will,” variations of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described in Part II, Item 1A Risk Factors.Factors of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including the impact of COVID-19 on macroeconomic conditions and our business, operations and personnel). The performance of our business and our securities may be adversely affected by these factors and by other factors common to other businesses and investments, or to the general economy. Forward-looking statements are qualified by some or all of these risk factors. Therefore, you should consider these risk factors with caution and form your own critical and independent conclusions about the likely effect of these risk factors on our future performance. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which statements are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances. Readers should carefully review the disclosures and the risk factors described in this and other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, including our reportsQuarterly Reports on Form 8-K to be filed by us in fiscal 2018.10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
OVERVIEW
We use analytics to help businesses automate, improve and connect decisions across their enterprise an approach we commonly refer to as decision management. Our predictive analytics, which includes the industry-standard FICO® Score, and our decision management systemstechnologies leverage the use of big data and mathematical algorithms to predict, categorize, and describe consumer behavior andin order to power hundreds of billions of customer decisions each year. We help thousands of companies in over 100 countries use our decision management technology to target and acquire customers more efficiently, increase customer value, detect and reduce fraud and credit losses, measure and manage credit risk, maintain regulatory compliance, lower operating expenses, and enter new markets more profitably. Most leading banks and credit card issuers rely on our solutions, as do insurers, retailers, telecommunications providers, automotive companies, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, public agencies and organizations in other industries. We also serve consumers through online services that enable people to purchase and understand their FICO® Scores, the standard measure in the U.S. of consumer credit risk empoweringin the U.S., and empower them to manage their financial health. Most of our solutions address customer engagement, including customer acquisition, customer onboarding, customer servicing and management, and customer protection. We also help businesses improve noncustomernon-customer decisions such as streamlining transaction and claims processing.processing, and optimizing logistics. Our solutions enable users to make decisions that are more precise, consistent and agile, and that systematically advance business goals. This helps our clients to reduce the cost of doing business, increase revenues and profitability, reduce losses from risks and fraud, and increase customer loyalty.
We derive a significant portion
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Table of our revenues from clients outside the United States. International revenues accounted for 34% of total consolidated revenues for each of the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Contents
A significant portion of our revenues are derived from the sale of products and services within the banking (including consumer credit) industry, and 79%90% and 74%86% of our revenues were derived from within this industry during the quarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively, and 87% and 85% of our revenues were derived from within this industry during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition, we derive a significant share of revenues from transactional or unit-based software license fees, transactional fees derived under credit scoring data processing, data management and SaaS subscription services arrangements, and annual software maintenance fees. Arrangements with transactional or unit-based pricing accounted for 74%85% and 70%78% of our revenues during the quarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. Arrangements with transactional or unit-based pricing accounted for 83% and 76% of our revenues during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We derive a significant portion of our revenues from clients outside the U.S. International revenues accounted for 29% and 32% of total consolidated revenues for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and 29% and 32% of total consolidated revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.


Revenue increased 8% to $331.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 from $308.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and 6% to $643.8 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 from $606.5 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. We continue to drive growth in our Scores segment. Scores revenue increased 18%31% to $69.9$168.7 million during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 from $59.4$129.1 million during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020, and 28% to $313.4 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 from $244.3 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. Scores operating income increased 17%29% to $54.0$146.5 million during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 from $46.1$113.5 million during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020, and 28% to $269.6 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 from $210.9 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. For our Applications and Decision Management Software segments, our cloud business continuesrevenue decreased 9% to grow both in the absolute dollar value and as a percentage of revenues as we pursue our cloud-first strategy. During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, cloud revenues accounted for $56.6$162.6 million or 24% of revenues, compared to $50.1 million, or 23% of revenues during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2021 from $178.8 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and 9% to $330.4 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 from $362.2 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was largely attributable to the shift in the timing of revenue recognition on our term license subscription sales, as described below; as well as our recent strategic shift to emphasize software over services.

During fiscal 2020, we changed our practice of selling term software licenses with separate license and maintenance components to a single software subscription contract with license and maintenance bundled. This transition was substantially completed by the end of the first quarter of our fiscal 2021. This transition has shifted the timing of our revenue recognition on these subscription sales, resulting in less revenue recognized upfront and more revenue recognized over the term of these subscriptions. As a result, we expect a negative impact to our revenue recognized from term software licenses throughout the rest of our fiscal 2021. This does not change total revenue recognized over the life of a contract. In addition, this change does not negatively impact our cash flows.
Operating income forincreased 34% to $101.2 million during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017 was $39.92021 from $75.7 million an increase of 14% from $34.9 million forduring the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016. Net earnings decreased 28%2020, and net income increased 18% to $27.3$68.7 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 from $58.3 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020. Operating income increased 54% to $195.9 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 from $127.6 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020, and net income increased 37% to $155.2 million from $37.9$113.2 million, primarily due todriven by higher operating income during the income tax expense related to enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,six months ended March 31, 2021, partially offset by lower excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation.
We continued to advance our cloud-enabled, platform-based software strategy by exiting less strategic areas of our business in order to increase our focus on the increaseFICO Decision Management Platform. In May 2021, we signed a definitive agreement to sell our Collections and Recovery (“C&R”) business. The transaction is expected to close in operating income.our current fiscal year, subject to customary closing conditions.
We continue to enhance stockholder value by returning cash to stockholders through our stock repurchase program. During the quarter and six months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2021, we repurchased approximately 0.3 million440,588 shares at a total repurchase price of $49.6 million.$205.2 million and 541,738 shares at a total repurchase price of $255.2 million, respectively. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2021, we had $237.0$471.3 millionremaining under our current stock repurchase program. We intend to include the C&R sale proceeds in a $200 million Accelerated Share Repurchase program following the close of the transaction.
COVID-19 Update
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, our focus remains on promoting employee health and safety, serving our customers and ensuring business continuity. For a discussion of the variety of measures we have taken, as well as the impacts on and risks to our business from COVID-19, please refer to “COVID-19 Update” included in Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020; certain risk factors included in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report; and the information presented below under “Results of Operations” in this Quarterly Report.
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Bookings
Management usesregards the volume of bookings achieved as an important indicator of future revenues, but they are not comparable to, nor a substitute for, an analysis of our business performance.revenues. Bookings represent contracts signed in the current reporting period that generate current and future revenue streams. While we disclose estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to unsatisfied performance obligations in Note 11 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, we believe bookings amount is still a meaningful measure of our business as it includes estimated revenues omitted from Note 11, such as usage-based royalties derived from our software licenses, among others.
We consider contract terms, knowledgeestimate bookings as of the marketplaceend of the period in which a contract is signed, and experience with our customers, among other factors, when determining theinitial booking estimates are not updated in future periods for changes between estimated value of contract bookings.
Bookingsand actual results. Our calculations have varying degrees of certainty depending on the revenue type and individual contract terms. Our revenue typesThey are transactionalsubject to a number of risks and maintenance, professional servicesuncertainties concerning timing and license. Our estimate of bookings is ascontingencies affecting product delivery and performance, and estimates take into consideration contract terms, knowledge of the end of the period in which a contract is signed,marketplace and we do not update initial booking estimates in future periods for changes between estimated and actual results.experience with our customers, among other factors. Actual revenue and the timing thereof could differ materially from our initial estimates.
Although many of our contracts contain non-cancelable terms, most of our bookings are transactional or service-related that depend upon certain estimates, such as volume of transactions, number of active accounts, or number of hours incurred. Since these estimates cannot be considered fixed or firm, we do not believe it is appropriate to characterize bookings as backlog. The following paragraphs discuss the key assumptions used to calculate bookings and the susceptibility of these assumptions to variability.variability for each revenue type, as defined in Revenue Recognition in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.
Transactional and Maintenance Bookings
We calculate transactional bookings as the total estimated volume of transactions or number of accounts under contract, multiplied by the contractual rate. Transactional contracts generally span multiple years and require us to make estimates aboutof future transaction volumes or number of active accounts. We develop estimates from discussions with our customers and examinations of historical data from similar products and customer arrangements. Differences between estimated bookings and actual results occur due to variability in the volume of transactions or number of active accounts estimated. This variability is primarily caused by the following:
The health of the economy and economic trends in our customers’ industries;
Individual individual performance of our customers relative to their competitors; and
Regulatory regulatory and other factors that affect the business environment in which our customers operate.
We calculate maintenance bookings directly from the terms stated in the contract.
Professional Services Bookings
We calculate professional services bookings as the estimated number of hours to complete a project multiplied by the rate per hour. We estimate the number of hours based on our understanding of the project scope, conversations with customer personnel and our experience in estimating professional services projects. Estimated bookings may differ from actual results primarily due to differences in the actual number of hours incurred. These differences typically result from customer decisions to alter the mix of FICO and customer services resources used to complete a project.

License Bookings
Licenses that are sold on a term or perpetual or term basis andwhen bookings generally equal the fixed amount (including guaranteed minimums) stated in the contract.
Bookings Trend Analysis
 Bookings 
Bookings
Yield (1)
 
Number of
Bookings
over $1
Million
 
Weighted-
Average
Term (2)
 (In millions)     (Months)
Quarter Ended December 31, 2017$82.2
 18% 9
 27
Quarter Ended December 31, 2016$96.4
 21% 13
 27
Bookings
Bookings
Yield (1)
Number of
Bookings
over $1
Million
Weighted-
Average
Term (2)
 (In millions)  (Months)
Quarter Ended March 31, 2021$84.0 10 %13 34 
Quarter Ended March 31, 2020$84.1 14 %15 35 
Six Months Ended March 31, 2021$152.1 17 %24 
NM(a)
Six Months Ended March 31, 2020$196.2 23 %40 
NM(a)
(1)Bookings yield represents the percentage of revenue recognized from bookings for the periods indicated.
(1)Bookings yield represents the percentage of revenue recognized from bookings for the periods indicated.
(2)Weighted-average term of bookings measures the average term over which bookings are expected to be recognized as revenue.
(2)Weighted-average term of bookings measures the average term over which bookings are expected to be recognized as revenue.
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(a) NM - Measure is not meaningful as our estimate of bookings is as of the end of the period in which a contract is signed, and we do not update our initial booking estimates in future periods for changes between estimated and actual results.
Transactional and maintenance bookings were 32%58% and 30%44% of total bookings for the quarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively. Professional services bookings were 55%26% and 40% of total bookings for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. License bookings were 16% of total bookings for each of the quarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016.2020.
Transactional and maintenance bookings were 62% and 40% of total bookings for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Professional services bookings were 25% and 38% of total bookings for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. License bookings were 13% and 15%22% of total bookings for the quarterssix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenues
The following tables set forth certain summary information on a segment basis related to our revenues for the quarters and six-month periods ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016:2020:
Quarter Ended March 31,Percentage of RevenuesPeriod-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
Segment2021202020212020
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Applications$129,514 $140,279 39 %46 %$(10,765)(8)%
Scores168,719 129,148 51 %42 %39,571 31 %
Decision Management Software33,128 38,544 10 %12 %(5,416)(14)%
Total$331,361 $307,971 100 %100 %23,390 %
    
 Six Months Ended March 31,Percentage of RevenuesPeriod-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
Segment2021202020212020
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Applications$264,875 $292,457 41 %48 %$(27,582)(9)%
Scores313,370 244,286 49 %40 %69,084 28 %
Decision Management Software65,530 69,732 10 %12 %(4,202)(6)%
Total$643,775 $606,475 100 %100 %37,300 %
 Quarter Ended December 31, Percentage of Revenues Period-to-Period Change 
Period-to-Period
Percentage Change
Segment2017 2016 2017 2016  
 (In thousands)     (In thousands)  
Applications$141,409
 $134,765
 60% 61% $6,644
 5 %
Scores69,915
 59,382
 30% 27% 10,533
 18 %
Decision Management Software23,997
 25,453
 10% 12% (1,456) (6)%
Total$235,321
 $219,600
 100% 100% 15,721
 7 %

Quarter Ended March 31, 2021 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2020
Applications
Quarter Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
 20212020
 (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Transactional and maintenance$96,687 $97,789 $(1,102)(1)%
Professional services27,627 35,134 (7,507)(21)%
License5,200 7,356 (2,156)(29)%
Total$129,514 $140,279 (10,765)(8)%
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 Quarter Ended December 31, Period-to-Period Change 
Period-to-Period
Percentage Change
 2017 2016  
 (In thousands) (In thousands)  
Transactional and maintenance$93,213
 $84,881
 $8,332
 10 %
Professional services34,853
 34,341
 512
 1 %
License13,343
 15,543
 (2,200) (14)%
Total$141,409
 $134,765
 6,644
 5 %
Applications segment revenues increased $6.6decreased $10.8 million primarily due to a $4.0$7.5 million decrease in services revenue, a $2.2 million decrease in license revenue and a $1.1 million decrease in transactional and maintenance revenue. The decrease in services revenue was primarily due to our recent strategic shift to emphasize software over services. The decrease in license revenue was primarily attributable to the shift in the timing of revenue recognition on our term license subscription sales as a result of changing our practice of selling term licenses with separate license and maintenance components to a single software subscription contract with license and maintenance bundled. The decrease in transactional and maintenance revenue was primarily attributable to a decrease in our fraud solutions revenue, partially offset by an increase in our customer communicationsmarketing and compliance solutions revenue.

Scores
Quarter Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
 20212020
 (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Transactional and maintenance$167,212 $127,610 $39,602 31 %
Professional services703 819 (116)(14)%
License804 719 85 12 %
Total$168,719 $129,148 39,571 31 %
Scores segment revenues increased $39.6 million due to an increase of $23.8 million in our business-to-business scores revenue and $15.8 million in our business-to-consumer services a $2.6 millionrevenue. The increase in business-to-business scores revenue was primarily attributable to a higher unit price in insurance and auto resellers, as well as an increase in auto and mortgage volumes during the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase in business-to-consumer services revenue was attributable to an increase in both royalties derived from direct sales generated from the myFICO.com website and scores sold indirectly to consumers through credit reporting agencies.
Revenues generated from our collections & recovery solutionsagreements with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax accounted for 16%, 13% and 10%, respectively, of our total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Revenues generated from our agreements with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax accounted for 16%, 10% and 8%, respectively, of our total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. Revenues from these customers included amounts recorded in our other segments.

Decision Management Software
Quarter Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
 20212020
 (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Transactional and maintenance$17,020 $15,303 $1,717 11 %
Professional services9,464 11,952 (2,488)(21)%
License6,644 11,289 (4,645)(41)%
Total$33,128 $38,544 (5,416)(14)%
Decision Management Software segment revenues decreased $5.4 million primarily due to a $4.6 million decrease in license revenue and a $2.2$2.5 million increasedecrease in our originations solutions,services revenue, partially offset by a $2.3$1.7 million increase in transactional and maintenance revenue. The decrease in license revenue was primarily attributable to the shift in the timing of revenue recognition on our fraud solutions.term license subscription sales as a result of changing our practice of selling term licenses with separate license and maintenance components to a single software subscription contract with license and maintenance bundled. The decrease in services revenue was primarily due to our recent strategic shift to emphasize software over services. The increase in customer communication servicestransactional and maintenance revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in SaaS subscription revenue.

23

Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2020

Applications
Six Months Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
 20212020
 (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Transactional and maintenance$194,418 $196,626 $(2,208)(1)%
Professional services58,232 69,157 (10,925)(16)%
License12,225 26,674 (14,449)(54)%
Total$264,875 $292,457 (27,582)(9)%
Applications segment revenues decreased $27.6 million primarily due to a $14.4 million decrease in license revenue, a $10.9 million decrease in services revenue, and a $2.2 million decrease in transactional and maintenance revenue. The decrease in license revenue was primarily attributable to the shift in the timing of revenue recognition on our term license subscription sales as a result of changing our continued growthpractice of selling term licenses with separate license and maintenance components to a single software subscription contract with license and maintenance bundled, as well as a decrease in the mobile communication market. The increasenumber and size of term license deals signed or renewed during the six months ended March 31, 2021, mainly in collections & recovery solutions was primarily attributable to an increase in software revenue. The increase in originations solutions was primarily attributable to an increase in transactional revenue from our SaaS products.fraud solutions. The decrease in fraud solutionsservices revenue was primarily due to our recent strategic shift to emphasize software over services. The decrease in transactional and maintenance revenue was primarily attributable to a decrease in software revenue.our fraud solutions, partially offset by an increase in our compliance and marketing solutions.




