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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Keysight Technologies, Inc.keys-04302015xex311.htm

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 APRIL 30, 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: 001-36334
 KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE
 
46-4254555
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(IRS employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification no.)
 
 
 
1400 FOUNTAINGROVE PARKWAY
 
 
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA
 
95403
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 829-4444 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x  No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the exchange act.
Large accelerated filer ¨
 
Accelerated filer ¨
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer x
 
Smaller reporting company ¨
(do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ¨  No  x 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 
CLASS
 
OUTSTANDING AT JUNE 3, 2015
COMMON STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE
 
169,337,658



KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

2


PART I
— FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net revenue:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Products
$
630

 
$
627

 
$
1,226

 
$
1,190

Services and other
110

 
116

 
215

 
224

Total net revenue
740

 
743

 
1,441

 
1,414

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products
264

 
270

 
524

 
515

Cost of services and other
60

 
58

 
118

 
112

Total costs
324

 
328

 
642

 
627

Research and development
96

 
89

 
192

 
179

Selling, general and administrative
192

 
199

 
398

 
390

Total costs and expenses
612

 
616

 
1,232

 
1,196

Income from operations
128

 
127

 
209

 
218

Interest income
1

 

 
1

 

Interest expense
(11
)
 

 
(23
)
 

Other income (expense), net
4

 
1

 
13

 
2

Income before taxes
122

 
128

 
200

 
220

Provision for income taxes
26

 
18

 
34

 
36

Net income
$
96

 
$
110

 
$
166

 
$
184

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share:(a)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.57

 
$
0.66

 
$
0.99

 
$
1.10

Diluted
$
0.56

 
$
0.66

 
$
0.97

 
$
1.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares used in computing net income per share:(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
169

 
167

 
168

 
167

Diluted
171

 
167

 
171

 
167

 
(a) On November 1, 2014, Agilent Technologies, Inc. distributed 167 million shares of Keysight common stock to existing holders of Agilent common stock. Basic and diluted net income per share for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 is calculated using the shares distributed on November 1, 2014.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed combined and consolidated financial statements.


3


KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
96

 
$
110

 
$
166

 
$
184

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax expense of $1, $1, $1 and zero
8

 
2

 
8

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(1), zero, $1 and zero
2

 

 
(1
)
 

Amounts reclassified into earnings related to derivative instruments, net of tax benefit (expense) of zero
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 

Foreign currency translation, net of tax expense of zero, $1, zero and zero
(1
)
 
1

 
(34
)
 
(11
)
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in actuarial net loss, net of tax expense of $3, zero, $6 and zero
8

 

 
16

 

Change in net prior service benefit, net of tax benefit of $3, zero, $6 and zero
(4
)
 

 
(8
)
 

Other comprehensive income (loss)
12

 
3

 
(21
)
 
(11
)
Total comprehensive income
$
108

 
$
113

 
$
145

 
$
173


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed combined and consolidated financial statements.


4


KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions, except par value and share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
April 30,
2015
 
October 31,
2014
ASSETS
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
894

 
$
810

Accounts receivable, net
353

 
357

Receivable from Agilent

 
23

Inventory
476

 
498

Deferred tax assets
73

 
83

Other current assets
131

 
79

Total current assets
1,927

 
1,850

Property, plant and equipment, net
460

 
470

Goodwill
378

 
392

Other intangible assets, net
14

 
18

Long-term investments
67

 
63

Long-term deferred tax assets
126

 
163

Other assets
89

 
94

Total assets
$
3,061

 
$
3,050

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
178

 
$
173

Payable to Agilent

 
125

Employee compensation and benefits
173

 
167

Deferred revenue
164

 
175

Income and other taxes payable
51

 
72

Other accrued liabilities
65

 
57

Total current liabilities
631

 
769

Long-term debt
1,099

 
1,099

Retirement and post-retirement benefits
173

 
213

Long-term deferred revenue
64

 
69

Other long-term liabilities
58

 
131

Total liabilities
2,025

 
2,281

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)


 


Total equity:
 

 
 

Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 100 million shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

 

Common stock; $0.01 par value; 1 billion shares authorized; 169 million shares at April 30, 2015 and 167 million shares at October 31, 2014 issued and outstanding
2

 
2

Additional paid-in-capital
1,124

 
1,002

Retained earnings
267

 
101

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(357
)
 
(336
)
Total stockholders' equity
1,036

 
769

Total liabilities and equity
$
3,061

 
$
3,050

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

5


KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Net income
$
166

 
$
184

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

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
46

 
39

Share-based compensation
42

 
26

Excess tax benefit from share-based plans
(3
)
 

Deferred taxes
13

 
33

Excess and obsolete inventory related charges
17

 
14

Other non-cash expenses, net
1

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
(5
)
 
5

Inventory
(17
)
 
(31
)
Accounts payable
1

 
26

Payment to Agilent, net
(28
)
 

Employee compensation and benefits
7

 
5

Retirement and post-retirement benefits
(21
)
 

Other assets and liabilities
(59
)
 
(26
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
160

 
275

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Investments in property, plant and equipment
(31
)
 
(34
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
1

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(30
)
 
(34
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans
8

 

Excess tax benefit from share-based plans
3

 

Return of capital to Agilent
(49
)
 

Net transfers to Agilent

 
(241
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(38
)
 
(241
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate movements
(8
)
 

 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
84

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
810

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
894

 
$

 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
24

 
$

Income taxes, net of refunds
$
22

 
$


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed combined and consolidated financial statements.

6


KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.
OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Overview. Keysight Technologies, Inc. ("we," "us," "Keysight" or the "company"), incorporated in Delaware on December 6, 2013, is a measurement company providing core electronic measurement solutions to communications and electronics industries.

Our fiscal year-end is October 31, and our fiscal quarters end on January 31, April 30 and July 31. Unless otherwise stated, these dates refer to our fiscal year and fiscal quarters.

On November 1, 2014, Keysight became an independent publicly-traded company through the distribution by Agilent Technologies, Inc. ("Agilent") of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Keysight to Agilent's shareholders (the "Separation"). Each Agilent shareholder of record as of the close of business on October 22, 2014 received one share of Keysight common stock for every two shares of Agilent common stock held on the record date, resulting in the distribution of approximately 167 million shares of Keysight common stock. Keysight's Registration Statement on Form 10 was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on October 6, 2014. Keysight's common stock began trading "regular-way" under the ticker symbol "KEYS" on the New York Stock Exchange on November 3, 2014.

Basis of Presentation. We have prepared the accompanying financial statements for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The accompanying financial statements and information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Prior to the distribution, Agilent transferred substantially all of the assets and liabilities and operations of the electronic measurement business to Keysight in August 2014 ("the Capitalization"). Combined financial statements prior to the Capitalization
were prepared on a stand-alone basis and were derived from Agilent’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, expenses were allocated to us using estimates that we consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or benefits received by us.
         
Following the Capitalization, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and our subsidiaries. Agilent continues to provide some services on a transitional basis for a fee, which are partially offset by other income from Keysight services provided to Agilent. These services are received or provided under a transition services agreement. We do not expect the net costs associated with the transition services agreement to be materially different than the historical costs that have been allocated to us related to these same services.

We recognized separation costs of $5 million and $12 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively, and $17 million and $25 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively, including branding, legal, accounting and other advisory fees and other costs to separate and transition from Agilent, which were principally classified in selling, general and administrative expenses.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed combined and consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, condensed combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, and condensed combined and consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.
 
The preparation of condensed combined and consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed combined and consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the company in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. Our critical accounting policies are those that affect our financial statements materially and involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments by management. Those policies are revenue recognition, inventory valuation, allocation methods and allocated expenses from Agilent, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, share-based compensation, retirement and post-retirement plan assumptions, restructuring, warranty and accounting for income taxes.

7



Update to Significant Accounting Policies. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.

2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The amendment was the result of a joint project between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop common revenue standards for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). To meet those objectives, the FASB is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and creating a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and the IASB is issuing IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance to our combined and consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance relating to share-based compensation to resolve what it saw as diverse accounting treatment of certain awards. With this amendment, the FASB has given explicit guidance to treat a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period as a performance condition that affects vesting rather than as a non-vesting condition that affects the grant-date fair value of an award. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and for the interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance related to the disclosures around going concern. The standard provided guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provided related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance with respect to the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The new guidance affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest, (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination, (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (5) certain investment funds. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the circumstances under which a cloud computing customer would account for an arrangement as a license of internal-use software. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance to our combined and consolidated financial statements.

In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The standard also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.


8


Other amendments to GAAP in the U.S. that have been issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on our combined and consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

3.    TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT

Prior to the Separation, we were the Electronic Measurement segment of Agilent, and thus, our transactions with Agilent were considered intercompany. After the Capitalization and prior to November 1, 2014, our transactions with Agilent were considered related party transactions since Agilent owned 100% of our outstanding common stock until October 31, 2014.

For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the amount of materials and services sold by us to other Agilent businesses was immaterial, and we did not purchase any materials from the other Agilent businesses.

Allocated Costs
 
The condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 included our direct expenses for cost of products and services sold, research and development, sales and marketing, distribution, and administration as well as allocations of expenses arising from shared services and infrastructure provided by Agilent to us. These allocated expenses include costs of information technology, accounting and legal services, real estate and facilities, corporate advertising, insurance services, treasury and other corporate and infrastructure services and costs for central research and development efforts. In addition, other costs allocated to us included restructuring costs, share-based compensation expense and retirement plan expenses related to Agilent’s corporate and shared services employees and are included in the table below. These expenses were allocated to us using estimates that we consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or benefits received by us. These costs were allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro-rata basis of revenue, square footage, headcount or other measures.

Allocated costs included in the accompanying condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
Cost of products and services
$

 
$
23

 
$

 
$
48

Research and development

 
11

 

 
22

Selling, general and administrative

 
73

 

 
139

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

 
(1
)
Total allocated costs
$

 
$
107

 
$

 
$
208


Receivable from and Payable to Agilent

The payable to Agilent was reduced by $25 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 as a result of finalization of discussions with Agilent as provided in the separation and distribution agreement. This adjustment was reflected as an increase in additional paid-in-capital in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The remaining receivables from and payables to Agilent were substantially settled as of April 30, 2015.

4.     SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Keysight accounts for share-based awards in accordance with the provisions of the authoritative accounting guidance, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors, including employee stock option awards, restricted stock units, employee stock purchases made under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and performance share awards granted to selected members of our senior management under the Long-Term Performance (“LTP”) Program based on estimated fair values. 

Prior to the Separation, Keysight employees participated in Agilent’s equity plans. Upon the Separation, outstanding Keysight employee stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs") and LTP Program awards previously issued under Agilent’s equity plans were adjusted and converted into new Keysight stock-based awards under the Keysight 2014 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan using a formula designed to preserve the intrinsic value and fair value of the awards immediately prior to the separation. These adjusted awards retained the vesting schedule and expiration date of the original awards.

9



The impact of share-based compensation on our results was as follows:
 

Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended

April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Cost of products and services
$
4

 
$
3

 
$
8

 
$
7

Research and development
2

 
1

 
6

 
4

Selling, general and administrative
7

 
6

 
28

 
16

Total share-based compensation expense
$
13

 
$
10

 
$
42

 
$
27

 
At April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, there was no share-based compensation capitalized within inventory. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, the windfall tax benefit realized from exercised stock options and similar awards was zero and $3 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, the windfall tax benefit realized from exercised stock options and similar awards was zero. The expense for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 includes expense of $1 million and $15 million, respectively, related to special inaugural RSU awards. These awards will vest over three years from the date of grant.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of employee stock options and LTP Program grants.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Stock Option Plans:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

 
1.8
%
 
1.6
%
 
1.7
%
Dividend yield

 
1
%
 
%
 
1
%
Weighted average volatility

 
38
%
 
31
%
 
39
%
Expected life

 
5.8 years

 
4.9 years

 
5.8 years

LTP Program:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volatility of Keysight shares
26
%
 
NA

 
26
%
 
NA

Volatility of selected peer-company shares
17%-67%

 
NA

 
17%-67%

 
NA

Price-wise correlation with selected peers
38
%
 
NA

 
38
%
 
NA

 
The fair value of share-based awards for employee stock option awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Shares granted under the LTP Program were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Both the Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo simulation fair value models require the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The estimated fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the market price of Keysight’s common stock on the date of grant. Prior to the Separation, it was determined based on the market price of Agilent’s common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for expected dividend yield. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at 85 percent of the purchase price and uses the purchase date to establish the fair market value.

As of November 1, 2014, Agilent’s fiscal 2013 LTP Program grants to Keysight executives are classified as liability awards in our condensed combined and consolidated financial statements as the payout of Keysight shares is dependent upon Agilent Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) as compared to its peer companies at the end of fiscal 2015. The mark-to-market adjustment was not material for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015.

