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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014
 
OR
[  ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ----- to -----

Commission file number 0-13163
   
Acxiom Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
71-0581897
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
P.O. Box 8180, 601 E. Third Street,
Little Rock, Arkansas
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
72201
(Zip Code)
(501) 342-1000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
 
   
Yes  [X]
No  [ ]
     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
 
Yes [X]
No [ ]
     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
Large accelerated filer [X]
 
Accelerated filer   [ ]
   
 
Non-accelerated filer [ ]
 
Smaller reporting company [ ]
 
   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
 
   
Yes  [ ]
No  [X]
     
             
The number of shares of Common Stock, $ 0.10 par value per share, outstanding as of August 5, 2014 was 77,150,654.
 

 

 

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
June 30, 2014

 
Page No.
  Item 1.   Financial Statements    
     
   
3
     
   
4
     
   
5
     
   
6
     
   
7-8
     
   
9-22
     
  Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   23-32
       
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   33
     
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures   33
 
   
Part II. Other Information    
     
  Legal Proceedings   34
     
Item 5.   Other Information   34
         
Item 6.   Exhibits   35
       
Signature     36
       
Exhibit Index     37 


 

 

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
   
June 30,
2014
   
March 31,
2014
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 392,918     $ 418,586  
Trade accounts receivable, net
    150,605       160,718  
Deferred income taxes
    12,285       12,870  
Refundable income taxes
    11,436       11,535  
Other current assets
    51,644       54,484  
Assets from discontinued operations
    1,140       7,332  
Total current assets
    620,028       665,525  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
    216,322       216,906  
Software, net of accumulated amortization
    40,766       39,425  
Goodwill
    358,671       358,384  
Purchased software licenses, net of accumulated amortization
    19,079       18,584  
Other assets, net
    22,607       24,477  
    $ 1,277,473     $ 1,323,301  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Current installments of long-term debt
  $ 31,368     $ 28,567  
Trade accounts payable
    42,803       36,179  
Accrued expenses
               
Payroll
    31,010       62,182  
Other
    67,777       70,412  
Deferred revenue
    43,481       47,638  
Income taxes payable
    -       241  
Liabilities from discontinued operations
    1,681       4,250  
Total current liabilities
    218,120       249,469  
Long-term debt
    278,975       289,043  
Deferred income taxes
    88,480       90,226  
Other liabilities
    12,464       11,706  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Equity:
               
Common stock
    12,644       12,584  
Additional paid-in capital
    988,607       981,985  
Retained earnings
    595,225       602,829  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    14,428       13,662  
Treasury stock, at cost
    (931,470 )     (928,203 )
Total equity
    679,434       682,857  
    $ 1,277,473     $ 1,323,301  
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
               

 

 

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
     
For the Three Months ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
             
Revenues
  $ 242,215     $ 257,178  
Operating costs and expenses:
               
Cost of revenue
    192,303       196,105  
Selling, general and administrative
    46,938       37,615  
Gains, losses and other items, net
    7,452       -  
Total operating costs and expenses
    246,693       233,720  
Income (loss) from operations
    (4,478 )     23,458  
Other expense:
               
Interest expense
    (2,571 )     (3,019 )
Other, net
    (413 )     104  
Total other expense
    (2,984 )     (2,915 )
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (7,462 )     20,543  
Income taxes
    (1,390 )     8,040  
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
    (6,072 )     12,503  
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (1,532 )     592  
Net earnings (loss)
    (7,604 )     13,095  
Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
    -       (85 )
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Acxiom
  $ (7,604 )   $ 13,180  
                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
               
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (0.08 )   $ 0.17  
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    (0.02 )     0.01  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.18  
                 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Acxiom stockholders
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.18  
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
               
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (0.08 )   $ 0.17  
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    (0.02 )     0.01  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.17  
                 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Acxiom stockholders
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.17  
                 
                 
                 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
               


 

 


ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
     
For the Three Months ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
             
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (7,604 )   $ 13,095  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment
    917       (2,747 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap
    (151 )     198  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    766       (2,549 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
    (6,838 )     10,546  
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    -       (85 )
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Acxiom stockholders
  $ (6,838 )   $ 10,631  
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
               

 

 

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

                   
Accumulated
             
   
Common Stock
 
Additional
     
other
 
Treasury Stock
     
   
Number
     
paid-in
 
Retained
 
comprehensive
 
Number
       
Total
   
of shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
income
 
of shares
 
Amount
   
Equity
Balances at March 31, 2014
 
125,843,608
 
$12,584
 
$981,985
 
$    602,829 
 
$13,662  
 
(49,203,507)
 
$(928,203)
   
$682,857 
Employee stock awards, benefit plans and other issuances
 
114,774
 
12
 
2,596
 
 
-  
 
(151,830)
 
(3,282)
   
(674)
Non-cash share-based compensation
 
-
 
-
 
4,074
 
 
-  
 
-  
 
15  
   
4,089 
Restricted stock units vested
 
483,284
 
48
 
(48)
 
 
-  
 
-  
 
-  
   
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                 
Foreign currency translation
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 
917  
 
-  
 
-  
   
917 
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 
(151)
 
-  
 
-  
   
(151)
Net earnings (loss)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(7,604)
 
-  
 
-  
 
-  
   
(7,604)
Balances at June 30, 2014
 
126,441,666
 
$12,644
 
$988,607
 
$    595,225 
 
$14,428  
 
(49,355,337)
 
$(931,470)
   
$679,434  
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
     
For the Three Months ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (7,604 )   $ 13,095  
Loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    1,532       (592 )
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    27,524       25,048  
Deferred income taxes
    (1,843 )     (588 )
Non-cash share-based compensation expense
    4,089       3,181  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    12,482       2,216  
Other assets
    2,736       743  
Deferred costs
    (1,383 )     -  
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    (29,022 )     (27,826 )
Deferred revenue
    (6,644 )     1,231  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,867       16,508  
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capitalized software development costs
    (4,969 )     (5,954 )
Capital expenditures
    (19,001 )     (8,912 )
Data acquisition costs
    (635 )     (1,961 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (24,605 )     (16,827 )
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Payments of debt
    (5,502 )     (4,890 )
Acquisition of treasury stock
    -       (16,139 )
Sale of common stock, net of stock acquired for withholding taxes
    (674 )     5,755  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (6,176 )     (15,274 )
Net cash used in continuing operations
    (28,914 )     (15,593 )
 
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
               
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (13 )     341  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    2,927       (8 )
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
    2,914       333  
 
Net cash used in continuing and discontinued operations
    (26,000 )     (15,260 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    332       (84 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (25,668 )     (15,344 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    418,586       222,974  
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 392,918     $ 207,630  
                 


 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
     
For the Three Months ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
           
Cash paid during the period for:
           
Interest
  $ 2,875     $ 3,011  
Income taxes
    297       1,084  
Payments on capital leases and installment payment arrangements
    1,235       2,900  
Other debt payments
    4,267       1,990  
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
               
                 
                 
                 
                 


 

 

ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)

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

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Acxiom Corporation (“Registrant,” “Acxiom” or “the Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “the Commission”).  In the opinion of the Registrant’s management all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods included have been made and the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Certain note information has been omitted because it has not changed significantly from that reflected in notes 1 through 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of Item 8 of the Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 (“2014 Annual Report”), as filed with the Commission on May 28, 2014.  This report and the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with the 2014 Annual Report.  The financial information contained in this report is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other period or for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Certain of the accounting policies used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are complex and require management to make judgments and/or significant estimates regarding amounts reported or disclosed in these financial statements.  Additionally, the application of certain of these accounting policies is governed by complex accounting principles and their interpretation.  A discussion of the Company’s significant accounting principles and their application is included in note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts reported in previous periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  On May 30, 2014 the Company substantially completed the sale of its U.K. call center operation, 2Touch, to Parseq Ltd., a European business process outsourcing service provider.  Some assets of the 2Touch operation are subject to a second closing, expected to occur during the current fiscal year.  The business qualified for treatment as discontinued operations during the current fiscal quarter.  The results of operations and the balance sheet amounts pertaining to 2Touch have been classified as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 4, Discontinued Operations, for more information regarding the sale.


 

 


2.           EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
   
For the quarter ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
           
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (6,072 )   $ 12,503  
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    (1,532 )     592  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (7,604 )   $ 13,095  
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
    -       (85 )
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Acxiom
  $ (7,604 )   $ 13,180  
                 
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
    76,833       73,679  
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ (0.08 )   $ 0.17  
Discontinued operations
  $ (0.02 )   $ 0.01  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.18  
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
  $ -     $ -  
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Acxiom
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.18  
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
               
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
    76,833       73,679  
Dilutive effect of common stock options, warrants, and restricted stock as computed under the treasury stock method
    -       1,812  
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
    76,833       75,491  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
               
Continuing operations
  $ (0.08 )   $ 0.17  
Discontinued operations
  $ (0.02 )   $ 0.01  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.17  
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
  $ -     $ -  
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Acxiom
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.17  
                 

Some earnings (loss) per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

Options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units that were outstanding during the periods presented, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the effect was antidilutive are shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
       
For the quarter ended
June 30
           
2014
 
2013
Number of shares outstanding under options, warrants and restricted stock units
         
1,872
 
4,018
Range of exercise prices for options and warrants
         
$21.17-$62.06
 
$21.06-$62.06
                 

 
10

 
In addition to the antidilutive items shown above, because of the loss reported for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, all options, warrants, and restricted stock are excluded from the diluted weighted-average shares calculation since the effect would be antidilutive.

