UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 _____________________________________________
Form 10-Q
 _____________________________________________
(Mark One)
ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarter ended June 30, 2018
Or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 000-27038
 _____________________________________________
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _____________________________________________
Delaware
 
94-3156479
(State or Other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
1 Wayside Road
Burlington, Massachusetts
 
01803
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(781) 565-5000
 _____________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   ý     No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   ý     No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
ý
Accelerated filer
¨
Emerging growth company
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.       ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   ý

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, outstanding as of August 2, 2018 was 286,802,911 .

 




NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
Page
Item 1.
 
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
Certifications
 
 



Table of Contents



NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Professional services and hosting
$
254,478

 
$
251,488

 
$
788,079

 
$
763,595

Product and licensing
168,682

 
154,228

 
491,776

 
465,238

Maintenance and support
79,727

 
80,505

 
238,901

 
244,619

Total revenues
502,887

 
486,221

 
1,518,756

 
1,473,452

Cost of revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Professional services and hosting
166,280

 
169,439

 
519,859

 
498,501

Product and licensing
19,052

 
17,637

 
57,087

 
54,805

Maintenance and support
14,346

 
13,410

 
42,778

 
40,248

Amortization of intangible assets
13,760

 
15,727

 
43,896

 
48,487

Total cost of revenues
213,438

 
216,213

 
663,620

 
642,041

Gross profit
289,449

 
270,008

 
855,136

 
831,411

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
75,726

 
66,565

 
223,277

 
199,119

Sales and marketing
96,212

 
97,011

 
292,359

 
292,201

General and administrative
50,653

 
42,329

 
177,833

 
123,637

Amortization of intangible assets
24,117

 
29,160

 
69,851

 
84,931

Acquisition-related costs, net
4,916

 
7,646

 
12,837

 
22,051

Restructuring and other charges, net
9,237

 
13,035

 
32,986

 
39,649

Impairment of goodwill

 

 
137,907

 

Total operating expenses
260,861

 
255,746

 
947,050

 
761,588

Income (loss) from operations
28,588

 
14,262

 
(91,914
)
 
69,823

Other (expense) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
2,482

 
1,952

 
6,910

 
4,255

Interest expense
(33,849
)
 
(40,422
)
 
(103,785
)
 
(116,296
)
Other expense, net
(685
)
 
(1,019
)
 
(1,477
)
 
(21,251
)
Loss before income taxes
(3,464
)
 
(25,227
)
 
(190,266
)
 
(63,469
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
10,573

 
2,609

 
(65,404
)
 
22,103

Net loss
$
(14,037
)
 
$
(27,836
)
 
$
(124,862
)
 
$
(85,572
)
Net loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.30
)
Diluted
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.30
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
292,663

 
287,856

 
292,703

 
289,269

Diluted
292,663

 
287,856

 
292,703

 
289,269











See accompanying notes.

1

Table of Contents


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
Net loss
$
(14,037
)
 
$
(27,836
)
 
$
(124,862
)
 
$
(85,572
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(25,985
)
 
13,185

 
(20,374
)
 
566

Pension adjustments
432

 
(250
)
 
548

 
(14
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
126

 
(15
)
 
(222
)
 
(19
)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net
(25,427
)

12,920

 
(20,048
)
 
533

Comprehensive loss
$
(39,464
)
 
$
(14,916
)
 
$
(144,910
)
 
$
(85,039
)










































See accompanying notes.

2

Table of Contents

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per
share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
331,259

 
$
592,299

Marketable securities
154,085

 
251,981

Accounts receivable, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $12,319 and $14,333
396,766

 
395,392

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
104,157

 
88,269

Total current assets
986,267

 
1,327,941

Marketable securities
23,801

 
29,844

Land, building and equipment, net
172,596

 
176,548

Goodwill
3,510,454

 
3,590,608

Intangible assets, net
612,913

 
664,474

Other assets
140,060

 
142,508

Total assets
$
5,446,091

 
$
5,931,923

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$

 
$
376,121

Contingent and deferred acquisition payments
22,259

 
28,860

Accounts payable
95,109

 
94,604

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
224,432

 
245,901

Deferred revenue
389,032

 
366,042

Total current liabilities
730,832

 
1,111,528

Long-term debt
2,323,516

 
2,241,283

Deferred revenue, net of current portion
482,834

 
423,929

Deferred tax liabilities
53,547

 
131,320

Other liabilities
97,447

 
92,481

Total liabilities
3,688,176

 
4,000,541

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 560,000 shares authorized; 291,142 and 293,938 shares issued and 287,392 and 290,187 shares outstanding, respectively
291

 
294

Additional paid-in capital
2,601,573

 
2,629,245

Treasury stock, at cost (3,751 shares)
(16,788
)
 
(16,788
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(121,390
)
 
(101,342
)
Accumulated deficit
(705,771
)
 
(580,027
)
Total stockholders’ equity
1,757,915

 
1,931,382

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
5,446,091

 
$
5,931,923









See accompanying notes.

3


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(124,862
)
 
$
(85,572
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
161,167

 
174,955

Stock-based compensation
106,937

 
121,809

Non-cash interest expense
37,091

 
42,912

Deferred tax (benefit) provision
(91,118
)
 
6,762

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
18,565

Impairment of goodwill
137,907

 

Impairment of fixed asset
1,780

 
16,351

Other
894

 
4,259

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
2,007

 
28,132

Prepaid expenses and other assets
(18,695
)
 
(14,531
)
Accounts payable
(4,011
)
 
12,209

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,671

 
(4,040
)
Deferred revenue
84,255

 
60,552

Net cash provided by operating activities
295,023

 
382,363

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(38,965
)
 
(34,033
)
Payments for business and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired (including cash payments of $5.0 million to a related party for fiscal 2018, see Note 16)
(109,225
)
 
(110,220
)
Purchases of marketable securities and other investments
(158,645
)
 
(192,062
)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities and other investments
259,677

 
106,444

Net cash used in investing activities
(47,158
)
 
(229,871
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Repayment and redemption of debt
(331,172
)
 
(634,055
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs

 
838,081

Payments for repurchase of common stock
(111,979
)
 
(99,077
)
Acquisition payments with extended payment terms
(20,769
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock from employee stock plans
9,361

 
8,682

Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards
(51,852
)
 
(52,523
)
Other financing activities
(1,075
)
 
(424
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(507,486
)
 
60,684

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(1,419
)
 
(1,202
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(261,040
)
 
211,974

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
592,299

 
481,620

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
331,259

 
$
693,594











See accompanying notes.

4

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. Organization and Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nuance Communications, Inc. (“Nuance”, “we”, "our", or “the Company”) and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. We prepared the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (the “U.S.” or the "United States") and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Although we believe the disclosures included herein are adequate to ensure that the condensed consolidated financial statements are fairly presented, certain information and footnote disclosures to the financial statements have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements and the footnotes included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 . The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or any future period.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" ("ASU 2016-16"), which requires income tax consequences of inter-company transfers of assets other than inventory to be recognized when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted the guidance during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. As a result, deferred tax liabilities of $0.9 million arising from inter-company transfers in prior years were recognized and recorded against the beginning balance of accumulated deficit in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements for any period presented.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI"), which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. The guidance gives entities the option to reclassify to retained earnings the tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") related to items in AOCI. The new guidance may be applied retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the Act is recognized in the period of adoption. We do not expect the implementation to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" ("ASU 2016-15"), which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and the interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. The guidance requires cash flows with multiple characteristics to be classified using a three-step process, including (i) determining whether explicit guidance is applicable, (ii) separating each identifiable source or use of cash flows, and (iii) determining the predominant source or use of cash flows when the source or use of cash flows cannot be separately identifiable. The guidance will be applied retrospectively to each period presented. We do not expect the implementation to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet a right-of-use asset, representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The guidance also requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures designed to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The standard requires the use of a modified retrospective transition approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. ASU 2016-02 is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, and early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements, and we currently expect that most of our operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon our adoption of ASU 2016-02, which will increase our total assets and total liabilities that we report relative to such amounts prior to adoption.

