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Table of Contents

 

 

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 March 31, 2015

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 000-22903

 

 

Syntel, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Michigan   38-2312018
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)

 

525 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan   48083
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

248-619-2800

(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.    x  Yes    ¨  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).    x  Yes    ¨  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   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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    x  No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, no par value: 83,748,268 shares outstanding as of April 7, 2015.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

SYNTEL, INC.

INDEX

 

          Page  

Part I Financial Information

  

Item 1

   Financial Statements   
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)      3   
   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)      4   
   Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited)      5   
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)      6   
   Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements      7   

Item 2

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      31   

Item 3

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      39   

Item 4

   Controls and Procedures      41   

Part II Other Information

     42   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      42   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      42   

Item 6

   Exhibits      43   

Signatures

        44   

Exhibit 31.1 – Certification of Principal Executive Officer

     46   

Exhibit 31.2 – Certification of Principal Executive Officer

     48   

Exhibit 31.3 – Certification of Principal Financial Officer

     50   

Exhibit 32 – Certification of Principal Executive Officers and Principal Financial Officer

     52   

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SYNTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
March 31,
 
     2015     2014  

Net revenues

   $ 220,599      $ 219,523   

Cost of revenues

     141,785        123,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

  78,814      96,023   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  35,382      32,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

  43,432      63,802   

Other income, net

  9,338      11,785   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

  52,770      75,587   

Income tax expense

  12,749      17,439   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 40,021    $ 58,148   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

Foreign currency translation adjustments

$ 10,626    $ 24,847   

Gains on derivatives:

Gains arising during period on net investment hedges

  —        724   

Unrealized gains on securities:

Unrealized holding gains arising during period

  3,440      2,724   

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

  (1,868   (1,855
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,572      869   

Defined benefit pension plans:

Net profit arising during period

  —        —     

Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost

  25      2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
  25      2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, before tax

  12,223      26,442   

Income tax (expenses) related to other comprehensive income

  (486   (252
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

  11,737      26,190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$ 51,758    $ 84,338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

Basic

$ 0.48    $ 0.69   

Diluted

$ 0.48    $ 0.69   

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic

  83,907      83,680   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  84,127      83,944   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SYNTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     (Unaudited)      (Audited)  
     March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 281,784       $ 197,708   

Short-term investments

     585,168         669,353   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 703 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

     114,995         111,993   

Revenue earned in excess of billings

     40,654         27,493   

Deferred income taxes and other current assets

     65,190         56,930   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

  1,087,791      1,063,477   

Property and equipment

  217,320      210,206   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  106,157      101,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

  111,163      109,051   

Goodwill

  906      906   

Non-current term deposits with banks

  82      105   

Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets

  61,872      50,476   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 1,261,814    $ 1,224,015   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$ 11,858    $ 9,323   

Accrued payroll and related costs

  48,336      60,765   

Income taxes payable

  21,562      23,781   

Accrued liabilities

  23,239      24,250   

Deferred revenue

  2,294      3,266   

Loans and borrowings

  6,968      8,852   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

  114,257      130,237   

Other non-current liabilities

  16,430      16,198   

Non-current loans and borrowings

  129,750      129,750   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

  260,437      276,185   

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 15)

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Total shareholders’ equity

  1,001,377      947,830   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 1,261,814    $ 1,224,015   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SYNTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     Common Stock      Restricted Stock     

Additional

Paid-In

     Retained      Accumulated
other
Comprehensive
   

Total

Shareholders’

 
   Shares      Amount      Shares     Amount      Capital      Earnings      Loss     Equity  

Balance, December 31, 2014

     83,742       $ 1         564      $ 30,935       $ 67,422       $ 1,035,716       $ (186,244   $ 947,830   

Net income

                   40,021           40,021   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                      11,737        11,737   

Restricted stock activity

     6            (12     1,789                 1,789   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2015

  83,748    $ 1      552    $ 32,724    $ 67,422    $ 1,075,737    $ (174,507 $ 1,001,377   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SYNTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
 
     2015     2014  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 40,021      $ 58,148   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     3,990        4,204   

Provision for doubtful debts / advances

     —          48   

Realized gains on sales of short term investments

     (2,674     (2,662

Deferred income taxes

     855        (839

Compensation expense related to restricted stock

     1,789        1,426   

Unrealised foreign exchange loss

     2,265        —     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable and revenue earned in excess of billings

     (19,122     (9,225

Other current assets

     (19,234     (14,605

Accounts payable, accrued payroll and other liabilities

     (11,672     (7,206

Deferred revenue

     (1,002     (1,696
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

  (4,784   27,593   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Property and equipment expenditures

  (4,411   (3,811

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

  24      27   

Purchase of mutual funds

  (36,358   (27,003

Purchase of term deposits with banks

  (74,704   (71,829

Proceeds from sales of mutual funds

  59,666      50,181   

Maturities of term deposits with banks

  145,903      67,836   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

  90,120      15,401   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Repayment of loans and borrowings

  (1,875   (1,500
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) financing activities

  (1,875   (1,500
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash

  615      1,588   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

  84,076      43,082   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

  197,708      178,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 281,784    $ 221,839   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non cash investing and financing activities:

Cash paid for income taxes

$ 16,081    $ 17,024   

Cash paid for interest

  553      585   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Syntel, Inc. (the “Company” or “Syntel”) have been prepared by management, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Syntel and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015, the results of their operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

In September 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split of its outstanding common shares. On November 3, 2014, an additional common share was issued for each existing common share held by shareholders of record on October 20, 2014. Accordingly, all share and per share amounts for all periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, have been adjusted retroactively, where applicable, to reflect this stock split.

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.

 

2.   PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND ORGANIZATION

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Syntel, Inc., a Michigan corporation (“Syntel”), its wholly owned subsidiaries, and a joint venture and its subsidiary. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The wholly owned subsidiaries of Syntel, Inc. are:

 

    Syntel Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company, formerly known as Syntel Limited up to March 17, 2015 (“Syntel India”);

 

    Syntel Europe Limited, a United Kingdom limited liability company;

 

    Syntel Canada Inc., an Ontario limited liability company;

 

    Syntel Deutschland GmbH, a German limited liability company;

 

    Syntel (Hong Kong) Limited, a Hong Kong limited liability company;

 

    Syntel Delaware, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Syntel Delaware”);

 

    SkillBay LLC, a Michigan limited liability company (“SkillBay”);

 

    Syntel (Mauritius) Limited, a Mauritius limited liability company;

 

    Syntel Consulting Inc., a Michigan corporation (“Syntel Consulting”);

 

    Syntel Holding (Mauritius) Limited, a Mauritius limited liability company (“SHML”);

 

    Syntel Worldwide (Mauritius) Limited, a Mauritius limited liability company (“SWML”);

 

    Syntel (Australia) Pty. Ltd., an Australian limited liability company; and

 

    Syntel Solutions Mexico, S. DE R. L. DE C. V., a Mexican limited liability company effective January 29, 2015.

 

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Table of Contents

The wholly owned subsidiaries of Syntel Europe Limited are:

 

    Intellisourcing, SARL, a French limited liability company;

 

    Syntel Solutions BV, a Netherlands limited liability company; and

 

    Syntel Switzerland GmbH, a Switzerland limited liability company

The partially owned joint venture of Syntel Delaware is:

 

    State Street Syntel Services (Mauritius) Limited, a Mauritius limited liability company (“SSSSML”).

The wholly owned subsidiary of SSSSML is:

 

    State Street Syntel Services Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company.

The wholly owned subsidiaries of Syntel (Mauritius) Limited are:

 

    Syntel International Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company; and

 

    Syntel Global Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company.

The wholly owned subsidiaries of SHML are:

 

    Syntel Services Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company; and

 

    Syntel Solutions (Mauritius) Limited, a Mauritius limited liability company (“SSML”).

The wholly owned subsidiary of SSML is:

 

    Syntel Solutions (India) Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company.

The wholly owned subsidiary of SWML is:

 

    Syntel (Singapore) PTE Limited, a Singapore limited liability company.

The wholly owned subsidiary of Syntel (Singapore) PTE Limited is:

 

    Syntel Infotech, Inc., a Philippines corporation.

 

3.   USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, contingencies and litigation, the recognition of revenues and profits based on the proportional performance method, potential tax liabilities and bonus accrual. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements.

 

4.   REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company recognizes revenues from time and materials contracts as the services are performed.

Revenue from fixed-price applications management, maintenance and support engagements is recognized as earned which generally results in straight-line revenue recognition as services are performed continuously over the term of the engagement.

Revenue on fixed-price, applications development and integration projects are measured using the proportional performance method of accounting. Performance is generally measured based upon the efforts incurred to date in relation to the total estimated efforts to the completion of the contract. The Company monitors estimates of total contract revenues and costs on a routine basis throughout the delivery period. The cumulative impact of any change in estimates of the contract revenues or costs is reflected in the period in which the changes

 

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become known. In the event that a loss is anticipated on a particular contract, provision is made for the estimated loss. The Company issues invoices related to fixed price contracts based on either the achievement of milestones during a project or other contractual terms. Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue based upon the proportional performance method of accounting are recorded as revenue earned in excess of billings or deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Revenues are reported net of sales incentives to customers.

Reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses are included in revenue in accordance with revenue guidance in the FASB Codification.

 

5.   STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated financial statements for awards of equity instruments to employees and non-employee directors based on the grant-date fair value of those awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term. The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense is reported as a financing cash flow.