Scores
Quarter Ended December 31, Period-to-Period Change 
Period-to-Period
Percentage Change
Six Months Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
2017 2016  20212020
(In thousands) (In thousands)   (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Transactional and maintenance$69,574
 $58,252
 $11,322
 19 %Transactional and maintenance$305,802 $235,056 $70,746 30 %
Professional services278
 521
 (243) (47)%Professional services820 1,083 (263)(24)%
License63
 609
 (546) (90)%License6,748 8,147 (1,399)(17)%
Total$69,915
 $59,382
 10,533
 18 %Total$313,370 $244,286 69,084 28 %
Scores segment revenues increased $10.5$69.1 million due to an increase of $5.5$40.6 million in our business-to-business scores revenue and $28.5 million in our business-to-consumer services revenue and $5.0 millionrevenue. The increase in our business-to-business scores revenue.revenue was primarily attributable to a higher unit price in auto, unsecured originations and insurance, and an increase in mortgage and auto volumes, partially offset by a decrease in unsecured originations volume. The increase in business-to-consumer services revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in both royalties derived from scores sold indirectly to consumers through credit reporting agencies.agencies and direct sales generated from the myFICO.com website.
Revenues generated from our agreements with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax accounted for 15%, 12% and 10%, respectively, of our total revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2021. Revenues generated from our agreements with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax accounted for 14%, 10% and 7%, respectively, of our total revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2020. Revenues from these customers included amounts recorded in our other segments.
Decision Management Software
Six Months Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
 20212020
 (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Transactional and maintenance$32,849 $29,394 $3,455 12 %
Professional services20,167 21,690 (1,523)(7)%
License12,514 18,648 (6,134)(33)%
Total$65,530 $69,732 (4,202)(6)%
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Decision Management Software segment revenues decreased $4.2 million primarily due to a $6.1 million decrease in license revenue, and a $1.5 million decrease in services revenue, partially offset by a $3.5 million increase in transactional and maintenance revenue. The decrease in license revenue was primarily attributable to the shift in the timing of revenue recognition on our term license subscription sales as a result of changing our practice of selling term licenses with separate license and maintenance components to a single software subscription contract with license and maintenance bundled. The decrease in services revenue was primarily due to our recent strategic shift to emphasize software over services. The increase in business-to-business scorestransactional and maintenance revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in our transactional scores driven by new originations, account management and prescreen.SaaS subscription revenue.
During the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, revenues generated from our agreements with Equifax, TransUnion and Experian collectively accounted for 21% and 18%, respectively, of our total revenues, including revenues from these customers recorded in our other segments.

Decision Management Software
 Quarter Ended December 31, Period-to-Period Change 
Period-to-Period
Percentage Change
 2017 2016  
 (In thousands) (In thousands)  
Transactional and maintenance$11,875
 $10,527
 $1,348
 13 %
Professional services7,495
 8,681
 (1,186) (14)%
License4,627
 6,245
 (1,618) (26)%
Total$23,997
 $25,453
 (1,456) (6)%
Decision Management Software segment revenues decreased $1.5 million primarily attributable to a decrease in license revenue related to our FICO® Blaze Advisor® product.

Operating Expenses and Other Income / Expenses
The following tables set forth certain summary information related to our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the quarters and six-month periods ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016:2020:
 Quarter Ended March 31,Percentage of RevenuesPeriod-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-
Period
Percentage Change
 2021202020212020
 (In thousands, except
employees)
  (In thousands,
except employees)
 
Revenues$331,361 $307,971 100 %100 %$23,390 %
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues88,333 88,139 27 %29 %194 — %
Research and development43,612 39,439 13 %13 %4,173 11 %
Selling, general and administrative97,272 103,465 29 %33 %(6,193)(6)%
Amortization of intangible assets945 1,202 — %— %(257)(21)%
Total operating expenses230,162 232,245 69 %75 %(2,083)(1)%
Operating income101,199 75,726 31 %25 %25,473 34 %
Interest expense, net(9,943)(11,254)(3)%(4)%1,311 (12)%
Other income (expense), net568 (2,008)— %(1)%2,576 (128)%
Income before income taxes91,824 62,464 28 %20 %29,360 47 %
Income tax provision23,150 4,176 %%18,974 454 %
Net income$68,674 $58,288 21 %19 %10,386 18 %
Number of employees at quarter end3,953 4,029 (76)(2)%
 Quarter Ended December 31, Percentage of Revenues Period-to-Period Change 
Period-to-
Period
Percentage Change
 2017 2016 2017 2016  
 
(In thousands, except
employees)
     
(In thousands,
except employees)
  
Revenues$235,321
 $219,600
 100 % 100 % $15,721
 7 %
Operating expenses:           
Cost of revenues74,359
 69,997
 32 % 32 % 4,362
 6 %
Research and development28,974
 26,142
 12 % 12 % 2,832
 11 %
Selling, general and administrative90,296
 85,214
 38 % 39 % 5,082
 6 %
Amortization of intangible assets1,788
 3,320
 1 % 1 % (1,532) (46)%
Total operating expenses195,417
 184,673
 83 % 84 % 10,744
 6 %
Operating income39,904
 34,927
 17 % 16 % 4,977
 14 %
Interest expense, net(6,460) (6,172) (3)% (3)% (288) 5 %
Other income (expense), net513
 (100)  %  % 613
 (613)%
Income before income taxes33,957
 28,655
 14 % 13 % 5,302
 19 %
Provision for income taxes6,658
 (9,246) 2 % (4)% 15,904
 (172)%
Net income$27,299
 $37,901
 12 % 17 % (10,602) (28)%
Number of employees at quarter end3,358
 3,167
     191
 6 %
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 Six Months Ended March 31,Percentage of RevenuesPeriod-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-
Period
Percentage Change
 2021202020212020
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Revenues$643,775 $606,475 100 %100 %$37,300 %
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues177,861 178,897 28 %29 %(1,036)(1)%
Research and development84,263 78,382 13 %13 %5,881 %
Selling, general and administrative191,183 215,486 30 %36 %(24,303)(11)%
Amortization of intangible assets1,882 2,998 — %— %(1,116)(37)%
Restructuring and impairment charges— 3,104 — %%(3,104)(100)%
Gain on sale of product line assets(7,334)— (1)%— %(7,334)— %
Total operating expenses447,855 478,867 70 %79 %(31,012)(6)%
Operating income195,920 127,608 30 %21 %68,312 54 %
Interest expense, net(19,584)(21,022)(3)%(3)%1,438 (7)%
Other income (expense), net3,448 (2,227)%— %5,675 (255)%
Income before income taxes179,784 104,359 28 %18 %75,425 72 %
Income tax provision (benefit)24,618 (8,850)%(1)%33,468 (378)%
Net income$155,166 $113,209 24 %19 %41,957 37 %
Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists primarily of employee salaries and benefits for personnel directly involved in developing, installingdelivering software products, operating SaaS infrastructure, and supporting revenue products; travel costs;providing support, implementation and consulting services; allocated overhead, costs; outside services; internal network hostingfacilities and data center costs; software royalty fees; and credit bureau data and processing services; third-party hosting fees related to our SaaS services; travel costs; and outside services.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in cost of revenue expenses increased $4.4revenues of $0.2 million to $74.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 from $70.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to a $1.7$1.6 million increase in allocated facilities and infrastructuredirect materials primarily driven by increased third-party data costs andrelated to increased Scores revenue, partially offset by a $1.3$1.5 million increasedecrease in personnel and labor costs.travel activity due to COVID-19. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues was 32%decreased to 27% during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017, consistent with that incurred2021 from 29% during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020 primarily due to increased sales of our higher-margin Scores products.
Over the next several quarters, we expectThe year-to-date period over period decrease in cost of revenues of $1.0 million was primarily attributable to a $3.6 million decrease in travel activity due to COVID-19, partially offset by a $2.9 million increase in direct materials primarily driven by increased third-party data costs related to increased Scores revenue. Cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues will be consistent with that incurreddecreased to 28% during the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2021 from 29% during the six months ended March 31, 2020, primarily due to increased sales of our higher-margin Scores products.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses include personnel and related overhead costs incurred in the development of new products and services, including research of mathematical and statistical models and development of new versions of Applications and Decision Management Software products.
ResearchThe quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in research and development expenses increased $2.8of $4.2 million to $29.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 from $26.2 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2016,was primarily attributable to an increase in labor and personnel costs as a result of increased headcount and increased fringe benefit costs related to our continued investment in cloud computingsupplemental retirement and SaaS, as well as other new products.savings plan. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues was 12%13% during each of the quarterquarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017, consistent with that incurred during the quarter ended December2021 and March 31, 2016.2020.

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Over the next several quarters, we expectThe year-to-date period over period increase in research and development expendituresexpenses of $5.9 million was primarily attributable to an increase in labor and personnel costs as a result of increased headcount and increased fringe benefit costs related to our supplemental retirement and savings plan. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues will be consistent with that incurredwas 13% during each of the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2021 and March 31, 2020.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee salaries, commissions and benefits; travel costs; overhead costs; advertising and other promotional expenses; corporate facilities expenses; legal expenses; business development expensesexpenses; and the cost of operating computer systems.
Selling,The quarter-over-prior year quarter decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.1of $6.2 million to $90.3 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 from $85.2 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2016,was primarily attributable to an increasea $2.7 million decrease in personneltravel activity, a $2.1 million decrease in non-capitalizable commission cost, and labor costs as a result$2.1 million decrease in bad debt expense attributable to estimated losses for customers and industries most impacted by COVID-19 during the second quarter of increased headcount.our fiscal 2020. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues was 38%decreased to 29% during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017, materially consistent with that incurred2021 from 33% during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020.
OverThe year-to-date period over period decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses of $24.3 million was primarily attributable to a $7.6 million decrease in travel activity, a $4.5 million decrease in marketing costs primarily driven by a company-wide marketing event held during the next several quarters, we expect selling,first quarter of our fiscal 2020, a $4.7 million decrease in non-capitalizable commission cost, and a $2.1 million decrease in bad debt expense attributable to estimated losses for customers and industries most impacted by COVID-19 during the second quarter of our fiscal 2020. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues will be consistent with that incurreddecreased to 30% during the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2021 from 36% during the six months ended March 31, 2020.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets consists of amortization expense related to intangible assets recorded in connection with acquisitions accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting. Our finite-lived intangible assets, consisting primarily of completed technology and customer contracts and relationships, are being amortized using the straight-line method over periods ranging from four to fifteen years.
Amortization expense was $0.9 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to $1.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
Amortization expense was $1.9 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $3.0 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The quarter over quarter decrease in amortization expense of $1.5 million was primarily attributable to certain intangible assets associated with our HNC and Adeptra acquisitionsTonbeller acquisition becoming fully amortized in AugustJanuary 2020.
Restructuring and September 2017, respectively.Impairment Charges
OverThere were no restructuring expenses during the next several quarters we expect that amortization expense will be consistent with the amortization expense we recordedquarter and six months ended March 31, 2021.
There were no restructuring expenses during the quarter ended March 31, 2020. During the six months ended March 31, 2020, we incurred employee separation costs of $3.1 million due to the elimination of 69 positions throughout the Company. Cash payments for all the employee separation costs were paid during fiscal 2020.
Gain on Sale of Product Line Assets
The $7.3 million gain on the sale of product line assets during the six months ended March 31, 2021 was attributable to the sale of all assets related to our cyber risk score operations in October 2020; and the sale of certain assets related to our Applications and Decision Management Software operations to an affiliated joint venture in China in December 31, 2017.2020.
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Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense includes primarily interest on the senior notes issued in December 2019, May 20082018, and July 2010 (which July 2010 senior notes were paid in full at maturity in July 2020), as well as interest and credit facility fees on the revolving line of credit. Our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income include interest expense netted with interest income, which is derived primarily from the investment of funds in excess of our immediate operating requirements.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter over quarter increasedecrease in interest expense of $0.3$1.3 million was primarily attributable to a higherlower average outstanding balance on our revolving line of credit, partially offset by the $72.0 million principal payment in July 2017 on the senior notes issued in July 2010 resulting in lower average debt balance for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
Over the next several quarters we expect net interest expense will be higher than the net interest expense incurred during the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2021.
The year-to-date period over period decrease in interest expense of $1.4 million was primarily attributable to a lower average outstanding debt balance during the six months ended March 31, 2021.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net consists primarily of realized investment gains/losses, exchange rate gains/losses resulting from remeasurement of foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances into their respective functional currencies at period-end market rates, net of the impact of offsetting foreign currency forward contracts and other non-operating items.

The quarter-over-prior year quarter increase in other income (expense), net of $2.6 million was primarily attributable to an increase in net unrealized gains on our supplemental retirement and savings plan, partially offset by an increase in foreign currency exchange losses.
The year-to-date period over period increase in other income (expense), net of $5.7 million was primarily attributable to an increase in net unrealized gains on our supplemental retirement and savings plan during the six months ended March 31, 2021.
Income Tax Provision for Income Taxes(Benefit)
The effective income tax rate was 19.6%rates were 25.2% and (32.3)%6.7% during the quarters ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016,2020, respectively, and 13.7% and (8.5)% during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The provision for income taxes during interim quarterly reporting periods is based on our estimates of the effective tax rates for the full fiscal year. The effective tax rate in any quarter can also be affected positively or negatively by adjustments that are required to be reported in the specific quarter of resolution.
The effective tax raterates for the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017 was significantly2021 and 2020 were both impacted by the recording the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017 by the U.S. government. Among other provisions, the Tax Act reduces the federal corporateexcess tax ratebenefits relating to 21% from the existing maximum rate of 35%, effective January 1, 2018, and imposes a deemed repatriation tax on previously untaxed accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”) of foreign subsidiaries. We remeasured our deferred tax assets using a blended rate of 24.5% — by applying a pro-rated percentage of the number of days before and after the January 1, 2018 effective date — and recorded provisional charges for the remeasurement of the deferred tax assets of $5.6 million to our income tax expense related to long-term deferred tax assets and $1.3 million related to short-term deferred tax assetsstock awards. In addition, stock exercises during the quarter and six months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017. We also recorded a provisional charge2020 resulted in an additional increase in excess benefits.

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Table of $4.9 million to our income tax expense for the deemed repatriation transition tax. While we are able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the reduction in corporate rate and the deemed repatriation transition tax, the final impact of the Tax Act may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in our interpretations and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by the I.R.S., and actions we may take. We are continuing to gather additional information to determine the final impact.Contents
Operating Income
The following tables set forth certain summary information on a segment basis related to our operating income (loss) for the quarters and six-month periods ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and 2016:2020:
 Quarter Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
Segment20212020
 (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Applications$27,372 $28,823 $(1,451)(5)%
Scores146,542 113,488 33,054 29 %
Decision Management Software(10,172)(8,810)(1,362)15 %
Corporate expenses(33,392)(33,785)393 (1)%
Total segment operating income130,350 99,716 30,634 31 %
Unallocated share-based compensation(28,206)(22,788)(5,418)24 %
Unallocated amortization expense(945)(1,202)257 (21)%
Operating income$101,199 $75,726 25,473 34 %
 Six Months Ended March 31,Period-to-Period ChangePeriod-to-Period
Percentage Change
Segment20212020
 (In thousands)(In thousands) 
Applications$62,874 $64,991 $(2,117)(3)%
Scores269,567 210,914 58,653 28 %
Decision Management Software(24,990)(28,267)3,277 (12)%
Corporate expenses(63,645)(67,995)4,350 (6)%
Total segment operating income243,806 179,643 64,163 36 %
Unallocated share-based compensation(53,338)(45,933)(7,405)16 %
Unallocated amortization expense(1,882)(2,998)1,116 (37)%
Unallocated restructuring and impairment charges— (3,104)3,104 (100)%
Unallocated gain on sale of product line assets7,334 — 7,334 — %
Operating income$195,920 $127,608 68,312 54 %
Applications
 Quarter Ended  
March 31,
Percentage of
Revenues
Six Months Ended  
March 31,
Percentage of
Revenues
 20212020202120202021202020212020
 (In thousands)  (In thousands)  
Segment revenues$129,514 $140,279 100 %100 %$264,875 $292,457 100 %100 %
Segment operating expense(102,142)(111,456)(79)%(79)%(202,001)(227,466)(76)%(78)%
Segment operating income$27,372 $28,823 21 %21 %$62,874 $64,991 24 %22 %
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 Quarter Ended December 31, Period-to-Period Change 
Period-to-Period
Percentage Change
Segment2017 2016  
 (In thousands) (In thousands)  
Applications$38,790
 $34,968
 $3,822
 11 %
Scores54,028
 46,063
 7,965
 17 %
Decision Management Software(7,856) (3,632) (4,224) 116 %
Corporate expenses(26,760) (24,633) (2,127) 9 %
Total segment operating income58,202
 52,766
 5,436
 10 %
Unallocated share-based compensation(16,510) (14,519) (1,991) 14 %
Unallocated amortization expense(1,788) (3,320) 1,532
 (46)%
Operating income$39,904
 $34,927
 4,977
 14 %

Applications
Scores
 Quarter Ended 
 December 31,
 
Percentage of
Revenues
 2017 2016 2017 2016
 (In thousands)    
Segment revenues$141,409
 $134,765
 100 % 100 %
Segment operating expense(102,619) (99,797) (73)% (74)%
Segment operating income$38,790
 $34,968
 27 % 26 %

Scores
Quarter Ended 
 December 31,
 
Percentage of
Revenues
Quarter Ended  
March 31,
Percentage of
Revenues
Six Months Ended  
March 31,
Percentage of
Revenues
2017 2016 2017 2016 20212020202120202021202020212020
(In thousands)     (In thousands)  (In thousands)  
Segment revenues$69,915
 $59,382
 100 % 100 %Segment revenues$168,719 $129,148 100 %100 %$313,370 $244,286 100 %100 %
Segment operating expense(15,887) (13,319) (23)% (22)%Segment operating expense(22,177)(15,660)(13)%(12)%(43,803)(33,372)(14)%(14)%
Segment operating income$54,028
 $46,063
 77 % 78 %Segment operating income$146,542 $113,488 87 %88 %$269,567 $210,914 86 %86 %
Decision Management Software 