5


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("ASU 2016-01"). ASU 2016-01 amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although ASU 2016-01 retains many current requirements, it significantly revises accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. ASU 2016-01 also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments and is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Based on the composition of our investment portfolio, we do not believe the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606" ("ASU 2014-09"), to supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than required under existing U.S. GAAP including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 permits two methods of adoption: (i) retrospective to each prior reporting period presented; or (ii) retrospective with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the effective date of the new revenue standard for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted but not earlier than the original effective date.  ASU 2014-09 is effective for us beginning on October 1, 2018 and we plan to adopt ASU 2014-09 using the cumulative catch-up transition method, with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as opposed to retrospectively adjusting prior periods.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we commenced a project to assess the potential impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. This project also includes the assessment and enhancement of our internal processes, controls and systems to address the new standard. 
While we are continuing to assess all potential impacts of ASU 2014-09, we currently believe the most significant impact relates to our accounting for arrangements that include term-based software licenses bundled with other performance obligations including (i) maintenance and support and (ii) professional services. A significant number of our Healthcare and Imaging customer contracts include term-based software licenses bundled with other performance obligations. Under current GAAP, the revenue attributable to these software licenses is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement because vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") does not exist for the undelivered maintenance and support element as it is not sold separately. Under ASU 2014-09, the requirement to have VSOE for undelivered elements to enable the separation of revenue for the delivered software licenses is eliminated. Accordingly, under the new standard we will be required to recognize term-based software revenue as control is transferred and based upon the amount proportionally allocated to the term-based software license from the contract transaction price. We do not currently expect ASU 2014-09 to have a significant effect on the timing of revenue related to our renewal maintenance, professional services and cloud offerings.
Another significant provision under ASU 2014-09 includes the capitalization and amortization of costs associated with obtaining a contract, such as sales commissions. Currently, we expense sales commissions in the period incurred. Under ASU 2014-09, direct and incremental costs to acquire a contract are capitalized and amortized over the pattern of transfer of the goods and services to which the asset relates. While we are continuing to assess the impact of this provision of ASU 2014-09, we likely will be required to capitalize a significant amount of our sales commission costs.
3. Business Acquisitions
We continue to expand our solutions and integrate our technologies in new offerings through acquisitions. A summary of our acquisition activities is as follows:
Fiscal Year 2018
For the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , we completed several acquisitions in our Healthcare and Automotive segments for a total cash consideration of $113.1 million , contingent payments with a fair value of $2.0 million and effective settlement of preexisting relationship with the acquiree of $12.9 million . As a result, we recognized goodwill of $65.1 million and other intangible assets of $60.8 million , with a weighted average life of 6.0 years . Such acquisitions were not significant individually or in the aggregate to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Fiscal Year 2017
For the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we completed several acquisitions in our Enterprise, Healthcare and Other segments for a total cash consideration of $73.3 million , issuance of 0.8 million shares of common stock valued at $13.4 million and contingent payments with a fair value of $8.3 million . As a result, we recognized goodwill of $62.0 million and other intangible assets of $39.1 million , with a weighted average life of 5.9 years . Such acquisitions were not significant individually or in the aggregate to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Acquisition-Related Costs, net
Acquisition-related costs include costs related to business acquisitions. These costs consist of (i) transition and integration costs, including retention payments, transitional employee costs and earn-out payments, and other costs related to integration activities; (ii) professional service fees, including financial advisory, legal, accounting, and other outside services incurred in connection with acquisition activities, and disputes and regulatory matters related to acquired entities; and (iii) fair value adjustments to acquisition-related contingencies.
A summary of acquisition-related costs, net is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Transition and integration costs
$
5,370

 
$
3,722

 
$
12,799

 
$
11,044

Professional service fees
1,254

 
3,905

 
2,705

 
11,896

Acquisition-related adjustments
(1,708
)
 
19

 
(2,667
)
 
(889
)
Total
$
4,916

 
$
7,646

 
$
12,837

 
$
22,051

4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 are as follows (dollars in thousands):  

Goodwill
 
Healthcare
 
Enterprise
 
Imaging
 
Mobile
 
Automotive
 
Other
 
Total
Balance as of September 30, 2017
$
1,418,334

 
$
673,472

 
$
257,792

 
$
1,241,010

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,590,608

Acquisitions
14,936

 

 

 

 
50,193

 

 
65,129

Purchase accounting adjustments
(1,457
)
 

 

 
2,697

 

 

 
1,240

Effect of foreign currency translation
(2,437
)
 
(2,143
)
 
(343
)
 
5,344

 
(7,577
)
 
(1,460
)
 
(8,616
)
Reorganization (Note 17)

 
11,991

 

 
(1,249,051
)
 
1,080,453

 
156,607

 

Impairment charge (a)

 

 

 

 

 
(137,907
)
 
(137,907
)
Balance as of June 30, 2018
$
1,429,376

 
$
683,320

 
$
257,449

 
$

 
$
1,123,069

 
$
17,240

 
$
3,510,454

                      
(a) Represents accumulated impairment charge as of June 30, 2018.
Other Intangible Assets
The changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 are as follows (dollars in thousands):  
 
Intangible
Assets
Balance at September 30, 2017
$
664,474

Acquisitions
61,421

Acquisition from a related party (Note 16)
5,000

Amortization
(113,747
)
Effect of foreign currency translation
(4,235
)
Balance as of June 30, 2018
$
612,913


7


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Interim Impairment Analysis
As more fully described in Note 17, effective the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, our Automotive business, which was previously included within our former Mobile segment, became a standalone operating segment. In addition, we moved our Dragon TV business from our former Mobile operating segment into our Enterprise operating segment.
As a result of the reorganization, the original Mobile reporting unit was separated into three discrete lines of business comprised of Automotive, Dragon TV, and Devices. We assigned $1,080.5 million , $12.0 million , and $36.0 million of goodwill to Automotive, Dragon TV and Devices, respectively, based on their relative fair values as of March 31, 2018, and assessed the assigned goodwill for impairment by comparing each component’s fair value to its carrying amount. The fair values of Automotive and Dragon TV significantly exceeded their carrying amounts. However, the carrying value of Devices exceeded its fair value by $35.1 million . The standalone multi-year operating plan reflects the ongoing consolidation of our handset manufacturer customer base and continued erosion of our penetration of the remaining market. As a result, we recorded a $35.1 million goodwill impairment for the second quarter of fiscal 2018. After the impairment charge, the goodwill assigned to Devices as of March 31, 2018 was immaterial. The reorganization did not result in any impairment charge of other intangible assets.
Also during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, our Subscriber Revenue Services ("SRS") reporting unit, originally included within our former Mobile operating segment, recorded significantly lower revenue and profitability due to recent market disruptions in certain markets that we serve. Our SRS business provides value-added services to mobile operators in emerging markets, primarily in India and Brazil. These markets have experienced recent and dramatic disruption as a result of accelerated change in competition and business models for our mobile operator customers. Specifically, the rapid shift away from a model where voice, data and text are offered separately toward unlimited bundled services at considerably lower costs has significantly reduced mobile operators’ demand for our services. This reduced demand materially impacts our future expectations for SRS revenues. As a result, executive management performed an updated strategic assessment and reduced the long-term growth rates and profitability contemplated in SRS's multi-year operating plan. We concluded that these financial results coupled with the rapid market shifts being experienced in the industry were factors that represented impairment indicators, triggering a review of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the second quarter of fiscal 2018. Based on the result of the impairment assessment, the carrying value of SRS exceeded its fair value by $94.3 million . In addition, we recorded an $8.5 million deferred tax benefit related to SRS’s goodwill, which is amortized over time for tax purposes, and therefore increased the impairment charge by the same amount. As a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $102.8 million related to SRS for the second quarter of fiscal 2018. After the impairment charge, goodwill assigned to SRS was $17.8 million as of March 31, 2018. The assessment did not result in any impairment charge of other intangible assets.

For the purpose of the goodwill impairment analysis, the carrying value of each reporting unit is determined based on the allocation of assets and liabilities to the reporting unit based on the reporting unit’s revenue and operating expenses as a percentage of our consolidated revenue and operating expenses. Certain corporate assets and liabilities that are not directly attributable to the reporting unit’s operations and would not be transferred to a hypothetical purchaser of the reporting unit are excluded from the reporting unit’s carrying amount.