For the three months ended April 30, 2015, no stock option awards were granted. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, we used the average historical volatility of eleven peer companies to estimate the volatility for our stock option awards. We considered our ability to find traded options of peer companies in the current market with similar terms and prices to our options. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, we used the historical volatility of Agilent stock to estimate the volatility for stock option awards. In estimating the expected life of our options, we considered the historical option exercise behavior of our executives, which we believe is representative of future behavior.


10


5.     INCOME TAXES
 
Our combined and consolidated financial statements for periods prior to November 1, 2014 reflect the calculation of certain deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities based on a separate return methodology. Subsequent to the Separation, we are filing tax returns on our own behalf and certain current and non-current deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities have been adjusted to reflect our stand-alone income tax positions. As of the Separation date, as a result of no longer reporting under the separate return methodology, current and non-current deferred tax assets decreased by approximately $6 million and $35 million, respectively. The net decrease in non-current deferred tax assets of $35 million was primarily due to the decrease in the deferred tax assets related to tax attributes of $83 million offset by a decrease in the deferred tax liability related to foreign unremitted earnings of approximately $53 million. The non-current deferred tax liabilities increased by $2 million as of the Separation date.

As of April 30, 2015, we continue to include a best estimate of the deferred tax liability for foreign unremitted earnings due to the separation as zero. Excess foreign tax credits associated with unremitted earnings are not recorded as an asset as they do not represent a separate deferred asset until earnings are remitted. However, unremitted foreign taxes reduce deferred tax liabilities associated with outside basis differences related to the investment in a foreign subsidiary to the extent the credit reduces a deferred tax liability of the investment. We continue to have ongoing discussions with Agilent regarding the allocation of certain deferred tax liability balances related to foreign unremitted earnings in accordance with the separation agreements.
 
The company’s effective tax rate was 21.7 percent and 17.2 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The company's effective tax rate was 14.1 percent and 16.4 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively. The income tax expense was $26 million and $34 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The income tax expense was $18 million and $36 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively.

The income tax provision for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 included a net discrete expense of $3 million and a net discrete benefit of $7 million, respectively. The income tax provision for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 included a net discrete expense of $3 million and $12 million, respectively, primarily due to the recognition of tax expense related to the repatriation of earnings to the U.S., offset somewhat by the settlement of an IRS audit in the U.S.

Keysight enjoys tax incentives in several jurisdictions, most notably in Singapore. The tax incentives provide lower rates of taxation on certain classes of income and require that certain conditions be met, including thresholds of employment, ownership of certain assets as well as specific type of investment activities within Singapore. As a result of the Singapore tax incentive that was finalized this quarter, the current income tax provision decreased by $21 million resulting in a net income per share (diluted) benefit of approximately $0.12 per share for the six months ended April 30, 2015. Further, the discrete impact to the tax provision was a decrease of $6 million, resulting in a net income per share (diluted) benefit of approximately $0.03 per share related to the fiscal 2014 impact. The Singapore tax incentive is due for renewal in fiscal 2024.

For the majority of our entities, the open tax years for the IRS, state and most foreign audit authorities are from August 1, 2014 through the current tax year. For certain historical Agilent foreign entities that Keysight retained as part of the separation, the tax years generally remain open back to the year 2005. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that a change to our unrecognized tax benefits will occur in the next twelve months due to either the expiration of a statute of limitation or a tax audit settlement.


11


6. NET INCOME PER SHARE
 
The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net income per share computations for the periods presented below:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Numerator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income
$
96

 
$
110

 
$
166

 
$
184

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average shares(a)
169

 
167

 
168

 
167

Potential common shares— stock options and other employee stock plans
2

 

 
3

 

Diluted weighted-average shares(a)
171

 
167

 
171

 
167

 
(a) On November 1, 2014, Agilent Technologies, Inc. distributed 167 million shares of Keysight common stock to existing holders of Agilent common stock. Basic and diluted net income per share for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 is calculated using the shares distributed on November 1, 2014.

The dilutive effect of share-based awards is reflected in diluted net income per share by application of the treasury stock method, which includes consideration of unamortized share-based compensation expense, the tax benefits or shortfalls recorded to additional paid-in capital and the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and non-vested restricted stock units. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options and unamortized share-based compensation expense and tax benefits or shortfalls collectively are assumed proceeds to be used to repurchase hypothetical shares. An increase in the fair market value of the company's common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive awards.

We exclude stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of our common stock from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, no options to purchase shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. In addition, we also exclude from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, stock options, ESPP, LTP Program and restricted stock awards, whose combined exercise price, unamortized fair value and excess tax benefits or shortfalls collectively were greater than the average market price of our common stock because their effect would also be anti-dilutive. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, we excluded 13,600 and 23,200 shares, respectively.

7. INVENTORY
 
 
April 30,
2015
 
October 31,
2014
 
(in millions)
Finished goods
$
224

 
$
219

Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies
252

 
279

Total Inventory
$
476

 
$
498



12


8.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
The following table presents goodwill balances and the movements for each of our reportable segments during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
 
 
Customer Support and Services
 
Measurement Solutions
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Goodwill as of October 31, 2014
$
55

 
$
337

 
$
392

Foreign currency translation impact
(2
)
 
(12
)
 
(14
)
Goodwill as of April 30, 2015
$
53

 
$
325

 
$
378

 
The components of other intangible assets as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 are shown in the table below:
 
 
Other Intangible Assets
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
and
Impairments
 
Net Book
Value
 
(in millions)
As of October 31, 2014:
 

 
 

 
 

Developed technology
$
125

 
$
114

 
$
11

Backlog
4

 
4

 

Trademark/Tradename
1

 
1

 

Customer relationships
32

 
25

 
7

Total
$
162

 
$
144

 
$
18

As of April 30, 2015:
 

 
 

 
 

Developed technology
$
125

 
$
117

 
$
8

Backlog
4

 
4

 

Trademark/Tradename
1

 
1

 

Customer relationships
32

 
26

 
6

Total
$
162

 
$
148

 
$
14

 
During the six months ended April 30, 2015, we recorded no additions to goodwill or other intangible assets. During the six months ended April 30, 2015, there was no impact to other intangible assets due to foreign exchange translation.
 
Amortization of other intangible assets was $2 million and $4 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Future amortization expense related to existing finite-lived purchased intangible assets is estimated to be $4 million for the remainder of 2015, $6 million for 2016, $3 million for 2017, $1 million for 2018, and zero thereafter.
 
9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
The authoritative guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market and assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

Fair Value Hierarchy
 
The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
Level 1- applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2- applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability such as: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active

13


markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in less active markets; or other inputs that can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
 
Level 3- applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2015 were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2015 Using
 
April 30,
2015
 
Quoted Prices
 in Active
 Markets for
 Identical Assets
 (Level 1)
 
Significant
 Other
 Observable
 Inputs
 (Level 2)
 
Significant
 Unobservable
 Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash equivalents (money market funds)
$
713

 
$
713

 
$

 
$

Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)
10

 

 
10

 

Long-term
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
13

 
13

 

 

Available-for-sale investments
43

 
43

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value
$
779

 
$
769

 
$
10

 
$

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

 
$

Long-term
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation liability
13

 

 
13

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value
$
17

 
$

 
$
17

 
$


Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement at October 31, 2014 Using
 
October 31,
2014
 
Quoted Prices
 in Active
 Markets for
 Identical Assets
 (Level 1)
 
Significant
 Other
 Observable
 Inputs
 (Level 2)
 
Significant
 Unobservable
 Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash equivalents (money market funds)
$
634

 
$
634

 
$

 
$

Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)
9

 

 
9

 

Long-term
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
13

 
13

 

 

Available-for-sale investments
35

 
35

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value
$
691

 
$
682

 
$
9

 
$

Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

Long-term
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation liability
13

 

 
13

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value
$
16

 
$

 
$
16

 
$

 
Our money market funds, trading securities, and available-for-sale investments are generally valued using quoted market prices and therefore are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Our derivative financial instruments are classified within Level 2, as there is not an active market for each hedge contract, but the inputs used to calculate the value of the instruments

14


are tied to active markets. Our deferred compensation liability is classified as Level 2 because, although the values are not directly based on quoted market prices, the inputs used in the calculations are observable.
 
Trading securities and deferred compensation liability are reported at fair value, with gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recognized currently in net income. Investments designated as available-for-sale and certain derivative instruments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses from the sale of these instruments are recorded in net income.

10.
DERIVATIVES
 
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and interest rate changes in the normal course of our business. As part of our risk management strategy, we use derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts and purchased options to hedge economic and/or accounting exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Prior to the Capitalization, there were no derivatives contracts legally held by us and the below disclosures represent the activity pertaining to the contracts entered into by us subsequently.
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
We enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge our forecasted operational cash flow exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These foreign exchange contracts, carried at fair value, have maturities between one and twelve months. These derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges under the criteria prescribed in the authoritative guidance. The changes in fair value of the effective portion of the derivative instrument are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amounts associated with cash flow hedges are reclassified to cost of products in the condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations when the forecasted transaction occurs. If it becomes probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur, the hedge relationship will be de-designated and amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income will be reclassified to other income (expense), net in the current period. Changes in the fair value of the ineffective portion of derivative instruments are recognized in other income (expense), net in the condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations in the current period. We record the premium paid (time value) of an option on the date of purchase as an asset. For options designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the time value are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are recognized in other income (expense), net over the life of the option contract. Ineffectiveness in the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was not significant.

Other Hedges
 
Additionally, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiaries. These foreign exchange contracts are carried at fair value and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and are not designated as hedging instruments. Changes in value of the derivative are recognized in other income (expense), net in the condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations, in the current period, along with the offsetting foreign currency gain or loss on the underlying assets or liabilities.
 
Our use of derivative instruments exposes us to credit risk to the extent that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreement. We do, however, seek to mitigate such risks by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions that are selected based on their credit ratings and other factors. We have established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk that include establishing counterparty credit limits, monitoring credit exposures, and continually assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.

A number of our derivative agreements contain threshold limits to the net liability position with counterparties and are dependent on our corporate credit rating determined by the major credit rating agencies. The counterparties to the derivative instruments may request collateralization, in accordance with derivative agreements, on derivative instruments in net liability positions.

The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position as of April 30, 2015 was $2 million. The credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements had not been triggered as of April 30, 2015.


15


There were 64 foreign exchange forward contracts open as of April 30, 2015 that were designated as cash flow hedges. There were 80 foreign exchange forward contracts open as of April 30, 2015 that were not designated as hedging instruments. The aggregated notional amounts by currency and designation as of April 30, 2015 were as follows:
 
 
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships
 
Derivatives
Not
Designated
as Hedging
Instruments
 
 
Forward
Contracts
 
Option
Contracts
 
Forward
Contracts
Currency
 
Buy/(Sell)
 
Buy/(Sell)
 
Buy/(Sell)
 
 
(in millions)
Euro
 
$

 
$

 
$
66

British Pound
 

 

 
38

Singapore Dollar
 
9

 

 
(2
)
Malaysian Ringgit
 
88

 

 
9

Japanese Yen
 
(91
)
 

 
(2
)
Other
 
(4
)
 

 
11

Totals
 
$
2

 
$

 
$
120

 
Derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements and are disclosed gross in the balance sheet in accordance with the authoritative guidance. The gross fair values and balance sheet location of derivative instruments held in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were as follows:

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
Fair Value
Balance Sheet Location
 
April 30,
2015
 
October 31,
2014
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
April 30,
2015
 
October 31,
2014
(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other current assets
 
$
5

 
$
7

 
Other accrued liabilities
 
$
3

 
$
1

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Other current assets
 
5

 
2

 
Other accrued liabilities
 
1

 
2

Total derivatives
 
$
10

 
$
9

 
 
 
$
4

 
$
3


The effect of derivative instruments for foreign exchange contracts designated as hedging instruments and not designated as hedging instruments in our condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
$
3

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$

Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into cost of products
$
1

 
$

 
$
2

 
$

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense), net
$
2

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$

 

16


The estimated amount of existing net gain at April 30, 2015 expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income to cost of sales within the next twelve months is $1 million.
 
11. RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST-RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS
 
Components of net periodic costs. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, our net pension and post-retirement benefit costs were comprised of the following:
 
 
Pensions
 
 
 
U.S. Defined Benefit Plans
 
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit
Plans
 
U.S. Post-Retirement
Benefit Plan
 
Three Months Ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service cost—benefits earned during the period
$
6

 
$

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
1

 
$

Interest cost on benefit obligation
5

 

 
10

 

 
2

 

Expected return on plan assets
(10
)
 

 
(18
)
 

 
(3
)
 

Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial losses
1

 

 
7

 

 
3

 

Prior service credit
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(6
)
 

Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent

 
1

 

 
3

 

 
(3
)
Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
4

 
$
3

 
$
(3
)
 
$
(3
)

 
Pensions
 
 
 
U.S. Defined Benefit Plans
 
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit
Plans
 
U.S. Post-Retirement
Benefit Plan
 
Six Months Ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Service cost—benefits earned during the period
$
11

 
$

 
$
9

 
$

 
$
1

 
$

Interest cost on benefit obligation
10

 

 
21

 

 
4

 

Expected return on plan assets
(19
)
 

 
(37
)
 

 
(7
)
 

Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial losses
2

 

 
14

 

 
6

 

Prior service credit
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(11
)
 

Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent

 
2

 

 
6

 

 
(6
)
Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
7

 
$
6

 
$
(7
)
 
$
(6
)

We did not contribute to our U.S. Defined Benefit Plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015. Agilent contributed $15 million to the U.S. Defined Benefit Plans on our behalf for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014. There were no contributions made to the U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plan during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014. We contributed $11 million and $25 million to our Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. Contributions of $10 million and $20 million to the Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans were made by Agilent on our behalf for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively.

We do not expect to contribute to our U.S. Defined Benefit Plans during the remainder of 2015, and we expect to contribute $20 million to our Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans during the remainder of 2015.

Employees hired on or after August 1, 2015 will not be eligible to participate in the U.S. Defined Benefit Plans or the U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plan. We will provide matching contributions to these employees under the Keysight Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Plan up to a maximum of 6 percent of the employee's annual eligible compensation.

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Standard Warranty
 
Our standard warranty term for most of our products from the date of delivery is typically three years, which increased from one year in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. We accrue for standard warranty costs based on historical trends in warranty charges

17


as a percentage of net product shipments. The accrual is reviewed regularly and periodically adjusted to reflect changes in warranty cost estimates. Estimated warranty charges are recorded within cost of products at the time related product revenue is recognized. Activity related to the standard warranty accrual, which is included in other accrued and other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, is as follows:
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Beginning balance as of November 1
$
51

 
$
38

Accruals for warranties including change in estimate
17

 
23

Settlements made during the period
(16
)
 
(15
)
Ending balance as of April 30
$
52


$
46

 
 
 
 
Accruals for warranties due within one year
$
39

 
$
27

Accruals for warranties due after one year
13

 
19

Ending balance as of April 30
$
52

 
$
46

 
Contingencies
 
We are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including, but not limited to, patent, commercial and environmental matters, which arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no matters pending that we currently believe are reasonably possible of having a material impact to our business, combined and consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

13. DEBT
 
Short-Term Debt

Credit Facility
 
On September 15, 2014, we entered into a five year credit agreement, which provides for a $300 million unsecured credit facility that will expire on November 1, 2019. The company may use amounts borrowed under the facility for general corporate purposes. As of April 30, 2015, the company had no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. We were in compliance with the covenants for the credit facility during the six months ended April 30, 2015.

Long-Term Debt

The following table summarizes the components of our long-term debt:

 
April 30, 2015
 
October 31, 2014
 
(in millions)
3.30% Senior Notes due 2019
$
499

 
$
499

4.55% Senior Notes due 2024
600

 
600

Total
$
1,099

 
$
1,099

 
The notes issued are unsecured and rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness. There have been no changes to the principal, maturity, interest rates and interest payment terms of the senior notes, detailed in the table above, in the six months ended April 30, 2015 as compared to the senior notes described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.

As of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, we had $18 million and $13 million, respectively, of outstanding letters of credit unrelated to the credit facility that were issued by various lenders.


18


The fair value of our long-term debt, calculated from quoted prices that are primarily Level 1 inputs under the accounting guidance fair value hierarchy, exceeds the carrying value by approximately $20 million and $1 million as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively.

14. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
 
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component and related tax effects for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on investments
 
Foreign currency translation
 
Actuarial losses
 
Prior service costs
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
As of January 31, 2015
 
$
16

 
$
(27
)
 
$
(436
)
 
$
79

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(369
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
9

 
(1
)
 

 

 
3

 
11

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
11

 
(7
)
 
(1
)
 
3

Tax (expense) benefit
 
(1
)
 

 
(3
)
 
3

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
8

 
(1
)
 
8

 
(4
)
 
1

 
12

As of April 30, 2015
 
$
24

 
$
(28
)
 
$
(428
)
 
$
75

 
$

 
$
(357
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of October 31, 2014
 
$
16

 
$
6

 
$
(444
)
 
$
83

 
$
3

 
$
(336
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
9

 
(34
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 
(27
)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
22

 
(14
)
 
(2
)
 
6

Tax (expense) benefit
 
(1
)
 

 
(6
)
 
6

 
1

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
8

 
(34
)
 
16

 
(8
)
 
(3
)
 
(21
)
As of April 30, 2015
 
$
24

 
$
(28
)
 
$
(428
)
 
$
75

 
$

 
$
(357
)

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on investments
 
Foreign currency translation
 
Actuarial losses
 
Prior service costs
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
As of January 31, 2014
 
$
3

 
$
14

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
17

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
 
3

 
2

 

 

 

 
5

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax expense
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(2
)
Other comprehensive income
 
2

 
1

 

 

 

 
3

As of April 30, 2014
 
$
5

 
$
15

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of October 31, 2013
 
$
5

 
$
26

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
31

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 

 
(11
)
 

 

 

 
(11
)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax (expense) benefit
 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss
 

 
(11
)
 

 

 

 
(11
)
As of April 30, 2014
 
$
5

 
$
15

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
20


19



Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components
 
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Affected Line Item in Statement of Operations
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
 
 
Unrealized gain on derivatives
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
2

 
$

 
Cost of products
 
 

 

 

 

 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
1

 

 
2

 

 
Net of income tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Actuarial net loss
 
(11
)
 

 
(22
)
 

 
 
  Prior service benefit
 
7

 

 
14

 

 
 
 
 
(4
)
 

 
(8
)
 

 
Total before income tax
 
 

 

 

 

 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
(4
)


 
(8
)
 

 
Net of income tax
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications for the period
 
$
(3
)

$

 
$
(6
)
 
$

 
 

An amount in parentheses indicates a reduction to income and an increase to the accumulated other comprehensive income.

Reclassifications of prior service benefit and actuarial net loss in respect of retirement plans and post retirement pension plans are included in the computation of net periodic cost (see Note 11, "Retirement Plans and Post Retirement Pension Plans").

15. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Description of segments. We provide core electronic measurement solutions to the communications and electronics industries.

We have two reportable operating segments, measurement solutions and customer support and services. The two operating segments were determined based primarily on how the chief operating decision maker views and evaluates our operations. Operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Other factors, including market separation and customer specific applications, go-to-market channels, products and services and manufacturing are considered in determining the formation of these operating segments.

A description of our two reportable segments is as follows:

Our measurement solutions business provides electronic measurement instruments and systems with related software and software design tools that are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronics equipment. We provide startup assistance, consulting, optimization and application support throughout the customer's product lifecycle.

The customer support and services business provides repair and calibration services for our installed base measurement solutions customers and facilitates the resale of used equipment. Our customer support and services business enables our customers to maximize the value from their electronic measurement equipment and strengthens customer loyalty. Providing these services assures a high level of instrument performance and availability while minimizing the cost of ownership and downtime.

A significant portion of the segments' expenses arise from shared services and infrastructure that we have historically provided to the segments in order to realize economies of scale and to efficiently use resources. These expenses, collectively called

20


corporate charges, include costs of centralized research and development, legal, accounting, real estate, insurance services, information technology services, treasury and other corporate infrastructure expenses. Charges are allocated to the segments, and the allocations have been determined on a basis that we consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or benefits received by the segments.

The following tables reflect the results of our reportable segments under our management reporting system. These results are not necessarily in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The performance of each segment is measured based on several metrics, including income from operations. These results are used, in part, by the chief operating decision maker in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of the segments.

The profitability of each of the segments is measured after excluding restructuring-related charges, share-based compensation expense, investment gains and losses, interest expense, acquisition and integration costs, separation-related costs, amortization of intangibles and other items as noted in the reconciliations below.

 
Measurement Solutions
 
Customer Support and Services
 
Total Segments
 
(in millions)
Three Months Ended April 30, 2015:
 

 
 

 
 

Total net revenue
$
638

 
$
102

 
$
740

Segment income from operations
$
132

 
$
18

 
$
150

Three Months Ended April 30, 2014:
 

 
 

 
 

Total net revenue
$
640

 
$
103

 
$
743

Segment income from operations
$
131

 
$
26

 
$
157


 
Measurement Solutions
 
Customer Support and Services
 
Total Segments
 
(in millions)
Six Months Ended April 30, 2015:
 

 
 

 
 

Total net revenue
$
1,244

 
$
197

 
$
1,441

Segment income from operations
$
239

 
$
31

 
$
270

Six Months Ended April 30, 2014:
 

 
 

 
 

Total net revenue
$
1,214

 
$
200

 
$
1,414

Segment income from operations
$
230

 
$
45

 
$
275

    
The following table reconciles reportable segments’ income from operations to our total enterprise income before taxes:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
Total reportable segments' income from operations
$
150

 
$
157

 
$
270

 
$
275

Share based compensation expense
(13
)
 
(10
)
 
(42
)
 
(27
)
Restructuring-related costs

 

 

 
3

Asset impairment
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 

Transformational programs

 

 

 
(1
)
Amortization of intangibles
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Acquisition and integration costs

 

 

 
(1
)
Separation costs
(5
)
 
(17
)
 
(12
)
 
(25
)
Other
1

 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
Interest expense
(11
)
 

 
(23
)
 

Other income (expense), net
4

 
1

 
13

 
2

Income before taxes, as reported
$
122

 
$
128

 
$
200

 
$
220



21


The following table presents assets directly managed by each segment. Unallocated assets primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, long-term and other receivables and other assets.

 
Measurement Solutions
 
Customer Support and Services
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 

 
 

 
 

As of April 30, 2015
$
1,614

 
$
225

 
$
1,839

As of October 31, 2014
$
1,740

 
$
236

 
$
1,976


22



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed combined and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K. This report contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements regarding trends, seasonality, cyclicality and growth in, and drivers of, the markets we sell into, our strategic direction, our future effective tax rate and tax valuation allowance, earnings from our foreign subsidiaries, remediation activities, new product and service introductions, the ability of our products to meet market needs, changes to our manufacturing processes, the use of contract manufacturers, the impact of local government regulations on our ability to pay vendors or conduct operations, our liquidity position, our ability to generate cash from operations, growth in our businesses, our investments, the potential impact of adopting new accounting pronouncements, our financial results, our purchase commitments, our contributions to our pension plans, the selection of discount rates and recognition of any gains or losses for our benefit plans, our cost-control activities, savings and headcount reduction recognized from our restructuring programs and other cost saving initiatives, and other regulatory approvals, the integration of our acquisitions and other transactions, our transition to lower-cost regions, and the existence of economic instability, that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including those discussed in Part II Item 1A and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

Basis of Presentation
 
The financial information presented in this Form 10-Q is not audited and is not necessarily indicative of our future consolidated financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows. Our fiscal year-end is October 31, and our fiscal quarters end on January 31, April 30 and July 31. Unless otherwise stated, these dates refer to our fiscal year and fiscal quarter periods.

Keysight Technologies, Inc. ("we," "us," "Keysight" or the "company"), incorporated in Delaware on December 6, 2013, is a measurement company providing core electronic measurement solutions to communications and electronics industries.

On November 1, 2014, Keysight became an independent publicly-traded company through the distribution by Agilent Technologies, Inc. ("Agilent") of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Keysight to Agilent's shareholders (the "Separation"). Each Agilent shareholder of record as of the close of business on October 22, 2014 received one share of Keysight common stock for every two shares of Agilent common stock held on the record date, resulting in the distribution of approximately 167 million shares of Keysight common stock. Keysight's Registration Statement on Form 10 was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on October 6, 2014. Keysight's common stock began trading "regular-way" under the ticker symbol "KEYS" on the New York Stock Exchange on November 3, 2014.

Prior to the distribution, Agilent transferred substantially all of the assets and liabilities and operations of the electronic measurement business to Keysight in August 2014 ("the Capitalization"). Combined financial statements prior to the Capitalization were prepared on a stand-alone basis and were derived from Agilent’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, expenses were allocated to us using estimates that we consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or benefits received by us.

Following the Capitalization, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and our subsidiaries. Agilent continues to provide some services on a transitional basis for a fee, which are partially offset by other income from Keysight services provided to Agilent. These services are received or provided under a transition services agreement. We do not expect the net costs associated with the transition services agreement to be materially different than the historical costs that have been allocated to us related to these same services.