Stockholders’ Equity

On August 29, 2011, the board of directors adopted a common stock repurchase program.  That program was subsequently modified and expanded on December 5, 2011, on May 24, 2012, on February 5, 2013, and again on November 18, 2013.  Under the modified common stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase up to $250.0 million of its common stock through the period ending November 18, 2014.  During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company had no common stock repurchases.  Through June 30, 2014, the Company had repurchased 12.3 million shares of its stock for $192.6 million, leaving remaining capacity of $57.4 million under the stock repurchase program.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income are as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
June 30,
2014
   
March 31,
2014
 
Foreign currency translation
  $ 14,603     $ 13,686  
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap
    (175 )     (24 )
    $ 14,428     $ 13,662  

Noncontrolling Interest

During fiscal year 2011, the Company acquired a 70% interest in GoDigital (Acxiom Brazil), a data quality and precision marketing firm located in Brazil.  Since Acxiom had voting control of the entity, its results were included in Acxiom’s consolidated results.  The interest that was not Acxiom-owned was reflected as noncontrolling interest in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  During fiscal 2014, the Company acquired the balance of the outstanding equity interests it did not already own in Acxiom Brazil and, as a result, the subsidiary is now wholly-owned.

3.           SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION:

Share-based Compensation Plans

The Company has stock option and equity compensation plans for which a total of 26.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance since inception of the plans.  These plans provide that the exercise prices of qualified options will be at or above the fair market value of the common stock at the time of the grant.  Board policy requires that nonqualified options also be priced at or above the fair market value of the common stock at the time of grant.  At June 30, 2014, there were a total of 3.3 million shares available for future grants under the plans.

Stock Option Activity
The Company granted 381,509 stock options in the three months ended June 30, 2014.  The per-share weighted-average fair value of the stock options granted during the three months ended June 30, 2014 was $8.14.  This valuation was determined using a customized binomial lattice approach with the following weighted-average assumptions: dividend yield of 0.0%; risk-free interest rate of 2.5%; expected option life of 4.4 years; expected volatility of 43% and a suboptimal exercise multiple of 1.4.


 
11 

 


Option activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014 was as follows:

   
Number
of shares
   
Weighted-average exercise price
per share
   
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)
   
Aggregate intrinsic value
(in thousands)
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2014
    4,538,518     $ 20.30              
Granted
    381,509     $ 21.17              
Exercised
    (14,137 )   $ 18.79           $ 50  
Forfeited or cancelled
    (520,923 )   $ 34.66                
Outstanding at June 30, 2014
    4,384,967     $ 18.67       4.73     $ 19,297  
 
Exercisable at June 30, 2014
    3,152,528     $ 19.09       3.25     $ 14,034  

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between Acxiom’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the quarter and the exercise price for each in-the-money option) that would have been realized by the option holders had option holders exercised their options on June 30, 2014.  This amount changes based upon changes in the fair market value of Acxiom’s common stock.

Following is a summary of stock options outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, 2014:

     
Options outstanding
   
Options exercisable
 
Range of
exercise price
per share
   
Options
outstanding
 
Weighted- average remaining contractual life
 
Weighted-average
exercise price
per share
   
Options
exercisable
   
Weighted-average
exercise price
per share
 
                             
$ 6.32 - $ 8.90       39,668  
3.61 years
  $ 8.74       39,668     $ 8.74  
$ 11.08 - $ 14.42       1,728,984  
6.01 years
  $ 13.21       1,115,733     $ 13.04  
$ 15.10 - $ 19.76       686,167  
2.20 years
  $ 16.38       686,167     $ 16.38  
$ 20.44 - $ 25.00       1,590,000  
5.15 years
  $ 22.32       990,364     $ 22.95  
$ 26.33 - $ 29.30       115,358  
1.03 years
  $ 27.94       115,358     $ 27.94  
$ 32.85 - $ 35.16       91,812  
2.76 years
  $ 34.45       72,260     $ 34.88  
$ 40.88 - $ 62.06       132,978  
1.13 years
  $ 41.82       132,978     $ 41.82  
          4,384,967  
4.73 years
  $ 18.67       3,152,528     $ 19.09  

Total expense related to stock options for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $0.7 million and $0.5 million respectively.  Future expense for these options is expected to be approximately $7.2 million over the next four years.

Stock Appreciation Right (SAR) Activity
During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted 245,404 performance-based SARs with a value at the date of grant of $0.5 million and having an exercise price of $40.  All of the performance-based SARs granted in the current period vest subject to attainment of performance criteria established by the compensation committee of the board of directors.  The units granted in the current period may vest in a number of SARs up to 100% of the award, based on the attainment of certain revenue targets for the period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017.  At vesting, the SARs will be automatically exercised, and the award recipient may receive a number of common stock shares equal to the number of SARs that are being exercised multiplied by the quotient of (a) the final Company stock market value (up to a maximum share value of $70) minus the SAR exercise price, divided by (b) the SAR exercise price.  The SARs contain an accelerated exercise provision if the closing market price of the Company’s stock exceeds the $70 maximum share value for 20 consecutive trading days during the performance period.   The grant date value of the performance-based SARs is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model.   


 
12 

 


Following is a summary of SAR activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014:
   
Number
of shares
   
Weighted-average exercise price
per share
   
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)
   
Aggregate intrinsic value
(in thousands)
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2014
    -     $ -              
Granted
    245,404     $ 40.00              
Outstanding at June 30, 2014
    245,404     $ 40.00       2.76     $ -  
 
Exercisable at June 30, 2014
    -     $ -       -     $ -  

Total expense related to SARs for the three months ended June 30, 2014 was not material.  Future expense for these SARs is expected to be approximately $0.5 million over the next three years.

Restricted Stock Unit Activity
During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted time-vesting restricted stock units covering 395,902 shares of common stock with a value at the date of grant of $8.4 million.  Of the restricted stock units granted in the current period, 387,872 vest in equal annual increments over four years and 8,030 vest in one year.    Valuation of these units is equal to the quoted market price for the shares on the date of grant.

Non-vested time-vesting restricted stock unit activity for the three-month period ending June 30, 2014 was as follows:

   
Number
of shares
   
Weighted average fair value per
share at grant date
   
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2014
    1,078,029     $ 18.46       2.17  
Granted
    395,902     $ 21.17          
Vested
    (302,774 )   $ 16.19          
Forfeited or cancelled
    (16,091 )   $ 21.65          
Outstanding at June 30, 2014
    1,155,066     $ 19.94       2.65  

During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock units covering 232,274 shares of common stock with a value at the date of grant of $4.5 million.  All of the performance-based restricted stock units granted in the current period vest subject to attainment of performance criteria established by the compensation committee of the board of directors.  The units granted in the current period may vest in a number of shares from zero to 200% of the award, based on the attainment of an earnings-per-share target for fiscal 2017, with a modifier based on the total shareholder return of Acxiom stock compared to total shareholder return of a group of peer companies established by the compensation committee of the board of directors for the period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017.  The value of the performance units is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model.  

Non-vested performance-based restricted stock unit activity for the three-month period ending June 30, 2014 was as follows:

   
Number
of shares
   
Weighted average fair value per
share at grant date
   
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2014
    1,066,828     $ 14.19       0.91  
Granted
    232,274     $ 19.29          
Vested
    (115,086 )   $ 14.38          
Forfeited or cancelled
    (4,474 )   $ 26.00          
Outstanding at June 30, 2014
    1,179,542     $ 15.13       1.16  

Total expense related to all restricted stock units in the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $3.3 million and $2.7 million respectively.  Future expense for these restricted stock units is expected to be approximately $28.9 million over the next four years.

 
 
13

 
Other Performance Unit Activity
During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted 201,464 performance-based units with a value at the date of grant of $1.0 million.  All of the performance-based units granted in the current period vest subject to attainment of performance criteria established by the compensation committee of the board of directors.  The units granted in the current period may vest in a number of units up to 100% of the award, based on the attainment of certain revenue targets for the period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017.  At vesting, the award recipient may receive a number of common stock shares equal to the number of units vested multiplied by a share price factor.  The share price factor modifies the final number of common shares awarded based on the Company’s stock price having a range of 0% at a $40 Company stock price, or below, to 100% at a $70 Company stock price. The units also contain an accelerated exercise provision if the closing market price of the Company’s stock exceeds the $70 maximum share value for 20 consecutive trading days during the performance period.   The grant date value of the performance-based units is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model.  

Following is a summary of other performance unit activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014:
   
Number
of shares
   
Weighted average fair value per
share at grant date
   
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2014
    -     $ -       -  
Granted
    201,464     $ 5.18          
Outstanding at June 30, 2014
    201,464     $ 5.18       2.76  

Total expense related to other performance units for the three months ended June 30, 2014 was not material.  Future expense for these performance units is expected to be approximately $1.0 million over the next three years.