The fair value of a reporting unit is generally determined using a combination of the income approach and the market approach, where the income approach is weighted 50% and the market approach 50%. The fair values of Devices and Dragon TV, however, were determined solely based upon the income approach due to the lack of comparable public companies or comparable acquisitions. For the income approach, fair value is determined based on the present value of estimated future after-tax cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk-adjusted rate. We use our internal forecasts to estimate future after-tax cash flows and estimate the long-term growth rates based on our most recent views of the long-term outlook for each reporting unit. Actual results may differ from those assumed in our forecasts. We derive our discount rates using a capital asset pricing model and analyzing published rates for industries relevant to our reporting units to estimate the weighted average cost of capital. We use discount rates that are commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in the respective businesses and in our internally developed forecasts. For the market approach, we use a valuation technique in which values are derived based on valuation multiples of comparable publicly traded companies. We assess each valuation methodology based upon the relevance and availability of the data at the time we perform the valuation and weight the methodologies appropriately.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, all of which we believe are reasonable but nevertheless inherently uncertain. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to estimate future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and the use of market comparables. Additionally, if we continue to experience lower-than-expected growth in a reporting unit or fail to sustain our profitability due to changing market dynamics, competition or technological obsolescence, it could adversely impact the long-term assumptions used in our goodwill impairment analysis. Such changes in assumptions and estimates may result in additional

8


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

impairment of our goodwill and/or other long-lived assets, which could materially impact our future results of operations and financial conditions. Finally, as we continue to identify and assess other initiatives to better align our segment reporting structure with our long-term strategies, any additional changes in our organizational and segment reporting structure may result in additional impairment charges of goodwill and other intangible assets.
5. Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
Forward Currency Contracts
We utilize foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Generally, we enter into such contracts for less than 90  days and have no cash requirements until maturity. At June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , we had outstanding contracts with a total notional value of $90.8 million and $69.0 million , respectively.
We did not designate any forward contracts as hedging instruments for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017 . Therefore, changes in fair value of foreign currency forward contracts were recognized within other expense, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The cash flows related to the settlement of forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments are included in cash flows from investing activities within our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
A summary of the derivative instruments is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
Fair Value
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
169

 
$
220

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
(353
)
 
(373
)

A summary of loss related to the derivative instruments for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Income Statement Classification
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
 
Income (loss) recognized
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Other expense, net
 
$
(1,597
)
 
$
175

 
$
(2,381
)
 
$
(7,885
)
6. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market in which we would transact and consider assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of nonperformance.
The determination of the applicable level within the hierarchy of a particular financial asset or liability depends on the lowest level of inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement as of the measurement date as follows:
Level 1:  Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2:  Observable inputs other than those described as Level 1.
Level 3:  Unobservable inputs that are supportable by little or no market activities and are based on significant assumptions and estimates.

9


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
 
June 30, 2018
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds (a)
$
212,545

 
$

 
$

 
$
212,545

Time deposits (b)

 
103,995

 

 
103,995

Commercial paper, $60,903 at cost(b)

 
61,214

 

 
61,214

Corporate notes and bonds, $58,088 at cost(b)

 
57,914

 

 
57,914

Foreign currency exchange contracts (b)

 
169

 

 
169

Total assets at fair value
$
212,545

 
$
223,292

 
$

 
$
435,837

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts (b)
$

 
$
(353
)
 
$

 
$
(353
)
Contingent acquisition payments (c)

 

 
(8,035
)
 
(8,035
)
Total liabilities at fair value
$

 
$
(353
)
 
$
(8,035
)
 
$
(8,388
)

 
September 30, 2017
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds (a)
$
381,899

 
$

 
$

 
$
381,899

Time deposits (b)

 
85,570

 

 
85,570

Commercial paper, $41,805 at cost (b)

 
41,968

 

 
41,968

Corporate notes and bonds, $74,150 at cost (b)

 
74,067

 

 
74,067

Foreign currency exchange contracts (b)

 
220

 

 
220

Total assets at fair value
$
381,899

 
$
201,825

 
$

 
$
583,724

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts (b)
$

 
$
(373
)
 
$

 
$
(373
)
Contingent acquisition payments (c)

 

 
(8,648
)
 
(8,648
)
Total liabilities at fair value
$

 
$
(373
)
 
$
(8,648
)
 
$
(9,021
)
 
(a)  
Money market funds and time deposits with original maturity of 90 days or less are included within cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets and are valued at quoted market prices in active markets.
(b)  
Time deposits, commercial paper, corporate notes and bonds, and foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded at fair market values, which are determined based on the most recent observable inputs for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable. Time deposits are generally for terms of one year or less. Commercial paper and corporate notes and bonds generally mature within three years and had a weighted average maturity of 0.61 years as of June 30, 2018 and 0.72 years as of September 30, 2017 .
(c)  
The fair values of our contingent consideration arrangements were determined using either the option pricing model with Monte Carlo simulation or the probability-weighted discounted cash flow method.

As of September 30, 2017, $80.2 million of debt securities included within marketable securities were designated as held-to-maturity investments, which had a weighted average maturity of 0.27 years and an estimated fair value of $80.4 million based on Level 2 measurements. No debt securities were designated as held-to-maturity investments as of June 30, 2018 .
The estimated fair value of our long-term debt approximated $2,488.9 million (face value $2,587.0 million ) as of June 30, 2018 and $2,930.9 million (face value $2,918.1 million ) as of September 30, 2017 based on Level 2 measurements. The fair value of each borrowing was estimated using the average of the bid and ask trading quotes at each respective reporting date. There was no balance outstanding under our revolving credit agreement as of June 30, 2018 or September 30, 2017 .

10


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Additionally, contingent acquisition payments are recorded at fair values upon the acquisition, and remeasured in subsequent reporting periods with the changes in fair values recorded within acquisition-related costs, net. Such payments are contingent upon the achievement of specified performance targets and are valued using the option pricing model with Monte Carlo simulation or the probability-weighted discounted cash flow model.
The following table provides a summary of changes in the aggregate fair value of the contingent acquisition payments for all periods presented (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Balance at beginning of period
$
11,752

 
$
6,377

 
$
8,648

 
$
8,240

Earn-out liabilities established at time of acquisition
1,500

 
5,000

 
2,000

 
8,253

Payments and foreign currency translation
(4,557
)
 
(26
)
 
(4,652
)
 
(4,283
)
Adjustments to fair value included in acquisition-related costs, net
(660
)
 

 
2,039

 
(859
)
Balance at end of period
$
8,035

 
$
11,351

 
$
8,035

 
$
11,351

Contingent acquisition payments are to be made in periods throug h fiscal year 2021 . As of June 30, 2018 , the maximum amount payable based on the agreements was $17.5 million if the specified performance targets are achieved.
7. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):  
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
Compensation
$
133,997

 
$
159,951

Cost of revenue related liabilities
25,620

 
20,124

Accrued interest payable
21,735

 
26,285

Consulting and professional fees
15,851

 
12,649

Facility-related liabilities
6,692

 
7,158

Sales and other taxes payable
6,453

 
3,125

Sales and marketing incentives
4,003

 
3,655

Other
10,081

 
12,954

Total
$
224,432

 
$
245,901

8. Deferred Revenue
Deferred maintenance revenue consists of prepaid fees received for post-contract customer support for our products, including telephone support and the right to receive unspecified upgrades/updates on a when-and-if-available basis. Unearned revenue includes fees for up-front setup of the service environment; fees charged for on-demand service; certain software arrangements for which we do not have fair value of post-contract customer support, resulting in ratable revenue recognition for the entire arrangement on a straight-line basis; and fees in excess of estimated earnings on percentage-of-completion service contracts.
Deferred revenue consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):  
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Deferred maintenance revenue
$
161,505

 
$
162,958

Unearned revenue
227,527

 
203,084

Total current deferred revenue
$
389,032

 
$
366,042

Long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
Deferred maintenance revenue
$
61,736