We are incurring other incremental costs as an independent, publicly traded company as compared to the costs historically allocated to us by Agilent. These incremental costs are estimated to be approximately $20 million on an annual pre-tax basis. In addition, for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, we recognized non-recurring separation costs of $5 million and $12 million, respectively, and for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, we recognized non-recurring separation costs of $17 million and $25 million, respectively. We expect to recognize additional non-recurring separation costs, which are currently estimated to range from $15 million to $20 million through fiscal 2016. These costs are expected to include, among other things, branding, legal, accounting and other advisory fees and other costs to separate and transition from Agilent.
 

23


Executive Summary
 
We provide electronic measurement instruments and systems and related software, software design tools, and related services that are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronics equipment. Related services include start-up assistance, instrument productivity and application services and instrument calibration and repair. We also offer customization, consulting and optimization services throughout the customer's product lifecycle.

We plan to invest in product development to address the changing needs of the market and facilitate growth. We are investing
in research and development to design measurement solutions that will satisfy the changing needs of our customers. These opportunities are being driven by the need for faster data rates and new form factors, and by evolving technology standards.
  
In fiscal 2014, we implemented changes in our organizational structure that resulted in the formation of two reportable operating segments, measurement solutions and customer support and services. The measurement solutions segment is primarily the hardware and associated software businesses serving the electronic measurement market. The customer support and services segment provides repair and calibration of the hardware measurement solutions and the resale of used instrument equipment.

Total orders for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 decreased 11 percent and 6 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods last year and decreased 8 percent and 4 percent, respectively, excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. Order decreases in industrial, computer and semiconductor and communication test market segments were partially offset by increases in aerospace and defense.

Net revenue of $740 million and $1,441 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 was flat and increased 2 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods last year and increased 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively, excluding the impact of currency fluctuations.
 
Net income for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 was $96 million and $166 million, respectively, compared to $110 million and $184 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods last year.

Looking forward, we believe the long-term growth rate of our markets is 3 to 4 percent. We intend to leverage our unique formula of hardware plus software plus people to create value for our customers and shareholders. Our focus is on delivering value through innovative electronic design and test solutions as well as improving our operational efficiency as an independent company. Accordingly, we initiated several programs that will provide operational savings over the next 24 months, including enhancement of our voluntary retirement program, the closure of our U.S. defined benefit plan to new entrants and other initiatives. These cost reduction initiatives in conjunction with our operating model discipline, will enable us to continue to invest in research and development for future growth.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our condensed combined and consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the U.S. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed combined and consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our critical accounting policies are those that affect our financial statements materially and involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments by management. Those policies are revenue recognition, inventory valuation, allocation methods and allocated expenses from Agilent, share-based compensation, retirement and post-retirement plan assumptions, restructuring, warranty, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets and accounting for income taxes. For a detailed description of our critical accounting policies and estimates, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the company in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates.

Adoption of New Pronouncements
 
See Note 2, “New Accounting Pronouncements,” to the condensed combined and consolidated financial statements for a description of new accounting pronouncements.
 

24


Foreign Currency
 
Our revenues, costs and expenses, and monetary assets and liabilities are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our global operating and financing activities. We hedge revenues, expenses and balance sheet exposures that are not denominated in the functional currencies of our subsidiaries on a short-term and anticipated basis. The result of the hedging has been included in our condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations. We do experience some fluctuations within individual lines of the condensed consolidated balance sheet and condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations because our hedging program is not designed to offset the currency movements in each category of revenues, expenses, monetary assets and liabilities. Our hedging program is designed to hedge currency movements on a relatively short-term basis (up to a rolling twelve-month period). Therefore, we are exposed to currency fluctuations over the longer term. To the extent that we are required to pay for all, or portions, of an acquisition price in foreign currencies, we may enter into foreign exchange contracts to reduce the risk that currency movements will impact the U.S. dollar cost of the transaction.

Results from Operations

Orders and Net Revenue

In general, recorded orders represent firm purchase commitments from our customers with established terms and conditions for products and services that will be delivered within six months. Revenue reflects the delivery and acceptance of the products and services as defined on the customer's terms and conditions. Cancellations are recorded in the period received from the customer and historically have not been material.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended

Year over Year Change
 
April 30,
 
April 30,

Three

Six
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014

Months
 
Months
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
Orders
$
697

 
$
782

 
$
1,388

 
$
1,481

 
(11)%
 
(6)%
Net revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Products
$
630

 
$
627

 
$
1,226

 
$
1,190

 
1%
 
3%
Services and other
110

 
116

 
215

 
224

 
(6)%
 
(4)%
Total net revenue
$
740

 
$
743

 
$
1,441

 
$
1,414


—%
 
2%
 
Total orders for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 decreased 11 percent and 6 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods last year and decreased 8 percent and 4 percent, respectively, excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. For both the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, orders had modest growth in aerospace and defense, offset by declines in the industrial, computer and semiconductors and communications test market segments. For the three months ended April 30, 2015 on a geographic basis, orders in the Americas declined 5 percent and 4 percent excluding the impact of currency. Asia Pacific excluding Japan declined 17 percent and 16 percent excluding currency fluctuations. Japan orders grew 2 percent and 15 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. Europe declined 20 percent and 12 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. For the six months ended April 30, 2015 orders declined 1 percent in the Americas and 16 percent in Europe and 10 percent excluding currency. Japan declined 2 percent and grew 9 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. Orders declined 8 percent in Asia Pacific excluding Japan and 7 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations.
  
Net revenue of $740 million and $1,441 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively, was flat and increased 2 percent, respectively, when compared to the same periods last year and increased 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively, excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. For the three months ended April 30, 2015, revenue from the Americas increased 19 percent with growth in aerospace and defense and industrial, computer and semiconductors test. Asia Pacific excluding Japan declined 14 percent with marginal impact from currency fluctuations and declines in all market segments. Europe declined 6 percent and grew 4 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, with declines in the aerospace and defense and communications markets, partially offset by growth in industrial, computers and semiconductors test market segments. Japan was flat, growing 13 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, with growth in industrial, computers and semiconductors and communications test markets, partially offset with declines in aerospace and defense. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, revenue from the Americas increased 17 percent with growth in aerospace and defense and industrial, computer and semiconductors test. Asia Pacific excluding Japan declined 5 percent with and without the impact of currency fluctuations, with declines in industrial, computers and semiconductors and communications test market segments, partially offset by growth in aerospace and defense test. Europe declined 6 percent and grew 1 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, with declines in all market

25


segments. Japan declined 7 percent, growing 4 percent excluding the impact of currency fluctuations, with growth in the communications test market, partially offset by decline in aerospace and defense.

Communications test revenue, representing approximately one third of our total revenue for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, declined year-over-year with decreases in wireless manufacturing, partially offset with growth in wireless R&D and broadband communications. The decrease in wireless manufacturing reflects the difficult compares to last year’s strength in 4G base station/infrastructure manufacturing for China. Weakness in the smartphone/device manufacturing segment also continues. Wireless R&D grew year-over-year with new technologies driving investments, especially from wireless chipset players.

Aerospace and defense business, representing approximately 21 percent and 23 percent of our total revenue for the three months and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively, decreased marginally year-over-year. Strength in the Americas was offset by declines in all other regions.

Industrial, computer and semiconductor test revenue, representing approximately 46 percent of our total revenue for the three months ended April 30, 2015, saw modest growth year-over-year. Strength in the Americas, Europe and Japan was partially offset by decline in Asia Pacific excluding Japan. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, industrial, computer and semiconductor test revenue, representing approximately 44 percent of our total revenue, saw modest decline year-over-year. Growth in the Americas was offset by declines in Japan, Europe and Asia Pacific excluding Japan.

Costs and Expenses
 
 
Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Year over year change
 
April 30,

April 30,

Three
 
Six
 
2015

2014

2015
 
2014

Months
 
Months
Total gross margin
56.3
%

55.9
%

55.5
%
 
55.7
%

— ppt
 
— ppt
Operating margin
17.4
%

17.1
%

14.5
%
 
15.4
%

— ppt
 
(1) ppt

 

 







 
 
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
$
96


$
89


192


$
179


7%
 
7%
Selling, general and administrative
$
192


$
199


398


$
390


(4)%
 
2%
 
Gross margin was flat for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 compared to the same periods last year. For the three months ended April 30, 2015, gross margin was positively impacted by a higher mix of revenue from research and development versus manufacturing products and applications and lower warranty charges, partially offset by higher infrastructure costs. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, gross margin was flat primarily due to lower depreciation, warranty and manufacturing variances, offset by higher inventory charges, people costs and infrastructure charges.
 
Research and development expense increased 7 percent in each of the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 compared to the same periods last year, primarily due to higher project spending and prototyping expenses, infrastructure-related costs and share-based compensation expense, partially offset by the favorable impact of currency movements. We remain committed to investment in research and development and have focused our development efforts on strategic opportunities in order to capture future growth.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 4 percent for the three months ended April 30, 2015 compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by lower separation costs and favorable impact of currency movements. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2 percent for the six months ended April 30, 2015 compared to the same period last year due to higher infrastructure-related costs, advertising and marketing expenses and share-based compensation expense, partially offset by lower separation costs and the favorable impact of currency movements.
 
Operating margin for the three months ended April 30, 2015 remained flat compared to the same period last year on flat revenue and gross margin, with higher research and development expenses offset by decreases in other operating expenses. Operating margin for the six months ended April 30, 2015 decreased 1 percent compared to the same period last year on higher revenue and flat gross margin, with higher research and development expenses and other operating expenses.

At April 30, 2015, our headcount was approximately 9,600 as compared to approximately 9,300 at April 30, 2014.


26


Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 was $11 million and $23 million, respectively, as compared to zero for both comparable periods last year, and relates to interest on our senior notes issued in October 2014.

Income Taxes

Our combined and consolidated financial statements for periods prior to November 1, 2014 reflect the calculation of certain deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities based on a separate return methodology. Subsequent to the Separation, we are filing tax returns on our own behalf and certain current and non-current deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities have been adjusted to reflect our stand-alone income tax positions. As of the Separation date, as a result of no longer reporting under the separate return methodology, current and non-current deferred tax assets decreased by approximately $6 million and $35 million, respectively. The net decrease in non-current deferred tax assets of $35 million was primarily due to the decrease in the deferred tax assets related to tax attributes of $83 million offset by a decrease in the deferred tax liability related to foreign unremitted earnings of approximately $53 million. The non-current deferred tax liabilities increased by $2 million as of the Separation date.

As of April 30, 2015, we continue to include a best estimate of the deferred tax liability for foreign unremitted earnings due to the separation as zero. Excess foreign tax credits associated with unremitted earnings are not recorded as an asset as they do not represent a separate deferred asset until earnings are remitted. However, unremitted foreign taxes reduce deferred tax liabilities associated with outside basis differences related to the investment in a foreign subsidiary to the extent the credit reduces a deferred tax liability of the investment. We continue to have ongoing discussions with Agilent regarding the allocation of certain deferred tax liability balances related to foreign unremitted earnings in accordance with the separation agreements.
 
The company’s effective tax rate was 21.7 percent and 17.2 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The company's effective tax rate was 14.1 percent and 16.4 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively. The income tax expense was $26 million and $34 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The income tax expense was $18 million and $36 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively.

The income tax provision for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 included a net discrete expense of $3 million and a net discrete benefit of $7 million, respectively. The income tax provision for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 included a net discrete expense of $3 million and $12 million, respectively, primarily due to the recognition of tax expense related to the repatriation of earnings to the U.S., offset somewhat by the settlement of an IRS audit in the U.S.

Keysight enjoys tax incentives in several jurisdictions, most notably in Singapore. The tax incentives provide lower rates of taxation on certain classes of income and require that certain conditions be met, including thresholds of employment, ownership of certain assets as well as specific type of investment activities within Singapore. As a result of the Singapore tax incentive that was finalized this quarter, the current income tax provision decreased by $21 million resulting in a net income per share (diluted) benefit of approximately $0.12 per share for the six months ended April 30, 2015. Further, the discrete impact to the tax provision was a decrease of $6 million, resulting in a net income per share (diluted) benefit of approximately $0.03 per share related to the fiscal 2014 impact. The Singapore tax incentive is due for renewal in fiscal 2024.

For the majority of our entities, the open tax years for the IRS, state and most foreign audit authorities are from August 1, 2014 through the current tax year. For certain historical Agilent foreign entities that Keysight retained as part of the separation, the tax years generally remain open back to the year 2005. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that a change to our unrecognized tax benefits will occur in the next twelve months due to either the expiration of a statute of limitation or a tax audit settlement.
  