4.           DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

On May 30, 2014, the Company substantially completed the sale of its U.K. call center operation, 2Touch, to Parseq Ltd., a European business process outsourcing service provider.  Some assets of the 2Touch operation are subject to a second closing, expected to occur during the current fiscal year.  The business qualified for treatment as discontinued operations during the current fiscal quarter.  The results of operations, cash flows, and the balance sheet amounts pertaining to 2Touch have been classified as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The 2Touch business unit was included in the Other services segment in the Company’s segment results presented in prior periods.  However, in the current fiscal quarter, the 2Touch business unit is excluded from segment results and segregated as discontinued operations.

Summary results of operations of the 2Touch business unit for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are segregated and included in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and are as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
For the quarter ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Revenues
  $ 5,762     $ 9,015  
                 
Earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes
  $ 343     $ 614  
Loss on sale of discontinued operations before income taxes
    (1,875 )     -  
Income taxes
    -       (22 )
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $ (1,532 )   $ 592  
                 

 
14

 
The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities of the 2Touch business unit are segregated and included in assets from discontinued operations and liabilities from discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
June 30,
2014
   
March 31,
 2014
 
Trade accounts receivable, net
  $ 886     $ 6,451  
Other current assets
    5       881  
Other assets, net
    249       -  
Assets from discontinued operations
  $ 1,140     $ 7,332  
                 
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 380     $ 4  
Accrued payroll and related expenses
    178       1,790  
Other accrued expenses
    1,040       2,350  
Deferred revenue
    83       106  
Liabilities from discontinued operations
  $ 1,681     $ 4,250  
                 

5.           ACQUISITIONS

Subsequent Event

On July 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of LiveRamp, Inc., a leading service provider for onboarding customer data into digital marketing applications.  As a result of this transaction, LiveRamp is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company paid $265.7 million, net of cash acquired, in cash for all outstanding shares of LiveRamp, resulting in a 100% change in control of LiveRamp.  The purchase price for the acquisition will also include certain replacement stock options issued to LiveRamp employees.  The Company has not yet completed the purchase accounting for the acquisition.  Results of operations for LiveRamp will be included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Upon the completion of the acquisition on July 1, 2014, the Company incurred a liability amounting to $0.8 million payable to a third party for transaction fees relating to the acquisition.  In addition, transaction fees related to the acquisition were $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014.

LiveRamp will be included in the Marketing and data services segment.  LiveRamp’s annual revenue for its most recent fiscal year was approximately $22 million.

6.           OTHER CURRENT AND NONCURRENT ASSETS:

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

   
June 30,
2014
   
March 31,
 2014
 
Prepaid expenses
  $ 36,915     $ 40,339  
Assets of non-qualified retirement plan
    14,069       13,900  
Other miscellaneous assets
    660       245  
Other current assets
  $ 51,644     $ 54,484  



 
15 

 


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

   
June 30,
2014
   
March 31,
 2014
 
Acquired intangible assets, net
  $ 220     $ 281  
Deferred data acquisition costs
    4,275       4,502  
Deferred expenses
    13,895       16,143  
Other miscellaneous noncurrent assets
    4,217       3,551  
Noncurrent assets
  $ 22,607     $ 24,477  

The acquired intangible assets noted above represent customer relationship intangibles acquired through purchase acquisitions, net of accumulated amortization.

7.           GOODWILL:

Goodwill is measured and tested for impairment on an annual basis in the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year in accordance with applicable accounting standards, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist.  Triggering events for interim impairment testing include indicators such as adverse industry or economic trends, restructuring actions, downward revisions to projections of financial performance, or a sustained decline in market capitalization.  The performance of the impairment test involves a two-step process.  The first step requires comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its net book value, including goodwill.  A potential impairment exists if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its net book value.  The second step of the impairment test involves assigning the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets, with any residual fair value being assigned to goodwill.  If the carrying value of an individual indefinite-lived intangible asset (including goodwill) exceeds its estimated fair value, such asset is written down by an amount equal to the excess, and a corresponding amount is recorded as a charge to operations for the period in which the impairment test is completed.  Completion of the Company’s annual impairment test during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 indicated no potential impairment of its goodwill balances.

The carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment, at June 30, 2014, and the changes in those balances are presented in the following table.

(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Marketing and Data Services
   
IT Infrastructure Management
   
Total
 
Balance at March 31, 2014
  $ 286,876     $ 71,508     $ 358,384  
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment
    287       -       287  
Balance at June 30, 2014
  $ 287,163     $ 71,508     $ 358,671  

Goodwill by component included in Marketing and Data Services as of June 30, 2014 is US, $266.7 million; Australia, $13.6 million; China, $6.0 million; and Brazil, $0.9 million.

In order to estimate the fair value for each of the components, management uses an income approach based on a discounted cash flow model together with valuations based on an analysis of public company market multiples and a similar transactions analysis.

The key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation model include discount rates, growth rates, cash flow projections and terminal value rates. Discount rates, growth rates and cash flow projections are the most sensitive and susceptible to change as they require significant management judgment. Discount rates are determined by using a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”). The WACC considers market and industry data as well as company-specific risk factors for each reporting unit in determining the appropriate discount rate to be used. The discount rate utilized for each reporting unit is indicative of the return an investor would expect to receive for investing in such a business. Management, considering industry and company-specific historical and projected data, develops growth rates and cash flow projections for each reporting unit. Terminal value rate determination follows common methodology of capturing the present value of perpetual cash flow estimates beyond the last projected period assuming a constant WACC and low long-term growth rates.

The public company market multiple method is used to estimate values for each of the components by looking at market value multiples to revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) for selected public companies that are believed to be representative of companies that marketplace participants would use to arrive at comparable multiples for the individual component being tested.  These multiples are then used to develop an estimated value for each respective component.

 
 
16

 
The similar transactions method compares multiples based on acquisition prices of other companies believed to be those that marketplace participants would use to compare to the individual component being tested.  Those multiples are then used to develop an estimated value for that component.

In order to arrive at an estimated value for each component, management uses a weighted-average approach to combine the results of each analysis.  Management believes that using multiple valuation approaches and then weighting them appropriately is a technique that a marketplace participant would use.

As a final test of the annual valuation results, the total of the values of the components is reconciled to the actual market value of Acxiom common stock as of the valuation date.  Management believes the resulting control premium is reasonable compared to historical control premiums observed in actual transactions.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as either an operating segment or one step below an operating segment, known as a component.  At April 1, 2014, Acxiom’s segments were the Marketing and data services segment and the IT Infrastructure management segment.  Because the Marketing and data services segment contains both U.S. and International components, and there are differences in economic characteristics between the components in the different geographic regions, management tested a total of five components at the beginning of the year.  The goodwill amounts as of April 1, 2014 included in each component tested were:  U.S. Marketing and data services, $266.7 million; Australia Marketing and data services, $13.3 million; China Marketing and data services, $6.0 million; Brazil Marketing and data services, $0.9 million; and U.S. Infrastructure management, $71.5 million.

As of April 1, 2014, each of the components had an estimated fair value in excess of its carrying value, indicating no impairment.  All of the components had an excess fair value exceeding 35%, except for U.S. Infrastructure management.  The fair value of the U.S. Infrastructure management segment has decreased by a significant amount since the prior annual test.

Management believes that the estimated valuations it arrived at are reasonable and consistent with what other marketplace participants would use in valuing the Company’s components.  However, management cannot give any assurance that these market values will not change in the future.  For example, if discount rates demanded by the market increase, this could lead to reduced valuations under the income approach.  If the Company’s projections are not achieved in the future, this could lead management to reassess their assumptions and lead to reduced valuations under the income approach.  If the market price of the Company’s stock decreases, this could cause the Company to reassess the reasonableness of the implied control premium, which might cause management to assume a higher discount rate under the income approach which could lead to reduced valuations.  If future similar transactions exhibit lower multiples than those observed in the past, this could lead to reduced valuations under the similar transactions approach.  And finally, if there is a general decline in the stock market and particularly in those companies selected as comparable to the Company’s components, this could lead to reduced valuations under the public company market multiple approach.  The Company’s next annual impairment test will be performed during the first quarter of fiscal 2016.  The fair value of the Company’s components could deteriorate which could result in the need to record impairment charges in future periods.  The Company continues to monitor potential triggering events including changes in the business climate in which it operates, attrition of key personnel, the volatility in the capital markets, the Company’s market capitalization compared to its book value, the Company’s recent operating performance, and the Company’s financial projections.  The occurrence of one or more triggering events could require additional impairment testing, which could result in impairment charges.


 
17 

 


8.           LONG-TERM DEBT:

Long-term debt consists of the following (dollars in thousands):
   
June 30,
2014
   
March 31,
 2014
 
Term loan credit agreement
  $ 288,750     $ 292,500  
Capital leases and installment payment obligations on land, buildings and equipment payable in monthly payments of principal plus interest at rates ranging from approximately 4% to 8%; remaining terms up to eight years
    9,989       12,990  
Other debt and long-term liabilities
    11,604       12,120  
Total long-term debt and capital leases
    310,343       317,610  
Less current installments
    31,368       28,567  
Long-term debt, excluding current installments
  $ 278,975     $ 289,043  
                 

The Company’s amended and restated credit agreement provides for (1) term loans up to an aggregate principal amount of $300 million and (2) revolving credit facility borrowings consisting of revolving loans, letter of credit participations and swing-line loans up to an aggregate amount of $300 million.