 

6.   DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, specifically changes between the Indian Rupee currency and U.S. dollar currency. The contracts are adjusted to fair value at each reporting period. Gains and losses on forward contracts are generally recorded in ‘other income, net’ unless they are designated as an effective hedge. Although the Company cannot predict fluctuations in foreign currency rates, the Company does not currently anticipate that foreign currency risk will have a significant impact on the financial statements. In order to limit the fluctuations in foreign currency rates, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts where the counter party is a bank, but these contracts do not have a material impact on the financial statements. The Company considers the risks of non-performance by the counter party as not material. The Company utilizes standard counterparty master agreements containing provisions for the netting of certain foreign currency transaction obligations. The Company also mitigates the credit risk of these derivatives by transacting with highly rated counterparties in India which are major banks. The Company evaluates the credit and non-performance risks associated with its derivative counterparties, and believe that the impact of the credit risk associated with the outstanding derivatives was insignificant.

The Company’s Indian subsidiaries, whose functional currency is the Indian Rupee, periodically enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to buy Indian rupees and sell U.S. dollars to mitigate the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates on U.S. dollar denominated assets, primarily comprising of receivables from the parent (Syntel, Inc.), other direct customers and liabilities recorded on the books of the Indian subsidiaries. These forward contracts are denominated in U.S. dollars.

These forward contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting under ASC 815, ‘Derivative and Hedging’. Accordingly, these contracts are carried at a fair value with the resulting gains or losses included in the statement of comprehensive income under ‘other income’. The related cash flow impacts of all of our derivative activities are recorded in cash flows from operating activities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not enter into new foreign exchange forward contracts. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no foreign exchange forward contracts were outstanding.

The following table presents the net gains recorded in ‘other income, net’ relating to the foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedges for the periods ending March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

Gains Recognized in Other Income:

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Gains recognized in other income, net

     —         $ 1,480   

The following table presents the net gains recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income relating to the foreign exchange contracts designated as net investment hedges for the periods ending March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Gains on Derivatives:

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Gains recognized in other comprehensive income

     —         $ 724

 

* For and up to three months ended March 31, 2014

 

7.   CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) BY COMPONENT (NET OF TAX EXPENSE OR BENEFIT)

The change in balances of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

                   (In thousands)  
     Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
     Unrealized
Gains
(Losses) on
Securities
     Defined
Benefit
Pension
Plans
     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Beginning balance

   $ (189,410    $ 4,600       $ (1,434    $ (186,244

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

     10,683         2,271         —           12,954   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     —           (1,233      16         (1,217
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

$ 10,683    $ 1,038    $ 16    $ 11,737   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending Balance

$ (178,727 $ 5,638    $ (1,418 $ (174,507
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

                 (In thousands)  

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components

   Affected Line
Item in the
Statement
Where Net
Income Is
Presented
   Before
Tax
Amount
     Tax
Expense
(Benefit)
     Net of Tax  

Unrealized (gains) losses on available for sale securities

   Other income    $ (1,868    $ 635       $ (1,233

Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost

   Direct cost    $ 25       $ (9    $ 16   

The change in balances of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

                   (In thousands)  
     Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
     Unrealized
Gains
(Losses) on
Securities
     Defined
Benefit
Pension
Plans
     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 

Beginning balance

   $ (157,416    $ 3,808       $ (695    $ (154,303

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

     25,571         1,871         —           27,442   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

     —           (1,253      1         (1,252
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income

$ 25,571    $ 618    $ 1    $ 26,190   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending Balance

$ (131,845 $ 4,426    $ (694 $ (128,113
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

                 (In thousands)  

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components

   Affected Line
Item in the
Statement
Where Net
Income Is
Presented
   Before
Tax
Amount
     Tax
Expense
(Benefit)
     Net of Tax  

Unrealized (gains) losses on available for sale securities

   Other income    $ (1,855    $ 602       $ (1,253

Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost

   Direct cost    $ 2       $ (1    $ 1   

 

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8.   TAX ON OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Total tax expense on other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     (In thousands)  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     57         —     

Tax expense on unrealized gains (losses) on securities

     (534      (251

Tax benefit (expense) on defined benefit pension plans

     (9      (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total tax expense on other comprehensive income (loss)

$ (486 $ (252
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

9.   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purpose of reporting cash and cash equivalents, the Company considers all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

As of March 31, 2015, the total cash and cash equivalents and short term investments balance was $866.9 million. Of that amount, $795.2 million was held by Indian subsidiaries consisting of $302.5 million held in U.S. dollars and $492.7 million held in Indian rupees. The Company believes that the amount of cash and cash equivalents outside the U.S. will not have a material impact on liquidity.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, approximately $31.6 million and $30.3 million, respectively, were held in JPMorgan Chase Bank NA through a sweep account. At March 31, 2015 approximately $12.6 million was held in Bank of America. At March 31, 2015, $68.3 million in term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less were held with the Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. At year end, December 31, 2014, $13.0 million in term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less were held with the Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. The remaining amounts of cash and cash equivalents of $213.5 million were held in bank and fixed deposits with various banking and financial institutions.

Short-term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments consist of short-term mutual funds, which have been classified as available-for-sale and are carried at estimated fair value. Fair value is determined based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, on available-for-sale securities are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. Net realized gains or losses resulting from the sale of these investments, and losses resulting from decline in fair values of these investments that are other than temporary declines, are included in other income. The cost of securities sold is determined using the weighted-average method.

Short-term investments include term deposits with an original maturity exceeding three months and whose maturity date is within one year from the date of the balance sheet. Term deposits were $399.2 million and $466.6 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Short-term investments also include Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) of mutual funds, which are classified as held to maturity securities and are reported at cost. As at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s Indian subsidiaries invested $16.1 million and $15.9 million respectively, in FMPs of mutual funds.

 

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The following table summarizes short-term investments as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

     2015      2014  
     March 31      December 31  
     (In thousands)  

Investments in mutual funds at fair value

   $ 169,935       $ 186,842   

Term deposits with banks

     399,161         466,625   

Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) of mutual funds, at cost

     16,072         15,886   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 585,168    $ 669,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current Term Deposits with Banks

Non-current term deposits with banks include deposits with maturity exceeding one year from the date of the balance sheet. As at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 non-current term deposits with banks were $0.08 and $0.11 million, respectively. Term deposits with banks include restricted deposits of $0.49 million and $0.53 million as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively, placed as security towards performance guarantees issued by the Company’s bankers on the Company’s behalf.

Held to Maturity Securities

Investments in held-to-maturity securities (“HTM”) of the Company consist of investments in the units of FMPs of mutual funds in Indian subsidiaries.

 

Description    As of
March 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
 
     (In thousands)  

Aggregate fair value of the investment

   $ 17,176       $ 16,612   

Less: Gross unrecognized holding gain

     1,104         726   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net carrying amount

$ 16,072    $ 15,886   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10.   LINE OF CREDIT AND TERM LOAN

On May 23, 2013, Syntel entered into a Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. for $150 million in credit facilities consisting of a three-year term loan facility of $60 million and a three year revolving credit facility of $90 million. The maturity date of both the three year term loan facility and the three year revolving credit facility is May 23, 2016. The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by two of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries, SkillBay and Syntel Consulting (collectively, the “Guarantors”). In connection with the credit facilities, the Company and the Guarantors also entered into a related security and pledge agreement granting a security interest in the assets of the Company and the Guarantors, including, without limitation, a pledge of 65% of the equity interests in Syntel India.

The interest rates applicable to loans incurred under the Credit Agreement are (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.25% with respect to Eurodollar Loans and (ii) the Base Rate plus 0.25% with respect to Base Rate Loans, and (b) with respect to the Term Loan, (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.50% with respect to Eurodollar Loans and (ii) the Base Rate plus 0.50% with respect to Base Rate Loans (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

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As of March 31, 2015, the interest rate was 1.48% for the three year revolving credit facility and was 1.76% for the three year term loan facility.

With the interest rate charged on the credit facilities being variable, the fair value of the credit facilities approximates their reported value as of March 31, 2015, as it reflects the current market value.

Principal payments on the term loan are due every quarter. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, a principal payment of $ 1.875 million was made. The related Credit Agreement requires compliance with certain financial ratios and covenants. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

As of March 31, 2015 the outstanding balances of the term loan and line of credit, including interest, were $46.58 million and $90.14 million, respectively.

Future scheduled payments on the three-year revolving credit facility and term loan, at March 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

     Term Loan      Revolving Credit
Facility
 
     (In thousands)  

2015

   $ 6,750       $ —     

2016

   $ 39,750       $ 90,000   

 

11.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the applicable period. If the number of common shares outstanding increases as a result of a stock dividend or stock split or decreases as a result of a reverse stock split, the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are adjusted retroactively for all periods presented to reflect that change in capital structure. If such changes occur after the close of the reporting period but before issuance of the financial statements, the per-share computations for that period and any prior-period financial statements presented are based on the new number of shares.

During 2014, The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split of its outstanding common shares. On November 3, 2014, an additional common share was issued for each existing common share held by shareholders of record on October 20, 2014. Accordingly, all share and per share amounts for all periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, have been adjusted retroactively, where applicable, to reflect this stock split.

The Company has issued stock options and restricted stock units, which are considered to be potentially dilutive to its basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method for the dilutive effect of options and restricted stock units granted pursuant to the stock option and incentive plan, by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period adjusted for these potentially dilutive options, except when the results would be anti-dilutive. The potential tax benefit on exercise of stock options is considered as additional proceeds while computing dilutive earnings per share using the treasury stock method.

 

 

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The reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2015      2014  
     Weighted
Average
Shares
     Earnings
per
Share
     Weighted
Average
Shares
     Earnings
per
Share
 
     (in thousands, except per share earnings)  

Basic earnings per share

     83,907       $ 0.48         83,680       $ 0.69   

Potential dilutive effect of restricted stock options outstanding

     220         0         264         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

  84,127    $ 0.48      83,944    $ 0.69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The number of shares and per share amounts for the prior period presented have been retroactively restated to reflect 2014 the stock split.