At April 30, 2015, our estimate of annual effective tax rate is 20.6 percent excluding discrete items and 17.2 percent including discrete items. We determine our interim tax provision using an estimated annual effective tax rate methodology except in jurisdictions where we anticipate a full year loss or we have a year-to-date ordinary loss for which no tax benefit can be recognized. In these jurisdictions, tax expense is computed separately. Our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to the impact of permanent differences, reserves for uncertain tax positions, the mix of earnings in non-U.S. jurisdictions taxed at lower rates and our permanent reinvestment assertion of foreign subsidiary earnings outside of the U.S.

Segment Overview
 
We have two reportable operating segments, measurement solutions and customer support and services. The measurement solutions segment is primarily the hardware and associated software businesses serving the electronic measurement market. The

27


customer support and services segment provides repair and calibration of the hardware measurement solutions and the resale of used instrument equipment.

Measurement Solutions Business

Our measurement solutions business provides electronic measurement instruments and systems with related software and software design tools that are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronics equipment. We provide startup assistance, consulting, optimization and application support throughout the customer’s product lifecycle. Our electronic measurement solutions serve the following markets: communications test, aerospace and defense test, and industrial, computer and semiconductor test.

Net Revenue


Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended

Year over Year Change

April 30,
 
April 30,

Three
 
Six

2015

2014
 
2015
 
2014

Months
 
Months

(in millions)
 
(in millions)
 

 
 
Net revenue
$
638

 
$
640

 
$
1,244

 
$
1,214

 
—%
 
2
%

Measurement solutions revenue for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 was flat and increased 2 percent, respectively, when compared to the same periods last year, increasing 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively, excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. For the three months ended April 30, 2015, growth in industrial, computers and semiconductors was offset by declines in aerospace and defense and the communications test markets. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, the increase in revenue is attributed to growth in the aerospace and defense and communications test markets.

Looking forward, near term we believe the market has softened, particularly in communications. In aerospace and defense, overall we expect mixed results with slow growth in the United States, offset by declines in other regions. There are positives and negatives across the industrial, computer and semiconductor end markets, and overall macroeconomic indicators remain mixed.

Gross Margin and Operating Margin

The following table shows the measurement solutions business' margins, expenses and income from operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 versus the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.

Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended

Year over Year Change

April 30,
 
April 30,

Three
 
Six

2015

2014
 
2015
 
2014

Months
 
Months
Total gross margin
59.3
%
 
58.1
%
 
58.5
%
 
57.9
%
 
1 ppt
 
1 ppt
Operating margin
20.7
%
 
20.5
%
 
19.3
%
 
18.9
%
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
$
91

 
$
85

 
$
180

 
$
170

 
7%
 
6%
Selling, general and administrative
$
155

 
$
155

 
$
308

 
$
303

 
—%
 
2%
Income from operations
$
132

 
$
131

 
$
239

 
$
230

 
1%
 
4%

Gross margin for the three months ended April 30, 2015 increased slightly compared to the same period last year primarily due to reductions in people costs and manufacturing variances. Gross margin for the six months ended April 30, 2015 increased slightly compared to the same period last year primarily due to lower depreciation, people costs and manufacturing variances, partially offset by higher inventory charges.

For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 research and development expense increased 7 percent and 6 percent respectively, when compared to the same periods last year. Increases were primarily driven by higher project spending and prototyping expenses and infrastructure-related costs, partially offset by the favorable impact of currency movements.

Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended April 30, 2015 was flat, compared to the same period last year. This was primarily driven by increases in infrastructure-related cost and advertising and marketing expenses, offset by

28


the favorable impact of currency movements. It increased 2 percent for the six months ended April 30, 2015, driven by higher infrastructure-related costs and advertising and marketing expenses partially offset by the favorable impact of currency movements.

Operating margin for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 was flat when compared to the same periods last year on higher gross margin, offset by higher operating expenses.
 
Income from Operations

Income from operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 increased $1 million and $9 million, respectively, on a corresponding revenue decrease of $2 million and increase of $30 million, respectively, when compared to the same period last year.

Customer Support and Services Business

The customer support and services business provides repair and calibration services for our installed base instrument customers and facilitates the resale of used equipment. Our customer support and services business broadly addresses the same markets as the measurement solutions business, which includes the communications, aerospace and defense and industrial, computer and semiconductor test markets.

Net Revenue

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Year over Year Change
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
Three
 
Six
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Months
 
Months
 
(in millions)
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net revenue
$
102

 
$
103

 
$
197

 
$
200

 
(1)%
 
(2
)%

Customer support and services revenue for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 decreased 1 percent and 2 percent, respectively, when compared to the same periods last year and increased 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively, excluding the impact of currency fluctuations. Growth in calibration services and re-marketing sales of used equipment was partially offset by declines in the equipment repair business due to a reduction in extended warranty revenue as a result of extension of the standard warranty term from one to three years.

Looking forward, while the customer support and services business will be impacted by the same market trends as the measurement solutions business, it is typically less variable as orders and revenue are primarily driven from the existing installed base of previously purchased measurement solutions products and less impacted by economic cycles.

Gross Margin and Operating Margin

The following table shows the customer support and services business' margins, expenses and income from operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 versus the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Year over Year Change
 
April 30,
 
April 30,
 
Three
 
Six
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Months
 
Months
Total gross margin
43.8
%
 
47.4
%
 
42.9
%
 
46.9
%
 
(4
) ppts
 
(4
) ppts
Operating margin
17.7
%
 
25.0
%
 
15.8
%
 
22.6
%
 
(7
) ppts
 
(7
) ppts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
6

 
$
5

 
20%
 
9%
Selling, general and administrative
$
24

 
$
21

 
$
48

 
$
44

 
15%
 
10%
Income from operations
$
18

 
$
26

 
$
31

 
$
45

 
(30)%
 
(31)%

Gross margin for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 decreased 4 percentage points for both periods compared to the same periods last year, primarily due to higher people costs and infrastructure-related costs as well as an unfavorable service mix with a higher proportion of lower-margin calibration services.

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Research and development expense for customer support and services represents the segment's share of centralized investment. Research and development expenses for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 increased 20 percentage points and 9 percentage points, respectively, compared to the same periods last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 increased 15 percentage points and 10 percentage points, respectively, when compared to the same periods last year due to higher field selling costs and increases in infrastructure-related costs.
Operating margin for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 decreased 7 percentage points for both periods compared to the same periods last year due to reductions in gross margin and increased costs.
Income from Operations

Income from operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 decreased $8 and $14 million, respectively, on corresponding revenue decreases of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, when compared to the same period last year.

FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our financial position as of April 30, 2015 consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $894 million as compared to $810 million as of October 31, 2014.

As of April 30, 2015, approximately $763 million of our cash and cash equivalents is held outside of the U.S. in our foreign subsidiaries. Most of the amounts held outside of the U.S. could be repatriated to the U.S. but, under current law, would be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits. We are in discussions with Agilent regarding the allocation of certain deferred tax liability balances related to foreign unremitted earnings in accordance with the separation agreements, and under the currently existing circumstances, non-current deferred tax liabilities have decreased approximately $53 million, which includes our best estimate of zero for the deferred tax liability related to foreign unremitted earnings. Excess foreign tax credits associated with unremitted earnings are not recorded as an asset as they do not represent a separate deferred asset until earnings are remitted. However, unremitted foreign taxes reduce deferred tax liabilities associated with outside basis differences related to the investment in a foreign subsidiary to the extent the credit reduces a deferred tax liability of the investment. We utilize a variety of funding strategies in an effort to ensure that our worldwide cash is available in the locations in which it is needed.

We believe our cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, and ability to access capital markets and credit lines will satisfy, for at least the next twelve months, our liquidity requirements, both globally and domestically, including the following: working capital needs, capital expenditures, business acquisitions, contractual obligations, commitments, principal and interest payments on debt, and other liquidity requirements associated with our operations.
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $160 million for the six months ended April 30, 2015 compared to cash provided of $275 million for the same period in 2014. In the six months ended April 30, 2015, we paid approximately $29 million under our variable and incentive pay programs. Net cash paid for income taxes and interest was approximately $22 million and $24 million, respectively, in the six months ended April 30, 2015. In the six months ended April 30, 2015, we paid the remaining outstanding related party balances of approximately $28 million to Agilent. For the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, other assets and liabilities used cash of $59 million and $26 million, respectively. The usage of cash in other assets and liabilities was largely the result of changes in prepaid assets, interest on senior notes, mark-to-market of derivatives, and deferred revenue accruals.
 
In the six months ended April 30, 2015, accounts receivable used cash of $5 million compared to cash provided of $5 million for the same period in 2014. Revenue increased by approximately 2 percent in the six months ended April 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. Days’ sales outstanding increased to 44 days as of April 30, 2015 from 41 days a year ago. Accounts payable provided cash of $1 million for the six months ended April 30, 2015 compared to cash provided of $26 million in the same period in 2014. Cash used by inventory was $17 million for the six months ended April 30, 2015 compared to cash used of $31 million for the same period in 2014. Inventory days on-hand decreased to 137 days as of April 30, 2015 compared to 142 days as of the end of the same period last year.


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We did not contribute to our U.S. defined benefit plans or U.S. post-retirement benefit plan and contributed $25 million to our non-U.S. defined benefit plans during the six months ended April 30, 2015. We do not expect to contribute to our U.S. defined benefit plans during the remainder of 2015 and expect to contribute approximately $20 million to our non-U.S. defined benefit plans during the remainder of 2015.
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
Net cash used by investing activities was $30 million for the six months ended April 30, 2015 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $34 million for the same period last year. Investments in property, plant and equipment were $31 million for the six months ended April 30, 2015 compared to $34 million in the same period last year. We expect that total capital expenditures for the current year will be approximately $100 million.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
 
Net cash used by financing activities for the six months ended April 30, 2015 was $38 million compared to cash used of $241 million for the same period of 2014. Financing activities in the six months ended April 30, 2015 reflects $8 million of proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock option plans and $49 million of cash returned to Agilent in accordance with the separation and distribution agreement. Cash used in financing activities for the six months ended April 30, 2014 represents cash returned to Agilent.
 
Credit Facility
 
On September 15, 2014, we entered into a five year credit agreement, which provides for a $300 million unsecured credit facility that will expire on November 1, 2019. The company may use amounts borrowed under the facility for general corporate purposes. As of April 30, 2015 the company had no borrowings outstanding under the facility. We were in compliance with the covenants for the credit facility during the six months ended April 30, 2015.

Long-term debt
 
There have been no changes to the principal, maturity, interest rates and interest payment terms of the outstanding senior notes in the six months ended April 30, 2015 as compared to the senior notes as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.

Other
 
There were no material changes from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, to our contractual commitments in the first six months of 2015. We have contractual commitments for non-cancelable operating leases. We have no other material non-cancelable guarantees or commitments.

Other long-term liabilities include $8 million and $82 million of liabilities related to uncertain tax positions as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively (See Note 5, "Income Taxes"). We are unable to accurately predict when these amounts will be realized or released. However, it is reasonably possible that there could be significant changes to our unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months due to either the expiration of a statute of limitations or a tax audit settlement.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk appear in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014. There were no material changes during the six months ended April 30, 2015 to this information reported in the company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended April 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including, but not limited to, patent, commercial and environmental matters, which arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no matters pending that we currently believe are probable of having a material impact to our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
 Risks, Uncertainties and Other Factors That May Affect Future Results
Risks Related to Our Business
Depressed and uncertain general economic conditions may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
        Our business is sensitive to negative changes in general economic conditions, both inside and outside the United States. The continued economic downturn may adversely impact our business, resulting in:
reduced demand for our products, delays in the shipment of orders or increases in order cancellations;
increased risk of excess and obsolete inventories;
increased price pressure for our products and services; and
greater risk of impairment to the value, and a detriment to the liquidity, of our future investment portfolio.
Our operating results and financial condition could be harmed if the markets into which we sell our products decline or do not grow as anticipated.
        Visibility into our markets is limited. Our quarterly sales and operating results are highly dependent on the volume and timing of technology-related spending and orders received during the fiscal quarter, which are difficult to forecast and may be cancelled by our customers. In addition, our revenues and earnings forecasts for future fiscal quarters are often based on the expected seasonality or cyclicality of our markets. However, the markets we serve do not always experience the seasonality or cyclicality that we expect. Any decline in our customers' markets would likely result in a reduction in demand for our products and services. The broader semiconductor market is one of the drivers for our business, and therefore, a decrease in the semiconductor market could harm our business. Also, if our customers' markets decline, we may not be able to collect on outstanding amounts due to us. Such declines could harm our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and stock price, and could limit our profitability. Also, in such an environment, pricing pressures could intensify. Since a significant portion of our operating expenses is relatively fixed in nature due to sales, R&D and manufacturing costs, if we were unable to respond quickly enough, these pricing pressures could further reduce our operating margins.
If we do not introduce successful new products and services in a timely manner to address increased competition, rapid technological changes and changing industry standards, our products and services will become obsolete, and our operating results will suffer.
        We generally sell our products in industries that are characterized by increased competition through frequent new product and service introductions, rapid technological changes and changing industry standards. In addition, many of the markets in which we operate are seasonal and cyclical. Without the timely introduction of new products, services and enhancements, our products and services will become technologically obsolete over time, in which case our revenue and operating results would suffer. The success of new products and services will depend on several factors, including our ability to:
properly identify customer needs;
innovate and develop new technologies, services and applications;
successfully commercialize new technologies in a timely manner;
manufacture and deliver our products in sufficient volumes and on time;
differentiate our offerings from our competitors' offerings;