The term loan agreement is payable in quarterly installments of $3.8 million through September 2014, followed by quarterly installments of $7.5 million through September 2017, followed by quarterly installments of $11.3 million through June 2018, with a final payment of $161.3 million due October 9, 2018.  The revolving loan commitment expires October 9, 2018.

Term loan and revolving credit facility borrowings bear interest at LIBOR or at an alternative base rate plus a credit spread.  At June 30, 2014, the LIBOR credit spread was 2.00%.  There were no revolving credit borrowings outstanding at June 30, 2014 or March 31, 2014.  The weighted-average interest rate on term loan borrowings at June 30, 2014 was 2.3%.  Outstanding letters of credit at June 30, 2014 were $2.2 million.

The term loan allows for prepayments before maturity.  The credit agreement is secured by the accounts receivable of Acxiom and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as by the outstanding stock of certain Acxiom subsidiaries.

Under the terms of the term loan, the Company is required to maintain certain debt-to-cash flow and debt service coverage ratios, among other restrictions.  At June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and restrictions.  In addition, if certain financial ratios and other conditions are not satisfied, the revolving credit facility limits the Company’s ability to pay dividends in excess of $30 million in any fiscal year (plus additional amounts in certain circumstances).

On March 10, 2014, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement.  The agreement provides for the Company to pay interest through March 10, 2017 at a fixed rate of 0.98% plus the applicable credit spread on $50.0 million notional amount, while receiving interest for the same period at the LIBOR rate on the same notional amount.  The LIBOR rate as of June 30, 2014 was 0.23%.  The swap was entered into as a cash flow hedge against LIBOR interest rate movements on the term loan.  The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedge based on the hypothetical derivative method.  There was no ineffectiveness for the period ended June 30, 2014.  Under the hypothetical derivative method, the cumulative change in fair value of the actual swap is compared to the cumulative change in fair value of the hypothetical swap, which has terms that identically match the critical terms of the hedged transaction.  Thus, the hypothetical swap is presumed to perfectly offset the hedged cash flows.  The change in the fair value of the hypothetical swap will then be regarded as a proxy for the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows from the hedged transactions.  All of the fair values are derived from an interest-rate futures model.  As of June 30, 2014, the hedge relationship still qualified as an effective hedge under applicable accounting standards.  Consequently, all changes in fair value of the derivative will be deferred and recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until the related forecasted transaction is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.  The fair market value of the derivative was zero at inception and an unrealized loss of $0.2 million since inception is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) with the offset recorded to other noncurrent liabilities.  The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) may be recognized in the statement of operations if certain terms of the floating-rate debt change, if the floating-rate debt is extinguished or if the interest rate swap agreement is terminated prior to maturity.  The Company has assessed the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the swap and concludes that no substantial risk of default exists as of June 30, 2014.

 
18 

 


9.           ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:

Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts, returns and credits of $4.9 million at June 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014.

10.           SEGMENT INFORMATION:

The Company reports segment information consistent with the way management internally disaggregates its operations to assess performance and to allocate resources.  We regularly review our segments and the approach used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources.  Prior to the current fiscal quarter, the Company’s business segments consisted of Marketing and data services, IT Infrastructure management, and Other services.  The Other services segment consisted solely of the Company’s UK fulfillment business, 2Touch.  On May 30, 2014, the Company substantially completed the sale of 2Touch to Parseq Ltd., a European business process outsourcing service provider (see Note 4 for further details).  As a result, in the current fiscal quarter, the 2Touch business unit is excluded from segment results and reported as discontinued operations.  The Marketing and data services segment includes the Company’s global lines of business for Customer Data Integration (CDI), Consumer Insight Solutions, Marketing Management Services (including the Audience Operating System), and E-mail Fulfillment and Agency Services.  The IT Infrastructure management segment develops and delivers IT outsourcing and transformational solutions.

Company management uses the revenues and earnings of the remaining two operating segments, among other factors, for performance evaluation and resource allocation.  The Company evaluates performance of the segments based on segment operating income (loss).  The Company’s calculation of segment operating income (loss) does not include inter-company transactions and allocates all corporate expenses, excluding those reported as impairments or gains, losses and other items, as well as certain business separation and transformation expenses.

The following tables present information by business segment (dollars in thousands):

   
For the three months ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Revenue:
           
Marketing and data services
  $ 186,683     $ 187,793  
IT Infrastructure management
    55,532       69,385  
Total revenue
  $ 242,215     $ 257,178  
                 
Income (loss) from operations:
               
Marketing and data services
  $ 10,272     $ 12,697  
IT Infrastructure management
    4,739       10,761  
Corporate
    (19,489 )     -  
Income (loss) from operations
  $ (4,478 )   $ 23,458  
                 
                 

11.           RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES:

The Company records costs associated with employee terminations and other exit activity in accordance with applicable accounting standards when those costs become probable and are reasonably estimable.  The following table summarizes the restructuring activity for the three months ended June 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

   
Associate-related reserves
   
Ongoing
contract costs
   
Total
 
Balance at March 31, 2014
  $ 6,542     $ 10,217     $ 16,759  
Payments
    (4,570 )     (653 )     (5,223 )
Charges and adjustments
    4,040       2,459       6,499  
Balance at June 30, 2014
  $ 6,012     $ 12,023     $ 18,035  
                         
The above balances are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.


 
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Restructuring Plans

In the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded a total of $6.7 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.  The expense included severance and other associate-related charges of $4.0 million, lease accruals of $2.5 million, and asset write offs of $0.2 million.

The associate-related accruals of $4.0 million relate to the termination of associates in the United States and Europe and include adjustments of $1.0 million to the fiscal 2014 restructuring plan.  Of the amount accrued for 2015, $2.3 million remained accrued as of June 30, 2014.  These costs are expected to be paid out in fiscal 2015.

The lease accruals of $2.5 million were evaluated under the accounting standards which govern exit costs.  These accounting standards require the Company to make an accrual for the liability for lease costs that will continue to be incurred without economic benefit to the Company upon the date that the Company ceases using the leased properties.  The Company has ceased using certain leased office facilities.  The Company intends to attempt to sublease the facilities to the extent possible.  The Company established a liability for the fair value of the remaining lease payments, partially offset by the estimated sublease payments to be received over the course of the leases.  The fair value of these liabilities is based on a net present value model using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate.  The liability will be paid out over the remainder of the leased properties’ terms, which continue through June 2017.  Actual sublease terms may differ from the estimates originally made by the Company.  Any future changes in the estimates or in the actual sublease income could require future adjustments to the liabilities, which would impact net income in the period the adjustment is recorded.  The remaining amount accrued at June 30, 2014 is $2.5 million.

In fiscal 2014, the Company recorded a total of $17.8 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items in the consolidated statement of operations.  The expense included severance and other associate-related charges of $14.0 million and lease accruals of $3.8 million.

The associate-related accruals of $14.0 million relate to the termination of associates in the United States, Australia, China, and Europe.  As noted above, this accrual was increased by $1.0 million in fiscal 2015 as a result of additional associate terminations.  Of the amount accrued, $3.6 million remained accrued as of June 30, 2014.  These costs are expected to be paid out in fiscal 2015.

The lease accruals of $3.8 million were evaluated under the accounting standards which govern exit costs.  These accounting standards require the Company to make an accrual for the liability for lease costs that will continue to be incurred without economic benefit to the Company upon the date that the Company ceases using the leased property.  The Company has ceased using a portion of a certain leased office facility.  The Company intends to attempt to sublease the facility space to the extent possible.  The Company established a liability for the fair value of the remaining lease payments, partially offset by the estimated sublease payments to be received over the course of the lease.  The fair value of this liability is based on a net present value model using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate.  The liability will be paid out over the remainder of the leased property’s term, which continues through November 2021.  Actual sublease terms may differ from the estimates originally made by the Company.  Any future changes in the estimates or in the actual sublease income could require future adjustments to the liability for this lease, which would impact net income in the period the adjustment is recorded.  The remaining amount accrued at June 30, 2014 is $3.5 million.

As part of its restructuring plans in fiscal 2013, the Company recorded $2.8 million of severance and other associate-related payments in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items in the consolidated statement of operations.  The accruals relate to the termination of associates in the United States, Australia, and Europe.  Of the amount recorded, $0.1 million remained accrued as of June 30, 2014.  These costs are expected to be paid out in fiscal 2015.

As part of its restructuring plans in fiscal 2012, the Company recorded lease accruals of $2.6 million in restructuring charges and adjustments included in gains, losses and other items in the consolidated statement of operations.  The lease accruals were evaluated under the accounting standards which govern exit costs.  These liabilities will be paid out over the remainder of the leased properties’ terms, of which the longest continues through July 2019.  Actual sublease terms may differ from the estimates originally made by the Company.  Any future changes in the estimates or in the actual sublease income could require future adjustments to the liability for these leases, which would impact net income in the period the adjustment is recorded.  The remaining amount accrued at June 30, 2014 is $0.9 million.