 

12.   SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company’s reportable business segments are as follows:

 

    Banking and Financial Services

 

    Healthcare and Life Sciences

 

    Insurance

 

    Manufacturing

 

    Retail, Logistics and Telecom

Syntel’s leadership evaluates the Company’s performance and allocates resources based on segment revenues and segment cost of revenues. Segment gross profit is defined as gross profit before Corporate Direct Costs.

The Company’s cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable professionals in the U.S. and offshore, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Generally, the cost of revenues for each operating segment has similar characteristics and is subject to the same factors, pressures and challenges. However, the economic environment and its effects on industries served by our operating groups may affect revenue and cost of revenues to differing degrees.

Banking and Financial Services

Our Banking and Financial Services segment serves financial institutions throughout the world. Our clients include companies providing banking, investments, transaction processing, capital markets, and cards and payments services to third parties. Our clients engage us to help make their operations as effective, productive and cost-efficient as possible, and to support new capabilities. We assist these clients in such areas as: cards and payments, retail banking, wholesale banking, consumer lending, risk management, investment banking, reconciliations, fraud analysis, mobile banking, and compliance and securities services. The demand for our services in the banking and financial services sector is being driven by several significant changes in the industry. We help our customers adapt to market changes by providing technology-based, industry-specific solutions. In addition to application services, the services increasingly in demand in this segment include testing, Business Intelligence (BI), IT Infrastructure Management Services (IMS), Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), and Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) technologies, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and business and technology consulting.

 

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Healthcare and Life Sciences

Our Healthcare and Life Sciences segment serves many companies, including healthcare payers, providers and pharmaceutical and medical device providers, among others. The healthcare industry is constantly seeking to improve the quality of care while lowering the cost of care and making healthcare affordable to a larger population. Our healthcare practice focuses on providing a broad range of services and solutions to the industry to address regulatory requirements and emerging industry trends such as: migration to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD–10) standard, wider use of Electronic Health Records and increasing prevalence of healthcare banking. We also partner with clients to enable their systems and processes to deal with the increasing retail orientation of healthcare, such as support for individual mandates and the adoption of mobile and analytics solutions to improve access to health information and decision making by end consumers.

In the life sciences category, we partner with leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, as well as providers of generics, animal health and consumer health products. Our life sciences solutions help transform many of the business processes in the life sciences value chain (research, clinical development, manufacturing and supply chain, sales and marketing) as well as regulatory and administrative functions. Among our services most often in demand are testing, BI, IMS, KPO, SMAC, ERP, and business and technology consulting.

Insurance

We serve the needs of global property and casualty insurers, insurance brokers, personal, commercial, life and retirement insurance service providers. These customers turn to us for assistance in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations and in achieving business transformation. We focus on aspects of our clients’ operations, such as: policy administration, claims processing and compliance reporting. We also serve the growing trend among insurers to improve their sales and marketing processes by deepening direct retail customer relationships and strengthening interactions with networks of independent and captive insurance agents, often through the use of social media and mobile technologies. Additionally, many insurers seek to improve business effectiveness by reducing expense ratios and exiting non-core lines of business and operations. Our services most in demand in this segment include testing, BI, IMS, KPO, SMAC, ERP, and business and technology consulting.

Manufacturing

Our Manufacturing segment provides business consulting and technology services in a range of sub-sectors, including industrial product and aerospace and automotive manufacturing, as well as processors of natural resources and chemicals, and the supply chain of raw materials. Some of our manufacturing solutions for industrial and automotive clients include warranty management, dealer system integration, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), sales and operations planning, and mobility.

Industry trends that influence the demand for our services in this segment include the increasing globalization of sourcing and the desire of clients to further penetrate emerging markets, leading to longer and more complex supply chains. Our services most in demand in this segment include Enterprise Application Services (EAS), Enterprise Information Management (EIM), testing, BI, IMS, KPO, SMAC, ERP, and business and technology consulting.

Retail, Logistics and Telecom

In Retail, we serve a wide spectrum of retailers and distributors, including supermarkets, specialty premium retailers, department stores and large mass-merchandise discounters, who seek our assistance in becoming more efficient and cost-effective and in helping to drive business transformation. Services in high demand in the retail sector include business and technology consulting, eCommerce, EAS, systems integration, testing, KPO and EIM. We also serve the entire travel and hospitality industry including airlines, hotels and restaurants, as well as online and retail travel, global distribution systems, and intermediaries and real estate companies, providing solutions such as CRM and EIM.

 

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In Logistics, our clients look to Syntel to implement business-relevant changes that will make them more productive, competitive and cost effective. To that end, we help organizations improve operational efficiencies, enhance responsiveness and collaborate with trading partners to better serve their markets and end customers. We leverage a comprehensive understanding of the business and technology drivers of the industry. Our solutions for logistics clients include SCM, sales and operations planning mobility, Point of Sale testing, and Multi-Channel, customer and retail store analytics.

In Telecom, we help our clients address important changes in the telecom industry, such as the transition to new network technologies, designing, developing, testing and introducing new products and channels, improving customer service and increasing customer satisfaction.

In the Retail, Logistics and Telecom segment our services most in demand include testing, BI, IMS, KPO, SMAC, ERP, and business and technology consulting.

Corporate Direct Costs

Certain expenses, for cost centers such as Centers of Excellence, Architecture Solutions Group, Research and Development, Cloud Computing, and Application Management, are not allocated to specific industry segments because management believes it is not practical to allocate such expenses to individual segments as they are not directly attributable to any specific segment. Accordingly, these expenses are separately disclosed as Corporate Direct Costs and adjusted only against Total Gross Profit.

In accordance with ASC 280 “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” segment disclosures presented below. Revenues from external customers and gross profit for the Banking and Financial Services; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Insurance; Manufacturing; and Retail, Logistics and Telecom segments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

Net Revenues:

     

Banking and Financial Services

   $ 105,346       $ 108,098   

Healthcare and Life Sciences

     34,415         38,466   

Insurance

     34,365         31,979   

Manufacturing

     8,592         6,336   

Retail, Logistics and Telecom

     37,881         34,644   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 220,599    $ 219,523   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross Profit:

Banking and Financial Services

  37,799    $ 47,619   

Healthcare and Life Sciences

  12,841      19,249   

Insurance

  11,888      12,605   

Manufacturing

  2,294      1,832   

Retail, Logistics and Telecom

  15,430      15,885   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Segment Gross Profit

  80,252      97,190   

Corporate Direct cost

  (1,438   (1,167
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross Profit

$ 78,814    $ 96,023   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  35,382      32,221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations

$ 43,432    $ 63,802   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2015, American Express Corp., State Street Bank and Federal Express Corp. each contributed revenues in excess of 10% of total consolidated revenues. Revenues from American Express Corp., State Street Bank and Federal Express Corp. were $44.1 million, $31.6 million and $29.3 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, contributing approximately 20.0%, 14.3% and 13.3%, respectively of total consolidated revenues. The revenues from American Express Corp. and State Street Bank were generated in the Banking and Financial Services segment. The revenue from Federal Express Corp. was generated in the Retail, Logistics and Telecom segment. The corresponding revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from American Express Corp., State Street Bank and Federal Express Corp. were $46.9 million, $31.6 million and $24.7 million, respectively, contributing approximately 21.4%, 14.4% and 11.2%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, accounts receivable from American Express Corp. were $19.6 million and $19.0 million, respectively. Accounts receivable from State Street Bank were $19.5 million and $11.3 million, respectively, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Accounts receivable from Federal Express Corp. were $17.0 million and $14.3 million, respectively, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

13.   GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company’s net revenues and long-lived assets, by geographic area, are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Net Revenues (1)    2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

North America (2)

   $ 199,213       $ 199,702   

India

     531         404   

Europe (3)

     20,099         18,452   

Rest of the World

     756         965   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

$ 220,599    $ 219,523   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Long-Lived Assets (4)    As of
March 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
 
     (in thousands)  

North America (2)

   $ 2,848       $ 2,645   

India

     107,877         105,949   

Europe (3)

     63         71   

Rest of the world

     1,281         1,292   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 112,069    $ 109,957   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Notes for the Geographic Information Disclosure:

 

1. Net revenues are attributed to regions based upon customer location.
2. Primarily relates to operations in the United States.
3. Primarily relates to operations in the United Kingdom.
4. Long-lived assets include property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, and goodwill.

 

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14.   INCOME TAXES

The following table accounts for the differences between the federal statutory tax rate of 35% and the Company’s overall effective tax rate:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2015     2014  

Statutory provision

     35.0     35.0

State taxes, net of federal benefit

     0.5     0.2

City taxes

     —          0.1

Foreign effective tax rates different from U.S. statutory rate

     (13.1 )%      (10.6 )% 

Tax reserve

     0.3     (1.6 )% 

Valuation Allowance

     1.5     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective Income Tax Rate

  24.2   23.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was affected by the effective tax rate impact of changes in the offshore/onshore, taxable/nontaxable units profit mix of the Company and by a SEZ unit entering a 50% tax holiday effective April 1, 2015 against existing 100% tax holiday of five years.

The Company records provisions for income taxes based on enacted tax laws and rates in the various tax jurisdictions in which it operates. In determining the tax provisions, the Company provides for tax uncertainties in income taxes when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that a tax position would not be sustained upon examination. Such uncertainties, which are recorded in income taxes payable, are based on management’s estimates and accordingly, are subject to revision based on additional information. The provision no longer required for any particular tax year is credited to the current period’s income tax expenses. Conversely, in the event of a future tax examination, any additional tax expense not previously provided for will be recognized in the period in which the actual liability is concluded or management determines that the Company will not prevail on certain tax positions taken in filed returns, based on the “more likely than not” concept.