Quarter Ended 
 December 31,
 
Percentage of
Revenues
Quarter Ended  
March 31,
Percentage of
Revenues
Six Months Ended  
March 31,
Percentage of
Revenues
2017 2016 2017 2016 20212020202120202021202020212020
(In thousands)     (In thousands)  (In thousands)  
Segment revenues$23,997
 $25,453
 100 % 100 %Segment revenues$33,128 $38,544 100 %100 %$65,530 $69,732 100 %100 %
Segment operating expense(31,853) (29,085) (133)% (114)%Segment operating expense(43,300)(47,354)(131)%(123)%(90,520)(97,999)(138)%(141)%
Segment operating loss$(7,856) $(3,632) (33)% (14)%Segment operating loss$(10,172)$(8,810)(31)%(23)%$(24,990)$(28,267)(38)%(41)%
The quarter-over-prior year quarter over quarter $5.0$25.5 million increase in operating income was primarily attributable to a $15.7$23.4 million increase in segment revenues, and a $1.5$6.8 million decrease in amortization cost, partially offset by an $8.1 million increase in segment operating expenses, and a $2.1$0.4 million increasedecrease in corporate expenses, andpartially offset by a $2.0$5.4 million increase in share-based compensation cost.
At the segment level, the quarter-over-prior year quarter over quarter $5.5$30.6 million increase in segment operating income was the result of an $8.0a $33.1 million increase in our Scores segment operating income and a $0.4 million decrease in corporate expenses, partially offset by a $1.5 million decrease in our Applications segment operating income and $1.4 million increase in our Decision Management Software segment operating loss.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter $1.5 million decrease in Applications segment operating income was due to a $10.8 million decrease in segment revenue, partially offset by a $9.3 million decrease in segment operating expenses. Segment operating margin for Applications during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was 21%, consistent with the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter $33.1 million increase in Scores segment operating income was due to a $39.6 million increase in segment revenue, partially offset by a $6.5 million increase in segment operating expenses. Segment operating margin for Scores during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 was 87%, consistent with the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
The quarter-over-prior year quarter $1.4 million increase in Decision Management Software segment operating loss was due to a $5.4 million decrease in segment revenue, partially offset by a $4.0 million decrease in segment operating expenses. Segment operating margin for Decision Management Software decreased to negative 31% from negative 23%, mainly due to a decrease in sales of our higher-margin software products.
The year-to-date period over period increase of $68.3 million in operating income was primarily attributable to a $37.3 million increase in segment revenues, a $22.6 million decrease in segment operating expenses, a $7.3 million gain on sale of product line assets, a $4.3 million decrease in corporate expenses, and a $3.1 million decrease in restructuring and impairment charges, partially offset by a $7.4 million increase in share-based compensation cost.
At the segment level, the year-to-date period over period increase of $64.2 million in segment operating income was the result of a $58.7 million increase in our Scores segment operating income, a $3.8$4.3 million increasedecrease in our Applications segment operating income, partially offset bycorporate expenses, a $4.2$3.3 million increasedecrease in our Decision Management Software segment operating loss, andpartially offset by a $2.1 million increasedecrease in corporate expense.our Applications segment operating income.
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The quarteryear-to-date period over quarter $3.8period $2.1 million increasedecrease in Applications segment operating income was due to a $6.6$27.6 million increasedecrease in segment revenues,revenue, partially offset by a $2.8$25.5 million increasedecrease in segment operating expenses. Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenue for Applications was 27%increased to 24% from 22%, materially consistent with the quarter ended December 31, 2016.primarily attributable to a decrease in travel activity due to COVID-19, as well as our strategic cost initiative implemented in September 2020 in which we reduced our workforce, consolidated office space and abandoned certain property and equipment.
The quarteryear-to-date period over quarter $8.0period $58.7 million increase in Scores segment operating income was dueattributable to a $10.5$69.1 million increase in segment revenue, partially offset by a $2.5$10.4 million increase in segment operating expenses. Segment operating income as a percentage of segment revenuemargin for Scores during the six months ended March 31, 2021 was 77%86%, materially consistent with the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020.
The quarteryear-to-date period over quarter $4.2period $3.3 million increasedecrease in Decision Management Software segment operating loss was dueattributable to a $2.8$7.5 million increasedecrease in segment operating expenses, andpartially offset by a $1.4$4.2 million decrease in segment revenue. Segment operating margin for Decision Management Software decreasedimproved to a negative 33%38% from a negative 14%41%, primarily dueattributable to a decrease in sales of our higher-margin software products,travel activity due to COVID-19, as well as our continued investmentstrategic cost initiative implemented in cloud infrastructure operations.September 2020 through which we reduced our workforce, consolidated office space and abandoned certain property and equipment.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Outlook
As of DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2021, we had $94.2$197.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, which included $87.6$124.8 million held off-shore by our foreign subsidiaries. WeOur cash position could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks detailed in Part II, Item 1A titled “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. However, based on our current business plan and revenue prospects, we believe theseour cash and cash equivalents balances, as well as available borrowings from our $600$400 million revolving line of credit and anticipated cash flows from operating activities, will be sufficient to fund our working and other capital requirements as well as the $131.0 million principal payment due in May 2018 on our senior notes issued in May 2008.requirements. Under our current financing arrangements, we have no other significant debt obligations maturing over the next twelve months. Additionally, though weOur undistributed earnings outside the U.S. are deemed to be permanently reinvested in foreign jurisdictions. We currently do not anticipate theforesee a need to repatriate any undistributed earnings fromcash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiariessubsidiaries. If these funds are needed for our operations in the foreseeable future,U.S., we may take advantage of opportunities wherebe required to accrue for state income or foreign withholding taxes on the distributed foreign earnings, which we are ableexpect to repatriate these earnings to the United States without material incremental tax provision.

be immaterial.
In the normal course of business, we evaluate the merits of acquiring technology or businesses, or establishing strategic relationships with or investing in these businesses. We may elect to use available cash and cash equivalents to fund such activities in the future. In the event additional needs for cash arise, or if we refinance our existing debt, we may raise additional funds from a combination of sources, including the potential issuance of debt or equity securities. Additional financing might not be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If adequate funds were not available or were not available on acceptable terms, our ability to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities or respond to competitive pressures could be limited.
Summary of Cash Flows
 Six Months Ended March 31,Period-to-Period Change
 20212020
 (In thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities$231,470 $121,859 $109,611 
Investing activities1,746 (14,958)16,704 
Financing activities(196,795)(100,344)(96,451)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash4,021 (4,017)8,038 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents$40,442 $2,540 37,902 

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 Quarter Ended December 31, Period-to-Period Change
 2017 2016 
 (In thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):     
Operating activities$28,777
 $32,978
 $(4,201)
Investing activities(5,979) (4,319) (1,660)
Financing activities(34,677) (12,995) (21,682)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash474
 (3,489) 3,963
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$(11,405) $12,175
 (23,580)
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Our primary method for funding operations and growth has been through cash flows generated from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities decreasedincreased to $28.8$231.5 million during the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 from $33.0$121.9 million during the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020. The $4.2$109.6 million decreaseincrease was mainly attributable to a $4.6$77.8 million decreaseincrease that resulted from timing of receipts and payments in our ordinary course of business.business and a $42.0 million increase in net income, partially offset by a $10.2 million decrease in non-cash items, including a $7.3 million gain on the sale of product line assets.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used inprovided by investing activities increased to $6.0 million for quarter ended December 31, 2017 from $4.3was $1.7 million for the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2021 as compared to net cash used of $15.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020. The $1.7$16.7 million increasechange was mainlyprimarily attributable to a $1.9an $8.9 million increasedecrease in purchases of marketable securities.property and equipment and $8.3 million in cash proceeds from the sale of product line assets for the six months ended March 31, 2021.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities increased to $34.7$196.8 million for the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 from $13.0$100.3 million for the quartersix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020. The $21.7$96.5 million increase was mainly dueprimarily attributable to a $24.8$350.0 million decrease in proceeds from issuance of senior notes and a $102.3 million increase in repurchases of common stock, a $3.3 million increase in taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards and a $3.0 million decrease in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by a $9.0$256.0 million decrease in payments on our revolving line of credit and a $95.0 million increase in proceeds net of payments, from our revolving line of credit.
Repurchases of Common Stock
In July 2016,2020, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program following the completion of our previous program. This program was open-ended and authorized repurchases of shares of our common stock up to an aggregate cost of $250.0 million in the open market or in negotiated transactions. In October 2017,March 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program following the completion of the July 20162020 program. TheThis new program is open-ended and authorizes repurchases of shares of our common stock up to an aggregate cost of $250.0$500.0 million in the open market or in negotiated transactions.
Pursuant to the July 20162020 and October 2017March 2021 programs, we repurchased 334,918approximately 440,588 shares of our common stock at a total repurchase price of $49.6$205.2 million and 541,738 shares of our common stock at a total repurchase price of $255.2 million during the quarter and six months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017. We had $237.0 million remaining under the October 2017 authorization as of December 31, 2017.

2021, respectively.
Revolving Line of Credit
On November 17, 2017, we amended ourWe have a $400 million unsecured revolving line of credit agreement with a syndicate of banks increasing our borrowing capacity under the unsecured revolving line of credit to $600 million. The revolving line of creditthat expires on December 30, 2019.May 8, 2023. Proceeds from the credit facility can be used for working capital and general corporate purposes and may also be used for the refinancing of existing debt, acquisitions, and the repurchase of our common stock. Interest on amounts borrowed under the credit facility is based on (i) a base rate, which is the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.500% and (c) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.000%, plus, in each case, an applicable margin, or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 0.875% and for LIBOR borrowings ranges from 1.000% to 1.875%, and is determined based on our consolidated leverage ratio. In addition, we must pay credit facility fees. The credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants includingincluding: maintaining a minimum fixed charge ratio of 2.5 and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.0,3.25 on an average trailing four-quarter basis, subject to a step up to 3.53.75 following certain permitted acquisitions.acquisitions; and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.00. The credit agreement also contains other covenants typical of unsecured facilities. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2021, we had $420.0$225.0 million in borrowings outstanding at a weighted averageweighted-average interest rate of 2.655%1.236% and we were in compliance with all financial covenants under this credit facility.facility, and do not believe we are at material risk of not meeting these covenants due to COVID-19.
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Senior Notes
On May 7, 2008,8, 2018, we issued $275$400 million of senior notes in a private placementoffering to a group ofqualified institutional investors (the “2008“2018 Senior Notes”). The 20082018 Senior Notes were issued in four series with maturities ranging from 5 to 10 years. The outstanding 2008 Senior Notes’ weighted averagerequire interest payments semi-annually at a rate is 7.2%of 5.25% per annum and the weighted average maturity is 10.0 years.will mature on May 15, 2026. On July 14, 2010,December 6, 2019, we issued $245$350 million of senior notes in a private placementoffering to a group ofqualified institutional investors (the “2010“2019 Senior Notes”Notes,” and with the 20082018 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The 20102019 Senior Notes were issued in four series with maturities ranging from 6 to 10 years.require interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 4.00% per annum and will mature on June 15, 2028. The 2010 Senior Notes’ weighted average interest rate is 5.6% and the weighted average maturity is 9.8 years. The Senior Notes are subject to certain restrictive covenants that are substantially similar to those in the credit agreement for the revolving credit facility, including maintenance of consolidated leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. The purchase agreementsindentures for the Senior Notes also includecontain certain covenants typical of unsecured facilities.obligations. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2021, the carrying value of the Senior Notes was $243.8$750.0 million and we were in compliance with all financial covenants under these facilities.obligations, and do not believe we are at material risk of not meeting these covenants due to COVID-19.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require management to make certain judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We periodically evaluate our estimates including those relating to revenue recognition, goodwill and other intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, share-based compensation, income taxes and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on the specific circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.


We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

Revenue Recognition
Software LicensesContracts with Customers
Software license feeOur revenue is primarily derived from term-based or perpetual licensing of software and scoring products and solutions, and associated maintenance; SaaS subscription services; scoring and credit monitoring services for consumers; and professional services. For contracts with customers that contain various combinations of products and services, we evaluate whether the products or services are distinct—distinct products or services will be accounted for as separate performance obligations, while non-distinct products or services are combined with others to form a single performance obligation. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) basis. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidencecontrol of an arrangement exists,the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers.
License revenue is derived from contracts in which we grant our direct customers or distributors the right to deploy or resell our software and scoring products and solutions on-premises. Our software offerings often include a term-based or perpetual license and post-contract support or maintenance, both of which generally represent distinct performance obligations and are accounted for separately. For term-based licenses, the transaction price is either in the form of a fixed consideration—a single subscription with license and maintenance bundled, or a usage-based royalty—sometimes subject to a guaranteed minimum—for the license and maintenance bundle. For perpetual licenses, the transaction price is generally a fixed consideration with separately stated prices for license and maintenance. When the amount is in the form of a fixed consideration, including the guaranteed minimum in usage-based royalty, license revenue from distinct on-premises licenses is recognized at the point in time when the software or scoring solution is made available to the customer or distributor. Any royalties not subject to the guaranteed minimum or earned in excess of the minimum amount are recognized as transactional revenue when the subsequent sales or usage occurs. Revenue allocated to maintenance is generally recognized ratably over the contract period as customers simultaneously consume and receive benefits.
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In addition to usage-based royalty on our software and scoring products, transactional revenue is also derived from SaaS contracts in which we provide customers with access to and standard support for our software application either in the FICO® Analytic Cloud or AWS, our primary cloud infrastructure provider, on a subscription basis. The transaction price typically includes a fixed consideration in the form of a guaranteed minimum that allows up to a certain level of usage and a variable consideration in the form of usage or transaction-based fees in excess of the minimum threshold; or usage or transaction-based variable amount not subject to a minimum threshold. We determined the nature of our SaaS arrangements is to provide continuous access to our hosted application in the cloud, i.e., a stand-ready obligation that comprises a series of distinct service periods (e.g., a series of distinct daily, monthly or annual periods of service). We estimate the total variable consideration at contract inception—subject to any constraints that may apply—and update the estimates as new information becomes available and recognize the amount ratably over the SaaS service period, unless we determine it is appropriate to allocate the variable amount to each distinct service period and recognize revenue as each distinct service period is performed.
We also derive transactional revenue from credit scoring and monitoring services that provide consumers access to their credit reports and enable them to monitor their credit. These are provided as either a one-time or ongoing subscription service renewed monthly or annually, all with a fixed consideration. We determined the nature of the subscription service is a stand-ready obligation to generate credit reports, provide credit monitoring and other services for our customers, which comprises a series of distinct service periods (e.g., a series of distinct daily, monthly or annual periods of service). Revenue from one-time or monthly subscription services is recognized during the feeperiod when service is performed. Revenue from annual subscription services is recognized ratably over the subscription period.
Professional services include software or SaaS implementation, consulting, model development, training services and premium cloud support. They are sold either standalone, or together with other products or services and generally represent distinct performance obligations. The transaction price can be a fixed amount or determinableon a time and collectionmaterials basis. Revenue on fixed-price services is probable. The determinationrecognized using an input method based on labor hours expended which we believe provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of services. Revenue on services provided on a time and materials basis is recognized applying the “right-to-invoice” practical expedient as the amount to which we have a right to invoice the customer corresponds directly with the value of our performance to the customer. In addition, we sell premium cloud support on a subscription basis for a fixed amount, and revenue is recognized ratably over the contract term.
Significant Judgments
Our contracts with customers often include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether feesproducts and services are fixedconsidered distinct and should be accounted for separately may require significant judgment. Specifically, when implementation service is included in the original software or determinable and collectionSaaS offerings, judgment is probable involvesrequired to determine if the use of assumptions. If atimplementation service significantly modifies or customizes the outset of an arrangement we determinesoftware or SaaS service in such a way that the arrangement feerisks of providing it and the customization service are inseparable. In rare instances, contracts may include significant modification or customization of the software of SaaS service and will result in the combination of software or SaaS service and implementation service as one performance obligation.
We determine the SSPs using data from our historical standalone sales, or, in instances where such information is not fixedavailable (such as when we do not sell the product or determinable, revenue is deferred untilservice separately), we consider factors such as the arrangement fee becomes fixed or determinable, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. If at the outset of an arrangement we determine that collectability is not probable, revenue is deferred until the earlier of when collectability becomes probable or the receipt of payment. If there is uncertainty as to the customer’s acceptance ofstated contract prices, our deliverables, revenue is not recognized until the earlier of receipt of customer acceptance, expirationoverall pricing practices and objectives, go-to-market strategy, size and type of the acceptance period,transactions, and effects of the geographic area on pricing, among others. When the selling price of a product or whenservice is highly variable, we can demonstrate we meet the acceptance criteria. We evaluate contract terms and customer information to ensure that these criteria are met prior to our recognition of license fee revenue.
Wemay use the residual methodapproach to recognize revenuedetermine the SSP of that product or service. Significant judgment may be required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation when it involves the consideration of many market conditions and entity-specific factors discussed above.
Significant judgment may be required to determine the timing of satisfaction of a software arrangement includes one or more elements to be delivered atperformance obligation in certain professional services contracts with a future date provided the following criteria are met: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of the fair value does not exist for one or more of the delivered items but exists for all undelivered elements, (ii) all other applicable revenue recognition criteria are met and (iii) the fair value of all of the undelivered elements is less than the arrangement fee. VSOE of fair value isfixed consideration, in which we measure progress using an input method based on the normal pricing practices for those products and services when sold separately by us and customer renewal rates for post-contract customer support services. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement fee is recognized as revenue. If evidence of the fair value of one or more undelivered elements does not exist, the revenue is deferred and recognized when delivery of those elements occurs or when fair value can be established. Changes to the elements in a software arrangement, the ability to identify VSOE for those elements, the fair value of the respective elements, and change to a product’s estimated life cycle could materially impact the amount of earned and unearned revenue.
Revenues from post-contract customer support services, such as software maintenance, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the support period. The majority of our software maintenance agreements provide technical support as well as unspecified software product upgrades and releases when and if made available by us during the term of the support period.
Transactional-Based Revenues
Transactional-based revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, fees are fixed or determinable, and collection is probable. Revenues from our credit scoring, data processing, data management and SaaS subscription services are recognized as these services are performed. Revenues from transactional or unit-based license fees under software license arrangements, credit scoring, data processing, data management and SaaS subscription services agreements are recognized based on minimum contractual amounts or on system usage that exceeds minimum contractual amounts. Certain of our transactional-based revenues are based on transaction or active account volumes as reported by our clients.labor hours expended. In instances where volumes are reported to us in arrears, we estimate volumes based on preliminary customer transaction information or average actual reported volumes for an immediate trailing period. Differences between our estimates and actual final volumes reported are recorded in the period in which actual volumes are reported. We have not experienced significant variances between our estimates and actual reported volumes in the past and anticipate that we will be able to continue to make reasonable estimates in the future. If for some reason we were unable to reasonably estimate transaction volumes in the future, revenue may be deferred until actual customer data is received, and this could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations.