 
$
60,298

Unearned revenue
421,098

 
363,631

Total long-term deferred revenue
$
482,834

 
$
423,929


11


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

9. Restructuring and Other Charges, net
Restructuring and other charges, net include restructuring expenses together with other charges that are unusual in nature, are the result of unplanned events, or arise outside of the ordinary course of our business.
The following table sets forth accrual activity relating to restructuring reserves for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 (dollars in thousands):  
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2017
$
1,546

 
$
9,159

 
$
10,705

Restructuring charges, net
17,718

 
4,933

 
22,651

Non-cash adjustment


 
(998
)
 
(998
)
Cash payments
(14,460
)
 
(4,600
)
 
(19,060
)
Balance at June 30, 2018
$
4,804

 
$
8,494

 
$
13,298

While restructuring and other charges, net are excluded from our calculation of segment profit, the table below presents the restructuring and other charges, net associated with each segment (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
Healthcare
$
377

 
$

 
$
377

 
$

 
$
377

 
$
993

 
$

 
$
993

 
$
4,065

 
$
5,058

Enterprise
3,412

 
(197
)
 
3,215

 

 
3,215

 
1,910

 
2,040

 
3,950

 

 
3,950

Automotive
1,233

 

 
1,233

 

 
1,233

 
377

 

 
377

 

 
377

Imaging
2,725

 
1,170

 
3,895

 

 
3,895

 
43

 

 
43

 

 
43

Other
154

 
54

 
208

 

 
208

 
489

 
(511
)
 
(22
)
 

 
(22
)
Corporate
1,148

 
893

 
2,041

 
(1,732
)
 
309

 
241

 
25

 
266

 
3,363

 
3,629

Total
$
9,049

 
$
1,920

 
$
10,969

 
$
(1,732
)
 
$
9,237

 
$
4,053

 
$
1,554

 
$
5,607

 
$
7,428

 
$
13,035

 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
Healthcare
$
3,678

 
$
25

 
$
3,703

 
$

 
$
3,703

 
$
3,554

 
$
870

 
$
4,424

 
$
4,065

 
$
8,489

Enterprise
3,939

 
2,170

 
6,109

 

 
6,109

 
2,722

 
2,904

 
5,626

 

 
5,626

Automotive
2,233

 

 
2,233

 

 
2,233

 
1,792

 

 
1,792

 

 
1,792

Imaging
4,031

 
1,163

 
5,194

 

 
5,194

 
629

 
387

 
1,016

 

 
1,016

Other
1,498

 
624

 
2,122

 

 
2,122

 
2,341

 
(460
)
 
1,881

 
10,773

 
12,654

Corporate
2,339

 
951

 
3,290

 
10,335

 
13,625

 
1,241

 
2,007

 
3,248

 
6,824

 
10,072

Total
$
17,718

 
$
4,933

 
$
22,651

 
$
10,335

 
$
32,986

 
$
12,279

 
$
5,708

 
$
17,987

 
$
21,662

 
$
39,649


Fiscal Year 2018
For the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , we recorded restructuring charges of $22.7 million , which included $17.7 million related to the termination of approximately 160 employees and $4.9 million related to certain excess facilities. Of these amounts, $11.0 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2018 , which included $9.0 million related to employee termination and $1.9 million related to certain excess facilities. These actions were part of our strategic initiatives focused on investment rationalization, process optimization and cost reduction. We expect the remaining outstanding severance of $4.8 million to be substantially paid during fiscal year 2018 , and the remaining balance of $8.5 million related to excess facilities to be paid through fiscal year 2025 , in accordance with the terms of the applicable leases.
Additionally, for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , we recorded a $5.7 million expense related to the transition agreement of our former CEO and a $7.2 million expense related to our remediation and restoration efforts after the malware incident that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 (the "2017 Malware Incident"), offset in part by a $2.5 million income related to cash receipt from insurance claims related to the 2017 Malware Incident. For the three months ended June 30, 2018 , we recorded a $2.5 million income related to cash receipt from insurance claims related to the 2017 Malware Incident and a $1.1 million expense related to the CEO transition. The cash payments associated with the CEO transition agreement are expected to be made through fiscal year 2020 .

12


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Fiscal Year 2017
For the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we recorded restructuring charges of $18.0 million , which included $12.3 million related to the termination of approximately 300 employees and $5.7 million related to certain excess facilities. Of these amounts, $5.6 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2017 , which included $4.1 million related to employee termination and $1.6 million related to certain excess facilities. These actions were part of our strategic initiatives focused on process optimization and cost reduction.
Additionally, for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we recorded $5.8 million related to the transition agreement of our former CEO, $10.8 million of non-cash impairment charge related to an internally developed software, and $5.2 million professional services fees and fixed asset impairment related to the 2017 Malware Incident. Of these amounts, $2.3 million related to the CEO transition and $5.2 million professional services fees and fixed asset impairment related to the 2017 Malware Incident were recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2017 .
10. Debt
As of June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , we had the following borrowing obligations (dollars in thousands):  
 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
5.625% Senior Notes due 2026, net of deferred issuance costs of $5.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively. Effective interest rate 5.625%.
$
494,755

 
$
494,298

5.375% Senior Notes due 2020, net of unamortized premium of $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, and deferred issuance costs of $1.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Effective interest rate 5.375%.
448,989

 
448,630

6.000% Senior Notes due 2024, net of deferred issuance costs of $1.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Effective interest rate 6.000%.
298,143

 
297,910

1.00% Convertible Debentures due 2035, net of unamortized discount of $123.0 million and $140.9 million, respectively, and deferred issuance costs of $5.9 million and $6.9 million, respectively. Effective interest rate 5.622%.
547,526

 
528,690

2.75% Convertible Debentures due 2031, net of unamortized discount of $1.5 million and deferred issuance costs of $0.1 million as of September 30, 2017. Effective interest rate 7.432%.
46,568

 
376,121

1.25% Convertible Debentures due 2025, net of unamortized discount of $85.0 million and $92.7 million, respectively, and deferred issuance costs of $3.8 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Effective interest rate 5.578%.
261,106

 
253,054

1.50% Convertible Debentures due 2035, net of unamortized discount of $35.3 million and $42.5 million, respectively, and deferred issuance costs of $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Effective interest rate 5.394%.
227,355

 
219,875

Deferred issuance costs related to our Revolving Credit Facility
(926
)
 
(1,174
)
Total debt
2,323,516

 
2,617,404

    Less: current portion

 
376,121

Total long-term debt
$
2,323,516

 
$
2,241,283


13


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table summarizes the maturities of our borrowing obligations as of June 30, 2018 (dollars in thousands):
Fiscal Year
 
Convertible Debentures (1)
 
Senior Notes
 
Total
2018
 
$

 
$

 
$

2019
 

 

 

2020
 

 
450,000

 
450,000

2021
 

 

 

2022
 
310,463

 

 
310,463

Thereafter
 
1,026,488

 
800,000

 
1,826,488

Total before unamortized discount
 
1,336,951

 
1,250,000

 
2,586,951

Less: unamortized discount and issuance costs
 
(254,396
)
 
(9,039
)
 
(263,435
)
Total long-term debt
 
$
1,082,555

 
$
1,240,961

 
$
2,323,516

                 
(1)  
Pursuant to the terms of each convertible instrument, holders have the right to redeem the debt on specific dates prior to maturity. The repayment schedule above assumes that payment is due on the next redemption date after June 30, 2018 .
5.625% Senior Notes due 2026
In December 2016 , we issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.625% Senior Notes due on December 15, 2026 (the "2026 Senior Notes") in a private placement. The proceeds from the 2026 Senior Notes were approximately $495.0 million , net of issuance costs, and we used the proceeds to repurchase a portion of our 2020 Senior Notes. The 2026 Senior Notes bear interest at 5.625% per year, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears, beginning on June 15, 2017.
The 2026 Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries ("Subsidiary Guarantors"). The 2026 Senior Notes and the guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ existing and future unsecured senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ future unsecured subordinated debt. The 2026 Senior Notes and guarantees effectively rank junior to all our secured debt and that of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt and to all liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the 2026 Senior Notes.
At any time before December 15, 2021 , we may redeem all or a portion of the 2026 Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time on or after December 15, 2021 , we may redeem all or a portion of the 2026 Senior Notes at certain redemption prices expressed as percentages of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
5.375% Senior Notes due 2020
In August 2012, we issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due on August 15, 2020 in a private placement. In October 2012, we issued an additional $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.375% Senior Notes (collectively the “2020 Senior Notes”). The 2020 Senior Notes bear interest at 5.375% per year, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears. The 2020 Senior Notes are our unsecured senior obligations and are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries, ("the Subsidiary Guarantors"). The 2020 Senior Notes and guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors' existing and future unsecured senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors' future unsecured subordinated debt. The 2020 Senior Notes and guarantees effectively rank junior to all secured debt of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt and to all liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the 2020 Senior Notes.