Syntel, Inc. and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in various tax jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011 and for State tax examinations for years before 2010. During 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the 2012 U.S. Federal Income Tax Return filed by Syntel Inc. and subsidiaries, which was closed without any material adjustments.

Syntel India, the Company’s India subsidiary, has disputed tax matters for the financial years 1996-97 to 2010-11 pending at various levels of the Indian tax authorities. Financial year 2011-12 and onwards are open for regular tax scrutiny by the Indian tax authorities. However, the tax authorities in India are authorized to reopen the already concluded tax assessments and may re-open the case of Syntel India for financial years 2008-09 and onwards. The Indian tax authority served a notice for re-opening the assessment of financial year 2008-09 for Syntel Global Private Limited (“SGPL”) on April 12, 2014. SGPL is in a position to defend the tax position for the aforesaid year and therefore, no additional provision has been made in the Company’s books.

The Company has reversed a provision for tax of $ 0.23 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 due to the expiration of the time limit with respect to particular tax provision and provided $0.07 million with respect to particular tax provision.

For the three month ended March 31, 2015, the Company has provided a tax charge of $0.79 million on account of valuation allowance against deferred tax assets recognized on minimum alternative tax.

 

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The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of income tax expense. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company has reversed interest of approximately $0.06 million. The Company has accrued approximately $1.27 million and $1.32 million for interest and penalties as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $44.02 million and $40.47 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has paid income taxes of $38.60 million and $35.86 million against the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $44.02 million and $40.47 million, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has paid the taxes in order to reduce the possible interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company’s net amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the tax disputes of $1.57 million and potential tax disputes of $3.23 million could change in the next twelve months as the court cases and global tax audits progress. At this time, due to the uncertain nature of this process, it is not reasonably possible to estimate an overall range of possible change.

Syntel’s software development centers/units are located in Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Gurgaon, India and registered in Special Economic Zones (SEZ), as Export Oriented Units (EOU) and as units located in Software Technologies Parks of India (STPI). Software development centers/units enjoy favorable tax provisions due to their registration in SEZ.

Certain units located in SEZ were eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes for the first five years of operation, 50% exemption for the next two years and for a further 50% exemption for another three years, subject to fulfilment of certain criteria. New units in SEZ that were operational after April 1, 2005 are eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes for the first five years of operation, 50% exemption for the next five years and a further 50% exemption for another five years, subject to fulfilment of certain criteria.

Most units located at SEEPZ Mumbai and the STPI/EOU units ceased to enjoy the tax exemption on March 31, 2011, except that one SEZ unit located at Mumbai and three more SEZ units located at Mumbai completed the tax holiday period on March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013 respectively. The Company started an IT SEZ unit in the Syntel Chennai SEZ during the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company has started operation in a KPO SEZ unit and IT SEZ unit in Airoli, Navi Mumbai in the quarter ended June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2011 respectively. One SEZ unit located at Chennai has completed its first five years of 100% exemption as of March 31, 2012 and another SEZ unit located at Chennai has completed its first five years of 100% exemption as of March 31, 2015. Two IT SEZ units and one KPO SEZ unit located at Syntel Pune SEZ have completed their first five years of 100% exemption as of March 31, 2013. The Company started operation in a new IT SEZ unit and a new KPO SEZ unit in the Syntel Pune SEZ in the quarter ended June 30, 2013. The Company started operation in a new SEZ unit in the Syntel Chennai SEZ and Syntel Pune SEZ in the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 respectively.

Syntel’s SEZ in Pune set up under the SEZ Act 2005, commenced operations in 2008. The SEZ for Chennai commenced operations in 2010. Income from operation of the SEZ, as a developer, is exempt from payment of corporate income taxes for ten out of 15 years from the date of SEZ notification.

Provision for Indian Income Tax is made only in respect of business profits generated from these software development units to the extent they are not covered by the above exemptions and also for income from treasury operations and other income.

Syntel India has not provided for disputed Indian income tax liabilities amounting to $1.62 million for the financial years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2001-02, which is after recognizing certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.82 million.

 

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Syntel India received orders for appeals filed with the Commissioner of Income Tax Appeals (“CIT (A)”) against the demands raised by the Income Tax Officer in respect of certain matters relating to the financial years 1996-97, 1997-98, and 2000-01. Syntel India’s contention was partially upheld by the CIT (A). Syntel India further appealed with the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (“ITAT”) for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). Syntel India received favorable orders from the ITAT. The Income Tax Department filed further appeals before the Bombay High Court. The Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department appeals and upheld the ITAT orders on December 15, 2009. The Income Tax Department filed a review petition before the Bombay High Court that was rejected due to filing defects. The Income Tax Department may rectify the defects and re-submit the review petition.

Syntel India has also not provided for disputed Indian income tax liabilities aggregating $4.90 million for the financial years 2002-03 to 2004-05, which is after recognizing tax on certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.75 million provided for uncertain income tax positions, against which Syntel India filed appeals with the CIT(A). Syntel India received the order for appeal filed with the CIT (A) relating to financial year 2002-03 and financial year 2003-04, wherein the contention of Syntel India was partially upheld. Syntel India has further appealed to the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax Department has also filed a further appeal against the relief granted to Syntel India by the CIT (A). The appeals by Syntel India and the Income Tax Department have been scheduled for hearing before the ITAT in the near future. Syntel India has obtained opinions from independent legal counsels that support Syntel India’s stand in this matter.

For the financial year 2004-05, the appeal of Syntel India was fully allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax Department filed a further appeal with the ITAT against the amounts allowed by the CIT (A) except with regard to one item. The Income Tax department’s appeal was rejected by the ITAT. The Income Tax Department filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the amounts allowed by the ITAT, except an item on which the CIT (A) granted relief to Syntel India and the Income Tax department did not appeal. Accordingly, Syntel India reversed a tax provision of $0.33 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 with regard to that one item. The Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department appeal. The Income Tax Department filed a Special Leave Petition with the Supreme Court of India on January 24, 2013, challenging the order passed by the Bombay High Court. The petition will come up for admission in the near future. For the financial year 2005-06, the Income Tax Department decided against Syntel India with respect to a particular tax position and Syntel India filed an appeal with the CIT (A). During the year ended December 31, 2010, Syntel India’s appeal for the financial year was fully allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax Department filed a further appeal with the ITAT against the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax Department appeal has been fixed for hearing before the ITAT in the near future. For the financial year 2006-07, the Income Tax Department decided against Syntel India with respect to a particular tax position and Syntel India filed an appeal with the CIT (A). During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company received an order for appeal filed with the CIT (A) that partially upheld Syntel India’s contentions. Syntel India filed a further appeal with the ITAT against the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax Department filed a further appeal against the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). The Syntel India and Income Tax Department appeals are fixed for hearing before ITAT in the near future. For the financial year 2007-08 to 2009-10, the Indian Income Tax Department decided against Syntel India with respect to a particular tax position and Syntel India filed appeals with the CIT (A). The Company received orders for appeals filed with the CIT (A) that upheld Syntel India’s contentions. The Income Tax Department filed further appeals against the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). These appeals are scheduled for hearing before the ITAT in the near future.

 

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For the financial year 2010-11, the income tax department has raised a new tax dispute on a particular tax position. The management has evaluated the tax impact on this tax position for the aforesaid financial year and subsequent financial year. As per management estimates, the Company has provided for unrecognized tax benefits of $0.02 million and $0.86 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 respectively. Syntel India filed appeals with the CIT (A) against the aforesaid order.

For the financial year 2006-07, the Income Tax Department decided against the Syntel KPO entity with respect to a particular tax position and the Syntel KPO entity filed an appeal with the CIT (A). During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Syntel KPO entity received an order for appeal filed with CIT (A) wherein, the contention of Syntel KPO entity was upheld. The Income Tax department filed a further appeal against the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax Department appeal is fixed for hearing before ITAT in the near future. For the financial years 2007-08 to 2010-11, the Income Tax Department decided against the Syntel KPO entity with respect to a particular tax position and the Syntel KPO entity filed an appeal with the CIT (A). The Syntel KPO entity’s appeals for the financial years 2007-08 to 2009-10 were not allowed by the CIT (A). The Syntel KPO entity has filed further appeals with the ITAT against the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Syntel appeal is fixed for hearing before ITAT in the near future.

For the financial year 2007-08, the Income Tax Department also decided against Syntel International Private Limited (“SIPL”) with respect to a particular tax position and SIPL filed an appeal with the CIT (A). During the three months ended September 30, 2012, SIPL received an order for appeal filed with CIT (A) wherein the contention of SIPL was upheld. Also, High Court orders are in favor of the tax position taken by SIPL. Based on the CIT (A) and the recent High Court orders, SIPL reviewed an Uncertain Tax Position (UTP) of $0.24 million and reversed the aforesaid tax provision in September 2012. The Income Tax Department filed a further appeal to the ITAT against the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). For the financial year 2011-12, the Income Tax Department also decided against SIPL with respect to a particular tax position and SIPL filed an appeal with the CIT (A).

All the above tax exposures involve complex issues and may need an extended period to resolve the issues with the Indian income tax authorities. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that the resolution of the above matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position.

Branch Profit Tax

Syntel India is subject to a 15% U.S. Branch Profit Tax (BPT) related to its effectively connected income in the United States, to the extent its U.S. taxable adjusted net income during the taxable year is not invested in the United States. The Company expects that U.S. profits earned on or after January 1, 2008 will be permanently invested in the U.S. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2008, a provision for BPT is not required. The accumulated deferred tax liability of $1.73 million as of December 31, 2007 will continue to be carried forward. Estimated additional BPT which would be due, if U.S. profits were not to be permanently invested, were approximately $6.89 million as of March 31, 2015.

Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries

The Company intends to use the remaining accumulated and future earnings of foreign subsidiaries to expand operations outside the United States and accordingly, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States and no provision for U.S. Federal and State income tax or applicable dividend distribution tax has been provided thereon. If the Company determines to repatriate all undistributed repatriable earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015, the Company would have accrued taxes of approximately $282.5 million.

 

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Service Tax Audit

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, a service tax audit was conducted for the Adyar facility in Chennai by the office of the Accountant General (Commercial Receipt Audit). The scope of the audit was to review transactions covered under the Central Excise and Customs Act. The Development Commissioner (DC) issued a letter stating the audit objections raised by the officer of the audit team. Most of the observations are pertaining to the service tax and are for an amount of $3.85 million. Syntel India filed a reply to said notice and provided further information.

Further to Syntel India’s reply and information filed earlier, Syntel India received a letter dated July 13, 2011 from the DC, indicating that the audit objections amounting to $3.0 million, out of the total amount of $3.85 million, have been closed. Syntel is pursuing closure of the balance of the audit objections of approximately $0.85 million but has not yet received any communication back from the DC office.

Syntel India obtained the views of a tax consultant in this matter and the consultant advised that the matter is time barred. Even if not time barred, the consultant also provided advice that Syntel India will be in a position to defend the objections raised and therefore no provision has been made in the Company’s books.

Syntel India regularly files quarterly refund applications and claims refunds of taxes on input services which remain unutilized against a nil service tax on export of services. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, Syntel India received orders for a service tax refund for the period October – December 2011. The Assistant Commissioner of Service Tax granted a refund of $0.32 million and rejected refunds of $0.59 million. Syntel India filed appeals before the Commissioner of Appeal responding to the aforesaid rejections. The rejection orders stated that the input services did not meet the conditions qualifying them for a refund of service taxes. Syntel India obtained the views of a tax consultant in this matter and the consultant advised that Syntel India is in a strong position to defend the rejections and therefore, no provision has been made in the books.

The Syntel KPO entity regularly files quarterly refund applications and claims refunds of taxes on input services which remain unutilized against a nil service tax on export of services. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Syntel KPO entity received orders for the rejection of a service tax refund for the period April–September 2011 of $0.45 million. Per the rejection order, there is no nexus of input services with the export of services justifying the claim of refund of service tax. The Syntel KPO entity filed appeals before the Commissioner of Appeal against the aforesaid order. The Syntel KPO entity received service tax refunds for the periods October–December 2011 and January–March 2012 of $0.15 million and $0.13 million, respectively. During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the KPO entity received orders for rejection of Service tax refunds for the period April–December 2012 of $0.71 million. As per the rejection order, there is no nexus of input services with the export of services and the entity is not eligible for refund of the service tax. The Syntel KPO entity filed appeals before the Commissioner of Appeal against the aforesaid orders. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the Commissioner of Appeal allowed appeals filed by the Syntel KPO entity. The Service tax department has filed an appeal against the said order before the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) and also an application for stay of refund. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the Syntel KPO entity received an order for a service tax refund for the period January–March 2013 of $0.20 million, after rejection of $0.04 million. The Syntel KPO entity filed appeals before the Commissioner of Appeal against the aforesaid rejection.

 

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The Company obtained a tax consultant’s advice on the aforesaid orders. The consultant is of the view that the aforesaid orders are contrary to the wording of the service tax notifications and provisions. The Company, therefore, believes that its claims of service tax refunds should be upheld at the appellate stage and the refunds should be accordingly granted. Based on the consultant’s tax advice, the Company is in a strong position to defend the rejection of the refunds. Accordingly, no provision has been made in the Company’s books.

SIPL regularly files service tax returns and filed a refund application claiming a tax refund of unutilized input service tax on account of export of services. The Company received a show cause notice on October 23, 2012 for a service tax demand of approximately $2.04 million. The Company filed submissions with the service tax department to oppose the aforementioned show cause notice. However, the service tax department passed an order dated February 11, 2013 confirming said demand. The total demand, including penalty amounts, was raised to $3.95 million. In addition to this amount, annual interest at 18%, calculated on a daily basis on the outstanding demand, is payable. SIPL filed an appeal against the said order before the CESTAT and also an application for stay of demand. The CESTAT allowed SIPL’s appeal, set aside the demand and directed the Commissioner to make a fresh examination. However, the service tax department filed an appeal before the Bombay High Court against the aforesaid CESTAT order. The Bombay High Court has directed to CESTAT to decide the case on merit rather than directing to commissioner for fresh consideration.

The Company’s tax consultant is of the view that the aforementioned demand is contrary to the wording of the service tax notifications and provisions. The Company therefore believes it is in a strong position to defend the aforementioned demand. Accordingly, no provision has been made in the Company’s books.

India Finance Bill 2015

On February 28, 2015, the Finance Budget 2015 was proposed in India. The proposal included clarification on including indirect transfers in income-tax, deferred the General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) to Financial year 2017-18, established withdrawals for the Direct Tax code and stated that the Goods and Service Tax is to be implemented from April 1, 2016.

The proposals also included (a) an increase in the Surcharge on tax from 10% to 12%, (b) consequential increase in the Corporate Tax rate from 33.99% to 34.61%, (c) an increase in dividend distribution tax from 16.99% to 17.30% on the gross distributable amount including tax and (d) an increase in the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) rate from 20.96% to 21.34%. The service tax rate increase is to increase to 14% against an earlier tax rate of 12.36%. In addition to the 14% service tax rate, there would be Swachh Bharat Cess of 2% on the gross value of certain services as may be notified.

Local Taxes

As of March 31, 2015 the Company had a local tax liability of approximately $3.8 million (exclusive of interest and/or penalties) relating to employer withholding taxes and employer payroll expense tax.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a local tax liability provision of approximately $5.9 million, equal to $3.8 million net of tax, relating to local taxes including employer withholding taxes, employer payroll expense taxes, business license and corporate income taxes.

Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT)

Minimum Alternate Tax (“MAT”) is payable on Book Income, including the income for which deduction is claimed under section 10A and section 10AA of the Indian Income Tax Act. The excess tax paid under MAT provisions, over and above the

 

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normal tax liability is “MAT Credit”. MAT Credit can be carried forward and set-off against future tax liabilities computed under normal tax provisions in excess of tax payable under MAT. The MAT Credit can be carried forward for set-off up to a period of 10 years from the end of the financial year in which MAT Credit arises. Accordingly, the Company’s Indian subsidiaries have calculated the tax liability for current domestic taxes after considering MAT tax liability. Management estimates that the Company’s Indian subsidiaries would utilize the MAT credit within the prescribed limit of 10 years. The Company estimated that the Company may not be able to utilize part of the MAT credit for one of the Indian subsidiaries. Accordingly, a valuation allowance of $1.67 million was recorded against the accumulated MAT credit recognized as deferred tax assets. The MAT credit as of March 31, 2015 of $25.91 million (net of valuation allowance of $1.67 million) shall be utilized before March 31 of the following financial years and shall expire as follows:

 

Year of Expiry Of MAT Credit

   Amount in USD
(in millions)
 

2017-18

     0.21   

2018-19

     0.28   

2019-20

     1.03   

2020-21

     3.50   

2021-22

     0.84   

2022-23

     6.33   

2023-24

     7.49   

2024-25

     7.90   
  

 

 

 

Total

  27.58   
  

 

 

 

Less: valuation allowance

  (1.67
  

 

 

 

Total (net of valuation allowance)

  25.91   
  

 

 

 

 

15.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, Syntel’s subsidiaries have commitments for capital expenditures (net of advances) of $31.0 million and $31.8 million, respectively, primarily related to the technology campuses being constructed at Pune and Chennai in India.

 

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Syntel’s Indian subsidiaries’ operations are carried out from their development centers/units in Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Gurgoan forming part of a Special Economic Zone (“SEZ”)/ Software Technology Parks (“STP”) scheme. Under these schemes, the registered units have export obligations, which are based on the formula provided by the notifications/circulars issued by the STP and SEZ authorities from time to time. The consequence of not meeting the above commitments would be a retroactive levy of import duty on items previously imported duty free for these units. Additionally, the respective authorities have rights to levy penalties for any defaults on a case-by-case basis. The Company is confident of meeting these obligations.

The Company is party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including litigation and governmental and regulatory controls. The Company’s estimates regarding legal contingencies are based on information known about the matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. It is the opinion of management with respect to pending or threatened litigation matters that unfavorable outcomes are remote and that estimates of possible loss are not able to be made. Although actual amounts could differ from management’s estimates, none of the actions are believed by management to involve future amounts that would be material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company estimates the costs associated with known legal exposures and their related legal expenses and accrues reserves for either the probable liability, if that amount can be reasonably estimated, or otherwise the lower end of an estimated range of potential liability. There was no accrual related to customer related claim contingencies during the three months ended March 31, 2015. the Company made no accruals towards estimated legal exposures and their related legal expenses.

As at December 31, 2014, the Company had recorded $0.35 million as an accrual towards liability for a customer claim related contingency. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company settled the customer claim without admitting liability and the amount accrued was paid out.