Consulting Services
We provide consulting, training, model development and software integration services under both hourly-based time and materials and fixed-priced contracts. Revenues from these services are generally recognized as the services are performed. For fixed-price service contracts, we use a proportionate performance model with hours as the input method of attribution to determine progress towards completion, with consideration also given to output measures, such as contract milestones, when applicable. In such instances, management is requiredorder to estimate the total estimated hours of the project.project, we make assumptions about labor utilization, efficiency of processes, the customer’s specification and IT environment, among others. For certain complex projects, due to the risks and uncertainties inherent with the estimation process and factors relating to the assumptions, actual progress may differ due to the change in estimated total hours. Adjustments to estimates are made in the period in which the facts requiring such revisions become known and, accordingly, recognized revenues and profits are subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion. Estimated losses, if any, are recorded in the period in which current estimates
34

Table of total contract revenue and contract costs indicate a loss. If substantive uncertainty related to customer acceptance of services exists, we defer the associated revenue until the contract is completed. Contents
Capitalized Commission Costs
We have not experienced significant variances between our estimates and actual hours in the past and anticipate that we will be able to continue to make reasonable estimates in the future. If for some reason we are unable to accurately estimate the input measures, revenue would be deferred until the contract is complete, and this could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations.

Services that are sold in connection with software license arrangements generally qualify for separate accounting from the license element because they do not involve significant production, modification or customization of our products and are not otherwise considered to be essential to the functionality of our software. In arrangements where the professional services do not qualify for separate accounting from the license element, the combined software license and professional services revenue are recognized based on contract accounting using either the percentage-of-completion or completed-contract method.
Multiple-Deliverable Arrangements including Non-Software
When we enter into a multiple-deliverable arrangement that includes non-software, each deliverable is accounted forcapitalize incremental commission fees paid as a separate unitresult of accounting if the following criteriaobtaining customer contracts. Capitalized commission costs are met: (i) the delivered item or items have value to the customeramortized on a standalonestraight-line basis and (ii) for an arrangement that includesover ten years — determined using a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in our control. We consider a deliverable to have standalone value if we sell this item separately or if the item is sold by another vendor or could be resold by the customer; for example, we conclude professional services offered along with our SaaS subscription services typically have standalone value using this criteria. Further, our revenue arrangements generally do not include a general right of return relative to delivered products. Revenue for multiple element arrangements is allocated to the software and non-software deliverables based on a relative selling price. We use VSOE in our allocation of arrangement consideration when it is available. We define VSOE as a median price of recent standalone transactions that are priced within a narrow range, as defined by us. If a product or service is seldom sold separately, it is unlikely that we can determine VSOE. In circumstances when VSOE does not exist, we then assess whether we can obtain third-party evidence (“TPE”) of the selling price. It may be difficult for us to obtain sufficient information on competitor pricing to substantiate TPE and therefore we may not always be able to use TPE. When we are unable to establish selling price using VSOE or TPE, we use estimated selling price (“ESP”) in our allocation of arrangement consideration. The objective of ESP is to determine the price at which we would transact if the product or service were sold by us on a standalone basis. Our determination of ESP involves weighting several factorsportfolio approach — based on the specific factstransfer of goods or services to which the assets relate, taking into consideration both the initial and circumstances of each arrangement. The factors include, but are not limited to, geographies, market conditions, gross margin objectives, pricing practices and controls, customer segment pricing strategies and the product lifecycle. Historically, there have been no significant changes in our ESP used in allocation of arrangement consideration. Wefuture contracts as we do not believe there istypically pay a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future estimates.
If a deliverable does not have standalone value because the aforementioned criteria are not met, we combine it with the other applicable undelivered item(s) within the arrangement and account for the multiple deliverables as one combined unit of accounting. For example, for hosting arrangements requiring a highly specialized and unique set of initial implementation and setup services prior to the commencement of hosting services, we typically conclude that these implementation or setup services do not have value to the customercommission on a stand-alone basis; therefore, we combine them with the hosting services as a combined unit of accounting. Revenue is recognized upon commencementcontract renewal. The amortization costs are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses of our hosting services over the expected lifecondensed consolidated statements of the customer relationship.
Gross vs. Net Revenue Reportingincome and comprehensive income.
We apply accounting guidancea practical expedient to determine whether we report revenue for certain transactions based uponrecognize the gross amount billed to the customer, or the net amount retained by us. In accordance with the guidance we record revenue on a gross basis for sales in which we have acted as the principal and on a net basis for those sales in which we have in substance actedincremental costs of obtaining contracts as an agentexpense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or broker in the transaction.less. These costs are recorded within selling, general, and administrative expenses.
Business Combinations
Accounting for our acquisitions requires us to recognize, separately from goodwill, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Accounting for business combinations requires our management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date, including our estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed, pre-acquisition contingencies and contingent consideration, where applicable. If we cannot reasonably determine the fair value of a pre-acquisition contingency (non-income tax related) by the end of the measurement period, we will recognize an asset or a liability for such pre-acquisition contingency if: (i) it is probable that an asset existed or a liability had been incurred at the acquisition date and (ii) the amount of the asset or liability can be reasonably estimated. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Subsequent to the measurement period, changes in our estimates of such contingencies will affect earnings and could have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.
Examples of critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets we have acquired include but are not limited to: (i)future expected cash flows from software license sales, support agreements, consulting contracts, other customer contracts and acquired developed technologies and patents; (ii) expected costs to develop the in-process research and development into commercially viable products and estimated cash flows from the projects when completed; and (iii) the acquired company’s brand and competitive position, as well as assumptions about the period of time the acquired brand will continue to be used in the combined company’s product portfolio. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results. Historically, there have been no significant changes in our estimates or assumptions. To the extent a significant acquisition is made during a fiscal year, as appropriate we will expand the discussion to include specific assumptions and inputs used to determine the fair value of our acquired intangible assets.
In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances assumed in connection with a business combination are initially estimated as of the acquisition date. We reevaluate these items quarterly based upon facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date with any adjustments to our preliminary estimates being recorded to goodwill provided that we are within the measurement period. Subsequent to the measurement period or our final determination of the tax allowance’s or contingency’s estimated value, whichever comes first, changes to these uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances will affect our provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial position. Historically, there have been no significant changes in our valuation allowances or uncertain tax positions as it relates to business combinations. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future estimates.
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Goodwill, Acquisition Intangibles and Other Long-Lived Assets - Impairment Assessment
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations. We assess goodwill for impairment for each of our reporting units on an annual basis during theour fourth fiscal quarter using a July 1 measurement date unless circumstances require a more frequent measurement. We have determined that our reporting units are the same as our reportable segments. When evaluating goodwill for impairment, we may first perform an assessment qualitatively whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its fair value, referred to as a “step zero” approach. If, based on the review of the qualitative factors, we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we would bypass the two-step impairment test. Events and circumstances we consider in performing the “step zero” qualitative assessment include macro-economic conditions, market and industry conditions, internal cost factors, share price fluctuations, and the operational stability and the overall financial performance of the reporting units. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount, we would perform the first step (“step one”) of the two-step impairment test and calculate the estimated fair value of the reporting unit by using discounted cash flow valuation models and by comparing our reporting units to guideline publicly-traded companies. These methods require estimates of our future revenues, profits, capital expenditures, working capital, and other relevant factors, as well as selecting appropriate guideline publicly-traded companies for each reporting unit. We estimate these amounts by evaluating historical trends, current budgets, operating plans, industry data, and other relevant factors. Using assumptions that are different from those used in our estimates, but in each case reasonable, could produce significantly different results and materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. For example, if the economic environment impacts our forecasts beyond what we have anticipated, it could cause the fair value of a reporting unit to fall below its respective carrying value.
For fiscal 2017, we elected to proceed directly to the step one quantitative analysis for all of our reporting units, as three years had elapsed since the date of our previous quantitative valuation.units. There was a substantial excess of fair value over carrying value for each of our reporting units and we determined goodwill was not impaired for any of our reporting units for fiscal 2017.

For fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020, we performed a step zero qualitative analysis for our annual assessment of goodwill impairment. After evaluating and weighing all relevant events and circumstances, we concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of any of our reporting units was less their carrying amounts. Consequently, we did not perform a step one quantitative analysis and determined goodwill was not impaired for any of our reporting units for fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Our intangible assets that have finite useful lives and other long-lived assets are assessed for potential impairment when there is evidence that events and circumstances related to our financial performance and economic environment indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When impairment indicators are identified, we test for impairment using undiscounted cash flows. If such tests indicate impairment, then we measure and record the impairment as the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgment is required in forecasting future operating results used in the preparation of the projected cash flows. Should different conditions prevail, material write downs of our intangible assets or other long-lived assets could occur. We review the estimated remaining useful lives of our acquired intangible assets at each reporting period. A reduction in our estimate of remaining useful lives, if any, could result in increased annual amortization expense in future periods.
As discussed above, while we believe that the assumptions and estimates utilized were appropriate based on the information available to management, different assumptions, judgments and estimates could materially affect our impairment assessments for our goodwill, acquired intangibles with finite lives and other long-lived assets. Historically, there have been no significant changes in our estimates or assumptions that would have had a material impact for our goodwill or intangible assets impairment assessment. We believe our projected operating results and cash flows would need to be significantly less favorable to have a material impact on our impairment assessment. However, based upon our historical experience with operations, we do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood of a significant change in our projections.
Share-Based Compensation
We measure stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize it as expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock award (generally three to four years). We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of our stock options and athe Monte Carlo valuation model to determine the fair value of our market share units. Our valuation models and generally accepted valuation techniques require us to make assumptions and to apply judgment to determine the fair value of our awards. These assumptions and judgments include estimating the volatility of our stock price, expected dividend yield, employee turnover rates and employee stock option exercise behaviors. Historically, there have been no material changes in our estimates or assumptions. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions.
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Income Taxes
We estimate our income taxes based on the various jurisdictions where we conduct business, which involves significant judgment in determining our income tax provision. We estimate our current tax liability using currently enacted tax rates and laws and assess temporary differences that result from differing treatments of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. We then assess the likelihood our deferred tax assets will be realized and to the extent we believe realization is not more likely than not, we establish a valuation allowance. When we establish a valuation allowance or increase this allowance in an accounting period, we record a corresponding income tax expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. In assessing the need for the valuation allowance, we consider future taxable income in the jurisdictions we operate,operate; our ability to carry back tax attributes to prior years,years; an analysis of our deferred tax assets and the periods over which they will be realizable,realizable; and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. An increase in the valuation allowance would have an adverse impact, which could be material, on our income tax provision and net income in the period in which we record the increase. We have historically had minimal changes in our valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets.
We recognize and measure benefits for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the technical merits of the tax position indicate it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. For tax positions more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, the second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Significant judgment is required to evaluate uncertain tax positions and they are evaluated on a quarterly basis. Our evaluations are based upon a number of factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of audits and effective settlement of audit issues. Changes in the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions could result in material increases or decreases in our income tax expense in the period in which we make the change, which could have a material impact on our effective tax rate and operating results. Historically, settlements related to our unrecognized tax benefits have been minimal.
A description of our accounting policies associated with tax-related contingencies and valuation allowances assumed as part of a business combination is provided under “Business Combinations” above.
Contingencies and Litigation

We are subject to various proceedings, lawsuits and claims relating to products and services, technology, labor, stockholder and other matters. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse outcomes and the potential range of probable losses in these matters. If the potential loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the estimated loss. If the potential loss is considered less than probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, disclosure of the matter is considered. The amount of loss accrual or disclosure, if any, is determined after analysis of each matter, and is subject to adjustment if warranted by new developments or revised strategies. Due to uncertainties related to these matters, accruals or disclosures are based on the best information available at the time. Significant judgment is required in both the assessment of likelihood and in the determination of a range of potential losses. Revisions in the estimates of the potential liabilities could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations. Historically, there have been no material changes in our estimates or assumptions. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014,August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASUAccounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 606)350): Internal-Use Software (“ASU 2014-09”2018-15”). ASU 2014-09 requires an entity2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goodsdevelop or services to customers.obtain internal-use software. We adopted ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”), which defers the effective date for ASU 2014-09 by one year. For public entities, the guidance in ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods), which means it will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date of December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue versus Net)” (“ASU 2016-08”), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” (“ASU 2016-10”), which reduces the complexity when applying the guidance for identifying performance obligations and improves the operability and understandability of the license implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12 “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” (“ASU 2016-12”), which amends the guidance on transition, collectability, noncash consideration and the presentation of sales and other similar taxes. In December 2016, the FASB further issued ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2016-20”), which makes minor corrections or minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. The amendments are intended to address implementation issues that were raised by stakeholders and provide additional practical expedients to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new revenue standard. These amendments have the same effective date as the new revenue standard. Preliminarily, we plan to adopt Topic 6062018-15 in the first quarter of our fiscal 2019 using2021 and the retrospective transition method, and are continuing to evaluate theadoption did not have a significant impact our pending adoption of Topic 606 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05 and ASU 2019-11 (collectively, “Topic 326”). Topic 326 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. We have established a cross-functional implementation team consisting of representatives across the organization to address the scope of work required to implement the recognition and disclosure requirements under the new standard. This cross-functional implementation team has developed a project plan, which includes evaluating customer contracts across the organization, developing policies, processes and tools to report financial results, and implementing and evaluating our internal controls over financial reporting that will be necessary under the new standard. We currently plan to adoptadopted Topic 606326 in the first quarter of our fiscal 2019 using the retrospective transition method. Our ability to adopt Topic 606 using the full retrospective method is dependent on system readiness,2021 and the completion of our analysis of information necessary to restate prior period financial statements. As we continue to assess the new standard along with industry trends and additional interpretive guidance, we may adjust our implementation plan accordingly.
We are continuing to assess the impact of adopting Topic 606 on our consolidated financial statements and believe the new standard will impact the following policies and disclosures:
Timing of revenue recognition of license revenue on term licenses and transactional revenue on guaranteed minimum fees related to our on-premises software products. Under the new standard, we expect to recognize revenue when control of the license is transferred to the customer, rather than at the date payments become due and payable or ratably over the term of the contract required under the current standard;

Presentation of contract balances. Under the new standard, when we enter into noncancellable contracts that provide unconditional rights to payment from our customers for services that we haveadoption did not yet completed providing or services we will provide in the near future, we expect to present the unconditional rights as receivables, regardless of whether cash has been received from customers;
Required disclosures including information about remaining transaction price and when we expect to recognize revenue; and
Accounting for commissions under the new standard will result in the deferral of incremental commission costs for obtaining contracts.
We do not currently expect Topic 606 to have a significant effect on the timing of revenue recognition for our maintenance or professional services revenues, or SaaS contracts.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory(“ASU 2016-16”). ASU 2016-16 requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which means it will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. ASU 2016-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings at the beginning of the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued. We do not believe that adoption of ASU 2016-16 will have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
We do not expect that any recently issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize the expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. ASU 2016-02 states that a lessee would recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which means it will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the timing of our adoption and the impact that the updated standardaccounting pronouncements will have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risk Disclosures
We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Interest Rate
We maintain an investment portfolio consisting of bank deposits and money market funds. The funds provide daily liquidity and may be subject to interest rate risk and fall in value if market interest rates increase. We do not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by a sudden change in market interest rates. The following table presents the principal amounts and related weighted-average yields for our investments with interest rate risk at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017:2020: 
 March 31, 2021September 30, 2020
Cost
Basis
Carrying
Amount
Average
Yield
Cost
Basis
Carrying
Amount
Average
Yield
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$197,836 $197,836 0.02 %$157,394 $157,394 0.05 %
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
 