14


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

In January 2017, we repurchased $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2020 Senior Notes using cash and cash equivalents and the net proceeds from our 2026 Senior Notes issued in December 2016. In January 2017, we recorded an extinguishment loss of $18.6 million . In accordance with the authoritative guidance for debt instruments, a loss on extinguishment is equal to the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt, including any unamortized debt discount or issuance costs. Following this activity, $450.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2020 Senior Notes remains outstanding.
At any time on or after August 15, 2018, we may redeem any or all or a portion of the 2020 Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
On August 1, 2018 , our Board of Directors authorized the repayment of $150 million of our 2020 Senior Notes, which is expected to be made in September 2018.
6.0% Senior Notes due 2024
In June 2016 , we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.0% Senior Notes due on July 1, 2024 (the "2024 Senior Notes") in a private placement. The proceeds from the 2024 Senior Notes were approximately $297.5 million , net of issuance costs. The 2024 Senior Notes bear interest at 6.0% per year, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears. The 2024 Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by our Subsidiary Guarantors. The 2024 Senior Notes and the guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ existing and future unsecured senior debt, and rank senior in right of payment to all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ future unsecured subordinated debt. The 2024 Senior Notes and guarantees effectively rank junior to all our secured debt and that of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt and to all liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the 2024 Senior Notes.
At any time before July 1, 2019, we may redeem all or a portion of the 2024 Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time on or after July 1, 2019, we may redeem all or a portion of the 2024 Senior Notes at certain redemption prices expressed as percentages of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
1.0%  Convertible Debentures due 2035
In December 2015, we issued $676.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 1.0% Senior Convertible Debentures due in 2035 (the “1.0% 2035 Debentures”) in a private placement. We used a portion of the proceeds to repurchase $38.3 million in aggregate principal on our 2.75% Senior Convertible Debentures due in 2031 and to repay the aggregate principal balance of $472.5 million on the term loan. Upon the repurchase and repayment of debts in December 2015, we recorded an extinguishment loss of $4.9 million in other expense, net , in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The 1.0% 2035 Debentures bear interest at 1.0% per year, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears. The 1.0% 2035 Debentures mature on December 15, 2035 , subject to the right of the holders to require us to redeem the 1.0% 2035 Debentures on December 15, 2022, 2027, or 2032 . The 1.0% 2035 Debentures are general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the 1.0% 2035 Debentures. The 1.0% 2035 Debentures will be effectively subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. The initial conversion price is approximately $27.22 per share. At issuance, we allocated $495.4 million to long-term debt, and $181.1 million has been recorded as additional paid-in capital, which is being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method through December 2022 . As of June 30, 2018 , none of the conversion criteria were met for the 1.0% 2035 Debentures. If the conversion criteria were met, we could be required to repay all or some of the aggregate principal amount in cash prior to the maturity date.
2.75%  Convertible Debentures due 2031
In October 2011 , we issued $690.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2.75%  Senior Convertible Debentures due in 2031 (the “2031 Debentures”) in a private placement. The 2031 Debentures bear interest at 2.75%  per year, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears. The 2031 Debentures mature on November 1, 2031 , subject to the right of the holders to require us to redeem the 2031 Debentures on November 1, 2017, 2021, and 2026 . The 2031 Debentures are general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the 2031 Debentures. The 2031 Debentures will be effectively subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. The initial conversion price is approximately $32.30 per share. At issuance, we allocated $533.6 million to long-term debt, and $156.4 million has been recorded as additional paid-in capital, which is being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method through November 2017 .

15


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

In June 2015, we entered into separate privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of our 2031 Debentures to exchange, in a private placement, $256.2 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2031 Debentures for approximately $263.9 million in aggregate principal amount of our 1.5% 2035 Debentures. In December 2015, we entered into separate privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of our 2031 Debentures to repurchase $38.3 million in aggregate principal with proceeds received from the issuance of our 1.0% 2035 Debentures. In March 2017, we entered into separate privately negotiated agreements with certain holders of our 2031 Debentures to repurchase $17.8 million in aggregate principal with proceeds received from the issuance of our 1.25% Senior Convertible Debentures issued in March 2017. Following these activities, $377.7 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2031 Debentures remained outstanding as of September 30, 2017 , which was included within the total current liabilities.
In November 2017, holders of approximately $331.2 million in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2031 Debentures exercised their right to require us to repurchase such debentures. Following the repurchase, $46.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2031 Debentures remains outstanding. On or after November 6, 2017, we have the right to call for redemption of some or all of the remaining outstanding 2031 Debentures.
1.25% Convertible Debentures due 2025
In March 2017, we issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 1.25% Senior Convertible Debentures due in 2025 (the “1.25% 2025 Debentures”) in a private placement. The proceeds were approximately $343.6 million , net of issuance costs. We used a portion of the proceeds to repurchase 5.8 million shares of our common stock for $99.1 million and $17.8 million in aggregate principal on our 2031 Debentures. We used the remaining net proceeds, together with cash on hand to redeem and retire $331.2 million of our outstanding 2031 Debentures in November 2017. The 1.25% 2025 Debentures bear interest at 1.25% per year, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears, beginning on October 1, 2017. The 1.25% 2025 Debentures mature on April 1, 2025. The 1.25% 2025 Debentures are general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the 1.25% 2025 Debentures. The 1.25% 2025 Debentures will be effectively subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
We account separately for the liability and equity components of the 1.25% 2025 Debentures in accordance with authoritative guidance for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion. The guidance requires the carrying amount of the liability component to be estimated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated conversion feature and record the remainder in stockholders’ equity. At issuance, we allocated $252.1 million to long-term debt, and $97.9 million has been recorded as additional paid-in capital, which is being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method through April 1, 2025.
If converted, the principal amount of the 1.25% 2025 Debentures is payable in cash and any amounts payable in excess of the principal amount will (based on an initial conversion rate, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $22.22 per share, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances) be paid in cash or shares of our common stock, at our election, only in the following circumstances and to the following extent: (i) prior to October 1, 2024, on any date during any fiscal quarter beginning after June 30, 2017 (and only during such fiscal quarter) if the closing sale price of our common stock was more than 130% of the then current conversion price for at least 20 trading days in the period of the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the previous fiscal quarter; (ii) at any time on or after October 1, 2024, (iii) during the five consecutive business-day period immediately following any five consecutive trading-day period in which the trading price for $1,000 principal amount of the 1.25% 2025 Debentures for each day during such five trading-day period was less than 98% of the closing sale price of our common stock multiplied by the then current conversion rate; or (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions, as described in the indenture for the 1.25% 2025 Debentures. We may not redeem the 1.25% 2025 Debentures prior to the maturity date. If we undergo a fundamental change or non-stock change of control (as described in the indenture for the 1.25% 2025 Debentures) prior to maturity, holders will have the option to require us to repurchase all or any portion of their debentures for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 1.25% 2025 Debentures to be purchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest, including any additional interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. As of June 30, 2018 , none of the conversion criteria were met for the 1.25% 2025 Debentures. If the conversion criteria were met, we could be required to repay all or some of the aggregate principal amount in cash prior to the maturity date.
1.50%  Convertible Debentures due 2035
In June 2015, we issued $263.9 million in aggregate principal amount of 1.50% Senior Convertible Debentures due in 2035 (the “1.5% 2035 Debentures”) in exchange for $256.2 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2031 Debentures. The 1.5% 2035 Debentures were issued at 97.09% of the principal amount, which resulted in a discount of $7.7 million . The 1.5% 2035 Debentures bear interest at 1.50% per year, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears. The 1.5% 2035 Debentures mature on November 1, 2035,