 

16.   STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

Share Based Compensation:

The Company originally established a Stock Option and Incentive Plan in 1997 (the “1997 Plan”). On June 1, 2006, the Company adopted the Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Amended Plan”), which amended and extended the 1997 Plan. Under the plan, a total of sixteen million shares of Common Stock (adjusted for the effects of the 2014 stock split) were reserved for issuance. The dates on which options granted under the Amended Plan become first exercisable are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, but generally vest over a four-year period from the date of grant. The term of any option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. No stock options were issued for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

The Company accounts for share-based compensation based on the estimated fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Statement of Comprehensive Income. Share-based compensation expense recognized as above for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.79 million and $1.43 million, respectively, including a charge for restricted stock units.

The shares issued upon the exercise of the options are new share issues after taking into account the effects of the 2014 stock splits.

 

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Restricted Stock Units:

Also under the Amended Plan, on different dates during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company issued restricted stock unit awards of 182,728 and 418,716 (adjusted to account for 2014 stock split), respectively, to its non-employee directors and some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. The restricted stock unit awards were granted to employees for their future services as a retention tool at a zero exercise price, and vest in shares with regards to 25% of the awards issued on or after the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant dates.

On different dates during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company issued restricted stock unit awards (adjusted to account for the 2014 stock split) of 293,904, 187,056, 217,656 and nil respectively, to its non-employee directors and some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. The restricted stock unit awards were granted to employees for their future services as a retention tool at a zero exercise price and vest in shares with regards to 25% of the awards issued on or after the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant dates.

The impact on the Company’s results of operations of recording stock-based compensation (including impact of restricted stock unit) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

Cost of revenues

   $ 616       $ 460   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,173         966   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 1,789    $ 1,426   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

A summary of the activity for restricted stock unit awards (adjusted to reflect the stock split) granted under our stock-based compensation plans as of March 31, 2015 and changes during the period ended is presented below:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
     2014  
     Number Of
Awards
     Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
     Number Of
Awards
     Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
 

Unvested at January 1

     564,314       $ 37.37         501,292       $ 28.64   

Granted

     —           —           293,904       $ 42.79   

Vested

     (6,350      24.65         (227,882    $ 25.03   

Forfeited

     (5,704      32.06         (3,000    $ 44.90   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested at March 31

  552,260    $ 37.58      564,314    $ 37.37   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2015, $15.8 million of total remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to restricted stock unit awards is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 2.5 years.

 

17.   VACATION PAY

The accrual for unutilized leave balance is determined for the entire available leave balance standing to the credit of the employees at period end. The leave balance eligible for carry-forward is valued at gross compensation rates and eligible for compulsory encashment at basic compensation rates.

 

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The gross charge for unutilized earned leave was $1.8 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The amounts accrued for unutilized earned leave are $22.1 million and $21.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are included within accrued payroll and related costs.

 

18.   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company maintains a 401(k) retirement plan that covers all regular employees on Syntel’s U.S. payroll. Eligible employees may contribute the lesser of 60% of their compensation or $18,000, subject to certain limitations, to the retirement plan. The Company may make contributions to the plan at the discretion of the Board of Directors; however, through March 31, 2015, no Company contributions have been made.

Eligible employees on Syntel’s Indian payroll receive benefits under the Provident Fund (“PF”), which is a defined contribution plan. Both the employee and the Company make monthly contributions equal to a specified percentage of the covered employee’s salary. The Company has no further obligations under the plan beyond its monthly contributions. The contributions made to the fund are administered and managed by the Government of India. The Company’s monthly contributions are expensed in the period they are incurred. Provident Fund Contribution expense recognized by Indian entities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

In accordance with the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 of India, the Indian subsidiary provides for gratuity, a defined retirement benefit plan (the “Gratuity Plan”) covering eligible employees. The Gratuity Plan provides a lump sum payment to vested employees at retirement, death, incapacitation or termination of employment, based on the respective employee’s salary and the tenure of employment. Liabilities with regard to the Gratuity Plan are determined by actuarial valuation and are expensed in the period determined. The Gratuity Plan is a non-funded plan. The amounts accrued under this plan are $12.7 million and $12.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are included within current liabilities and in other non-current liabilities, as applicable. Expense recognized by Indian entities under the Gratuity Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

19.   CONSOLIDATION OF A VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

Syntel Delaware is a 100% subsidiary of Syntel, Inc. and a 49% shareholder of the joint venture (“JV”) entity SSSSML, the other shareholder being an affiliate of State Street Bank. Syntel Delaware has a variable interest in SSSSML as it is entitled to all the profits and solely responsible for all losses incurred by SSSSML even though it holds only 49% in the JV entity. Accordingly, Syntel Delaware consolidates the JV entity SSSSML.

The Company’s Banking and Financial Services to State Street Bank and one other client are provided through the above joint venture between the Company and an affiliate of State Street Bank. Sales of Banking and Financial Services to these two clients represented approximately 12.8% and 13.3% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

20.   FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company follows the guidance for fair value measurements and fair value option for financial assets and liabilities, which primarily relate to the Company’s investments, forward contracts and nonfinancial assets and liabilities.

This standard includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures.

 

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The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

 

  Level 1 – Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

  Level 2 – Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-corroborated inputs which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

  Level 3 – Inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable.

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015:

 

                   (In Millions)  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Short Term Investments-Available for Sale Securities

   $ 169.9       $ —         $ —         $ 169.9   

Term Deposits

     —           399.2         —           399.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets Measured at Fair Value

$ 169.9    $ 399.2    $ —      $ 569.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014:

 

                   (In Millions)  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Short Term Investments-Available for Sale Securities

   $ 186.8       $ —         $ —         $ 186.8   

Term Deposits

     —           466.7         —           466.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets Measured at Fair Value

$ 186.8    $ 466.7    $ —      $ 653.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

21.   TERM DEPOSITS

The following table summarizes the term deposits with various banks outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

            (In Millions)  
Balance Sheet Item    As of
March 31,
2015
     As of
December 31,
2014
 

Cash & Cash Equivalents

   $ 68.30       $ 13.00   

Short Term Investments

     399.20         466.60   

Non-Current Assets

     0.08         0.10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 467.58    $ 479.70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

22.   RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Issued May 2014; which was scheduled to be effective for Syntel beginning January 1, 2017, however there has been a proposal in which the effective date of the ASU would be deferred for public companies to January 1, 2018 with an option to elect to adopt the ASU as of original effective date. The new

 

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standard is intended to substantially enhance the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported while also improving the comparability of the financial statements of companies using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and those using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

The new guidance also addresses the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a customer contract and provides a set of disclosure requirements intended to give financial statement users comprehensive information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are being evaluated.

ASU 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (Subtopic 350-40) Issued April 2015; will be effective for Syntel beginning January 1, 2016 with early adoption permitted. This ASU provides guidance to help entities in evaluating the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement.

The new guidelines provide guidance on, how customers should evaluate whether such arrangements contain a software license that should be accounted for separately. Customers will need to apply the same criteria as vendors to determine whether the arrangement contains a software license or is solely a service contract. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are being evaluated.

ASU 2015-01, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20), Issued January 2015; will be effective for Syntel beginning January 1, 2016. The new standard is to simplify the income statement presentation requirements by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and also improving the comparability of the financial statements of companies using GAAP and those using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The new guidance also addresses, transactions that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring which should be presented within income from continuing operations or disclosed in notes to financial statements because those items satisfy the conditions for an item that is unusual in nature or infrequently occurring. The adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2015-01 will not have any significant impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

23.   RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain amounts in previously issued consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Reclassifications of prior period share and per-share amounts due to the two-for-one stock split that was effective on November 3, 2014 are effected to conform to the current period presentation.

 

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

SYNTEL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Revenues. The Company’s revenues consist of fees derived from its Banking and Financial Services; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Insurance; Manufacturing; and Retail, Logistics and Telecom business segments. Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased to $220.6 million from $219.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, representing a 0.5% increase. The Company’s verticalization sales strategy focusing on Banking and Financial Services; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Insurance; Manufacturing; and Retail, Logistics and Telecom has enabled better focus and relationships with key customers leading to continued growth in business. Further, continued focus on execution and investments in new offerings such as our Testing and Center of Excellence have a potential to contribute growth in the business. The focus is to continue investments in more new offerings and geographical expansion. Worldwide billable headcount as of March 31, 2015 increased by 2.9% to 17,278 employees as compared to 16,787 employees as of March 31, 2014. However, the growth in billable headcount was proportionally higher than the growth in revenue. This is primarily because of a decrease in the global utilization level. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately 76.6% of its billable workforce in India as compared to 78.6% as of March 31, 2014. The Company’s top five clients accounted for 61.2% of the total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2015, up from 60.2% of its total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2014. The Company’s top 10 clients accounted for 75.6% of the total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to 73.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2014. The Company’s top 4-30 clients accounted for 45.5% of the total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2015, down from 45.9% of its total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Cost of Revenues. The Company’s cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants in the U.S. and offshore, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. The cost of revenues increased to 63.6% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 55.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 7.9% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was attributable primarily to increases in compensation due to increased headcount and changes in the Company’s salary model, increased contract cost, salary increases for offshore and onsite employees and increased benefits costs, offset by a decrease in travel expenses due to a decrease in foreign living allowances and rupee depreciation in the first quarter of 2015. Salary increases are discretionary and determined by management. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the U.S. dollar, on average, 1.04% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014. This rupee depreciation positively impacted the Company’s gross margin by 21 basis points, operating income by 33 basis points and net income by 30 basis points, each as a percentage of revenue.

Banking and Financial Services Revenues. Banking and Financial Services revenues decreased to $105.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 47.8% of total revenues, from $108.1 million, or 49.2% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The $2.8 million decrease was attributable primarily to $40.8 million in lost revenues as a result of project completion and a $18.7 million net reduction in revenues from existing projects, largely offset by a $56.7 million increase in revenues from new engagements.