As part of its restructuring plans in fiscal 2008 and 2009, the Company recorded lease accruals included in gains, losses and other items in the consolidated statement of operations.  The lease accruals were evaluated under the accounting standards which govern exit costs.  These liabilities will be paid out over the remainder of the leased properties’ terms, of which the longest continues through November 2021.  Any future changes in the estimates or in the actual sublease income could require future adjustments to the liability for these leases, which would impact net income in the period the adjustment is recorded.  The remaining amount accrued at June 30, 2014 is $4.9 million.

 
20

 
Gains, Losses and Other Items

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

   
For the three months ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Restructuring plan charges and adjustments
    6,672       -  
LiveRamp acquisition-related costs
    780       -  
    $ 7,452     $ -  

12.           COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Legal Matters

The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings. Management routinely assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as ranges of probable losses, to the extent losses are reasonably estimable. The Company records accruals for these matters to the extent that management concludes a loss is probable and the financial impact, should an adverse outcome occur, is reasonably estimable. These accruals are reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In management’s opinion, the Company has made appropriate and adequate accruals for these matters and management believes the probability of a material loss beyond the amounts accrued to be remote; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if accruals are not adequate, an adverse outcome could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.  The Company maintains insurance coverage above certain limits.  Listed below is one matter pending against the Company and one of its subsidiaries for which the potential exposure is considered material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

A putative class action is pending against the Company, AISS (which was sold to another company in fiscal 2012), and Acxiom Risk Mitigation, Inc., a Colorado corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Acxiom (now known as Acxiom Identity Solutions, LLC), in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  This action seeks to certify nationwide classes of persons who requested a consumer file from any Acxiom entity from 2007 forward; who were the subject of an Acxiom report sold to a third party that contained information not obtained directly from a governmental entity and who did not receive a timely copy of the report; who were the subject of an Acxiom report and about whom Acxiom adjudicated the hire/no hire decision on behalf of the employer; who, from 2010 forward, disputed an Acxiom report and Acxiom did not complete the investigation within 30 days; or who, from 2007 forward,  were the subject of an Acxiom report for which no permissible purpose existed. The complaint alleges various violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The parties have reached a tentative settlement agreement and the Company has accrued $3.7 million as its estimate of the probable loss associated with this matter.  The Company believes the chances of additional loss are remote.

In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Commitments

The Company leases data processing equipment, office furniture and equipment, land and office space under noncancellable operating leases.  The Company has a future commitment for lease payments over the next 26 years of $123.6 million.

In connection with the disposal of certain assets, the Company has guaranteed a lease for the buyer of the assets.  This guarantee was made by the Company primarily to facilitate favorable financing terms for the third party.  Should the third party default, the Company would be required to perform under this guarantee.  At June 30, 2014 the Company’s maximum potential future payments under this guarantee were $1.4 million.


 
21 

 


13.           INCOME TAX

In determining the quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company makes its best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year.  The rate for the current fiscal year is impacted by losses in foreign jurisdictions.  The Company does not record a tax benefit for certain of these losses due to uncertainty of future benefit.

14.           FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

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

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

Long-term debt - The interest rate on the term loan and revolving credit agreement is adjusted for changes in market rates and therefore the carrying value of these loans approximates fair value.  The estimated fair value of other long-term debt was determined based upon the present value of the expected cash flows considering expected maturities and using interest rates currently available to the Company for long-term borrowings with similar terms.  At June 30, 2014, the estimated fair value of long-term debt approximates its carrying value.

Derivative instruments included in other liabilities - The carrying value is adjusted to fair value through other comprehensive income (loss) at each balance sheet date.  The fair value is determined from an interest-rate futures model.

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

The following table presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Other current assets
  $ 14,069     $ -     $ -     $ 14,069  
Total assets
  $ 14,069     $ -     $ -     $ 14,069  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Other noncurrent liabilities
  $ -     $ 175     $ -     $ 175  
Total liabilities
  $ -     $ 175     $ -     $ 175  


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

Introduction and Overview

Acxiom is an enterprise data, analytics and software-as-a-service company.  For over 40 years, Acxiom has been an innovator in harnessing the powerful potential of data to strengthen connections between people, businesses and their partners.  We focus on creating better connections that enable better living for people and better results for the businesses who serve them.

Founded in 1969, Acxiom is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA and serves clients around the world from locations in the United States, Europe, South America and the Asia-Pacific region.

On May 30, 2014, the Company substantially completed the sale of its U.K. call center operation, 2Touch, to Parseq Ltd., a European business process outsourcing service provider.  Some assets of the 2Touch operation are subject to a second closing, expected to occur during the current fiscal year.  The business qualified for treatment as discontinued operations during the current fiscal quarter.  The results of operations, including the loss on the sale, cash flows, and the balance sheet amounts pertaining to 2Touch, for all periods reported, have been classified as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  Unless otherwise indicated, we refer to captions such as revenues, earnings, and earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the Company simply as “revenues”, “earnings”, and “earnings per share” throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.  Similarly, discussion of other matters in our condensed consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations unless otherwise indicated.

Prior to the current fiscal quarter, the Company’s business segments consisted of Marketing and data services, IT Infrastructure management, and Other services.  The Other services segment consisted solely of the Company’s UK fulfillment business, 2Touch.  As a result of the 2Touch disposal in the current fiscal quarter, the 2Touch business unit is excluded from segment results and segregated as discontinued operations.  The Marketing and data services segment includes the Company’s global lines of business for Customer Data Integration (CDI), Consumer Insight Solutions, Marketing Management Services (including the Audience Operating System), and E-mail Fulfillment and Agency Services.  The IT Infrastructure management segment develops and delivers IT outsourcing and transformational solutions.

Notable results and events of the quarter ended June 30, 2014 are identified below.
 
·  
Revenue of $242.2 million, a 5.8% decrease from $257.2 million in the same quarter a year ago.
 
·  
Total operating expenses of $246.7 million, a 5.6% increase from $233.7 million in the same quarter a year ago.  Total operating expenses include restructuring charges and adjustments of $6.7 million and LiveRamp transaction costs of $0.8 million recorded in gains, losses and other items, net and business separation and transformation expenses of $12.0 million recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
·  
Net loss from continuing operations of $6.1 million, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $12.5 million in the same quarter a year ago.
 
·  
Subsequent to the end of the current fiscal quarter, on July 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of LiveRamp, Inc.  As a result of this transaction, LiveRamp is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  The Company paid $265.7 million, net of cash acquired, in cash for all outstanding shares of LiveRamp.  Results of operations for LiveRamp will be included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
 
The summary above is intended to identify to the reader some of the more significant events and transactions of the Company during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2014.  However, this is not intended to be a full discussion of the Company’s results for the quarter.  This should be read in conjunction with the following discussion of Results of Operations and Capital Resources and Liquidity and with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes accompanying this report.


 
23 

 


Results of Operations

A summary of selected financial information for each of the periods reported is presented below (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
   
For the quarter ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
% Change
 
Revenues
  $ 242,215     $ 257,178       (6 %)
Total operating costs and expenses
    246,693       233,720       6 %
Income (loss) from operations
  $ (4,478 )   $ 23,458       (119 %)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Acxiom stockholders
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.17       (159 %)

Revenues
The following table presents the Company’s revenue by reporting segment for each of the periods reported (dollars in thousands):

   
For the quarter ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
% Change
 
Marketing and data services
  $ 186,683     $ 187,793       (1 %)
IT Infrastructure management services
    55,532       69,385       (20 %)
Total revenue
  $ 242,215     $ 257,178       (6 %)

Total revenue decreased 5.8%, or $15.0 million, to $242.2 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014 from $257.2 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Marketing and data services (MDS) revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 was $186.7 million, a $1.1 million, or 0.6%, decrease from the same quarter a year ago.   On a geographic basis, International MDS revenue decreased $0.2 million, or 0.8%, while U.S. MDS revenue decreased $0.9 million, or 0.6%, when compared to the same quarter a year ago.  For U.S. MDS revenue, decreases in the Data Brokerage ($1.4 million), Automotive ($1.1 million), Communications ($1.3 million) and Travel and Entertainment ($1.1 million) industries from volume reductions were partially offset by increases in Technology ($2.4 million) and Media and Publishing ($1.7 million) industries from new business and volume increases.  By line of business, an MDS revenue increase in Marketing Management ($1.4 million or 4.7%) was offset by decreases in CDI ($1.3 million or 4.7%) and Consumer Insight Solutions ($0.7 million or 1.5%).  The Consumer Insight Solutions decrease resulted primarily from Europe restructuring activities and the CDI decrease primarily resulted from lower volume in the U.S. The Marketing Management increase resulted primarily from increases in gross media spend through the AOS platform.

IT Infrastructure Management (IM) revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 was $55.5 million, a $13.9 million, or 20.0% decrease from the same quarter a year ago.  IM revenue included termination fees of approximately $2.2 million from customers that are winding down their contractual relationship with the Company.  Excluding the impact of the termination fees, the IM revenue decrease resulted from lower project revenue from existing customers and the approximate $10.5 million impact of lost business.  The Company received notifications of client contract terminations from certain IM clients as disclosed in its 2014 annual report.  During the current fiscal quarter, the Company recorded revenue of approximately $9.3 million from one of these customers as their services wind down.