16


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

subject to the right of the holders to require us to redeem the 1.5% 2035 Debentures on November 1, 2021, 2026, or 2031. The 1.5% 2035 Debentures are general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the 1.5% 2035 Debentures. The 1.5% 2035 Debentures will be effectively subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. The initial conversion price is approximately $23.26 per share. At issuance, we allocated $208.6 million to long-term debt, and $55.3 million has been recorded as additional paid-in capital, which is being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method through November 2021. As of June 30, 2018 , none of the conversion criteria were met for the 1.5% 2035 Debentures. If the conversion criteria were met, we could be required to repay all or some of the aggregate principal amount in cash prior to the maturity date.
Revolving Credit Facility
Our revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which expires on April 15, 2021, provides for aggregate borrowing commitments of $242.5 million , including the revolving facility loans, the swingline loans and issuance of letters of credit. As of June 30, 2018 , after taking into account the outstanding letters of credit of $6.8 million , we had $235.7 million available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility. The borrowing outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 1.50% or 1.75% , or (ii) the alternative base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.50% or 0.75% . The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by substantially all our assets. The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and conditions to borrowing, as well as customary events of default. As of June 30, 2018 , we are in compliance with all the debt covenants.
11. Stockholders' Equity
Share Repurchases
On April 29, 2013 , our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program for up to $500.0 million , which was increased by $500.0 million on April 29, 2015. Under the terms of the share repurchase program, we have the ability to repurchase shares through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated stock repurchase transactions, or any combination of such methods. The share repurchase program does not require us to acquire any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended, extended or terminated by us at any time without prior notice. The timing and the amount of any purchases will be determined by management based on an evaluation of market conditions, capital allocation alternatives, and other factors.
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 , we repurchased 8.1 million shares of our common stock for $112.0 million under the program. For the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we repurchased 5.8 million shares of our common stock for $99.1 million under the program. Since the commencement of the program, we have repurchased an aggregate of 54.6 million shares for $918.6 million . The amount paid in excess of par value is recognized in additional paid in capital. Shares were retired upon repurchase. As of June 30, 2018 , approximately $81.4 million remained available for future repurchases under the program.
On August 1, 2018, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500.0 million under our share repurchase program. Since the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, we have repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of our common stock for approximately $16.0 million .


17


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

12. Net Loss Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted net loss per share (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):  
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(14,037
)
 
$
(27,836
)
 
$
(124,862
)
 
$
(85,572
)
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic
292,663

 
287,856

 
292,703

 
289,269

Dilutive effect of employee stock compensation plans (a)

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding — Diluted
292,663

 
287,856

 
292,703

 
289,269

Net loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.30
)
Diluted
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(0.30
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anti-dilutive equity instruments excluded from the calculation
4,408

 
2,797

 
3,838

 
3,792

Contingently issuable awards excluded from the calculation (b)
1,975

 
4,687

 
1,801

 
3,856

              
(a) For all periods presented, there is no dilutive effect of equity instruments as the impact of these items is anti-dilutive due to the net loss incurred.  
(b) Contingently issuable awards were excluded from the determination of dilutive net income per share as the conditions were not met at the end of the reporting period.
13. Stock-Based Compensation
On February 28, 2018, our shareholders approved amendments to the Company’s amended and restated 2000 Stock Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Plan”). The Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Plan (i) increases the number of shares issuable by 6,400,000 to 82,250,000 shares; (ii) prohibits the payment of dividends relating to unvested awards unless and until such awards become vested; and (iii) prohibits shares that are withheld for taxes or to pay the exercise price of options or stock appreciation rights, or that are reacquired on the open market or otherwise using cash from option exercises, from becoming available for future grant under the Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Plan.
As of June 30, 2018 , we had 13.4 million shares available for future grants under the Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Plan. We recognize stock-based compensation expenses over the requisite service periods. Our share-based awards are classified within equity. The amounts included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations related to stock-based compensation are as follows (dollars in thousands):  
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Cost of professional services and hosting
$
6,861

 
$
8,385

 
$
20,590

 
$
24,875

Cost of product and licensing
114

 
104

 
492

 
298

Cost of maintenance and support
952

 
1,130

 
3,041

 
3,117

Research and development
8,224

 
9,610

 
26,316

 
26,498

Sales and marketing
9,491

 
11,981

 
28,533

 
34,968

General and administrative
9,560

 
11,121

 
27,965

 
32,053

Total
$
35,202

 
$
42,331

 
$
106,937

 
$
121,809


18


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Stock Options
The table below summarizes activities related to stock options for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 :
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (a)
Outstanding at September 30, 2017
23,807

 
$
15.39

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(2,963
)
 
$
2.61

 
 
 
 
Expired
(340
)
 
$
19.86

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2018
20,504

 
$
17.16

 
2.5 years
 
$
0.1
 million
Exercisable at June 30, 2018
20,504

 
$
17.16

 
2.5 years
 
$
0.1
 million
Exercisable at June 30, 2017
25,936

 
$
15.78

 
2.8 years
 
$
0.1
 million
(a)  
The aggregate intrinsic value in this table represents any excess of the closing market price of our common stock as of June 30, 2018 ( $13.89 ) over the exercise price of the underlying options.
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was $0.04 million and $3.6 million , respectively.

Restricted Units
Restricted units are not included in issued and outstanding common stock until the shares are vested and released. The purchase price for vested restricted units is $0.001 per share. The table below summarizes activities relating to restricted units for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 :
 
Number of Shares Underlying Restricted Units — Contingent Awards
 
Number of Shares Underlying Restricted Units — Time-Based Awards
Outstanding at September 30, 2017
5,043,931

 
6,477,164

Granted
2,125,737

 
6,577,172

Earned/released
(2,092,862
)
 
(5,221,720
)
Forfeited
(1,541,975
)
 
(737,603
)
Outstanding at June 30, 2018
3,534,831

 
7,095,013

Weighted average remaining recognition period of outstanding restricted units
1.2 years

 
1.8 years

Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of outstanding restricted units
$36.6 million
 
$75.6 million
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding restricted units (a)
$49.1 million
 
$98.6 million
                    
(a)  
The aggregate intrinsic value in this table represents any excess of the closing market price of our common stock as of June 30, 2018 ( $13.89 ) over the purchase price of the underlying restricted units.
A summary of the weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted units granted, and the aggregate intrinsic value of restricted units vested during the periods noted is as follows:  
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
2018
 
2017
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share
$
15.76

 
$
16.10

Total intrinsic value of shares vested (in millions)
$
115.3

 
$
119.2



19


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

14. Income Taxes
The components of loss before income taxes are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Domestic
$
(40,764
)
 
$
(58,871
)
 
$
(160,716
)
 
$
(148,257
)
Foreign
37,300

 
33,644

 
(29,550
)
 
84,788

Loss before income taxes
$
(3,464
)
 
$
(25,227
)
 
$
(190,266
)
 
$
(63,469
)
The components of provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Domestic
$
206

 
$
(3,029
)
 
$
(75,463
)
 
$
5,952

Foreign
10,367

 
5,638

 
10,059

 
16,151

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
10,573

 
$
2,609

 
$
(65,404
)
 
$
22,103

Effective tax rate
(305.2
)%
 
(10.3
)%
 
34.4
%
 
(34.8
)%
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") was signed into law. The TCJA significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates, implementing a hybrid territorial tax system, and imposing a mandatory one-time repatriation tax on foreign cash and earnings.
As a result of the TCJA, we remeasured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities at the lower rates and recorded approximately $87.0 million of tax benefits for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , which also reflected a benefit of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 as we revised our estimates of the timing and amounts of the temporary differences. Additionally, we recorded a $2.0 million provision for the deemed repatriation of foreign cash and earnings for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 .
The provisional amounts above were based upon the estimates of (i) temporary differences at the end of the upcoming tax year, (ii) the timing the temporary differences are expected to reverse, (iii) foreign earnings and profits, and (iv) foreign income taxes. The assessment is incomplete as of June 30, 2018 . As our assessment is ongoing, these amounts may materially change as we revise our assumptions and estimates based on new information available to us, changes in our interpretations, additional guidance to be issued, and actions we may take as a result of the TCJA. We are still evaluating the full impact of other provisions of the TCJA, which may materially increase or decrease our income tax provision. The assessment is expected to be completed no later than the first quarter of fiscal year 2019.
In addition, as more fully described in Note 4, in connection with the impairment charge of SRS's goodwill, we recognized a tax benefit of $8.5 million related to the portion of deductible goodwill in Brazil for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 .