Banking and Financial Services Cost of Revenues. Banking and Financial Services cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants in the U.S. and offshore, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Banking and Financial Services cost of revenues increased to 64.1% of total Banking and Financial Services revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 55.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 8.2% increase in cost of revenues,

 

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as a percent of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was attributable primarily to increases in compensation due to increased headcount and changes in the Company’s salary model, increased contract cost, salary increases for offshore and onsite employees and increased benefits costs, offset by a decrease in travel expenses due to a decrease in foreign living allowances and rupee depreciation in the first quarter of 2015. Salary increases are discretionary and determined by management.

Healthcare and Life Sciences Revenues. Healthcare and Life Sciences revenues decreased to $34.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, or 15.6% of total revenues from $38.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, or 17.5% of total revenues. The $4.1 million decrease was attributable primarily to $9.4 million in lost revenues as a result of project completion and a $5.6 million net reduction in revenues from existing projects, largely offset by a $10.9 million increase in revenues from new engagements.

Healthcare and Life Sciences Cost of Revenues. Healthcare and Life Sciences cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants in the U.S. and offshore, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Healthcare and Life Sciences cost of revenues increased to 62.7% of total Healthcare and Life Sciences revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 50.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 12.7% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was attributable primarily to increases in compensation due to increased headcount and changes in the Company’s salary model, increased contract cost, salary increases for offshore and onsite employees and increased benefits costs, offset by a decrease in travel expenses due to a decrease in foreign living allowances and rupee depreciation in the first quarter of 2015. Salary increases are discretionary and determined by management.

Insurance Revenues. Insurance revenues increased to $34.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 15.6% of total revenues, from $32.0 million, or 14.6% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The $2.4 million increase was attributable primarily to revenues from new engagements contributing $20.2 million, largely offset by $14.2 million in lost revenues as a result of project completion and a $3.6 million net reduction in revenues from existing projects.

Insurance Cost of Revenues. Insurance cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Insurance cost of revenues increased to 65.4% of total insurance revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 60.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 4.8% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was attributable primarily to increases in compensation due to increased headcount and changes in the Company’s salary model, increased contract cost, salary increases for offshore and onsite employees and increased benefits costs, offset by a decrease in travel expenses due to a decrease in foreign living allowances and rupee depreciation in the first quarter of 2015. Salary increases are discretionary and determined by management.

Manufacturing Revenues. Manufacturing revenues increased to $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, or 3.9% of total revenues from $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, or 2.9% of total revenues. The $2.3 million increase was attributable primarily to a $2.2 million net increase in revenue from existing projects and a $1.1 million increase in revenue from new engagements, largely offset by $1.0 million in lost revenues as a result of project completion.

Manufacturing Cost of Revenues. Manufacturing cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants in the U.S., including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Manufacturing cost of revenues increased to 73.3% of total manufacturing revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from

 

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71.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 2.2% increase in cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as a percent of total Manufacturing revenues, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was attributable primarily to increases in compensation due to increased headcount and changes in the Company’s salary model, increased contract cost, salary increases for offshore and onsite employees and increased benefits costs, offset by a decrease in travel expenses due to a decrease in foreign living allowances and rupee depreciation in the first quarter of 2015. Salary increases are discretionary and determined by management.

Retail, Logistics and Telecom Revenues. Retail, Logistics and Telecom revenues increased to $37.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 17.1% of total revenues, from $34.6 million, or 15.8% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The $3.3 million increase was attributable primarily to revenues from new engagements contributing $25.7 million, largely offset by $17.3 million in lost revenues as a result of project completion, a $4.6 million reduction in revenue from existing projects and a $0.5 million reduction due to a provision for settling a customer claim.

Retail, Logistics and Telecom Cost of Revenues. Retail, Logistics and Telecom, cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants in the U.S. and offshore, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Retail, Logistics and Telecom cost of revenues increased to 59.3% of total Retail, Logistics and Telecom revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 54.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 5.2% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was attributable primarily to increases in compensation due to increased headcount and changes in the Company’s salary model, increased contract cost, salary increases for offshore and onsite employees and increased benefits costs, offset by a decrease in travel expenses due to a decrease in foreign living allowances and rupee depreciation in the first quarter of 2015. Salary increases are discretionary and determined by management.

Corporate Direct Costs - Cost of Revenues. Certain expenses, for cost centers such as Centers of Excellence, Architecture Solutions Group, Research and Development, Cloud Computing, and Application Management, are not specifically allocated to specific segments because management believes it is not practical to allocate such expenses to individual segments as they are not directly attributable to any specific segment. Accordingly, these expenses are separately disclosed as Corporate Direct Costs and adjusted only against the Total Gross Profit.

Corporate Direct Costs cost of revenues increased to 0.7% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 0.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 0.2% increase in cost of revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, was attributable primarily to increases in headcount and benefits partially offset by a decrease in travel expenses and rupee depreciation in the first quarter of 2015. Salary increases are discretionary and determined by management.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general, and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, payroll taxes and benefits for sales, solutions, finance, administrative, and corporate staff; travel; telecommunications; business promotions; and marketing and various facility costs for the Company’s global development centers and other offices.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $35.4 million or 16.0% of total revenues, compared to $32.2 million or 14.7% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were impacted by an increase in revenue of $1.1 million that resulted in a 0.1% decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue. The overall increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was attributable to (a) an increase in corporate expenses of $1.3 million primarily

 

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due to an increase in foreign exchange loss of $1.2 million (a $4.8 million loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as against a loss of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014) and a $0.1 million increase in legal and professional fees; (b) an increase in compensation due to increases in headcount of $1.1 million; (c) facility related costs of $0.5 million and (d) an increase in other expenses of $0.4 million, offset by a decrease in relocation and recruiting expenses of $0.1 million.

Other Income (Loss), Net. Other income includes interest and dividend income, gains and losses on forward contracts, gain and losses from the sale of securities, other investments, treasury operations and interest expenses on loans and borrowings.

Other income (loss), net for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $9.3 million or 4.2% of total revenues, compared to $11.8 million or 5.4% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease in other income of $2.5 million was attributable to a reduction in forward contract gain of $1.5 million and a decrease in interest income of $1.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Income Taxes

The Company records provisions for income taxes based on enacted tax laws and rates in the various taxing jurisdictions in which it operates. In determining the tax provisions, the Company provides for tax uncertainties in income taxes, when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that a tax position would not be sustained upon examination. Such uncertainties, which are recorded in income taxes payable, are based on management’s estimates and accordingly, are subject to revision based on additional information. The provision no longer required for any particular tax year is credited to the current period’s income tax expenses. Conversely, in the event of a future tax examination, any additional tax expense not previously provided for will be recognized in the period in which the actual liability is concluded or the management determines that the Company will not prevail on certain tax positions taken in filed returns, based on the “more likely than not” concept.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the effective income tax rates were 24.2% and 23.1%, respectively. The tax rate for the first quarter of 2015 was impacted by higher offshore profits and lower onsite profits, the taxable/nontaxable and onsite/offshore revenue and expense mix, exchange gain, creation of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and unrecognized tax benefit.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, gains (losses) on net investment hedge derivatives, unrealized gains (losses) on securities and a component of a defined benefit plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 the other comprehensive gain amounted to $11.7 million, primarily attributable to foreign currency translation adjustments of $10.6 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014 the other comprehensive income amounted to $26.2 million, primarily attributable to foreign currency translation adjustments of $24.8 million.

FINANCIAL POSITION

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and Cash equivalents increased to $281.78 million at March 31, 2015 from $221.84 million at March 31, 2014.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split of its outstanding common shares. On November 3, 2014, an additional common share was issued for each existing common share held by shareholders of record on October 20, 2014. Accordingly, all share and per share amounts for all periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, have been adjusted retroactively, where applicable, to reflect this stock split.

 

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The Company generally has financed its working capital needs through operations. The Mumbai, Chennai, Pune (India) and other expansion programs are financed from internally generated funds. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of certificates of deposit and treasury notes. These amounts are held by various banking institutions including U.S.-based and India-based banks. As of March 31, 2015, the total cash and cash equivalents and short term investment balances was $866.9 million. Out of the above, an amount of $795.2 million was held by Indian subsidiaries which was composed of an amount of $302.5 million held in U.S. dollars with the balance of the amount held in Indian rupees. The Company believes that the amount of cash and cash equivalents outside the U.S. will not have a material impact on liquidity.

Net cash used in operating activities was $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, consisting principally of decrease in net income, increase in accounts receivable, other assets and decrease in other liabilities. The number of days sales outstanding in net accounts receivable was approximately 64 days and 57 days as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in the number of day’s sales outstanding in net accounts receivable was due to higher collections during the corresponding period in 2014.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $90.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, consisting principally of $4.3 million of capital expenditures primarily for the construction/acquisition of the Global Development Center at Pune, the Knowledge Process Outsourcing facility at Mumbai and an additional facility in Chennai, the acquisition of computers, software and communications equipment and the purchase of mutual funds of $36.4 million and the purchase of term deposits with banks of $74.8 million, offset by $59.7 million from sales of mutual funds and $145.9 million from maturities of term deposits with banks.

Net cash used in financing activities was $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 consisting principally of a scheduled quarterly repayment of a loan.

On May 23, 2013, Syntel entered into a Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. for $150 million in credit facilities consisting of a three-year term loan facility of $60 million and a three-year revolving credit facility of $90 million. The maturity date of both the three year term loan facility and the three year revolving credit facility is May 23, 2016. The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by two of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries, SkillBay and Syntel Consulting (collectively, the “Guarantors”). In connection with the credit facilities, the Company and the Guarantors also entered into a related security and pledge agreement granting a security interest in the assets of the Company and the Guarantors, including, without limitation, a pledge of 65% of the equity interests in Syntel India.