Cost
Basis
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Average
Yield
 
Cost
Basis
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Average
Yield
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$94,213
 $94,213
 0.48% $105,618
 $105,618
 0.56%



On May 7, 2008,8, 2018, we issued $275$400 million of senior notes to a group of institutional investors in a private placement to qualified institutional investors (the “2008“2018 Senior Notes”). On July 14, 2010December 6, 2019, we issued an additional $245$350 million of senior notes to a group of institutional investors in a private placementoffering to qualified institutional investors (the “2010“2019 Senior Notes”Notes,” and with the 20082018 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The fair value of the Senior Notes may increase or decrease due to various factors, including fluctuations in market interest rates and fluctuations in general economic conditions. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources and Liquidity” for additional information on the Senior Notes. The following table presents the carrying amountsface values and fair values for the Senior Notes at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017:2020:
 March 31, 2021September 30, 2020
 Face Value (*)Fair ValueFace Value (*)Fair Value
 (In thousands)
The 2018 Senior Notes400,000 442,000 400,000 442,000 
The 2019 Senior Notes350,000 357,000 350,000 358,750 
       Total$750,000 $799,000 $750,000 $800,750 
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
 Carrying
Amounts
 Fair Value Carrying
Amounts
 Fair Value
 (In thousands)
The 2008 Senior Notes$131,000
 $132,814
 $131,000
 $134,250
The 2010 Senior Notes113,000
 117,669
 113,000
 119,106
Debt issuance costs(166) (166) (199) (199)
       Total$243,834
 $250,317
 $243,801
 $253,157
(*) The carrying value of the Senior Notes was the face value reduced by the net debt issuance costs of $9.8 million and $10.6 million at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
We have a $600$400 million unsecured revolving line of credit with a syndicate of banks that expires on December 30, 2019.May 8, 2023. Proceeds from the credit facility can be used for working capital and general corporate purposes and may also be used for the refinancing of existing debt, acquisitions, and the repurchase of our common stock. Interest on amounts borrowed under the credit facility is based on (i) a base rate, which is the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.500% and (c) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.000%, plus, in each case, an applicable margin, or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for base rate borrowings ranges from 0% to 0.875% and for LIBOR borrowings ranges from 1.000% to 1.875%, and is determined based on our consolidated leverage ratio. A change in interest rates on this variable rate debt impacts the interest incurred and cash flows, but does not impact the fair value of the instrument. We had $420.0$225.0 million in borrowings outstanding at a weighted averageweighted-average interest rate of 2.655%1.236% under the credit facility as of DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2021.


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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
We maintain a program to manage our foreign exchange rate risk on existing foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances by entering into forward contracts to sell or buy foreign currencies. At period end, foreign-currency-denominated receivable and cash balances held by our various reporting entities are remeasured into their respective functional currencies at current market rates. The change in value from this remeasurement is then reported as a foreign exchange gain or loss for that period in our accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the resulting gain or loss on the forward contract mitigates the foreign exchange rate risk of the associated assets. All of our foreign currency forward contracts have maturity periods of less than three months. Such derivative financial instruments are subject to market risk.
The following tables summarize our outstanding foreign currency forward contracts, by currency, at DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017:2020:

December 31, 2017 March 31, 2021
Contract Amount Fair Value Contract AmountFair Value
Foreign
Currency
 US$ US$ Foreign
Currency
USDUSD
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Sell foreign currency:      Sell foreign currency:
Euro (EUR)EUR 7,350
 $8,825
 $
Euro (EUR)EUR 19,200 $22,643 $— 
Buy foreign currency:      Buy foreign currency:
British pound (GBP)GBP 5,398
 $7,300
 $
British pound (GBP)GBP 14,780 $20,400 $— 
Singapore dollar (SGD)
SGD7,734
 $5,800
 $
Singapore dollar (SGD)SGD5,790 $4,300 $— 
      
September 30, 2017 September 30, 2020
Contract Amount Fair Value Contract AmountFair Value
Foreign
Currency
 US$ US$ Foreign
Currency
USDUSD
(In thousands) (In thousands)
Sell foreign currency:      Sell foreign currency:
Euro (EUR)EUR 5,050
 $5,968
 $
Euro (EUR)EUR 15,000 $17,656 $— 
Buy foreign currency:      Buy foreign currency:
British pound (GBP)GBP 9,341
 $12,500
 $
British pound (GBP)GBP 16,555 $21,300 $— 
Singapore dollar (SGD)Singapore dollar (SGD)SGD7,815 $5,700 $— 
The foreign currency forward contracts were entered into on DecemberMarch 31, 20172021 and September 30, 2017,2020, respectively; therefore, their fair value was $0 on each of these dates.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of FICO’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of FICO’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in RuleRules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive OfficerCEO and Chief Financial OfficerCFO have concluded that FICO’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by FICO in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and formsforms. In addition, the disclosure controls and (ii)procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive OfficerCEO and Chief Financial Officer to allowCFO, allowing timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in FICO’s internal control over financial reporting was identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d)Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report and that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
Not Applicable.No material updates have occurred since the disclosure included in Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2020.
Item 1A.Risk Factors

Business, Market and Strategy Risks Related
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected how we and our customers are operating our businesses. The duration of these effects, and the extent to which they will impact our future revenues, results of operations and overall financial performance, remain uncertain.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the global economy, leading to reduced consumer spending and lending activities and disruptions and volatility in the global capital markets. COVID-19 has caused shutdowns to businesses and cities worldwide and has disrupted supply chains, business operations, travel, and consumer confidence.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have temporarily closed the majorityof our offices (including our corporate headquarters in the United States) and implemented travel restrictions, both of which have disrupted how we operate our business. Due in part to anticipated post-pandemic workforce patterns, we have permanently closed certain non-core offices, reduced certain other office space and reduced our global workforce. Our Businessoperations may be further negatively affected by a range of external factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are not within our control. For example, many cities, counties, states, and countries may continue to impose a wide range of restrictions on our employees’, partners’ and customers’ physical movement to limit the spread of COVID-19. We have postponed, canceled or shifted certain of our customer, employee or industry events to virtual-only experiences and may continue to do so in the future. If the COVID-19 pandemic has a substantial impact on our employees’, partners’ or customers’ productivity or ability to collaborate, our results of operations and overall financial performance may be harmed.

The situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving and both the short-term and long-term effects remain unknown. Our customers, and therefore our business and revenues, are sensitive to negative changes in general economic conditions and lending activities. The COVID-19 pandemic may affect the rate of spending on our solutions and could adversely affect our customers’ ability or willingness to purchase our products and services, cause prospective customers to change product selections or term commitments, delay or cancel their purchasing decisions, extend sales cycles, and potentially increase payment defaults, all of which could adversely affect our future revenues, results of operations and overall financial performance. We have seen evidence that COVID-19 has adversely affected certain segments and originations volume, which may impact future revenue. We are unable to accurately predict the complete impact that COVID-19 will have on our future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties, including the severity and transmission rate of the virus, the duration of the outbreak, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions, the effectiveness of any medical treatment and prevention options, and the impact of these and other factors on us, our employees, customers, partners and vendors, and on worldwide and U.S. economic conditions. If we are not able to respond to and manage these impacts effectively, our business may be harmed to a material extent.
We continue to expand the pursuit of our Decision Management strategy, and we may not be successful, which could cause our growth prospects and results of operations to suffer.


We continue to expand the pursuit of our business objective to become a leader in helping businesses automate and improve decisions across their enterprises, an approach that we commonly refer to as Decision Management, or “DM.” We have increasingly focused our DM strategy on bringing our Decision Management software together in a flexible, extensible, and cloud-native platform approach (the FICO Decision Management Platform). Our DM strategy is designed to enable us to increase our business by selling multiple connectable and extensible DM products to clients, as well as to enable the development of custom client solutions that may leadand to opportunitiesallow our clients to develop new proprietary scores or other new proprietary products. Our DM strategy is also increasingly focused onmore easily expand their usage and the delivery of our products through cloud-based deployments.use cases they enable over time. The market may be unreceptive to our general DM business approach, including being unreceptive to our cloud-based offerings, unreceptive to purchasing multiple products from us, or unreceptive to our customized solutions, or unreceptive to our cloud-based offerings.solutions. As we continue to pursue our DM strategy, we may experience volatility in our revenues and operating results caused by various factors, including differences in revenue recognition treatment between our cloud-based offerings and on-premise software licenses, the timing of investments and other expenditures necessary to develop and operate our cloud-based offerings, and the adoption of new sales and delivery methods. If our DM strategy is not successful, we may not be able to grow our business, growth may occur more slowly than we anticipate, or our revenues and profits may decline.

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We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of products and services, and if the market does not continue to accept these products and services, our revenues will decline.


We expect that revenues derived from our scoring solutions, fraud solutions, customer communication services, customer management solutions and decision management software will continue to account for a substantial portion of our total revenues for the foreseeable future. Our revenues will decline if the market does not continue to accept these products and services. Factors that might affect the market acceptance of these products and services include the following:


changes in the business analytics industry;
changes in technology;
our inability to obtain or use key data for our products;
saturation or contraction of market demand;
loss of key customers;
industry consolidation;
failure to successfully adopt cloud-based technologies;
our inability to obtain regulatory approvals for our products and services, including credit score models;
the increasing availability of free or relatively inexpensive consumer credit, credit score and other information from public or commercial sources;
failure to execute our selling approach; and
inability to successfully sell our products in new vertical markets.


Our revenues depend, to a great extent, upon conditions in the banking (including consumer credit) industry. If our clients’ industry experiences uncertainty, it will likely harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

During fiscal 2020, 86% of our revenues were derived from sales of products and services to the banking industry. Periods of global economic uncertainty experienced in the past have produced substantial stress, volatility, illiquidity and disruption of global credit and other financial markets, resulting in the bankruptcy or acquisition of, or government assistance to, several major domestic and international financial institutions. The potential for future stress and disruptions, including in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, presents considerable risks to our businesses and operations. These risks include potential bankruptcies or credit deterioration of financial institutions, many of which are our customers. Such disruption would result in a decline in the revenue we receive from financial and other institutions. In addition, if consumer demand for financial services and products and the number of credit applications decrease, the demand for our products and services could also be materially reduced. These types of disruptions could lead to a decline in the volumes of services we provide our customers and could negatively impact our revenue and results of operations.

While the rate of account growth in the U.S. bankcard industry has been slow and many of our large institutional customers have consolidated in recent years, we have generated most of our revenue growth from our bankcard-related scoring and account management businesses by selling and cross-selling our products and services to large banks and other credit issuers. As the banking industry continues to experience contraction in the number of participating institutions, we may have fewer opportunities for revenue growth due to reduced or changing demand for our products and services that support customer acquisition programs of our customers. In addition, industry contraction could affect the base of recurring revenues derived from contracts in which we are paid on a per-transaction basis as formerly separate customers combine their operations under one contract. There can be no assurance that we will be able to prevent future revenue contraction or effectively promote future revenue growth in our businesses.

While we are attempting to expand our sales of consumer credit and banking products and services into international markets, the risks are greater as these markets are also experiencing substantial disruption and we are less well-known in them.

We rely on relatively few customers, as well as our contracts with the three major credit reporting agencies, for a significant portion of our revenues and profits. Many of our customers are significantly larger than we are and may have greater bargaining power. The businesses of our largest customers depend, in large part, on favorable macroeconomic conditions. If these customers are negatively impacted by weak global economic conditions, global economic volatility or the terms of these relationships otherwise change, our revenues and operating results could decline.

Most of our customers are relatively large enterprises, such as banks, payment card processors, insurance companies, healthcare firms, telecommunications providers, retailers and public agencies. As a result, many of our customers and potential customers are significantly larger than we are and may have sufficient bargaining power to demand reduced prices and favorable nonstandard terms.
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In addition, the U.S. and other key international economies are experiencing and have experienced in the past a downturn in which economic activity was impacted by falling demand for a variety of goods and services, restricted credit, poor liquidity, reduced corporate profitability, volatility in credit, equity and foreign exchange markets, bankruptcies and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy. The potential for economic disruption presents considerable risks to our business, including potential bankruptcies or credit deterioration of financial institutions with which we have substantial relationships. Such disruption, whether arising in connection with the current COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, could result in a decline in the volume of transactions that we execute for our customers.

We also derive a substantial portion of our revenues and operating income from our contracts with the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, and other parties that distribute our products to certain markets. The loss of or a significant change in a relationship with one of these credit reporting agencies with respect to their distribution of our products or with respect to our myFICO® offerings, the loss of or a significant change in a relationship with a major customer, the loss of or a significant change in a relationship with a significant third-party distributor (including payment card processors), or the delay of significant revenues from these sources, could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.

If we are unable to access new markets or develop new distribution channels, our business and growth prospects could suffer.


We expect that part of the growth that we seek to achieve through our DM strategy will be derived from the sale of DM products and service solutions in industries and markets we do not currently serve. We also expect to grow our business by delivering our DM solutions through additional distribution channels. If we fail to penetrate these industries and markets to the degree we anticipate utilizing our DM strategy, or if we fail to develop additional distribution channels, we may not be able to grow our business, growth may occur more slowly than we anticipate, or our revenues and profits may decline.



If we are unable to develop successful new products or if we experience defects, failures and delays associated with the introduction of new products, our business could suffer serious harm.


Our growth and the success of our DM strategy depend upon our ability to develop and sell new products or suites of products, including the development and sale of our cloud-based product offerings. If we are unable to develop new products, or if we are not successful in introducing new products, we may not be able to grow our business or growth may occur more slowly than we anticipate. In addition, significant undetected errors or delays in new products or new versions of products may affect market acceptance of our products and could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations. In the past, we have experienced delays while developing and introducing new products and product enhancements, primarily due to difficulties developing models, acquiring data, and adapting to particular operating environments or certain client or other systems. We have also experienced errors or “bugs” in our software products, despite testing prior to release of the products. Software errors in our products could affect the ability of our products to work with other hardware or software products, could delay the development or release of new products or new versions of products, and could adversely affect market acceptance of our products. Errors or defects in our products that are significant, or are perceived to be significant, could result in rejection of our products, damage to our reputation, loss of revenues, diversion of development resources, an increase in product liability claims, and increases in service and support costs and warranty claims.


Our ability to increase our revenues will depend to some extent upon introducing new products and services. If the marketplace does not accept these new products and services, our revenues may decline.

To increase our revenues, we must enhance and improve existing products and continue to introduce new products and new versions of existing products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and achieve market acceptance. We believe much of the future growth of our business and the success of our DM strategy will rest on our ability to continue to expand into newer markets for our products and services. Such areas are relatively new to our product development and sales and marketing personnel. Products that we plan to market in the future are in various stages of development. We cannot assure you that the marketplace will accept these products. If our current or potential customers are not willing to switch to or adopt our new products and services, either as a result of the quality of these products and services or due to other factors, such as economic conditions, our revenues will decrease.

If we fail to keep up with rapidly changing technologies, our products could become less competitive or obsolete.

In our markets, technology changes rapidly, and there are continuous improvements in computer hardware, network operating systems, programming tools, programming languages, operating systems, database technologies, cloud-based
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technologies and the use of the Internet. If we fail to enhance our current products and develop new products in response to changes in technology or industry standards, or if we fail to bring product enhancements or new product developments to market quickly enough, our products could rapidly become less competitive or obsolete. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to:

innovate by internally developing new and competitive technologies;
use leading third-party technologies effectively;
continue to develop our technical expertise;
anticipate and effectively respond to changing customer needs;
initiate new product introductions in a way that minimizes the impact of customers delaying purchases of existing products in anticipation of new product releases; and
influence and respond to emerging industry standards and other technological changes.

Our product and pricing strategies may not be successful. If our competitors introduce new products and pricing strategies, it could decrease our product sales and market share, or could pressure us to reduce our product prices in a manner that reduces our margins.

Demand for our products and services may be sensitive to product and pricing changes we implement, and our product and pricing strategies may not be accepted by the market. If our customers fail to accept our product and pricing strategies, our revenues, results of operations and business may suffer. In addition, we may not be able to compete successfully against our competitors, and this inability could impair our capacity to sell our products. The market for business analytics is rapidly evolving and highly competitive, and we expect competition in this market to persist and intensify. Our regional and global competitors vary in size and in the scope of the products and services they offer, and include:

in-house analytic and systems developers;
scoring model builders;
fraud and security management providers;
enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, and customer communication and mobility solution providers;
business intelligence solutions providers;
credit report and credit score providers;
business process management and decision rules management providers;
process modeling tools providers;
automated application processing services providers;
data vendors;
neural network developers and artificial intelligence system builders;
third-party professional services and consulting organizations;
account/workflow management software providers;
software tools companies supplying modeling, rules, or analytic development tools; collections and recovery solutions providers; entity resolution and social network analysis solutions providers; and
cloud-based customer engagement and risk management solutions providers.