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price our products competitively;
anticipate our competitors' development of new products, services or technological innovations; and control product quality in our manufacturing process.
Dependence on contract manufacturing and outsourcing other portions of our supply chain may adversely affect our ability to bring products to market and damage our reputation. Dependence on outsourced information technology and other administrative functions may impair our ability to operate effectively.
        As part of our efforts to streamline operations and to cut costs, we outsource aspects of our manufacturing processes and other functions and continue to evaluate additional outsourcing. If our contract manufacturers or other outsourcers fail to perform their obligations in a timely manner or at satisfactory quality levels, our ability to bring products to market and our reputation could suffer. For example, during a market upturn, our contract manufacturers may be unable to meet our demand requirements, which may preclude us from fulfilling our customers' orders on a timely basis. The ability of these manufacturers to perform is largely outside of our control. Additionally, changing or replacing our contract manufacturers or other outsourcees could cause disruptions or delays. In addition, we outsource significant portions of our information technology ("IT") and other administrative functions. Since IT is critical to our operations, any failure of our IT providers to perform could impair our ability to operate effectively. In addition to the risks outlined above, problems with manufacturing or IT outsourcing could result in lower revenues and unrealized efficiencies, and could impact our results of operations and stock price. Much of our outsourcing takes place in developing countries and, as a result, may be subject to geopolitical uncertainty.
Failure to adjust our purchases due to changing market conditions or failure to estimate our customers' demand could adversely affect our income.
        Our income could be harmed if we are unable to adjust our purchases to market fluctuations, including those caused by the seasonal or cyclical nature of the markets in which we operate. The sale of our products and services are dependent, to a large degree, on customers whose industries are subject to seasonal or cyclical trends in the demand for their products. For example, the consumer electronics market is particularly volatile, making demand difficult to anticipate. During a market upturn, we may not be able to purchase sufficient supplies or components to meet increasing product demand, which could materially affect our results. In the past, we have seen a shortage of parts for some of our products. In addition, some of the parts that require custom design are not readily available from alternate suppliers due to their unique design or the length of time necessary for design work. Should a supplier cease manufacturing such a component, we would be forced to reengineer our product. In addition to discontinuing parts, suppliers may also extend lead times, limit supplies or increase prices due to capacity constraints or other factors. In order to secure components for the production of products, we may continue to enter into non-cancellable purchase commitments with vendors, or at times make advance payments to suppliers, which could impact our ability to adjust our inventory to declining market demands. Prior commitments of this type have resulted in an excess of parts when demand for communications and electronics products has decreased. If demand for our products is less than we expect, we may experience additional excess and obsolete inventories and be forced to incur additional charges.
Our operating results may suffer if our manufacturing capacity does not match the demand for our products.
        Because we cannot immediately adapt our production capacity and related cost structures to rapidly changing market conditions, when demand does not meet our expectations, our manufacturing capacity will likely exceed our production requirements. If, during a general market upturn or an upturn in our business, we cannot increase our manufacturing capacity to meet product demand, we will not be able to fulfill orders in a timely manner, which could lead to order cancellations, contract breaches or indemnification obligations. This inability could materially and adversely limit our ability to improve our income, margin and operating results. By contrast, if, during an economic downturn, we had excess manufacturing capacity, then our fixed costs associated with excess manufacturing capacity would adversely affect our income, margins and operating results.
Economic, political and other risks associated with international sales and operations could adversely affect our results of operations.
        Because we sell our products worldwide, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. We anticipate that revenue from international operations will continue to represent a majority of our total revenue. In addition, many of our employees, contract manufacturers, suppliers, job functions and manufacturing facilities are located outside the United States. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including:
interruption to transportation flows for delivery of parts to us and finished goods to our customers;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
changes in a specific country's or region's political, economic or other conditions;
trade protection measures, sanctions, and import or export licensing requirements or restrictions;
negative consequences from changes in tax laws;

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difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations;
differing labor regulations;
differing protection of intellectual property;
unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; and
volatile political environments or geopolitical turmoil, including regional conflicts, terrorism, and war.
        We centralize most of our accounting processes at two locations: India and Malaysia. These processes include general accounting, inventory cost accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivables functions. If conditions change in those countries, it may adversely affect operations, including impairing our ability to pay our suppliers. Our results of operations, as well as our liquidity, may be adversely affected and possible delays may occur in reporting financial results.
        Additionally, we must comply with complex foreign and U.S. laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and other local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to governmental officials, and anti-competition regulations. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties, criminal sanctions, restrictions on our business conduct and on our ability to offer our products in one or more countries, and could also materially affect our brand, ability to attract and retain employees, international operations, business and operating results. Although we plan to implement policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors or agents will not violate these policies and procedures.
        In addition, although a substantial amount of our products are priced and paid for in U.S. dollars, many of our products are priced in local currencies and a significant amount of certain types of expenses, such as payroll, utilities, tax and marketing expenses, are paid in local currencies. Our hedging programs are designed to reduce, but not always entirely eliminate, within any given 12-month period, the impact of currency exchange rate movements, including those caused by currency controls, which could impact our business, operating results and financial condition by resulting in lower revenue or increased expenses. However, for expenses beyond a 12-month period, our hedging strategy will not mitigate our exchange rate risk. In addition, our currency hedging programs involve third-party financial institutions as counterparties. The weakening or failure of these counterparties may adversely affect our hedging programs and our financial condition through, among other things, a reduction in the number of available counterparties, increasingly unfavorable terms or the failure of counterparties to perform under hedging contracts.
Significant key customers or large orders may expose us to additional business and legal risks that could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
        Certain significant key customers have substantial purchasing power and leverage in negotiating contractual arrangements with us. These customers may demand contract terms that differ considerably from our standard terms and conditions. Large orders may also include severe contractual liabilities for us if we fail to provide the quantity and quality of product at the required delivery times. While we attempt to contractually limit our potential liability under such contracts, we may have to agree to some or all of these types of provisions to secure these orders and to continue to grow our business. Such actions expose us to significant additional risks, which could result in a material adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Our business will suffer if we are not able to retain and hire key personnel.
        Our future success depends partly on the continued service of our key research, engineering, sales, marketing, manufacturing, executive and administrative personnel. If we fail to retain and hire a sufficient number of these personnel, we may not be able to maintain or expand our business. The markets in which we operate are dynamic, and we may need to respond with reorganizations, workforce reductions and site closures from time to time. We believe our pay levels are competitive within the regions that we operate. However, there is also intense competition for certain highly technical specialties in geographic areas in which we operate, and it may become more difficult to retain key employees.
Environmental contamination from past operations could subject us to unreimbursed costs and could harm on-site operations and the future use and value of the properties involved, and environmental contamination caused by ongoing operations could subject us to substantial liabilities in the future.
        Some of our properties are undergoing remediation by Hewlett-Packard Company ("HP") for subsurface contaminations that were known at the time of Agilent's separation from HP in 1999. In connection with Agilent's separation from HP, HP and Agilent entered into an agreement pursuant to which HP agreed to retain the liability for this subsurface contamination, perform the required remediation and indemnify Agilent with respect to claims arising out of that contamination. Agilent has assigned its rights and obligations under this agreement to Keysight in respect of facilities transferred to us in the separation. As a result, HP will have access to a limited number of our properties to perform remediation. Although HP agreed to minimize interference with on-site operations at such properties, remediation activities and subsurface contamination may require us to incur unreimbursed costs and could harm on-site operations and the future use and value of the properties. In connection with the separation, Agilent will indemnify us directly for any liabilities related thereto. We cannot be sure that HP will continue to fulfill its remediation obligations or that Agilent will continue to fulfill its indemnification obligations.

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        In connection with the separation from Agilent, it also agreed to indemnify us for any liability associated with contamination from past operations at all properties transferred from Agilent to Keysight. We cannot be sure that Agilent will fulfill its indemnification obligations.
        Our current manufacturing processes involve the use of substances regulated under various international, federal, state and local laws governing the environment. As a result, we may become subject to liabilities for environmental contamination, and these liabilities may be substantial. Although our policy is to apply strict standards for environmental protection at our sites inside and outside the United States, even if the sites outside the United States are not subject to regulations imposed by foreign governments, we may not be aware of all conditions that could subject us to liability.
We and our customers are subject to various governmental regulations, compliance with which may cause us to incur significant expenses, and if we fail to maintain satisfactory compliance with certain regulations, we may be forced to recall products and cease their manufacture and distribution, and we could be subject to civil or criminal penalties.
        We and our customers are subject to various significant international, federal, state and local regulations, including, but not limited to, health and safety, packaging, product content, labor and import/export regulations. These regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. We may be required to incur significant expenses to comply with these regulations or to remedy violations of these regulations. Any failure by us to comply with applicable government regulations could also result in cessation of our operations or portions of our operations, product recalls or impositions of fines and restrictions on our ability to carry on or expand our operations. If demand for our products is adversely affected or our costs increase, our business would suffer.
        Our products and operations are also often subject to the rules of industrial standards bodies, like the International Standards Organization, as well as regulation by other agencies such as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. We also must comply with work safety rules. If we fail to adequately address any of these regulations, our businesses could be harmed.
Third parties may claim that we are infringing their intellectual property rights, and we could suffer significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling products or services.
        From time to time, third parties may claim that one or more of our products or services infringe their intellectual property rights. We analyze and take action in response to such claims on a case-by-case basis. Any dispute or litigation regarding patents or other intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming due to the complexity of our technology and the uncertainty of intellectual property litigation and could divert our management and key personnel from business operations. A claim of intellectual property infringement could cause us to enter into a costly or restrictive license agreement (which may not be available under acceptable terms, or at all), require us to redesign certain of our products (which would be costly and time-consuming) and/or subject us to significant damages or an injunction against the development and sale of certain products or services. In certain of our businesses, we rely on third-party intellectual property licenses, and we cannot ensure that these licenses will be available to us in the future on terms favorable to us or at all.
Third parties may infringe our intellectual property rights, and we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing our intellectual property rights.
        Our success depends in part on our proprietary technology, including technology we obtained through acquisitions. We rely on various intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as confidentiality provisions and licensing arrangements, to establish our proprietary rights. If we do not enforce our intellectual property rights successfully, our competitive position may suffer, which could harm our operating results.
        Our pending patent, copyright and trademark registration applications may not be allowed or competitors may challenge the validity or scope of our patents, copyrights or trademarks. In addition, our patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not provide us with a significant competitive advantage. In preparation for the separation and distribution, we have applied for trademarks related to our new global brand name in various jurisdictions worldwide. Any successful opposition to our applications in material jurisdictions could impose material costs on us or make it more difficult to protect our brand. Different jurisdictions vary widely in the level of protection and priority they give to trademark and other intellectual property rights.
        We may be required to spend significant resources monitoring our intellectual property rights, and we may or may not be able to detect infringement of such rights by third parties. Our competitive position may be harmed if we cannot detect infringement and enforce our intellectual property rights in a timely manner, or at all. In some circumstances, we may choose to not pursue enforcement due to a variety of reasons. In addition, competitors may avoid infringement by designing around our intellectual property rights or by developing non-infringing competing technologies. Intellectual property rights and our ability to enforce them may be unavailable or limited in some countries, which could make it easier for competitors to capture market share and could result in lost revenues to the company. Furthermore, some of our intellectual property is licensed to others, which allows them to compete with us using that intellectual property.