The interest rates applicable to the loans incurred under the Credit Agreement are (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.25% with respect to Eurodollar Loans and (ii) the Base Rate plus 0.25% with respect to Base Rate Loans, and (b) with respect to the Term Loan, (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.50% with respect to Eurodollar Loans and (ii) the Base Rate plus 0.50% with respect to Base Rate Loans (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).

As of March 31, 2015, the interest rate was 1.48% for the three year revolving credit facility and was 1.76% for the three year term loan facility.

With the interest rate charged on the credit facilities being variable, the fair value of the credit facilities approximates their reported value as of March 31, 2015, as it reflects the current market value.

Principal payments on the term loan are due every quarter. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, a principal payment of $ 1.875 million was made. The related Credit Agreement requires compliance with certain financial ratios and covenants. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

 

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As of March 31, 2015 the outstanding balances of the term loan and line of credit including interest were $46.58 million and $90.14 million, respectively.

Future scheduled payments on the three-year revolving credit facility and term loan, at March 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

     Term Loan      Revolving Credit
Facility
 
     (In thousands)  

2015

   $ 6,750       $ —     

2016

   $ 39,750       $ 90,000   

The Company believes that the combination of present cash and short-term investment balances and future operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet the Company’s currently anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We believe the following critical accounting policies, among others, involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The Company has discussed this critical accounting policy and the estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue recognition is the most significant accounting policy for the Company. The Company recognizes revenue from time and material contracts as services are performed. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 revenues from time and material contracts constituted 58% and 61%, respectively, of total revenues. Revenue from fixed-price, application management, maintenance and support engagements is recognized as earned, which generally results in straight-line revenue recognition as services are performed continuously over the term of the engagement. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, revenues from fixed price application management and support engagements constituted 34% and 29% of total revenues, respectively.

Revenue on fixed price application development and integration projects is measured using the proportional performance method of accounting. Performance is generally measured based upon the efforts incurred to date in relation to the total estimated efforts required through the completion of the contract. The Company monitors estimates of total contract revenues and cost on a routine basis throughout the delivery period. The cumulative impact of any change in estimates of the contract revenues or costs is reflected in the period in which the change becomes known. In the event that a loss is anticipated on a particular contract, provision is made for the estimated loss. The Company issues invoices related to fixed price contracts based on either the achievement of milestones during a project or other contractual terms. Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue based upon the proportional performance method of accounting are recorded as revenue earned in excess of billings or deferred revenue in the accompanying financial statements. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, revenues from fixed price application development and integration contracts constituted 8% and 10% of total revenues, respectively.

Significant Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the

 

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reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition. The use of the proportional performance method of accounting requires that the Company make estimates about its future efforts and costs relative to its fixed price contracts. While the Company has procedures in place to monitor the estimates throughout the performance period, such estimates are subject to change as each contract progresses. The cumulative impact of any such change is reflected in the period in which the change becomes known.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on a specific review of aged receivables. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.7 million. The provision for the allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. These estimates are based on our assessment of the probable collection from specific client accounts, the aging of the accounts receivable, analysis of credit data, bad debt write-offs and other known factors.

Income Taxes—Estimates of Effective Tax Rates and Reserves for Tax Contingencies. The Company records provisions for income taxes based on enacted tax laws and rates in the various taxing jurisdictions in which it operates. In determining the tax provisions, the Company provides for tax uncertainties in income taxes, when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that a tax position would not be sustained upon examination. Such uncertainties, which are recorded in income taxes payable, are based on management’s estimates and accordingly are subject to revision based on additional information. The provision no longer required for any particular tax year is credited to the current period’s income tax expenses. Conversely, in the event of a future tax examination, any additional tax expense not previously provided for will be recognized in the period in which the actual liability is concluded or management determines that the Company will not prevail on certain tax positions taken in filed returns, based on the “more likely than not” concept.

Accruals for Legal Expenses and Exposures. The Company is party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including litigation and governmental and regulatory controls. The Company has not accrued any liability for legal contingencies as no legal contingency has been deemed to be probable of occurring. The Company’s estimates regarding legal contingencies are based on information known about the matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. It is the opinion of management with respect to pending or threatened litigation matters that unfavorable outcomes are remote and that estimates of possible loss are not able to be made. Although actual amounts could differ from management’s estimates, none of the actions are believed by management to involve future amounts that would be material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company estimates the costs associated with known legal exposures and their related legal expenses and accrues reserves for either the probable liability, if that amount can be reasonably estimated, or otherwise the lower end of an estimated range of potential liability. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has recorded $ Nil and $ 0.35 million respectively, as an accrual towards liability for a customer claim related contingency. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company settled the customer claim without admitting liability and the amount accrued was paid out.

Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company intends to use accumulated and future earnings of foreign subsidiaries to expand operations outside the United States and accordingly undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States and no provision for U.S. federal and state income tax or applicable dividend distribution tax has been provided thereon.

 

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements and information contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this report, including the allowance for doubtful accounts, contingencies and litigation, potential tax liabilities, interest rate or foreign currency risks, and projections regarding our liquidity and capital resources, could be construed as forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements containing words such as “could”, “expects”, “may”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, and similar expressions. In addition, the Company or persons acting on its behalf may, from time to time, publish other forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward looking statements.

Although management believes that the expectations, forecasts and goals reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties detailed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other factors not currently anticipated may also materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, financial position and prospects. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. While we believe that the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter any statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Goodwill

During the first quarter of year 2014, as a result of the completion of organizational changes, the Company changed its basis of segmentation to vertical segments. The company reassigned goodwill to the new reportable segment Healthcare and Life Sciences.

In accordance with guidance on goodwill impairment in the FASB Codification, goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually. Management believes goodwill was not impaired at March 31, 2015.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company considers investments purchased with an original maturity of less than three months at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2015      2014  
     (in thousands)  

ASSETS

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 281,784       $ 197,708   

Short-term investments

     585,168         669,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 866,952    $ 867,061   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at March 31, 2015, the total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balance was $866.9 million. Out of the above, an amount of $795.2 million was held by Indian subsidiaries which were comprised of an amount of $302.5 million held in U.S. dollars with the balance of the amount held in Indian rupees. The Company believes that the amount of cash and cash equivalents outside the U.S. will not have a material impact on liquidity.

The Company’s exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its investment portfolio. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments in its investment portfolio. The Company’s investments are in high-quality Indian Mutual Funds and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. At any time, changes in interest rates could have a material impact on interest earnings for our investment portfolio. The Company strives to protect and preserve our invested funds by limiting default, market and reinvestment risk. Investments in interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if there is a decline in interest rates. Due in part to these factors, the Company’s future investment income may fall short of expectations, or the Company may suffer a loss in principal if the Company is forced to sell securities, which have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates as stated above.

The currency composition of the investment portfolio also impacts the investment income generated by the Company. Investment income generated from the Indian rupee denominated investment portfolio is higher than that generated by the U.S. dollar denominated investment portfolio. As at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company held 57% and 61% of total funds in Indian rupees.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company’s sales are primarily sourced in the United States of America and its subsidiary in the United Kingdom and are mostly denominated in U.S. dollars or UK pounds, respectively. Its foreign subsidiaries, primarily Indian entities, incur most of their expenses in the local currency, i.e. Indian rupees. All foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. The Company’s business is subject to risks typical of an international business, including, but not limited to differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions, and foreign exchange rate volatility. Accordingly, the Company’s future results could be materially adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors. The risk is partially mitigated as the Company has sufficient resources in the respective local currencies to meet immediate requirements. The Company is also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in consolidation. As exchange rates vary, these results, when translated, may vary from expectations.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Indian rupee has appreciated against the U.S. dollar, on average, 0.22% as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014. This rupee appreciation negatively impacted the Company’s gross margin by 5 basis points, operating income by 7 basis points and net income by 6 basis points, each as a percentage of revenue. The Indian rupee denominated cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense was 32.3% and 82.9% of the expenses, respectively.

The rupee appreciation has also resulted in foreign currency translation adjustments of $10.6 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, which has been reported as other comprehensive income(loss).

Although the Company cannot predict future movement in interest rates or fluctuations in foreign currency rates, the Company does not currently anticipate that interest rate risk or foreign currency risk will have a significant impact. In order to limit the exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates, the Company periodically enters into foreign exchange forward contracts where the counter party is a bank, but these contracts do not have a material impact on the financial statements.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not enter into new foreign exchange forward contracts. At March 31, 2015, no foreign exchange forward contracts were outstanding.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officers (the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officers have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at a reasonable assurance level, as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). We maintain internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Therefore, internal control over financial reporting determined to be effective provides only reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

While the Company is a party to ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, the Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceeding or governmental investigation. In the opinion of our management, the outcome of such litigation, if decided adversely, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our quarterly or annual operating results, cash flows or consolidated financial position.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors as disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

The Company’s Chairman shares certain principal executive officer responsibilities with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President. Therefore, in accordance with Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a), both the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer and President sign a 302 certification and the 906 certification as principal executive officers.

Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.    Description
  31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
  31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
  31.3    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.
  32    Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officers and Principal Financial Officer.
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

SYNTEL, INC.
Date: May 8, 2015

/s/ Nitin Rakesh

Nitin Rakesh,

Chief Executive Officer and

President (principal executive officer)

Date: May 8, 2015

/s/ Arvind Godbole

Arvind Godbole,

Chief Financial Officer and

Chief Information Security Officer

(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.    Description
  31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
  31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
  31.3    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.
  32    Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officers and Principal Financial Officer.
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

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