We rely on relatively few customers,expect to experience additional competition from other established and emerging companies, as well as our contracts with the three major credit reporting agencies, for a significant portionfrom other technologies. For example, certain of our revenuesfraud solutions products compete against other methods of preventing payment card fraud, such as payment cards that contain the cardholder’s photograph; smart cards; cardholder verification and profits.authentication solutions; biometric measures on devices including fingerprint and face matching; and other card authorization techniques and user verification techniques. Many of our customers are significantly largerexisting and anticipated competitors have greater financial, technical, marketing, professional services and other resources than we aredo, and may have greater bargaining power. The businessesindustry consolidation is creating even larger competitors in many of our largest customers depend, in large part, on favorable macroeconomic conditions. If these customers are negatively impacted by weak global economic conditions, global economic volatility or the terms of these relationships otherwise change, our revenues and operating results could decline.

Most of our customers are relatively large enterprises, such as banks, credit card processors, insurance companies, healthcare firms, telecommunications providers, retailers and public agencies.markets. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. They may also be able to devote greater resources than we can to develop, promote and sell their products. Many of these companies have extensive customer relationships, including relationships with many of our customerscurrent and potential customers are significantly larger than we arecustomers. Furthermore, new competitors or alliances among competitors may emerge and may have sufficient bargaining power to demand reduced prices and favorable nonstandard terms.

In addition, the U.S. and other key international economies have experienced in the past a downturn in which economic activity was impacted by falling demand for a variety of goods and services, restricted credit, poor liquidity, reduced corporate profitability, volatility in credit, equity and foreign exchange markets, bankruptcies and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy. The European Union (“E.U.”) continues to face great economic uncertainty which could impact the overall world economy or various other regional economies. The potential for economic disruption presents considerable risks to our business, including potential bankruptcies or credit deterioration of financial institutions with which we have substantial relationships. Such disruption could result in a decline in the volume of transactions that we execute for our customers.

We also derive a substantial portion of our revenues and operating income from our contracts with the three major credit reporting agencies,rapidly gain significant market share. For example, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax have formed an alliance that has developed a credit scoring product competitive with our products. If we are unable to respond as quickly or effectively to changes in customer requirements as our competition, our ability to expand our business and other parties that distributesell our products will be negatively affected.

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Our competitors may be able to certain markets. The losssell products competitive to ours at lower prices individually or as part of or a significant change in a relationshipintegrated suites of several related products. This ability may cause our customers to purchase products that directly compete with one of these credit reporting agencies with respect to their distribution of our products or with respectfrom our competitors. Price reductions by our competitors could negatively impact our margins, and could also harm our ability to our myFICO® offerings, the lossobtain new long-term contracts and renewals of or a significant change in a relationship with a major customer, the loss of or a significant change in a relationship with a significant third-party distributor (including credit card processors), or the delay of significant revenues from these sources, could have a material adverse effectexisting long-term contracts on our revenues and results of operations.favorable terms.


We rely on relationships with third parties for marketing, distribution and certain services.If we experience difficulties in these relationships, including competition from these third parties, our future revenues may be adversely affected.


MostMany of our products rely on distributors, and we intend to continue to market and distribute our products through existing and future distributor relationships. Our Scores segment relies on, among others, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Failure of our existing and future distributors to generate significant revenues or otherwise perform their expected services or functions, demands by such distributors to change the terms on which they offer our products, or our failure to establish additional distribution or sales and marketing alliances, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, certain of our distributors presently compete with us and may compete with us in the future, either by developing competitive products themselves or by distributing competitive offerings. For example, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax have developed a credit scoring product to compete directly with our products and are collectively attempting to sell the product. Competition from distributors or other sales and marketing partners could significantly harm sales of our products and services.



Our acquisition and divestiture activities may disrupt our ongoing business and may involve increased expenses, and we may not realize the financial and strategic goals contemplated at the time of a transaction.


We have acquired and expect to continue to acquire companies, businesses, products, services and technologies. Acquisitions involve significant risks and uncertainties, including:


our ongoing business may be disrupted and our management’s attention may be diverted by acquisition, transition or integration activities;
an acquisition may not further our business strategy as we expected, we may not integrate acquired operations or technology as successfully as we expected or we may overpay for our investments, or otherwise not realize the expected return, which could adversely affect our business or operating results;
we may be unable to retain the key employees, customers and other business partners of the acquired operation;
we may have difficulties entering new markets where we have no or limited direct prior experience or where competitors may have stronger market positions;
our operating results or financial condition may be adversely impacted by known or unknown claims or liabilities we assume fromin an acquired company, business, productacquisition or technology,that are imposed on us as a result of an acquisition, including claims by government agencies or authorities, terminated employees, current or former customers, former stockholders or other third parties; pre-existing contractual relationships of an acquired company we would not have otherwise entered into; unfavorable revenue recognition or other accounting treatment as a result of an acquired company’s practices; and intellectual property claims or disputes;
we may fail to identify or assess the magnitude of certain liabilities or other circumstances prior to acquiring a company, business, product or technology, which could result in unexpected litigation or regulatory exposure, unfavorable accounting treatment, unexpected increases in taxes due, a loss of anticipated tax benefits or other adverse effects on our business, operating results or financial condition;
we may not realize the anticipated increase in our revenues from an acquisition for a number of reasons, including if a larger than predicted number of customers decline to renew their contracts, if we are unable to incorporate the acquired technologies or products with our existing product lines in a uniform manner, if we are unable to sell the acquired products to our customer base or if contract models of an acquired company or changes in accounting treatment do not allow us to recognize revenues on a timely basis;
we may have difficulty incorporating acquired technologies or products with our existing product lines and maintaining uniform standards, architecture, controls, procedures and policies;
our use of cash to pay for acquisitions may limit other potential uses of our cash, including stock repurchases, dividend payments and retirement of outstanding indebtedness; and
to the extent we issue a significant amount of equity securities in connection with future acquisitions, existing stockholders may be diluted and earnings per share may decrease; anddecrease.
we may experience additional or unexpected changes in how we are required to account for our acquisitions pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, including arrangements we assume from an acquisition.

We have also divested ourselves of businesses in the past and may do so again in the future. Divestitures involve significant risks and uncertainties, including:

disruption of our ongoing business;
reductions of our revenues or earnings per share;
unanticipated liabilities, legal risks and costs;
the potential loss of key personnel;
distraction of management from our ongoing business; and
impairment of relationships with employees and customers as a result of migrating a business to new owners.


Because acquisitions and divestitures are inherently risky, our transactions may not be successful and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Acquisitions of businesses having a significant presence outside the U.S. will increase our exposure to the risks of conducting operations in international markets.


Charges to earnings resulting from acquisitions may adversely affectThere can be no assurance that strategic divestitures will provide business benefits.

As part of our operating results.

Under business combination accounting standards,strategy, we recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in acquired companies generally at their acquisition-date fair values and separately from goodwill. Goodwill is measured as the excess amountcontinuously evaluate our portfolio of consideration transferred, which is also generally measured at fair value, and the net of the amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Our estimates of fair valuebusinesses. We have previously, are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are inherently uncertain. After we complete an acquisition, the following factors could result in material charges and adversely affect our operating resultscurrently, and may adversely affect our cash flows:

impairment of goodwill or intangible assets, or a reduction in the useful lives of intangible assets acquired;
amortization of intangible assets acquired;
identification of, orfuture make other changes to assumed contingent liabilities, both income taxour portfolio as well, which may be material. Divestitures involve risks, including:

disruption of our operations or businesses;
reductions of our revenues or earnings per share;
difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products and non-income tax related, after our final determinationpersonnel;
finding a suitable purchaser;
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disposing of businesses or the conclusion of the measurement period (generally up to one year from the acquisition date), whichever comes first;
costs incurred to combine the operations of companies we acquire, such as transitional employee expenses and employee retention, redeploymentassets at a price or relocation expenses;
charges to our operating results to maintain certain duplicative pre-merger activities for an extended period of time or to maintain these activities for a period of timeon terms that is longerare less favorable than we had anticipated, chargesor with purchase price adjustments or the exclusion of assets or liabilities that must be divested, managed or run off separately;
diversion of management's attention from our other businesses;
the potential loss of key personnel;
adverse effects on relationships with our customers, suppliers or their businesses,
the erosion of employee morale or customer confidence; and
the retention of contingent liabilities related to eliminate certain duplicative pre-merger activities,the divested business.

If we do not successfully manage the risks associated with divestitures, our business, financial condition, and chargesresults of operations could be adversely affected as the potential strategic benefits may not be realized or may take longer to restructure our operations or to reduce our cost structure; andrealize than expected.
charges to our operating results resulting from expenses incurred to effect the acquisition.

Substantially all of these costs will be accounted for as expenses that will decrease our net income and earnings per share for the periods in which those costs are incurred. Charges to our operating results in any given period could differ substantially from other periods based on the timing and size of our future acquisitions and the extent of integration activities. A more detailed discussion of our accounting for business combinations and other items is presented in the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Item 7).


Our reengineering initiativeefforts may cause our growth prospects and profitability to suffer.


As part of our management approach, we implemented anpursue ongoing reengineering initiativeefforts designed to grow revenues through strategic resource allocation and improve profitability through cost reductions. OurFor example, in September 2020, we implemented a course of action designed to reduce our operating costs in lower value, less strategic areas of our business in order to facilitate incremental investment in higher value, more strategic areas while also reducing our facilities footprint in light of anticipated post-pandemic workforce patterns. In addition, we are in the process of implementing a new Remote Work Policy which will allow a portion of our workforce to partially or fully work from home. These and other reengineering initiativeefforts may not be successful over the long term as a result of our failureshould we fail to reduce expenses at the anticipated level, should we fail to increase revenues to anticipated levels or at all, or should productivity decline or employees’ ability to collaborate fall as a lower, or no, positive impact on revenues from strategic resource allocation.result of the Remote Work Policy. If our reengineering initiative isefforts are not successful over the long term, our revenues, results of operations and business may suffer.

We will continue to rely upon proprietary technology rights, and if we are unable to protect them, our business could be harmed.
The occurrence
Our success depends, in part, upon our proprietary technology and other intellectual property rights. To date, we have relied primarily on a combination of certain negative events may cause fluctuations incopyright, patent, trade secret, and trademark laws, and nondisclosure and other contractual restrictions on copying and distribution, to protect our stock price.

The market priceproprietary technology. This protection of our common stockproprietary technology is limited, and our proprietary technology could be used by others without our consent. In addition, patents may not be issued with respect to our pending or future patent applications, and our patents may not be upheld as valid or may not prevent the development of competitive products. Any disclosure, loss, invalidity of, or failure to protect our intellectual property could negatively impact our competitive position, and ultimately, our business. There can be no assurance that our protection of our intellectual property rights in the U.S. or abroad will be adequate or that others, including our competitors, will not use our proprietary technology without our consent. Furthermore, litigation may be volatilenecessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Some of our technologies were developed under research projects conducted under agreements with various U.S. government agencies or subcontractors. Although we have commercial rights to these technologies, the U.S. government typically retains ownership of intellectual property rights and licenses in the technologies developed by us under these contracts, and in some cases can terminate our rights in these technologies if we fail to commercialize them on a timely basis. Under these contracts with the U.S. government, the results of research may be subjectmade public by the government, limiting our competitive advantage with respect to wide fluctuations duefuture products based on our research.

Operational Risks

If our cybersecurity measures are compromised or unauthorized access to customer or consumer data is otherwise obtained, our products and services may be perceived as not being secure, customers may curtail or cease their use of our products and services, our reputation may be damaged and we could incur significant liabilities.

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Because our business requires the storage, transmission and utilization of sensitive consumer and customer information, we will continue to routinely be the target of attempted cybersecurity and other security threats by outside third parties, including technically sophisticated and well-resourced bad actors attempting to access or steal the data we store. Many of our products are provided by us through the Internet. We may be exposed to additional cybersecurity threats as we migrate our data from our legacy systems to cloud-based solutions. We operate in an environment of significant risk of cybersecurity incidents resulting from unintentional events or deliberate attacks by third parties or insiders, which may involve exploiting highly obscure security vulnerabilities or sophisticated attack methods. These threats include phishing attacks on our email systems and other cyber-attacks, including state-sponsored cyber-attacks, industrial espionage, insider threats, denial-of-service attacks, computer viruses, ransomware and other malware, payment fraud or other cyber incidents.

Cybersecurity breaches could expose us to a numberrisk of factors, including variations in our revenues and operating results. We believe that you should not rely on period-to-period comparisonsloss, the unauthorized disclosure of financial results as an indication of future performance. Because many of our operating expenses are fixed and will not be affected by short-term fluctuations in revenues, short-term fluctuations in revenues may significantly impact operating results. Additional factors that may cause our stock price to fluctuate include the following:

variability in demand from our existing customers;
failure to meet the expectations of market analysts;
changes in recommendations by market analysts;
the lengthy and variable sales cycle of many products, combined with the relatively large size of orders for our products, increases the likelihood of short-term fluctuation in revenues;
consumer or customer dissatisfaction with,information, significant litigation, regulatory fines, penalties, loss of customers or problems caused by,reputational damage, indemnity obligations and other liability. If our cybersecurity measures are breached as a result of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, and as a result, someone obtains unauthorized access to our systems or to consumer or customer information, sensitive data may be accessed, stolen, disclosed or lost, our reputation may be damaged, our business may suffer and we could incur significant liability. Because the performancetechniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, or even for some time after, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques, implement adequate preventative measures or remediate any intrusion on a timely or effective basis. Because a successful breach of our products;computer systems, software, networks or other technology asset could occur and persist for an extended period of time before being detected, we may not be able to immediately address the consequences of a cybersecurity incident.

Malicious third parties may also conduct attacks designed to temporarily deny customers, distributors and vendors access to our systems and services. Cybersecurity breaches experienced by our vendors, by our distributors, by our customers or by us may trigger governmental notice requirements and public disclosures, which may lead to widespread negative publicity. Any such cybersecurity breach, whether actual or perceived, could harm our reputation, erode customer confidence in the timing of new product announcements and introductions in comparison with our competitors;
the leveleffectiveness of our operating expenses;
changes in competitive and other conditions in the consumer credit, banking and insurance industries;
fluctuations in domestic and international economic conditions;
security measures, negatively impact our ability to complete large installations,attract new customers, cause existing customers to curtail or cease their use of our products and services, cause regulatory or industry changes that impact our products and services, or subject us to adoptthird-party lawsuits, regulatory fines or other action or liability, all of which could materially and configure cloud-based deployments, on schedule and within budget;
acquisition-related expenses and charges; and
timing of orders for and deliveries of software systems.
In addition, the financial markets have at various times experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the stock prices of many technology companies and financial services companies, and these fluctuations sometimes have been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. Broad market fluctuations, as well as industry-specific and general economic conditions, may negativelyadversely affect our business and require usoperating results. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may cause increased cybersecurity risk, as cybercriminals attempt to record an impairment charge related to goodwill,capitalize from the disruption, including remote working arrangements.

If we experience business interruptions or failure of our information technology and communication systems, the availability of our products and services could be interrupted which could adversely affect our reputation, business and financial condition.

Our ability to provide reliable service in our businesses depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our data centers, information technology and communication systems, and increasingly those of our external service providers. As we continue to grow our SaaS business, our dependency on the continuing operation and availability of these systems increases. Our systems and data centers, and those of our external service providers, could be exposed to damage or interruption. These interruptions can include software or hardware malfunctions, communication failures, outages or other failures of third-party environments or service providers, fires, floods, earthquakes, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), war, terrorist acts or civil unrest, power losses, equipment failures, computer viruses, denial-of-service or other cybersecurity attacks, employee or insider malfeasance, human error and other events beyond our control. Although we have taken steps to prevent system failures and we have installed back-up systems and procedures to prevent or reduce disruption, such steps may not be sufficient to prevent an interruption of services and our disaster recovery planning may not account for all eventualities.

An operational failure or outage in any of these systems, or damage to or destruction of these systems, which causes disruptions in our services, could result in loss of customers, damage to customer relationships, reduced revenues and profits, refunds of customer charges and damage to our brand and reputation and may require us to incur substantial additional expense to repair or replace damaged equipment and recover data loss caused by the interruption. Any one or more of the foregoing occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, stock price and business.operations.



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Our products have long and variable sales cycles. If we do not accurately predict these cycles, we may not forecast our financial results accurately, and our stock price could be adversely affected.