 
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Operating Costs and Expenses
The following table presents the Company’s operating costs and expenses for each of the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
   
For the quarter ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
% Change
 
Cost of revenue
  $ 192,303     $ 196,105       (2 %)
Selling, general and administrative
    46,938       37,615       25 %
Gains, losses and other items, net,
    7,452       -       100 %
Total operations costs and expenses
  $ 246,693     $ 233,720       6 %

Cost of revenue was $192.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, a $3.8 million, or 1.9%, decrease from the same quarter a year ago.  Gross margins decreased from 23.7% to 20.6% between the two comparable periods.  U.S. gross margins decreased from 25.3% to 21.3% and International gross margins increased from 9.0% to 14.7%. U.S. margins were primarily impacted by declining IM margins resulting from contract terminations, but were also impacted by increases in research and development expenses and lower revenue.  International margins benefitted from cost reductions in Europe and Australia.

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $46.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, a $9.3 million, or 24.8%, increase when compared to the same quarter a year ago.  In the current fiscal quarter, SG&A included $12.0 million of costs associated with business transformation expenses and, to a lesser extent, cost of separating shared operations of the MDS and IM operating segments. Excluding these costs, SG&A expense decreased 7.2% and, as a percentage of total revenue, was 14.4% compared to 14.6% in the same quarter a year ago.

The Company continues to develop and execute plans to further transform the business and finalize the separation of its operating segments.  As the Company executes these plans, it is likely to continue to incur incremental outside consulting and other third-party expenses.

Gains, losses and other items, net was $7.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.  This amount results primarily from restructuring charges and adjustments of $6.7 million and LiveRamp transaction costs of $0.8 million.

Operating Profit and Profit Margins
The following table presents the Company’s operating profit (loss) and margin by segment for each of the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
   
For the quarter ended
June 30
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Operating profit (loss) and profit (loss) margin:
           
Marketing and data services
  $ 10,272     $ 12,697  
      5.5 %     6.8 %
IT Infrastructure management services
  $ 4,739     $ 10,761  
      8.5 %     15.5 %
Corporate
  $ (19,489 )   $ -  
Total operating profit (loss)
  $ (4,478 )   $ 23,458  
Total operating profit margin
    (1.8 %)     9.1 %

MDS income from operations was $10.3 million, a 5.5% margin, for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 compared to $12.7 million, a 6.8% margin, for the same quarter a year ago.  Margins in the U.S. declined from 10.2% to 8.3% and International losses decreased $0.8 million, to $3.3 million, between the two comparable periods.  The U.S. margin decline primarily resulted from costs associated with additional personnel and data costs required to support investment initiatives and lower revenue that was partially offset by cost reductions.  International operating margin increases primarily resulted from revenue increases in Europe.

 
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IM income from operations was $4.7 million, an 8.5% margin, for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 compared to $10.8 million, a 15.5% margin, for the same quarter a year ago.  IM margins declined in the current-year quarter as a result of revenue decreases from lost business.

Corporate loss from operations was $19.5 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014.  The losses primarily consist of restructuring charges and adjustments of $6.7 million and LiveRamp transaction costs of $0.8 million recorded in gains, losses and other items, net and business separation and transformation expenses of $12.0 million recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.

Other Expense, Income Taxes and Other Items
Interest expense was $2.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 compared to $3.0 million for the same quarter a year ago.  On October 9, 2013, the Company refinanced its prior credit agreement.  As a result, the average term loan balance increased approximately $75 million and the average interest rate decreased approximately 140 basis points causing interest expense to decrease during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 when compared to the same quarter a year ago.  Interest expense on other debt, such as capital leases, also decreased.

Other expense was $0.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 compared to other income of $0.1 million in the same quarter a year ago.  Other income and expense primarily consists of foreign currency transaction gains and losses in both periods.

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 was 18.6% compared to 39.1% for the same quarter a year ago.  Both period tax rates were impacted by losses in foreign jurisdictions.  The Company does not record the tax benefit of certain of those losses due to uncertainty of future benefit.

Losses attributable to noncontrolling interest in the prior year period included the noncontrolling interest in the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary.  During fiscal 2014, the Company acquired the remaining noncontrolling interest in Acxiom Brazil.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Working Capital and Cash Flow
Working capital at June 30, 2014 totaled $401.9 million, a $14.2 million decrease when compared to $416.1 million at March 31, 2014.  Total current assets decreased $45.5 million primarily from decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $25.7 million, trade accounts receivable, net of $10.1 million, and assets of discontinued operations of $6.2 million.  Current liabilities decreased $31.3 million primarily from decreases in accrued payroll and related expenses of $31.2 million and deferred revenue of $4.2 million which were partially offset by an increase in trade accounts payable of $6.6 million.

The Company’s cash is primarily located in the United States.  Approximately $17.1 million of the total cash balance of $392.9 million, or approximately 4.4%, is located outside of the United States.  The Company has no current plans to repatriate this cash to the United States.

Accounts receivable days sales outstanding, from continuing operations, was 57 days at June 30, 2014 compared to 54 days at March 31, 2014, and is calculated as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
June 30,
 2014
   
March 31,
2014
 
Numerator – trade accounts receivable, net
  $ 150,605     $ 160,718  
Denominator:
               
Quarter revenue
    242,215       268,562  
Number of days in quarter
    91       90  
Average daily revenue
  $ 2,662     $ 2,984  
Days sales outstanding
    57       54  

 
 
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Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014, compared to $16.5 million in the same period a year ago.  The $14.6 million decrease primarily resulted from the decrease in net earnings ($20.7 million) partially offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Investing activities used $24.6 million in cash during the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $16.8 million in the same period a year ago.  Current year investing activities primarily consisted of capital expenditures ($19.0 million) and capitalization of software ($5.0 million).  The $7.8 million increase from the prior year primarily results from a $10.1 million increase in capital expenditures due to increased investment in facilities and data processing and network infrastructure.

Financing activities used $6.2 million in cash during the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $15.3 million in the same period a year ago.  Financing activities primarily consists of payments of debt of $5.5 million, including capital lease and installment credit payments of $1.2 million and other debt payments of $4.3 million.  Financing activities used $15.3 million in cash during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and included payments of debt of $4.9 million and acquisition of treasury stock of $16.1 million, offset by $5.8 million in proceeds from the sale of common stock.  The payments of debt included capital lease and installment credit payments of $2.9 million and other debt payments of $2.0 million.  The acquisition of treasury stock consisted of payments of $16.1 million for 0.7 million shares of the Company’s stock pursuant to the board of directors’ approved stock repurchase plan.  .Under the Company’s common stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase up to $250.0 million of its common stock through the period ending November 18, 2014.  Through June 30, 2014, the Company has purchased a total of 12.3 million shares of its stock for $192.6 million, leaving remaining capacity of $57.4 million under the program.

Net cash provided by discontinued operations was $2.9 million during the three months ended June 20, 3014 compared to $0.3 million in the same period a year ago.  The current-year activity primarily results from the $2.9 million of proceeds received for the sale of 2Touch.

Credit and Debt Facilities
The Company’s amended and restated credit agreement provides for (1) term loans up to an aggregate principal amount of $300 million and (2) revolving credit facility borrowings consisting of revolving loans, letter of credit participations and swing-line loans up to an aggregate amount of $300 million.

The term loan agreement is payable in quarterly installments of $3.8 million through September 2014, followed by quarterly installments of $7.5 million through September 2017, followed by quarterly installments of $11.3 million through June 2018, with a final payment of $161.3 million due October 9, 2018.  The revolving loan commitment expires October 9, 2018.

Term loan and revolving credit facility borrowings bear interest at LIBOR or at an alternative base rate plus a credit spread.  At June 30, 2014, the LIBOR credit spread was 2.00%.  There were no revolving credit borrowings outstanding at June 30, 2014 or March 31, 2014.  The weighted-average interest rate on term loan borrowings at June 30, 2014 was 2.3%.  Outstanding letters of credit at June 30, 2014 were $2.2 million.

The term loan allows for prepayments before maturity.  The credit agreement is secured by the accounts receivable of Acxiom and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as by the outstanding stock of certain Acxiom subsidiaries.

Under the terms of the term loan, the Company is required to maintain certain debt-to-cash flow and debt service coverage ratios, among other restrictions.  At June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and restrictions.  In addition, if certain financial ratios and other conditions are not satisfied, the revolving credit facility limits the Company’s ability to pay dividends in excess of $30 million in any fiscal year (plus additional amounts in certain circumstances).