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 reflects the impact of the TCJA discussed above. For other periods presented, the effective income tax rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 25% for fiscal year 2018 and 35% for fiscal year 2017 primarily due to current period losses in the United States that require an additional valuation allowance and accordingly provide no benefit to the provision as well as an increase to indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities. This is partially offset by our earnings in foreign operations that are subject to a significantly lower tax rate than the U.S. statutory tax rate, driven primarily by our subsidiaries in Ireland.
15. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation and Other Claims
Similar to many companies in the software industry, we are involved in a variety of claims, demands, suits, investigations and proceedings that arise from time to time relating to matters incidental to the ordinary course of our business, including at times actions with respect to contracts, intellectual property, employment, benefits and securities matters. At each balance sheet date we evaluate contingent liabilities associated with these matters in accordance with ASC 450 “Contingencies.” If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the estimated loss. Significant judgments are required for the determination of probability and the range of the outcomes, and

20


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

estimates are based only on the best information available at the time. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in claims and legal proceedings and in estimating losses that may arise, actual outcomes may differ from our estimates. Contingencies deemed not probable or for which losses were not estimable in one period may become probable, or losses may become estimable in later periods, which may have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position. As of June 30, 2018 , accrued losses were not material to our condensed consolidated financial statements, and we do not expect any pending matter to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Guarantees and Other
We include indemnification provisions in the contracts we enter with customers and business partners. Generally, these provisions require us to defend claims arising out of our products’ infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, breach of contractual obligations and/or unlawful or otherwise culpable conduct. The indemnity obligations generally cover damages, costs and attorneys’ fees arising out of such claims. In most, but not all cases, our total liability under such provisions is limited to either the value of the contract or a specified, agreed upon amount. In some cases, our total liability under such provisions is unlimited. In many, but not all cases, the term of the indemnity provision is perpetual. While the maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under all the indemnification provisions is unlimited, we believe the estimated fair value of these provisions is minimal due to the low frequency with which these provisions have been triggered.
We indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, which provides among other things, indemnification to directors and officers for expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and settlement amounts incurred by such persons in their capacity as a director or officer of the company, regardless of whether the individual is serving in any such capacity at the time the liability or expense is incurred. Additionally, in connection with certain acquisitions, we agreed to indemnify the former officers and members of the boards of directors of those companies, on similar terms as described above, for a period of six years from the acquisition date. In certain cases, we purchase director and officer insurance policies related to these obligations, which fully cover the six -year period. To the extent that we do not purchase a director and officer insurance policy for the full period of any contractual indemnification, and such directors and officers do not have coverage under separate insurance policies, we would be required to pay for costs incurred, if any, as described above.
16. Related Party Transaction
In January 2018, we entered into a software and license agreement (the "License Agreement") with Magnet Systems, Inc. ("Magnet"). A member of the Magnet board of directors also served on our board of directors at the time of the transaction. Pursuant to the License Agreement, Magnet granted Nuance a perpetual software license to certain technology for a one-time payment of $5.0 million in cash, with $3.5 million paid immediately upon the effective date of the License Agreement and $1.5 million payable upon the earlier of (i) the 120-day period following the effective date of the License Agreement or (ii) signature of a statement of work for the engineering services described below.
Additionally, we entered into a service agreement (the "Service Agreement") with Magnet, pursuant to which, Magnet will provide engineering services to assist in integrating the licensed technology into certain of our Enterprise solutions. Based upon the statement of work signed on April 19, 2018, total fees under the Service Agreement should not exceed $2.0 million and are payable within thirty days after receipt of each invoice for services performed and accepted in accordance with the terms of the Service Agreement.
17. Segment and Geographic Information
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, we commenced a reorganization of our segment reporting structure to allow our Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") greater focus on implementing strategic initiatives and identifying future investment opportunities. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, we established our Automotive business as a separate operating segment. Additionally, we moved our Dragon TV business from our former Mobile operating segment into our Enterprise operating segment to consolidate our telecommunications market resources. Finally, our SRS business and our Devices business, originally included within our former Mobile operating segment, are now presented within our Other segment. As a result, segment information for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 has been recast to reflect the new segment reporting structure.
Our CODM regularly reviews segment revenues and segment profits for performance evaluation and resources allocation. Segment revenues include certain acquisition-related adjustments for revenues that would otherwise have been recognized without the acquisition. Segment profits reflect controllable costs directly related to each segment and the allocation of certain corporate expenses such as, corporate sales and marketing expenses and research and development project costs that benefit multiple segments. Certain items such as stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition-related costs, net, restructuring and other charges, net, other expenses, net and certain unallocated corporate expenses are excluded from segment profits, which allow for more meaningful comparisons to the financial results of the historical operations for performance evaluation and resources allocation by our CODM.

21


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The Healthcare segment is primarily engaged in providing clinical speech and clinical language understanding solutions that improve the clinical documentation process, from capturing the complete patient record to improving clinical documentation and quality measures for reimbursement.
The Enterprise segment is primarily engaged in using speech, natural language understanding, and artificial intelligence to provide automated customer solutions and services for voice, mobile, web and messaging channels.
The Automotive segment is primarily engaged in providing automotive manufacturers and their suppliers branded and personalized virtual assistants and connected car services built on our voice recognition and natural language understanding technologies.
The Imaging segment is primarily engaged in software solutions and expertise that help professionals and organizations to gain optimal control of their document and information processes through scanning and print management.
The Other segment includes our SRS business and our Devices business. Our SRS business provides value-added services to mobile operators in emerging markets, primarily in India and Brazil. Our Devices business provides speech recognition solutions and predictive text technologies to handset devices.
We do not track our assets by segment. Consequently, it is not practical to show assets or depreciation by segment. The following table presents segment results along with a reconciliation of segment profit to loss before income taxes (dollars in thousands):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Segment revenues :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare
$
236,195

 
$
232,641

 
$
742,970

 
$
710,315

Enterprise
119,596

 
114,106

 
352,862

 
351,611

Automotive
73,754

 
63,100

 
204,202

 
183,699

Imaging
54,245

 
49,404

 
158,808

 
154,541

Other
22,240

 
36,373

 
74,327

 
102,574

Total segment revenues
506,030

 
495,624

 
1,533,169

 
1,502,740

Less: acquisition-related revenues adjustments
(3,143
)
 
(9,403
)
 
(14,413
)
 
(29,288
)
Total revenues
502,887

 
486,221

 
1,518,756

 
1,473,452

Segment profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare
77,687

 
70,457

 
242,456

 
232,353

Enterprise
33,066

 
32,420

 
96,517

 
102,686

Automotive
28,166

 
30,748

 
80,248

 
87,690

Imaging
18,544

 
16,943

 
46,443

 
53,029

Other
3,086

 
12,679

 
12,591

 
33,109

Total segment profit
160,549

 
163,247

 
478,255

 
508,867

Corporate expenses and other, net
(41,586
)
 
(31,683
)
 
(151,342
)
 
(92,829
)
Acquisition-related revenues
(3,143
)
 
(9,403
)
 
(14,413
)
 
(29,288
)
Stock-based compensation
(35,202
)
 
(42,331
)
 
(106,937
)
 
(121,809
)
Amortization of intangible assets
(37,877
)
 
(44,887
)
 
(113,747
)
 
(133,418
)
Acquisition-related costs, net
(4,916
)
 
(7,646
)
 
(12,837
)
 
(22,051
)
Restructuring and other charges, net
(9,237
)
 
(13,035
)
 
(32,986
)
 
(39,649
)
Impairment of goodwill

 

 
(137,907
)
 

Other expenses, net
(32,052
)
 
(39,489
)
 
(98,352
)
 
(133,292
)
Loss before income taxes
$
(3,464
)
 
$
(25,227
)
 
$
(190,266
)
 
$
(63,469
)

22


NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

No country outside of the United States provided greater than 10% of our total revenues. Revenues, classified by the major geographic areas in which our customers are located, were as follows (dollars in thousands):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
United States
$
362,796

 
$
341,826

 
$
1,094,695

 
$
1,043,933

International
140,091

 
144,395

 
424,061

 
429,519

Total revenues
$
502,887

 
$
486,221

 
$
1,518,756

 
$
1,473,452


18. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for Interest and Income Taxes:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest paid
$
22,536

 
$
24,481

 
$
71,244

 
$
70,363

Income taxes paid
$
3,139

 
$
2,211

 
$
11,972

 
$
10,847

Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
From time to time, we issue shares of our common stock in connection with our business and asset acquisitions, including shares issued as payment for acquisitions, shares initially held in escrow, and shares issued as payment for contingent consideration, as more fully described in Note 3 .