We experience difficulty in forecasting our revenues accurately because the lengthTable of our sales cycles makes it difficult for us to predict the quarter in which sales will occur. In addition, our selling approach is complex as we look to sell multiple products and services across our customers’ organizations. This makes forecasting of revenues in any given period more difficult. As a result of our sales approach and lengthening sales cycles, revenues and operating results may vary significantly from period to period. For example, the sales cycle for licensing our products typically ranges from 60 days to 18 months. Customers are often cautious in making decisions to acquire our products because purchasing our products typically involves a significant commitment of capital and may involve shifts by the customer to a new software and/or hardware platform or changes in the customer’s operational procedures. This may cause customers, particularly those experiencing financial stress, to make purchasing decisions more cautiously. Delays in completing sales can arise while customers complete their internal procedures to approve large capital expenditures and test and accept our applications. Consequently, we face difficulty predicting the quarter in which sales to expected customers will occur and experience fluctuations in our revenues and operating results. If we are unable to accurately forecast our revenues, our stock price could be adversely affected.Contents

We typically have revenue-generating transactions concentrated in the final weeks of a quarter, which may prevent accurate forecasting of our financial results and cause our stock price to decline.

Large portions of our customer agreements are consummated in the weeks immediately preceding quarter end. Before these agreements are consummated, we create and rely on forecasted revenues for planning, modeling and earnings guidance. Forecasts, however, are only estimates and actual results may vary for a particular quarter or longer periods of time. Consequently, significant discrepancies between actual and forecasted results could limit our ability to plan, budget or provide accurate guidance, which could adversely affect our stock price. Any publicly-stated revenue or earnings projections are subject to this risk.

The failure to recruit and retain additional qualified personnel could hinder our ability to successfully manage our business.


Our DM strategy and our future success will depend in large part on our ability to attract and retain experienced sales, consulting, research and development, marketing, technical support and management personnel. The complexity of our products requires highly trained customer servicepersonnel for research and technical support personneldevelopment and to assist customers with product installation, deployment, maintenance and deployment.support. The labor market for these individuals is very competitive due to the limited number of people available with the necessary technical skills and understanding and may become more competitive with general market and economic improvement. We cannot be certain that our compensation strategies will be perceived as competitive by current or prospective employees. This could impair our ability to recruit and retain personnel. We have experienced difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel, especially technical, sales and consulting personnel, and we may need additional staff to support new customers and/or increased customer needs. We may also recruit skilled technical professionals from other countries to work in the U.S., and from the U.S. and other countries to work abroad. Limitations imposed by immigration laws in the U.S. and abroad and the availability of visas in the countries where we do business could hinder our ability to attract necessary qualified personnel and harm our business and future operating results. There is a risk that even if we invest significant resources in attempting to attract, train and retain qualified personnel, we will not succeed in our efforts, and our business could be harmed. The failure of the value of our stock to appreciate may adversely affect our ability to use equity and equity-based incentive plans to attract and retain personnel, and may require us to use alternative and more expensive forms of compensation for this purpose.


The failure to obtain certain forms of model construction data from our customers or others could harm our business.


Our business requires that we develop or obtain a reliable source of sufficient amounts of current and statistically relevant data to analyze transactions and update our products. In most cases, these data must be periodically updated and refreshed to enable our products to continue to work effectively in a changing environment. We do not own or control much of the data that we require, most of which is collected privately and maintained in proprietary databases. Customers and key business alliancespartners provide us with the data we require to analyze transactions, report results and build new models. Our DM strategy depends in part upon our ability to access new forms of data to develop custom and proprietary analytic tools. If we fail to maintain sufficient data sourcing relationships with our customers and business alliances,partners, or if they decline to provide such data due to privacy, concerns,security, competition or regulatory concerns, prohibitions or a lack of permission from their customers or partners, we could lose access to required data and our products, and the development of new products, might become less effective. We could also become subject to increased legislative, regulatory or judicial restrictions or mandates on the collection, disclosure or use of such data, in particular if such data is not collected by our providers in a way that allows us to legally use the data. Third parties have asserted copyright and other intellectual property interests in these data, and these assertions, if successful, could prevent us from using these data. We may not be successful in maintaining our relationships with these external data source providers or in continuing to obtain data from them on acceptable terms or at all. Any interruption of our supply of data could seriously harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.



Global Operational Risks

Material adverse developments in global economic conditions, or the occurrence of certain other world events, could affect demand for our products and services and harm our business.

Purchases of technology products and services and decisioning solutions are subject to adverse economic conditions. When an economy is struggling, companies in many industries delay or reduce technology purchases, and we experience softened demand for our decisioning solutions and other products and services. Global economic uncertainty in the past, and currently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has produced substantial stress, volatility, illiquidity and disruption of global credit and other financial markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the global economy, leading to reduced consumer spending and lending activities and disruptions and volatility in the global capital markets. The pandemic has also caused shutdowns to businesses and cities worldwide and has disrupted supply chains, business operations, travel, and consumer confidence.

Economic uncertainty has and could continue to negatively affect the businesses and purchasing decisions of companies in the industries we serve. Such disruptions present considerable risks to our businesses and operations. As global economic conditions experience stress and negative volatility, or if there is an escalation in regional or global conflicts or terrorism, we will likely experience reductions in the number of available customers and in capital expenditures by our remaining customers, longer sales cycles, deferral or delay of purchase commitments for our products and increased price competition, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and liquidity.

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We willare subject to risks and uncertainties associated with the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the E.U., commonly referred to as “Brexit,” including implications for the free flow of labor and goods in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and the E.U. and other economic, financial, legal, tax and trade implications. Brexit could cause disruptions to and create uncertainty surrounding our business in the U.K., including affecting our relationships with our existing and future customers, suppliers and employees, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial results and operations. Brexit has caused, and may continue to rely upon proprietary technology rights,create, volatility in global stock markets and ifregional and global economic uncertainty, which may cause our customers to closely monitor their costs and reduce their spending budget on our products and services.
As a result of these conditions, risks and uncertainties, we may need to modify our strategies, businesses or operations, and we may incur additional costs in order to compete in a changed business environment. Given the volatile nature of the global economic environment and the uncertainties underlying efforts to stabilize it, we may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, as well as contingencies or developments, which may include regulatory developments and trends in new products and services. Our failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

In operations outside the U.S., we are unablesubject to protect them, our business could be harmed.

Our success depends, in part, upon our proprietary technology and other intellectual property rights. To date, we have relied primarily on a combination of copyright, patent, trade secret, and trademark laws, and nondisclosure and other contractual restrictions on copying and distribution, to protect our proprietary technology. This protection of our proprietary technology is limited, and our proprietary technology could be used by others without our consent. In addition, patentsadditional risks that may not be issued with respect to our pending or future patent applications, and our patents may not be upheld as valid or may not prevent the development of competitive products. Any disclosure, loss, invalidity of, or failure to protect our intellectual property could negatively impact our competitive position, and ultimately, our business. There can be no assurance that our protection of our intellectual property rights in the U.S. or abroad will be adequate or that others, including our competitors, will not use our proprietary technology without our consent. Furthermore, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.


SomeA growing portion of our technologiesrevenues is derived from international sales. During fiscal 2020, 32% of our revenues were developed under research projects conducted under agreements with various U.S. government agencies or subcontractors. Although we have commercial rights to these technologies,derived from business outside the U.S. government typically retains ownershipAs part of intellectual property rightsour growth strategy, we plan to continue to pursue opportunities outside the U.S., including opportunities in countries with economic systems that are in early stages of development and licenses in the technologies developed by us under these contracts, and in some cases can terminate our rights in these technologies if we fail to commercialize them on a timely basis. Under these contracts with the U.S. government, the results of research may be made public by the government, limiting our competitive advantage with respect to future products based on our research.

If we are subject to infringement claims, it could harm our business.

We expect that products in the industry segments in which we compete, including software products, will increasingly be subject to claims of patent and other intellectual property infringement as the number of products and competitors in our industry segments grow. We may need to defend claims that our products infringe intellectual property rights, and as a result we may:

incur significant defense costs or substantial damages;
be required to cease the use or sale of infringing products;
expend significant resources to develop or license a substitute non-infringing technology;
discontinue the use of some technology; or
be required to obtain a license under the intellectual property rights of the third party claiming infringement, which license may not mature sufficiently to result in growth for our business. Accordingly, our future operating results could be available or might require substantial royalties or license fees that would reducenegatively affected by a variety of factors arising out of international commerce, some of which are beyond our margins.control. These factors include:


Moreover,general economic and political conditions in recent years, individuals and groups that are non-practicing entities, commonly referred to as “patent trolls”, have purchased patents and other intellectual property assets for the purpose of making claims of infringement in order to extract settlements. From time to time,countries where we may receive threatening letters or notices or may be the subject of claims that our solutions and underlying technology infringe or violate the intellectual property rights of others. Responding to such claims, regardless of their merit, can be time consuming, costly to defend in litigation, divert management's attention and resources, damage our reputation and brand, and cause us to incur significant expenses.

If our security measures are compromised or unauthorized access to customer or consumer data is otherwise obtained,sell our products and services mayservices;
difficulty in staffing and efficiently managing our operations in multiple geographic locations and in various countries;
effects of a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including restrictions on access to personal information;
data privacy and consumer protection laws and regulations;
import and export licensing requirements;
longer payment cycles;
difficulties in enforcing contracts and collecting accounts receivable;
reduced protection for intellectual property rights;
currency fluctuations;
unfavorable tax rules or changes in tariffs and other trade barriers;
the presence and acceptance of varying levels of business corruption in international markets;
terrorism, war, natural disasters and pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; and
difficulties and delays in translating products and related documentation into foreign languages.

There can be perceived as not being secure, customers may curtail or cease their useno assurance that we will be able to successfully address each of these challenges in the near term. Additionally, some of our productsbusiness will be conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency transaction gains and services, our reputation may be damaged and we could incur significant liabilities.


Our business requires the storage, transmission and utilization of sensitive consumer and customer information. Many of our productslosses are provided by us through the Internet. Security breaches could expose us to a risk of loss, the unauthorized disclosure of consumer or customer information, litigation, indemnity obligations and other liability. If our security measures are breached as a result of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, and as a result, someone obtains unauthorized accessnot currently material to our systemscash flows, financial position or to consumer or customer information, our reputation may be damaged, our business may suffer and we could incur significant liability. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Malicious third parties may also conduct attacks designed to temporarily deny customers access to our services. Security compromises experienced by our competitors, by our distributors, by our customers or by us may lead to public disclosures, which may lead to widespread negative publicity. Any security compromiseresults of operations. However, an increase in our industry, whether actual or perceived,foreign revenues could harm our reputation, erode customer confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures, negatively impact our ability to attract new customers, cause existing customers to curtail or cease their use of our products and services, cause regulatory or industry changes that impact our products and services, or subject us to third-party lawsuits, regulatory fines or other action or liability, allincreased foreign currency transaction risks in the future.

In addition to the risk of which could materiallydepending on international sales, we have risks incurred in having research and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Protection from system interruptions is important to our business. If we experience system interruptions, it could harm our business.

Systems or network interruptions, including interruptions experienceddevelopment personnel located in connection with our cloud-based and other product offerings, could delay and disrupt our ability to develop, deliver or maintain our products and services, causing harm to our business and reputation and resulting in loss of customers or revenue. These interruptions can include software or hardware malfunctions, communication failures, outages or other failures of third party environments or service providers, fires, floods, earthquakes, power losses, equipment failures and other events beyond our control.

Risks Related to Our Industry

Our ability to increase our revenues will depend to some extent upon introducing new products and services. If the marketplace does not accept these new products and services, our revenues may decline.

various international locations. We currently have a significant sharesubstantial portion of the available market in portions of our Scores segment and for certain services in our Applications segment, specifically, the markets for account management services at credit card processors and credit card fraud detection software. To increase our revenues, we must enhance and improve existing products and continue to introduce new products and new versions of existing products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and achieve market acceptance. We believe much of the future growth of our business and the success of our DM strategy will rest on our ability to continue to expand into newer markets for our products and services. Such areas are relatively new to our product development staff in international locations, some of which have political and sales and marketing personnel. Products that we plan to market in the future are in various stages of development. We cannot assure you that the marketplace will accept these products.developmental risks. If our current or potential customers are not willing to switch to or adopt our new products and services, either as a result of the quality of these products and services or due to other factors, such as economic conditions, our revenues will decrease.

If we fail to keep up with rapidly changing technologies, our products could become less competitive or obsolete.

In our markets, technology changes rapidly, and there are continuous improvements in computer hardware, network operating systems, programming tools, programming languages, operating systems, database technologies, cloud-based technologies and the use of the Internet. If we fail to enhance our current products and develop new products in response to changes in technology or industry standards, or if we fail to bring product enhancements or new product developments to market quickly enough, our products could rapidly become less competitive or obsolete. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to:

innovate by internally developing new and competitive technologies;
use leading third-party technologies effectively;
continue to develop our technical expertise;
anticipate and effectively respond to changing customer needs;
initiate new product introductions in a way that minimizes the impact of customers delaying purchases of existing products in anticipation of new product releases; and
influence and respond to emerging industry standards and other technological changes.

If our competitors introduce new products and pricing strategies, it could decrease our product sales and market share, or could pressure us to reduce our product prices in a manner that reduces our margins.


We may not be able to compete successfully against our competitors, and this inability could impair our capacity to sell our products. The market for business analytics is new, rapidly evolving and highly competitive, and we expect competition in this market to persist and intensify. Our regional and global competitors vary in size and in the scope of the products and services they offer, and include:

in-house analytic and systems developers;
scoring model builders;
enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, and customer communication and mobility solution providers;
business intelligence solutions providers;
credit report and credit score providers;
business process management and decision rules management providers;
process modeling tools providers;
automated application processing services providers;
data vendors;
neural network developers and artificial intelligence system builders;
third-party professional services and consulting organizations;
account/workflow management software providers;
software tools companies supplying modeling, rules, or analytic development tools; collections and recovery solutions providers; entity resolution and social network analysis solutions providers; and
cloud-based customer engagement and risk management solutions providers.

We expect to experience additional competition from other established and emerging companies, as well as from other technologies. For example, certain of our fraud solutions products compete against other methods of preventing credit card fraud, such as credit cards that contain the cardholder’s photograph; smart cards; cardholder verification and authentication solutions; biometric measures on devices including fingerprint and face matching; and other card authorization techniques and user verification techniques. Many of our anticipated competitors have greater financial, technical, marketing, professional services and other resources than we do, and industry consolidation is creating even larger competitors in many of our markets. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. They may also be able to devote greater resources than we can to develop, promote and sell their products. Many of these companies have extensive customer relationships, including relationships with many of our current and potential customers. Furthermore, new competitors or alliances among competitors may emerge and rapidly gain significant market share. For example, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax have formed an alliance that has developed a credit scoring product competitive with our products. If we are unable to respond as quickly or effectively to changes in customer requirements as our competition, our ability to expandrisks materialize, our business could be damaged.

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Legal, Regulatory and sell our products will be negatively affected.Compliance Risks

Our competitors may be able to sell products competitive to ours at lower prices individually or as part of integrated suites of several related products. This ability may cause our customers to purchase products that directly compete with our products from our competitors. Price reductions by our competitors could negatively impact our margins, and could also harm our ability to obtain new long-term contracts and renewals of existing long-term contracts on favorable terms.


Laws and regulations in the U.S. and abroad that apply to us or to our customers may expose us to liability, cause us to incur significant expense, affect our ability to compete in certain markets, limit the profitability of or demand for our products, or render our products obsolete. If these laws and regulations require us to change our products and services, it could adversely affect our business and results of operations. New legislation or regulations, or changes to existing laws and regulations, may also negatively impact our business and increase our costs of doing business.


Laws and governmental regulation affect how our business is conducted and, in some cases, subject us to the possibility of government supervision and future lawsuits arising from our products and services. Laws and governmental regulation also influence our current and prospective customers’ activities, as well as their expectations and needs in relation to our products and services. Laws and regulations that may affect our business and our current and prospective customers’ activities include, but are not limited to, those in the following significant regulatory areas:


Use of data by creditors and consumer reporting agencies (e.g., the U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act);
Laws and regulations that limit the use of credit scoring models (e.g., state “mortgage trigger” or “inquiries” laws, state insurance restrictions on the use of credit-based insurance scores, and the E.U. Consumer Credit Directive);
Fair lending laws (e.g., the U.S. Truth In Lending Act and Regulation Z, theEqual Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, and the Fair Housing Act);

Privacy and security laws and regulations that limit the use and disclosure of personally identifiable information, require security procedures, or otherwise apply to the collection, processing, storage, use and transmissiontransfer of protected data (e.g., the U.S. Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the Gramm Leach Bliley Act; the E.U.General Data Protection DirectiveRegulation (the “GDPR”) and country-specific data protection laws enacted to supplement the country-specific regulations that implement that directive;GDPR; the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act; the Cybersecurity Act of 2015; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework; the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act; and identity theft, file freezing, security breach notification and similar state privacy laws);
Extension of credit to consumers through the Electronic Fund Transfers Act and Regulation E, as well as non‑governmental VISA and MasterCard electronic payment standards;
RegulationsLaws and guidelinesregulations applicable to secondary market participants (e.g., Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) that could have an impact on our products;scoring products and revenues, including 12 CFR Part 1254 (Validation and Approval of Credit Score Models) issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency in accordance with Section 310 of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 115-174), and any regulations, standards or criteria established pursuant to such laws or regulations;
Laws and regulations applicable to our customer communication clients and their use of our products and services (e.g., the Telemarketing Sales Rule, Telephone Consumer Protection Act and regulations promulgated thereunder);
Laws and regulations applicable to our insurance clients and their use of our insurance products and services;
The application or extension of consumer protection laws, including implementing regulations (e.g., the Consumer Financial Protection Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Truth In Lending Act and Regulation Z, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the Military Lending Act, and the Credit Repair Organizations Act);
Laws and regulations governing the use of the Internet and social media, telemarketing, advertising, endorsements and testimonials;
Anti-bribery and corruption laws and regulations (e.g., the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act)Act and the UK Bribery Act 2010);
Financial regulatory standards (e.g., Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements to maintain and verify internal process controls, including controls for material event awareness and notification);
Regulatory requirements for managing third parties (e.g., vendors, contractors, suppliers and distributors);
Anti-money laundering laws and regulations (e.g., the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PatriotPATRIOT Act);
Financial regulatory reform stemming from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the many regulations mandated by that Act, including regulations issued by, and the supervisory and investigative authority of, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;Protection Bureau; and
Laws and regulations regarding export controls as they apply to FICO products delivered in non-U.S. countries.countries (e.g., Office of Foreign Asset Control sanctions, and Export Administration Regulations).