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We are or will be subject to ongoing tax examinations of our tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities. An adverse outcome of any such audit or examination by the IRS or other tax authority could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
        We are or will be subject to ongoing tax examinations of our tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities in various jurisdictions. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from ongoing tax examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. These assessments can require considerable estimates and judgments. Intercompany transactions associated with the sale of inventory, services, intellectual property and cost sharing arrangements are complex and affect our tax liabilities. The calculation of our tax liabilities involves uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions. The outcomes of any tax examinations could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Due to the complexity of tax contingencies, the ultimate resolution of any tax matters related to operations post-separation may result in payments greater or less than amounts accrued.
Our operations may be adversely impacted by changes in our business mix or changes in the tax legislative landscape.
Our effective tax rate may be adversely impacted by, among other things, changes in the mix of our earnings among countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation allowance of deferred tax assets, and changes in tax laws. We cannot give any assurance as to what our effective tax rate will be in the future because, among other things, there is uncertainty regarding the tax policies of the jurisdictions where we operate. Changes in tax laws, such as tax reform in the United States or changes in tax laws resulting from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) multi-jurisdictional plan of action to address “base erosion and profit shifting,” could impact our effective tax rate.
If tax incentives change or cease to be in effect, our income taxes could increase significantly.
        We benefit from tax incentives extended to our foreign subsidiaries to encourage investment or employment. Several jurisdictions have granted or are anticipated to grant us tax incentives that require renewal at various times in the future, the most significant being Singapore. We do not expect incentives granted by other jurisdictions to have a material impact on our financial statements. The Singapore tax incentive requires that specific conditions be satisfied, which include achieving thresholds of employment, ownership of certain assets, as well as specific types of investment activities within Singapore. We believe that we will satisfy such conditions in the future. Further, the portion of the Singapore tax incentive relating to amortization is still waiting finalization. Upon this portion being granted, our effective tax rate could be lower in the period in which the incentive is finalized.
        Our taxes could increase if the incentives are not renewed upon expiration. If we cannot or do not wish to satisfy all or portions of the tax incentive conditions, we may lose the related tax incentive and could be required to refund the benefits that the tax incentives previously provided. As a result, our effective tax rate could be higher than it would have been had we maintained the benefits of the tax incentives.
If we suffer a loss to our factories, facilities or distribution system due to a catastrophic event, our operations could be significantly harmed.
        Our factories, facilities and distribution system are subject to catastrophic loss due to fire, flood, terrorism or other natural or manmade disasters. In particular, several of our facilities could be subject to a catastrophic loss caused by earthquake or other natural disasters due to their locations. For example, our production facilities, headquarters and laboratories in California and our production facilities in Japan are all located in areas with above-average seismic activity. If any of these facilities were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could disrupt our operations, delay production, shipments and revenue and result in large expenses to repair or replace the facility. If such a disruption were to occur, we could breach our agreements, our reputation could be harmed and our business and operating results could be adversely affected. In addition, since we have consolidated our manufacturing facilities, we are more likely to experience an interruption to our operations in the event of a catastrophe in any one location. Although we carry insurance for property damage and business interruption, we do not carry insurance or financial reserves for interruptions or potential losses arising from earthquakes or terrorism. Also, our third-party insurance coverage will vary from time to time in both type and amount depending on availability, cost and our decision with respect to risk retention. Economic conditions and uncertainties in global markets may adversely affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain third-party insurance. If our third-party insurance coverage is adversely affected, or to the extent we have elected to self-insure, we may be at a greater risk that our operations will be harmed by a catastrophic loss.
If we experience a significant disruption in, or breach in security of, our information technology systems, our business could be adversely affected.
       We rely on several centralized information technology systems to provide products and services, maintain financial records, process orders, manage inventory, process shipments to customers and operate other critical functions. If we experience a prolonged system disruption in the information technology systems that involve our interactions with customers or suppliers, it could result in the loss of sales and customers and significant incremental costs, which could adversely affect our business. In addition, our

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information technology systems may be susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to power outages, hardware failures, computer viruses, attacks by computer hackers, telecommunication failures, user errors, catastrophes or other unforeseen events. Furthermore, security breaches of our information technology systems could result in the misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information belonging to the company or our employees, partners, customers or suppliers, which could result in significant financial or reputational damage to the company.
Our business and financial results may be adversely affected by various legal and regulatory proceedings.
        We are subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims in the normal course of business and could become subject to additional claims in the future, some of which could be material. The outcome of existing proceedings, lawsuits and claims may differ from our expectations because the outcomes of litigation are often difficult to reliably predict. Various factors or developments can lead us to change current estimates of liabilities and related insurance receivables where applicable, or permit us to make such estimates for matters previously not susceptible to reasonable estimates, such as a significant judicial ruling or judgment, a significant settlement, significant regulatory developments or changes in applicable law. A future adverse ruling, settlement or unfavorable development could result in charges that could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Our acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures and divestitures may result in financial results that are different than expected.
        In the normal course of business, we may engage in discussions with third parties relating to possible acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures and divestitures. As a result of such transactions, our financial results may differ from our own or the investment community's expectations in a given fiscal quarter, or over the long term. If market conditions or other factors lead us to change our strategic direction, we may not realize the expected value from such transactions. Further, such transactions often have post-closing arrangements, including, but not limited to, post-closing adjustments, transition services, escrows or indemnifications, the financial results of which can be difficult to predict. In addition, acquisitions and strategic alliances may require us to integrate a different company culture, management team and business infrastructure. We may have difficulty developing, manufacturing and marketing the products of a newly acquired company in a way that enhances the performance of our businesses or product lines to realize the value from expected synergies. Depending on the size and complexity of an acquisition, the successful integration of the entity depends on a variety of factors, including:
the retention of key employees and/or customers;
the management of facilities and employees in different geographic areas; and
the compatibility of our infrastructure, policies and organizations with those of the acquired company.
If we do not realize the expected benefits or synergies of such transactions, our combined and consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and stock price could be negatively impacted.        
In addition, effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable and accurate financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. We are devoting significant resources and time to comply with the internal control over financial reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. However, we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we design, implement and maintain adequate control over our financial processes and reporting in the future, especially in the context of acquisitions of other businesses. Any difficulties in the assimilation of acquired businesses into our control system could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock and our access to capital. All of these efforts require varying levels of management resources, which may divert our attention from other business operations.
We have substantial cash requirements in the United States, although most of our cash is generated outside of the United States. The failure to maintain a level of cash sufficient to address our cash requirements in the United States could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
        Although the cash generated in the United States from our operations, including any cash and non-permanently invested earnings repatriated to the United States, is expected to cover our normal operating requirements and debt service requirements, a substantial amount of additional cash may be required for special purposes such as the maturity of our current and future debt obligations, any dividends that may be declared, any future stock repurchase programs and any acquisitions. If we encounter a significant need for liquidity domestically or at a particular location that we cannot fulfill through borrowings, equity offerings or other internal or external sources, we may incur unfavorable tax and earnings consequences. These adverse consequences would occur, for example, if the distribution of cash to the United States is taxed and no foreign tax credit is available to offset the U.S. tax liability, resulting in higher taxes. Foreign exchange ceilings imposed by local governments and the sometimes lengthy approval processes that foreign governments require for international cash transfers may delay our internal cash transfers from time to time. These factors may cause us to have an overall tax rate higher than our tax rate has been in the past. Our business, operating results, financial condition and strategic initiatives could be adversely impacted if we are unable to address our U.S. cash requirements

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through the efficient and timely repatriations of overseas cash or other sources of cash obtained at a cost and on other terms acceptable to us.
We have outstanding debt and may incur other debt in the future, which could adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
We currently have outstanding debt as well as availability to borrow under a revolving credit facility. We may borrow additional amounts in the future and use the proceeds from any future borrowing for general corporate purposes, future acquisitions, expansion of our business or repurchases of our outstanding shares of common stock.
Our incurrence of this debt, and increases in our aggregate levels of debt, may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition by, among other things:
requiring a portion of our cash flow from operations to make interest payments on this debt;
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
reducing the cash flow available to fund capital expenditures and other corporate purposes and to grow our business; and
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry.
Our current revolving credit facility imposes restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to create liens on our assets and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, and requires us to maintain compliance with specified financial ratios. Our ability to comply with these ratios may be affected by events beyond our control. In addition, the indenture governing our senior notes contains covenants that may adversely affect our ability to incur certain liens or engage in certain types of sale and leaseback transactions. If we breach any of the covenants and do not obtain a waiver from the lenders, then, subject to applicable cure periods, our outstanding indebtedness could be declared immediately due and payable.
We may need additional financing in the future to meet our capital needs or to make opportunistic acquisitions, and such financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all, and may be dilutive to existing shareholders.
        We may need to seek additional financing for our general corporate purposes. For example, we may need to increase our investment in R&D activities or need funds to make acquisitions. We may be unable to obtain any desired additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund our expansion, successfully develop or enhance products or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could negatively affect our business. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, our shareholders will experience dilution of their ownership interest. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt, we may be subject to further limitations on our operations and ability to pay dividends due to restrictive covenants.
Adverse conditions in the global banking industry and credit markets may adversely impact the value of our cash investments or impair our liquidity.
        Our cash and cash equivalents are invested or held in a mix of money market funds, time deposit accounts and bank demand deposit accounts. Disruptions in the financial markets may, in some cases, result in an inability to access assets such as money market funds that traditionally have been viewed as highly liquid. Any failure of our counterparty financial institutions or funds in which we have invested may adversely impact our cash and cash equivalent positions and, in turn, our results and financial condition.
Future investment returns on pension assets may be lower than expected or interest rates may decline, requiring us to make significant additional cash contributions to our future plans.
        We sponsor several defined benefit pension plans that cover many of our salaried and hourly employees. The Federal Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires that certain capitalization levels be maintained in each of the U.S. plans and there may be similar funding requirements in the plans outside the United States. Because it is unknown what the investment return on pension assets will be in future years or what interest rates may be at any point in time, no assurances can be given that applicable law will not require us to make future material plan contributions. Any such contributions could adversely affect our financial condition.
Risks Related to the Separation
We have limited history of operating as an independent company, and our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly-traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.
        The historical information about the company prior to fiscal year 2015 refers to our business as operated by and integrated with Agilent. Our historical financial information included in this Form 10-Q is derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Agilent. Accordingly, the historical financial information does not necessarily reflect the financial