On March 10, 2014, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement.  The agreement provides for the Company to pay interest through March 10, 2017 at a fixed rate of 0.98% plus the applicable credit spread on $50.0 million notional amount, while receiving interest for the same period at the LIBOR rate on the same notional amount.  The LIBOR rate as of June 30, 2014 was 0.23%.  The swap was entered into as a cash flow hedge against LIBOR interest rate movements on the term loan.  The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedge based on the hypothetical derivative method.  There was no ineffectiveness for the period ended June 30, 2014.  Under the hypothetical derivative method, the cumulative change in fair value of the actual swap is compared to the cumulative change in fair value of the hypothetical swap, which has terms that identically match the critical terms of the hedged transaction.  Thus, the hypothetical swap is presumed to perfectly offset the hedged cash flows.  The change in the fair value of the hypothetical swap will then be regarded as a proxy for the present value of the cumulative change in the expected future cash flows from the hedged transactions.  All of the fair values are derived from an interest-rate futures model.  As of June 30, 2014, the hedge relationship qualified as an effective hedge under applicable accounting
 
 
27

 
 
standards.  Consequently, all changes in fair value of the derivative will be deferred and recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until the related forecasted transaction is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.  The fair market value of the derivative was zero at inception and an unrealized loss of $0.2 million since inception is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) with the offset recorded to other noncurrent liabilities.  The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) may be recognized in the statement of operations if certain terms of the floating-rate debt change, if the floating-rate debt is extinguished or if the interest rate swap agreement is terminated prior to maturity.  The Company has assessed the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the swap and concludes that no substantial risk of default exists as of June 30, 2014.

On July 1, 2014, subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company paid $265.7 million, net of cash acquired, to acquire LiveRamp.  The Company used available cash to fund the transaction.  There were no revolving credit borrowings related to the purchase.

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

Off-Balance Sheet Items and Commitments
In connection with the disposal of certain assets, the Company has guaranteed a lease for the buyer of the assets.  This guarantee was made by the Company primarily to facilitate favorable financing terms for the third party.  Should the third party default, the Company would be required to perform under this guarantee.  At June 30, 2014 the Company’s maximum potential future payments under this guarantee were $1.4 million.

Contractual Commitments
The following table presents Acxiom’s contractual cash obligations, exclusive of interest, and purchase commitments at June 30, 2014.   The table does not include the future payment of gross unrealized tax benefit liabilities of $2.8 million or the future payment, if any, against the Company’s interest rate swap liability of $0.2 million as the Company is not able to predict the periods in which these payments will be made. The column for 2015 represents the nine months ending March 31, 2015.  All other columns represent fiscal years ending March 31 (dollars in thousands).

   
For the years ending March 31
 
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
Term loan
  $ 18,750     $ 30,000     $ 30,000     $ 37,500     $ 172,500     $ -     $ 288,750  
Capital lease and installment payment obligations
    2,558       688       763       919       1,096       3,965       9,989  
Other long-term debt
    1,580       2,168       2,243       2,319       1,583       1,711       11,604  
Total long-term obligations
    22,888       32,856       33,006       40,738       175,179       5,676       310,343  
Operating lease payments
    16,601       20,144       17,443       15,056       12,206       42,149       123,599  
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 39,489     $ 53,000     $ 50,449     $ 55,794     $ 187,385     $ 47,825     $ 433,942  

   
For the years ending March 31
 
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
Total purchase commitments
  $ 51,896     $ 36,453     $ 22,420     $ 2,637     $ 520     $ 737     $ 114,663  

Purchase commitments include contractual commitments for the purchase of data and open purchase orders for equipment, paper, office supplies, construction and other items.  Purchase commitments in some cases will be satisfied by entering into future operating leases, capital leases, or other financing arrangements, rather than payment of cash.  The above commitments relating to long-term obligations do not include future payments of interest.  The Company estimates future interest payments on debt and capital leases for the remainder of fiscal 2015 of $12.3 million.


 
28 

 


The following are contingencies or guarantees under which the Company could be required, in certain circumstances, to make cash payments as of June 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

Lease guarantee
  $ 1,394  
Outstanding letters of credit
    2,168  
Surety bonds
    420  

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

To help accelerate the pace of product development, the Company has significantly increased the level of product investment.  Notwithstanding the Company’s cost reduction efforts, the Company expects to continue to maintain this level of investment spending, primarily for engineering labor, capitalized software, and new data sources for at least the remainder of this fiscal year.

For a description of certain risks that could have an impact on results of operations or financial condition, including liquidity and capital resources, see “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A, of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report.

Non-U.S. Operations

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

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  These accounting principles require management to make certain judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  The consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report include a summary of significant accounting policies used in the preparation of Acxiom’s consolidated financial statements.  In addition, the Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed as part of the 2014 Annual Report contains a discussion of the policies which management has identified as the most critical because they require management’s use of complex and/or significant judgments.  None of the Company’s critical accounting policies have materially changed since the date of the last annual report.

Valuation of Goodwill
Goodwill is measured and tested for impairment on an annual basis in the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year in accordance with applicable accounting standards, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist.  Triggering events for interim impairment testing include indicators such as adverse industry or economic trends, restructuring actions, downward revisions to projections of financial performance, or a sustained decline in market capitalization.  The performance of the impairment test involves a two-step process.  The first step requires comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its net book value, including goodwill.  A potential impairment exists if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its net book value.  The second step of the impairment test involves assigning the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets, with any residual fair value being assigned to goodwill.  If the carrying value of an individual indefinite-lived intangible asset (including goodwill) exceeds its estimated fair value, such asset is written down by an amount equal to the excess, and a corresponding amount is recorded as a charge to operations for the period in which the impairment test is completed.  Completion of the Company’s annual impairment test during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 indicated no potential impairment of its goodwill balances.

 
 
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In order to estimate the fair value for each of the components, management uses an income approach based on a discounted cash flow model together with valuations based on an analysis of public company market multiples and a similar transactions analysis.

The key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation model include discount rates, growth rates, cash flow projections and terminal value rates. Discount rates, growth rates and cash flow projections are the most sensitive and susceptible to change as they require significant management judgment. Discount rates are determined by using a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”). The WACC considers market and industry data as well as company-specific risk factors for each reporting unit in determining the appropriate discount rate to be used. The discount rate utilized for each reporting unit is indicative of the return an investor would expect to receive for investing in such a business. Management, considering industry and company-specific historical and projected data, develops growth rates and cash flow projections for each reporting unit. Terminal value rate determination follows common methodology of capturing the present value of perpetual cash flow estimates beyond the last projected period assuming a constant WACC and low long-term growth rates.

The public company market multiple method is used to estimate values for each of the components by looking at market value multiples to revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) for selected public companies that are believed to be representative of companies that marketplace participants would use to arrive at comparable multiples for the individual component being tested.  These multiples are then used to develop an estimated value for each respective component.

The similar transactions method compares multiples based on acquisition prices of other companies believed to be those that marketplace participants would use to compare to the individual component being tested.  Those multiples are then used to develop an estimated value for that component.

In order to arrive at an estimated value for each component, management uses a weighted-average approach to combine the results of each analysis.  Management believes that using multiple valuation approaches and then weighting them appropriately is a technique that a marketplace participant would use.

As a final test of the annual valuation results, the total of the values of the components is reconciled to the actual market value of Acxiom common stock as of the valuation date.  Management believes the resulting control premium is reasonable compared to historical control premiums observed in actual transactions.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as either an operating segment or one step below an operating segment, known as a component.  At April 1, 2014, Acxiom’s segments were the Marketing and data services segment and the IT Infrastructure management segment.  Because the Marketing and data services segment contains both U.S. and International components, and there are differences in economic characteristics between the components in the different geographic regions, management tested a total of five components at the beginning of the year.  The goodwill amounts as of April 1, 2014 included in each component tested were:  U.S. Marketing and data services, $266.7 million; Australia Marketing and data services, $13.3 million; China Marketing and data services, $6.0 million; Brazil Marketing and data services, $0.9 million; and U.S. Infrastructure management, $71.5 million.

As of April 1, 2014, each of the components had an estimated fair value in excess of its carrying value, indicating no impairment.  All of the components had an excess fair value exceeding 35%, except for U.S. Infrastructure management.  The fair value of the U.S. Infrastructure management segment has decreased by a significant amount since the prior annual test.

Management believes that the estimated valuations it arrived at are reasonable and consistent with what other marketplace participants would use in valuing the Company’s components.  However, management cannot give any assurance that these market values will not change in the future.  For example, if discount rates demanded by the market increase, this could lead to reduced valuations under the income approach.  If the Company’s projections are not achieved in the future, this could lead management to reassess their assumptions and lead to reduced valuations under the income approach.  If the market price of the Company’s stock decreases, this could cause the Company to reassess the reasonableness of the implied control premium, which might cause management to assume a higher discount rate under the income approach which could lead to reduced valuations.  If future similar transactions exhibit lower multiples than those observed in the past, this could lead to reduced valuations under the similar transactions approach.  And finally, if there is a general decline in the stock market and particularly in those companies selected as comparable to the Company’s components, this could lead to reduced valuations under the public company market multiple approach.  The Company’s next annual impairment test will be performed during the first quarter of fiscal
 
 
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2016.  The fair value of the Company’s components could deteriorate which could result in the need to record impairment charges in future periods.  The Company continues to monitor potential triggering events including changes in the business climate in which it operates, attrition of key personnel, the volatility in the capital markets, the Company’s market capitalization compared to its book value, the Company’s recent operating performance, and the Company’s financial projections.  The occurrence of one or more triggering events could require additional impairment testing, which could result in impairment charges.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an update, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.  This update changes the requirements for determining whether a component is included in discontinued operations.  The update will be effective for Acxiom in fiscal 2016, with early application allowed.  Management does not expect a significant impact from implementation of this update.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an update, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  This update supersedes all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, as well as some cost guidance and guidance on certain gains and losses.  The update will be effective for Acxiom for fiscal 2018, and early application is not permitted.  Application of the new update may either be applied retrospectively to all periods reported, with certain practical expedients allowed, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initial application recognized at the date of initial application.  The Company has not yet assessed the impact of implementation of the new guidance, nor determined which implementation method to use.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements.  These statements, which are not statements of historical fact, may contain estimates, assumptions, projections and/or expectations regarding the Company’s financial position, results of operations, market position, product development, growth opportunities, economic conditions, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation.  Forward-looking statements are often identified by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “foresee,” and similar words or phrases.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.
 
Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to the following:
 
·  
management’s expectations about the macro economy;
 
·  
statements containing a projection of revenues, expenses, income (loss), earnings (loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure, or other financial items;
 
·  
statements regarding plans to continue making significant investments in product development;
 
·  
management’s belief that increased product investment will drive revenue growth in fiscal 2015 and beyond;
 
·  
statements regarding the Company’s cost reduction efforts and related cost savings;
 
·  
management’s plan to create operating independence between its operating segments;
 
·  
statements of future economic performance, including, but not limited to, those statements contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q;
 
·  
statements containing any assumptions underlying or relating to any of the above statements; and
 
·  
statements containing a projection or estimate.

Among the factors that may cause actual results and expectations to differ from anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are the following:
 
·  
the risk factors described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the SEC;
 
·  
the possibility that we will not be able to achieve anticipated cost reductions and avoid unanticipated costs in a timely manner or at all;
 
·  
the possibility that unusual or infrequent charges may be incurred;
 
 
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·  
the possibility that in the event a change of control of the Company is sought that certain clients may attempt to invoke provisions in their contracts resulting in a decline in revenue and profit;
 
·  
the possibility that the integration of acquired businesses may not be as successful as planned;
 
·  
the possibility that the fair value of certain of our assets (including goodwill) may not be equal to the carrying value of those assets now or in future time periods;
 
·  
the possibility that sales cycles may lengthen;
 
·  
the possibility that we will not be able to properly motivate our sales force or other associates;
 
·  
the possibility that we may not be able to attract and retain qualified technical and leadership associates, or that we may lose key associates to other organizations;
 
·  
the possibility that we will not be able to continue to receive credit upon satisfactory terms and conditions;
 
·  
the possibility that competent, competitive products, technologies or services will be introduced into the marketplace by other companies;
 
·  
the possibility that there will be changes in consumer or business information industries and markets that negatively impact the Company;
 
·  
the possibility that we will not be able to protect proprietary information and technology or to obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms;
 
·  
the possibility that there will be changes in the legislative, accounting, regulatory and consumer environments affecting our business, including but not limited to litigation, legislation, regulations and customs relating to our ability to collect, manage, aggregate and use data;
 
·  
the possibility that data suppliers might withdraw data from us, leading to our inability to provide certain products and services;
 
·  
the possibility that we may enter into short-term contracts which would affect the predictability of our revenues;
 
·  
the possibility that we may not properly and timely adjust to changes in our management structure and work flows;
 
·  
the possibility that the amount of ad hoc, volume-based and project work will not be as expected;
 
·  
the possibility that we may experience a loss of data center capacity or interruption of telecommunication links or power sources;
 
·  
the possibility that we may experience failures or breaches of our network and data security systems, leading to potential adverse publicity, negative customer reaction, or liability to third parties;
 
·  
the possibility that our clients may cancel or modify their agreements with us;
 
·  
the possibility that we will not successfully complete customer contract requirements on time or meet the service levels specified in the contracts, which may result in contract penalties or lost revenue;
 
·  
the possibility that we experience processing errors which result in credits to customers, re-performance of services or payment of damages to customers; and
 
·  
general and global negative economic conditions.


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

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

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

 
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Acxiom’s earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates primarily as a result of its term loan and revolving credit agreement, which bear interest at a floating rate.  Acxiom currently uses an interest-rate swap agreement to mitigate the changes in interest rate risk on $50 million of its floating-rate debt.  The swap agreement expires March 10, 2017.  Risk can be estimated by measuring the impact of a near-term adverse movement of one percentage point in short-term market interest rates.  If short-term market interest rates increase one percentage point during the next four quarters compared to the previous four quarters, there would be no material adverse impact on Acxiom’s results of operations.  Acxiom has no material future earnings or cash flow expenses from changes in interest rates related to its other long-term debt obligations as substantially all of Acxiom’s remaining long-term debt instruments have fixed rates.  At both June 30, 2014 and March 31, 2014, the fair value of Acxiom’s fixed rate long-term debt approximated carrying value.

The Company has a presence in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Australia, China and Brazil.  In general, each of the foreign locations is expected to fund its own operations and cash flows, although funds may be loaned or invested from our U.S. operations to our foreign subsidiaries.  Therefore, exchange rate movements of foreign currencies may have an impact on Acxiom’s future costs or on future cash flows from foreign investments.  Acxiom, at this time, has not entered into any foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.



(a)  
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and President (our principal executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (our principal financial and accounting officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial and accounting officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

(b)  
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting.


 
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The Company is involved in various claims and legal matters that arise in the ordinary course of the business.  None of these, however, are believed to be material in their nature or scope.  Listed below is a matter pending against the Company and one of its subsidiaries for which the potential exposure is considered material.  While the ultimate results of this matter cannot be determined, it is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On August 16, 2012, a putative class action styled Henderson, et al. v. Acxiom Risk Mitigation, Inc., et al. was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against the Company, Acxiom Information Security Systems, a former subsidiary of the Company that was sold to another company in fiscal 2012, and Acxiom Risk Mitigation, Inc. (now known as Acxiom Identity Solutions, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company), a subsidiary of the Company.  The action seeks to certify nationwide classes of persons who requested a consumer file from any Acxiom entity from 2007 forward; who were the subject of an Acxiom report sold to a third party that contained information not obtained directly from a governmental entity and who did not receive a timely copy of the report; who were the subject of an Acxiom report and about whom Acxiom adjudicated the hire/no hire decision on behalf of the employer; who, from 2010 forward,  disputed an Acxiom report and Acxiom did not complete the investigation within 30 days; or who, from 2007 forward,  were the subject of an Acxiom report for which no permissible purpose existed. The complaint alleges various violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of statutory, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. The parties have reached a tentative settlement agreement and the Company has accrued $3.7 million as its estimate of the probable loss associated with this matter.  The Company believes the chances of additional loss are remote.
 
 
Item 5.                      Other Information

The 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2014 Annual Meeting”) of the Company was held on August 7, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. CDT at the Acxiom River Market Building, 601 E. Third Street, Little Rock, Arkansas and via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ACXM14.  The Company’s stockholders voted on the matters discussed below.

Election of directors.  Timothy R. Cadogan, William T. Dillard II, and Scott E. Howe were elected to the board of directors for three-year terms expiring at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders by the following votes:

Name
Votes For
Votes Against
Votes Abstained
Broker Non-Votes
Timothy R. Cadogan
65,975,747
541,617
9,561
6,248,276
William T. Dillard II
65,372,068
1,147,815
7,042
6,248,276
Scott E. Howe
65,950,276
571,524
5,125
6,248,276

 
Advisory vote on executive compensation. The stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement by the following votes:
 
 
Votes For
Votes Against
Votes Abstained
Broker Non-Votes
63,037,586
3,472,097
17,242
6,248,276

Ratification of independent registered public accountant.  The stockholders ratified the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2015 by the following votes:

Votes For
Votes Against
Votes Abstained
72,356,477
381,005
37,719

 

 
34 

 



(a)           The following exhibits are filed with this Report:

2.1
Merger Agreement, dated May 12, 2014, by and among Acxiom Corporation, Big Sky Sub Acquisition, Inc., LiveRamp, Inc., and The Brenner Group (previously filed on May 14, 2014 as Exhibit 2.1 to Acxiom
Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference)
10.1
Employment Agreement between the Company and Scott E. Howe dated July 26, 2014  (previously filed on May 27, 2014 as Exhibit 10.1 to Acxiom Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated
herein by reference)
10.2
2010 Executive Officer Severance Policy, as amended (previously filed on May 27, 2014 as Exhibit 10.2 to Acxiom Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
101
The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2014, and March 31,
2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013,  (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended
June 30, 2014 and 2013,  (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended June 30, 2014, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months
ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail.


 
35 

 






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



Acxiom Corporation



Dated:  August 8, 2014


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



 
36 

 





Exhibit Number
Description
2.1
Merger Agreement, dated May 12, 2014, by and among Acxiom Corporation, Big Sky Sub Acquisition, Inc., LiveRamp, Inc., and The Brenner Group (previously filed on May 14, 2014 as Exhibit 2.1 to
Acxiom Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference)
10.1
Employment Agreement between the Company and Scott E. Howe dated July 26, 2014  (previously filed on May 27, 2014 as Exhibit 10.1 to Acxiom Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and
incorporated herein by reference)
10.2
2010 Executive Officer Severance Policy, as amended (previously filed on May 27, 2014 as Exhibit 10.2 to Acxiom Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002
101
The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2014, and
March 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013,  (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the
three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013,  (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended June 30, 2014, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in detail.








 
 
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