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In addition, many U.S. and foreign jurisdictions have passed, or are currently contemplating, a variety of consumer protection, privacy, and data security laws and regulations that may relate to our business or affect the demand for our products and services. For example, the GDPR became effective on April 14, 2016,May 25, 2018 and imposes, among other things, strict obligations and restrictions on the ability to collect, analyze and transfer European Union (“E.U.”) personal data, a requirement for prompt notice of data breaches in certain circumstances, and possible substantial fines for any violations (including possible fines for certain violations of up to the greater of 20 million Euros or 4% of total worldwide annual revenue). A decision in July 2020 by the Court of Justice of the European Parliament formally adoptedUnion (i.e., Schrems II), calls into question certain data transfer mechanisms between the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which will supersedeE.U. and the existing Data Protection DirectiveU.S. The decision may have an adverse impact on cross-border transfers of 95/46/ECpersonal data, may subject us to additional scrutiny from E.U. regulators or may increase our costs of compliance.

Brazil, India, South Africa, Japan, China, Israel, Canada, and several other countries have introduced and, in 2018.some cases, enacted, similar privacy and data security laws. The GDPR imposes more stringent operational requirements for entities processingCalifornia Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”) gives California residents certain privacy rights in the collection and disclosure of their personal information and greater penalties for noncompliance. requires businesses to make certain disclosures and take certain other acts in furtherance of those rights. A new privacy law, the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), passed via a ballot referendum in November 2020, and will revise and expand the scope of the CCPA. Other U.S. states have considered and/or enacted similar privacy laws.
The costs and other burdens of compliance with privacy and data security laws and regulations could negatively impact the use and adoption of our solutions and reduce overall demand for them. Additionally, concerns regarding data privacy may cause our customers, or their customers and potential customers, to resist providing the data necessary to allow us to deliver our solutions effectively. Even the perception that the privacy of personal information is not satisfactorily protected or does not meet regulatory requirements could inhibit sales of our solutions and any failure to comply with such laws and regulations could lead to significant fines, penalties or other liabilities. Any such decrease in demand or incurred fines, penalties or other liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.


In addition to existing laws and regulations, changes in the U.S. or foreign legislative, judicial, regulatory or consumer environments could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations. The laws and regulations above, and changes to them or their interpretation by the courts, could affect the demand for or profitability of our products, including scoring and consumer products. New laws and regulations pertaining to our customers could cause them to pursue new strategies, reducing the demand for our products.


If we are subject to infringement claims, it could harm our business.

We expect that products in the industry segments in which we compete, including software products, will increasingly be subject to claims of patent and other intellectual property infringement as the number of products and competitors in our industry segments grow. We may need to defend claims that our products infringe intellectual property rights, and as a result we may:

incur significant defense costs or substantial damages;
be required to cease the use or sale of infringing products;
expend significant resources to develop or license a substitute non-infringing technology;
discontinue the use of some technology; or
be required to obtain a license under the intellectual property rights of the third-party claiming infringement, which license may not be available or might require substantial royalties or license fees that would reduce our margins.

Moreover, in recent years, individuals and groups that are non-practicing entities, commonly referred to as “patent trolls,” have purchased patents and other intellectual property assets for the purpose of making claims of infringement in order to extract settlements. From time to time, we may receive threatening letters or notices or may be the subject of claims that our solutions and underlying technology infringe or violate the intellectual property rights of others. Responding to such claims, regardless of their merit, can be time consuming, costly to defend in litigation, divert management's attention and resources, damage our reputation and brand, and cause us to incur significant expenses.

Financial Risks

Our products have long and variable sales cycles. If we do not accurately predict these cycles, we may not forecast our financial results accurately, and our stock price could be adversely affected.

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We experience difficulty in forecasting our revenues depend,accurately because the length of our sales cycles makes it difficult for us to predict the quarter in which sales will occur. In addition, our selling approach is complex as we look to sell multiple products and services across our customers’ organizations. This makes forecasting of revenues in any given period more difficult. As a result of our sales approach and lengthening sales cycles, revenues and operating results may vary significantly from period to period. For example, the sales cycle for our products typically ranges from 60 days to 18 months, which may be further extended as a result of COVID-19. Customers are often cautious in making decisions to acquire our products because purchasing our products typically involves a significant commitment of capital and may involve shifts by the customer to a greatnew software and/or hardware platform or changes in the customer’s operational procedures. This may cause customers, particularly those experiencing financial stress, to make purchasing decisions more cautiously. Delays in completing sales can arise while customers complete their internal procedures to approve large capital expenditures and test and accept our applications. Consequently, we face difficulty predicting the quarter in which sales to expected customers will occur and experience fluctuations in our revenues and operating results. If we are unable to accurately forecast our revenues, our stock price could be adversely affected.
We typically have revenue-generating transactions concentrated in the final weeks of a quarter, which may prevent accurate forecasting of our financial results and cause our stock price to decline.

Large portions of our customer agreements are consummated in the weeks immediately preceding quarter end. Before these agreements are consummated, we create and rely on forecasted revenues for planning, modeling and earnings guidance. Forecasts, however, are only estimates and actual results may vary for a particular quarter or longer periods of time. Consequently, significant discrepancies between actual and forecasted results could limit our ability to plan, budget or provide accurate guidance, which could adversely affect our stock price. Any publicly-stated revenue or earnings projections are subject to this risk.
Charges to earnings resulting from acquisitions may adversely affect our operating results.

Under business combination accounting standards, we recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in acquired companies generally at their acquisition-date fair values and separately from goodwill. Goodwill is measured as the excess amount of consideration transferred, which is also generally measured at fair value, and the net of the amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are inherently uncertain.

After we complete an acquisition, the following factors could result in material charges and adversely affect our operating results and may adversely affect our cash flows:

impairment of goodwill or intangible assets, or a reduction in the useful lives of intangible assets acquired;
amortization of intangible assets acquired;
identification of, or changes to, assumed contingent liabilities, both income tax and non-income tax related, after our final determination of the amounts for these contingencies or the conclusion of the measurement period (generally up to one year from the acquisition date), whichever comes first;
costs incurred to combine the operations of companies we acquire, such as transitional employee expenses and employee retention, redeployment or relocation expenses;
charges to our operating results to maintain certain duplicative pre-merger activities for an extended period of time or to maintain these activities for a period of time that is longer than we had anticipated, charges to eliminate certain duplicative pre-merger activities, and charges to restructure our operations or to reduce our cost structure; and
charges to our operating results resulting from expenses incurred to effect the acquisition.

Substantially all of these costs will be accounted for as expenses that will decrease our net income and earnings per share for the periods in which those costs are incurred. Charges to our operating results in any given period could differ substantially from other periods based on the timing and size of our future acquisitions and the extent uponof integration activities. A more detailed discussion of our accounting for business combinations and other items is presented in the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Part I, Item 2).
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General Risk Factors

The occurrence of certain negative events may cause fluctuations in our stock price.

The market price of our common stock has been volatile and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations due to a number of factors, including variations in our revenues and operating results. We believe that you should not rely on period-to-period comparisons of financial results as an indication of future performance. Because many of our operating expenses are fixed and will not be affected by short-term fluctuations in revenues, short-term fluctuations in revenues may significantly impact operating results. Additional factors that may cause our stock price to fluctuate include the following:

variability in demand from our existing customers;
failure to meet the expectations of market analysts;
changes in recommendations by market analysts;
the lengthy and variable sales cycle of many products, combined with the relatively large size of orders for our products, increases the likelihood of short-term fluctuation in revenues;
consumer or customer dissatisfaction with, or problems caused by, the performance of our products;
the timing of new product announcements and introductions in comparison with our competitors;
the level of our operating expenses;
changes in demand and competitive and other conditions in the banking (including consumer credit) and insurance industries. If our clients’ industries experience uncertainty, it will likely harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

During fiscal 2017, 76% of our revenues were derived from sales of products and services to the banking and insurance industries. Global economic uncertainty experienced in the U.S. and other key international economies in the past produced substantial stress, volatility, illiquidity and disruption of global credit and other financial markets, resulting in the bankruptcy or acquisition of, or government assistance to, several major domestic and international financial institutions. The potential for disruptions presents considerable risks to our businesses and operations. These risks include potential bankruptcies or credit deterioration of financial institutions, many of which are our customers. Such disruption would result in a decline in the revenue we receive from financial and other institutions.


While the rate of account growth in the U.S. bankcard industry has been slow and many of our large institutional customers have consolidated in recent years, we have generated most of our revenue growth from our bankcard-related scoring and account management businesses by selling and cross-selling our products and services to large banks and other credit issuers. As the banking industry continues to experience contraction in the number of participating institutions, we may have fewer opportunities for revenue growth due to reduced or changing demand for our products and services that support customer acquisition programs of our customers. In addition, industry contraction could affect the base of recurring revenues derived from contracts in which we are paid on a per-transaction basis as formerly separate customers combine their operations under one contract. There can be no assurance that we will be able to prevent future revenue contraction or effectively promote future revenue growth in our businesses.

While we are attempting to expand our sales of consumer credit, banking and insurance productsindustries;
fluctuations in domestic and services into international markets, the risks are greater as these markets are also experiencing substantial disruption and we are less well-known in them.

Risks Related to External Conditions

Material adverse developments in global economic conditions or the occurrence of certain other world events, could affect demand for our products and services and harm our business.

Purchases of technology products and services and decisioning solutions are subject to adverse economic conditions. When an economy is struggling, companies in many industries delay or reduce technology purchases, and we experience softened demand for our decisioning solutions and other products and services. Global economic uncertainty has produced substantial stress, volatility, illiquidity and disruption of global credit and other financial markets in the past. Any economic uncertainty can negatively affect the businesses and purchasing decisions of companies in the industries we serve. The potential for disruptions presents considerable risks to our businesses and operations. If global economic conditions experience stress and negative volatility, or if there is an escalation in regional or global conflicts or terrorism, we will likely experience reductions in the number of available customers and in capital expenditures by our remaining customers, longer sales cycles, deferral or delay of purchase commitments for our products and increased price competition,, such as those which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and liquidity.

For example, on June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the E.U., commonly referred tohave occurred as “Brexit.” As a result of the referendum, on March 29, 2017, the U.K. triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty formally starting negotiations regarding its exit from the E.U. The U.K. has two yearsCOVID-19 pandemic;
our ability to complete these negotiations,large installations, and the future relationship between the U.K.to adopt and the E.U. remains unknown. Brexit has caused,configure cloud-based deployments, on schedule and may continuewithin budget;
announcements relating to create, volatility in global stock markets and regional and global economic uncertainty, which may cause our customers to closely monitor their costs and reduce their spending budget on our products and services.

Whether or not recent or new legislativelitigation or regulatory initiativesmatters;
changes in senior management or other efforts successfully stabilizekey personnel;
acquisition-related expenses and add liquidity tocharges; and
timing of orders for and deliveries of software systems.
In addition, the financial markets we may needhave at various times experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the stock prices of many technology companies and financial services companies, and these fluctuations sometimes have been unrelated to modify our strategies, businesses or operations, and we may incur additional costs in order to compete in a changed business environment. Given the volatile natureoperating performance of the global economic environment and the uncertainties underlying efforts to stabilize it, we may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks,these companies. Broad market fluctuations, as well as contingencies or developments,industry-specific and general economic conditions, may negatively affect our business and require us to record an impairment charge related to goodwill, which may include regulatory developments and trends in new products and services. Our failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, stock price and prospects.business.

In operations outside the U.S., we are subject to unique risks that may harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

A growing portion of our revenues is derived from international sales. During fiscal 2017, 36% of our revenues were derived from business outside the U.S. As part of our growth strategy, we plan to continue to pursue opportunities outside the U.S., including opportunities in countries with economic systems that are in early stages of development and that may not mature sufficiently to result in growth for our business. Accordingly, our future operating results could be negatively affected by a variety of factors arising out of international commerce, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

general economic and political conditions in countries where we sell our products and services;
difficulty in staffing and efficiently managing our operations in multiple geographic locations and in various countries;
effects of a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including restrictions on access to personal information;
import and export licensing requirements;
longer payment cycles;
reduced protection for intellectual property rights;
currency fluctuations;
changes in tariffs and other trade barriers; and
difficulties and delays in translating products and related documentation into foreign languages.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully address each of these challenges in the near term. Additionally, some of our business will be conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are not currently material to our cash flows, financial position or results of operations. However, an increase in our foreign revenues could subject us to increased foreign currency transaction risks in the future.

In addition to the risk of depending on international sales, we have risks incurred in having research and development personnel located in various international locations. We currently have a substantial portion of our product development staff in international locations, some of which have political and developmental risks. If such risks materialize, our business could be damaged.


Our anti-takeover defenses could make it difficult for another company to acquire control of FICO, thereby limiting the demand for our securities by certain types of purchasers or the price investors are willing to pay for our stock.


Certain provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, could make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us difficult, even if such events would be beneficial to the interests of our stockholders. These provisions include giving our board the ability to issue preferred stock and determine the rights and designations of the preferred stock at any time without stockholder approval. The rights of the holders of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third partythird-party to acquire, or discouraging a third partythird-party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. These factors and certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or otherwise delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in our management, including transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a premium over the fair market value of our common stock.


If we experience changes in tax laws or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income tax returns, it could adversely affect our results of operations.


We are subject to federal and state income taxes in the U.S. and in certain foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws, by our ability to generate taxable income in foreign jurisdictions in order to utilize foreign tax losses, and by the valuation of our deferred tax assets. In addition, we are subject to the examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from such examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from such examinations will not have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
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Table of Contents
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (2)
 
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs (2)
October 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017254,431
 $145.20
 252,067
 $110,107
November 1, 2017 through November 30, 201724,955
 $156.16
 20,716
 $246,749,631
December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017303,307
 $157.03
 62,135
 $236,999,395
 582,693
 $151.83
 334,918
 $236,999,395
Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (2)
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs (2)
January 1, 2021 through January 31, 20211,207 $378.14 — $174,777,136 
February 1, 2021 through February 28, 2021240,540 $466.57 240,000 $62,806,464 
March 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021200,901 $464.74 200,588 $471,322,083 
442,648 $465.50 440,588 $471,322,083 
(1)Includes 247,775 shares delivered in satisfaction of the tax withholding obligations resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units held by employees during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
(2)In July 2016, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program following the completion of our previous program. This program was open-ended and authorized repurchases of shares of our common stock up to an aggregate cost of $250.0 million in the open market or in negotiated transactions. In October 2017, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program following the completion of the July 2016 program. The new program is open-ended and authorizes repurchases of shares of our common stock up to an aggregate cost of $250.0 million in the open market or in negotiated transactions.

(1)Includes 2,060 shares delivered in satisfaction of the tax withholding obligations resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units held by employees during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
(2)In July 2020, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program following the completion of our previous program. This program was open-ended and authorized repurchases of shares of our common stock up to an aggregate cost of $250.0 million in the open market or in negotiated transactions. On March 12, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program following the completion of the July 2020 program. This new program is open-ended and authorizes repurchases of shares of our common stock up to an aggregate cost of $500.0 million in the open market or in negotiated transactions.
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.Other Information
Not applicable.

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Table of Contents
Item 6.Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
3.2
10.1
10.2*10.2 *
10.3*10.3 *
10.4 *
10.5 *
10.6 *
10.7 *
31.1 *
31.2 *
32.1 *
32.2 *
101.INS *Inline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH *Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL *Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF *Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB *Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE *Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104 *Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
*Filed herewith.

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Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION
DATE:January 25, 2018May 5, 2021
By/s/ MICHAEL J. PUNGI. MCLAUGHLIN
Michael J. PungI. McLaughlin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(for Registrant as duly authorized officer and
as Principal Financial Officer)
DATE:January 25, 2018May 5, 2021
By/s/ MICHAEL S. LEONARD
Michael S. Leonard
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)





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