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condition, results of operations or cash flows that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly-traded company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future primarily as a result of the factors described below:
prior to the separation, our business was operated by Agilent as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as an independent company. Agilent or one of its affiliates performed various corporate functions for us such as legal, treasury, accounting, auditing, human resources, corporate affairs and finance. Our historical financial results reflect allocations of corporate expenses from Agilent for such functions and are likely to be less than the expenses we would have incurred had we operated as a separate publicly-traded company. Following the separation, our cost related to such functions previously performed by Agilent may therefor increase;
our business was integrated with the other businesses of Agilent. Historically, we shared economies of scope and scale in costs, employees, vendor relationships and customer relationships. Although our transition agreements with Agilent took effect upon the separation, these arrangements may not fully capture the benefits that we enjoyed as a result of being integrated with Agilent and may result in the company paying higher charges than in the past for these services. This could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition following the separation;
generally, our working capital requirements and capital for our general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures, have historically been satisfied as part of the corporate-wide cash management policies of Agilent. Following the separation, we may need to obtain additional financing from banks, through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities, strategic relationships or other arrangements;
after the separation, the cost of capital for our business may be higher than Agilent's cost of capital prior to the separation; and
our historical financial information does not reflect the debt or the associated interest expense that we have incurred as part of the separation and distribution.
        Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as a company separate from Agilent. For additional information about the past financial performance of our business and the basis of presentation of the historical combined and consolidated financial statements, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
Potential indemnification liabilities to Agilent pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
        The separation and distribution agreement provides for, among other things, indemnification obligations designed to make us financially responsible for any liabilities associated with assets used by our business; our failure to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any such liabilities or contracts, in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the distribution; any guarantee, indemnification obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding by Agilent for our benefit, unless they are liabilities related to assets used in the Agilent business; any breach by us of the separation agreement or any of the ancillary agreements or any action by us in contravention of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws; and any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in the registration statement or any other disclosure document that describes the separation or the distribution or the company and its subsidiaries or primarily relates to the transactions contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement, subject to certain exceptions. If we are required to indemnify Agilent under the circumstances set forth in the separation and distribution agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.
In connection with our separation from Agilent, Agilent will indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that the indemnity will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Agilent's ability to satisfy its indemnification obligation will not be impaired in the future.
        Pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement and certain other agreements with Agilent, Agilent agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that Agilent has agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that the indemnity from Agilent will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Agilent will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. In addition, Agilent's insurers may attempt to deny us coverage for liabilities associated with certain occurrences of indemnified liabilities prior to the separation. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Agilent or such insurance providers any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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We will be subject to continuing contingent liabilities of Agilent following the separation.
        After the separation, there are several significant areas where the liabilities of Agilent may become our obligations. For example, under the Code and the related rules and regulations, each corporation that was a member of the Agilent U.S. consolidated group during a taxable period or portion of a taxable period ending on or before the effective time of the distribution is severally liable for the U.S. federal income tax liability of the entire Agilent U.S. consolidated group for that taxable period. Consequently, if Agilent is unable to pay the consolidated U.S. federal income tax liability for a prior period, we could be required to pay the entire amount of such tax, which could be substantial and in excess of the amount allocated to it under the tax matters agreement between us and Agilent. Other provisions of federal law establish similar liability for other matters, including laws governing tax-qualified pension plans, as well as other contingent liabilities.
There could be significant liability if the distribution is determined to be a taxable transaction.
        A condition to the distribution is that Agilent received an opinion of Baker & McKenzie LLP, tax counsel to Agilent, regarding the qualification of the separation and the distribution as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. The opinion relies on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings from Agilent and Keysight, including those regarding the past and future conduct of the companies' respective businesses and other matters. If any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are incorrect or not satisfied, Agilent and its shareholders may not be able to rely on the opinion, and could be subject to significant tax liabilities. Notwithstanding the opinion of tax counsel, the IRS could determine on audit that the distribution is taxable if it determines that any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are not correct or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion.
        If the distribution were determined to be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Agilent and its shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities. For example, if the distribution failed to qualify for tax-free treatment, Agilent would for U.S. federal income tax purposes be treated as if it had sold the Keysight common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value, and Agilent's shareholders, who are subject to U.S. federal income tax, would be treated as receiving a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Keysight common stock received in the distribution. In addition, if the separation and distribution failed to qualify for tax-free treatment under federal, state and local tax law and/or foreign tax law, Agilent (and, under the tax matters agreement described below, Keysight) could incur significant tax liabilities under U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax law.
        Under the tax matters agreement between Agilent and Keysight, we are generally required to indemnify Agilent against taxes incurred by Agilent that arise as a result of our taking or failing to take, as the case may be, certain actions that result in the distribution failing to meet the requirements of a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code. Under the tax matters agreement between Agilent and Keysight, we may also be required to indemnify Agilent for other contingent tax liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our financial position.
We may not be able to engage in certain corporate transactions for a two-year period after the separation.
        To preserve the tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Agilent of the separation and distribution, under the tax matters agreement that we have entered into with Agilent, we are restricted from taking any action that prevents the separation and distribution from being tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the tax matters agreement, for the two-year period following the distribution, we are prohibited, except in certain circumstances, from entering into acquisition, merger, liquidation, sale and stock redemption transactions with respect to our stock if such transactions, taken as a whole, would result in one or more persons acquiring forty percent (40%) or more of the outstanding Keysight stock.
        These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions or other transactions that it may believe to be in the best interests of our shareholders or that might increase the value of our business. In addition, under the tax matters agreement, we may be required to indemnify Agilent against any such tax liabilities as a result of the acquisition of Keysight's stock or assets, even if we did not participate in or otherwise facilitate the acquisition.
Our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we are subject as an independent, publicly-traded company.
Our financial results previously were included within the consolidated results of Agilent, and we believe that our financial reporting and internal controls were appropriate for those of subsidiaries of a public company. However, prior to the separation we were not directly subject to the reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. As an independent, publicly-traded company, we are subject to reporting and other obligations under the Exchange Act, and we are required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), which will require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also requires that we obtain a report by our independent registered public accounting firm expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. These reporting and other obligations may place significant demands on our management, administrative and operational resources, including accounting systems and resources.

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The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are required to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. We expect to incur additional annual expenses for the purpose of addressing these requirements, and those expenses may be significant. Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Certain of our executive officers and directors may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their equity interest in Agilent and because certain converted Keysight performance share awards held by them will be earned based on the performance of Agilent.
        The ownership by our executive officers and some of our directors of common shares of Agilent may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest. Because of their current or former positions with Agilent, certain of our executive officers and directors own Agilent common shares. The individual holdings of common shares may be significant for some of these persons compared to these persons' total assets. Further, the fact that our executive officers hold certain converted Keysight performance share awards which will be earned based on Agilent's performance may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest. Specifically, the outstanding Agilent performance share awards with a fiscal year 2013-2015 performance period held by our executive officers were converted into performance share awards with respect to Keysight common stock upon the separation, but will continue to be subject, for the remainder of the performance period, to the same performance criteria (Agilent total shareholder return) as applied immediately prior to the separation. Even though our board of directors consist of a majority of directors who are independent, and our executive officers ceased to be employees of Agilent upon the separation, continuing ownership of Agilent common shares by our executive officers and some of our directors, and continued application of performance criteria based on Agilent total shareholder return to certain converted Keysight performance share awards held by our executive officers, could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest if Keysight and Agilent pursue the same corporate opportunities or face decisions that could have different implications for Keysight and Agilent.
We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation, and the separation may adversely affect our business.
        We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the separation, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all. The separation and distribution is expected to provide the following benefits, among others:
a distinct investment identity allowing investors to evaluate the merits, performance and future prospects of Keysight separately from Agilent;
more effective pursuit of each company's distinct operating priorities and strategies;
more efficient allocation of capital for both Agilent and Keysight;
direct access by Keysight to the capital markets; and
facilitation of incentive compensation arrangements for employees more directly tied to the performance of the relevant company's business, and potential enhancement of employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives, while at the same time creating an independent equity structure that will facilitate our ability to affect future acquisitions utilizing Keysight common stock.
        We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including, among others: (i) we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than if we were still a part of Agilent and (ii) our business is less diversified and have less scale than Agilent's business prior to the separation. If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the separation, or if such benefits are delayed, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Keysight or Agilent may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that have been executed as part of the separation, or we may fail to have necessary systems and services in place when certain of the transaction agreements expire.
        In connection with the separation, Keysight and Agilent have entered into a separation agreement and various other agreements, including a services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, an intellectual property matters agreement, a trademark license agreement and a real estate matters agreement. The separation agreement, tax matters agreement, employee matters agreement, intellectual property matters agreement, trademark license agreement and real estate matters agreement determine the allocation of assets and liabilities between the companies following the separation for those respective areas and include any necessary indemnifications related to liabilities and obligations. The services agreement provides for the performance of certain services by each company for the benefit of the other for a period of time after the separation. We will rely on Agilent to satisfy its performance and payment obligations under these agreements. If Agilent is unable to satisfy its obligations under these agreements, including its indemnification obligations, we could incur operational difficulties or losses. If we do not have in place our own systems and services, or if we do not have agreements with other providers of these services once certain transaction agreements expire, we may not be able to operate our business effectively and our profitability may decline. We are in the process of creating our own, or engaging third parties to provide, systems and services to replace many of the systems and services that

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Agilent previously provided to us. However, we may not be successful in implementing these systems and services or in transitioning data from Agilent's systems to our own.
The one-time and ongoing costs of the spin-off may be greater than we expected.
We have and will continue to incur costs in connection with our transition to being a stand-alone public company that relate primarily to accounting, tax, legal and other professional costs; financing costs in connection with obtaining our financing as a stand-alone company; compensation, such as modifications to certain incentive awards as a result of spin-off; recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring our senior management personnel; and costs to separate assets and information systems. These costs, whether incurred before or after the spin-off, may be greater than anticipated and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Potential liabilities may arise due to fraudulent transfer considerations, which would adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations.
        In connection with the separation and distribution, Agilent has undertaken several corporate restructuring transactions which, along with the separation and distribution, may be subject to federal and state fraudulent conveyance and transfer laws. If, under these laws, a court were to determine that, at the time of the separation and distribution, any entity involved in these restructuring transactions or the separation and distribution:
was insolvent;
was rendered insolvent by reason of the separation and distribution;
had remaining assets constituting unreasonably small capital; or
intended to incur, or believed it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay these debts as they matured,
then the court could void the separation and distribution, in whole or in part, as a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. The court could then require our shareholders to return to Agilent some or all of the shares of Keysight common stock issued in the distribution, or require Agilent or Keysight, as the case may be, to fund liabilities of the other company for the benefit of creditors. The measure of insolvency will vary depending upon the jurisdiction whose law is being applied. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if the fair value of its assets was less than the amount of its liabilities or if it incurred debt beyond its ability to repay the debt as it matures.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our share price may fluctuate significantly.
Our common stock is listed on NYSE under the ticker symbol “KEYS.” The market price of our common stock may fluctuate widely, depending on many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to factors related to our business;
success or failure of our business strategy;
our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;
our ability to obtain third-party financing as needed;
announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock;
changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
the operating and share price performance of other comparable companies;
investor perception of our company;
natural or other disasters that investors believe may affect us;
overall market fluctuations;
results from any material litigation or government investigations;
changes in laws or regulations affecting our business; and
general economic conditions and other external factors.
Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.


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In addition, when the market price of a company’s shares drops significantly, shareholders often institute securities class action lawsuits against the company. A lawsuit against us could cause us to incur substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of management and other resources.
We cannot guarantee the payment of dividends on our common stock, or the timing or amount of any such dividends.
        We do not currently expect to pay dividends on our common stock. The payment of any dividends in the future, and the timing and amount thereof, to our shareholders will fall within the discretion of our board of directors. The board's decisions regarding the payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, restrictive covenants in our debt, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors that the board deems relevant. We cannot guarantee that we will pay a dividend in the future or continue to pay any dividends if we commence paying dividends.
An individual shareholder's percentage ownership in Keysight may be diluted in the future.
        In the future, the percentage ownership in Keysight may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including equity awards that we will be granting to our directors, officers and employees and purchases of our shares through our employee stock purchase plan. Our employees will have options to purchase shares of our common stock after the distribution as a result of conversion of their Agilent stock options to Keysight stock options. Our compensation committee has granted and will grant additional stock options or other stock-based awards to our employees and directors, from time to time, under our employee benefit plans. Such awards will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
        In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our shareholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors generally may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock. For example, we could grant the holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences that we could assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock.
Certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and of Delaware law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of the company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.
        Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain, and Delaware law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:
the inability of our shareholders to call a special meeting;
the inability of our shareholders to act without a meeting of shareholders;
rules regarding how shareholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at shareholder meetings;
the right of our board to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval;
the division of our board of directors into three classes of directors, with each class serving a staggered three-year term, and this classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult;
a provision that shareholders may only remove directors with cause;
the ability of our directors, and not shareholders, to fill vacancies on our board of directors; and
the requirement that the affirmative vote of shareholders holding at least 80% of our voting stock is required to amend certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (relating to the number, term and removal of our directors, the filling of our board vacancies, the advance notice to be given for nominations for elections of directors, the calling of special meetings of shareholders, shareholder action by written consent, the ability of the board of directors to amend the bylaws, elimination of liability of directors to the extent permitted by Delaware law, exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our shareholders and amendments of the certificate of incorporation) and certain provisions in our amended and restated bylaws (relating to the calling of special meetings of shareholders, the business that may be conducted or considered at annual or special meetings, the advance notice of shareholder business and nominations, shareholder action by written consent, the number, tenure, qualifications and removal of our directors, the filling of our board vacancies, director and officer indemnification and amendments of the bylaws).

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        In addition, because we have not chosen to be exempt from Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), this provision could also delay or prevent a change of control that some shareholders may favor. Section 203 provides that, subject to limited exceptions, persons that acquire, or are affiliated with a person that acquires, more than 15% of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation (an "interested stockholder") shall not engage in any business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period following the date on which the person became an interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to such time, the board of directors of such corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of such corporation at the time the transaction commenced (excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) the voting stock owned by directors who are also officers or held in employee benefit plans in which the employees do not have a confidential right to tender or vote stock held by the plan); or (iii) on or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors of such corporation and authorized at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of such corporation not owned by the interested stockholder.
        We believe these provisions will protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of the company and our shareholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.
        In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of our stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code. Under the tax matters agreement, we would be required to indemnify Agilent for the resulting tax, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that some shareholders may consider favorable.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates that the state courts in the State of Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware, as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our shareholders, which could discourage lawsuits against the company and our directors and officers.
        Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that unless the board of directors otherwise determines, the state courts in the State of Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware, will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to the company or our shareholders, any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or Keysight's amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum provision may limit the ability of our shareholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such shareholders find favorable for disputes with us or our directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors and officers.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or publish negative reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock depends, to some extent, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us and our business. We do not have any control over these analysts and the reports they issue. If our financial performance fails to meet analyst estimates or one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our shares or negatively change their opinion of our shares, our share price would likely decline. If one or more analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our share price or trading volume to decline.


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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
(a)Exhibits:
 
A list of exhibits is set forth in the Exhibit Index found on page 47 of this report.


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KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Dated:
June 4, 2015
By:
/s/ Neil Dougherty
 
 
 
Neil Dougherty
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
June 4, 2015
By:
/s/ John C. Skinner
 
 
 
John C. Skinner
 
 
 
Vice President and Corporate Controller
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 

46



KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
 
 
Number
 
Description
11.1

 
See Note 6, “Net Income Per Share,” to our Condensed Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
31.1

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

47