23



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of our business. Management’s Discussion and Analysis is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q including the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” under Items 2 and 3, respectively, of Part I of this report, and the sections entitled “Legal Proceedings” and “Risk Factors,” under Items 1 and 1A, respectively, of Part II of this report, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that, if they never materialize or if they prove incorrect, could cause our consolidated results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include predictions regarding:
our future bookings, revenues, cost of revenues, research and development expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses, amortization of intangible assets and gross margin;
our strategy relating to our segments;
our programs to reduce costs and optimize processes;
market trends;
technological advancements;
the potential of future product releases;
our product development plans and the timing, amount and impact of investments in research and development;
future acquisitions, and anticipated benefits from acquisitions;
international operations and localized versions of our products; and
the conduct, timing and outcome of legal proceedings and litigation matters.
You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “intends,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in Item 1A — “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to the forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.
OVERVIEW
Business Overview
We are a pioneer and leader in conversational and cognitive artificial intelligence (AI) innovations that bring intelligence to everyday work and life. Our solutions and technologies can understand, analyze and respond to human language to increase productivity and amplify human intelligence. Our solutions are used by businesses in the healthcare, automotive, financial services, telecommunication and travel industries, among others. We are seeing several trends in our markets, including (i) the growing adoption of cloud-based, connected services and highly interactive mobile applications, (ii) deeper integration of virtual assistant capabilities and services, and (iii) the continued expansion of our core technology portfolio including speech recognition, natural language understanding, semantic processing, domain-specific reasoning, dialog management capabilities, artificial intelligence, and biometric speaker authentication. We report our business in five segments, Healthcare, Enterprise, Automotive, Imaging and Other.
Business Trends
Healthcare. Customers in our healthcare segment are broadly implementing electronic medical record systems and are working to improve clinical documentation, to improve quality of care, to minimize physician burnout and to integrate quality measures and to aid reimbursement. These trends are driving a shift towards more integrated solutions that combine both Dragon Medical and transcription services, and increasingly use only Dragon Medical Services. Recently, higher demand for more integrated

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solutions have offset declines in legacy, hosted transcription services. Additionally, we have been able to capitalize on healthcare providers’ shift towards hosted, or cloud-based solutions, and away from perpetual licenses, by adding new innovations to our Dragon Medical cloud solutions including new clinical language understanding and Artificial Intelligence ("AI") capabilities designed to increase productivity and improve clinical documentation at the point of care and within existing electronic medical work flow.
Enterprise. Consumer demand for 24/7, multi-channel access to customer service from the businesses they interact with is driving demand for our AI-powered omni-channel engagement solutions. We continue to enhance our technology capabilities with intelligent self-service and artificial intelligence for customer service, and to extend the market for our on-demand omni-channel enterprise solutions into international markets, expand our sales and solutions for biometrics, and expand our core products and services portfolio.
Automotive. Demand for our embedded and cloud-based automotive solutions is being driven by the growth in personalized, automotive virtual assistants and connected services for cars and by auto manufacturers' desire to create a branded and personalized experience, capable of intelligently integrating users smart phone and home device preferences and technologies.
Imaging. The imaging market is evolving to include more networked solutions to multi-function printing ("MFP") devices, as well as more mobile access to those networked solutions, and away from packaged software. We are investing to merge the scan and print technology platforms to improve mobile access to our solutions and technologies, expand our distribution channels and embedded relationships, and expand our language coverage for optical character recognition ("OCR") in order to drive a more comprehensive and compelling offering to our partners.
Other . The Other segment includes our Subscriber Revenue Services ("SRS") business and our Devices business. Our SRS business provides value-added services to mobile operators in emerging markets, primarily in India and Brazil. Our Devices business provides speech recognition solutions and predictive text technologies to handset devices.
As more fully described in Note 4 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $102.8 million related to SRS as a result of lowering our long-term projections of the business during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018 due to the recent market disruptions in India and Brazil. These markets have experienced recent and dramatic disruption as a result of accelerated change in competition and business models for our SRS mobile operator customers. Specifically, the rapid shift away from a model where voice, data and text are offered separately toward unlimited bundled services at considerably lower costs has significantly reduced mobile operators’ demand for our services. This reduced demand materially impacts our future expectations for SRS revenues. As a result, executive management performed an updated strategic assessment and reduced the long-term growth rates and profitability contemplated in SRS's multi-year operating plan. We concluded that these financial results coupled with the accelerated market shifts being experienced in the industry were factors that represented impairment indicators, triggering a review of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the second quarter of fiscal 2018.
Additionally, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, we recognized a $35.1 million goodwill impairment related to our Devices business, which has been declining due to the ongoing consolidation of our handset manufacturer customer base and continued erosion of our penetration of the remaining market. While the business has been performing in line with our expectations, the reorganization, as more fully described in Note 17 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, triggered an assessment for the goodwill assigned to the business in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.
Key Metrics
A summary of key financial metrics for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , as compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , is as follows:
Total revenues increased by $45.3 million to $1,518.8 million ;
Net loss increased by $39.3 million to $124.9 million ;
Gross margins decreased by 0.1  percentage points to 56.3% ;
Operating margins decreased by 10.8 percentage points to (6.1)% ; and
Cash provided by operating activities decreased by $87.3 million to $295.0 million .

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As of June 30, 2018 , as compared to June 30, 2017 :
Total deferred revenue increased by 9.2% from $798.7 million to $871.9 million , primarily driven by the continued growth of our Automotive connected solutions and Healthcare bundled offerings.
A summary of key operating metrics for the three months ended June 30, 2018 , as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 , is as follows:
Net new bookings increased by 7.4% from one year ago to $471.1 million , primarily due to increases in our Healthcare and Enterprise segments.
Bookings represent the estimated gross revenue value of transactions at the time of contract execution, except for maintenance and support offerings. For fixed price contracts, the bookings value represents the gross total contract value. For contracts where revenue is based on transaction volume, the bookings value represents the contract price multiplied by the estimated future transaction volume during the contract term, whether or not such transaction volumes are guaranteed under a minimum commitment clause. Actual results could be different than our initial estimate. The maintenance and support bookings value represents the amounts the customer is invoiced in the period. Because of the inherent estimates required to determine bookings and the fact that the actual resultant revenue may differ from our initial bookings estimates, we consider bookings one indicator of potential future revenue and not as an arithmetic measure of backlog.
Net new bookings represents the estimated revenue value at the time of contract execution from new contractual arrangements or the estimated revenue value incremental to the portion of value that will be renewed under pre-existing arrangements.
Recurring revenue represented 73% of total revenue for three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 . Recurring revenue represents the sum of recurring hosting, product and licensing, and maintenance and support revenues as well as the portion of professional services revenue delivered under ongoing contracts. Recurring product and licensing revenue comprises term-based and ratable licenses as well as revenues from royalty arrangements.
Annualized line run-rate in our on-demand healthcare solutions decreased by 31% from a year ago to approximately 3.0 billion lines per year. The decrease was primarily due to the continued erosion in our transcription services and the impact of the 2017 Malware Incident, as defined below. The annualized line run-rate is determined using billed equivalent line counts in a given quarter, multiplied by four.
Estimated three-year value of total on-demand contracts as of June 30, 2018 increased by 1% from a year ago to approximately $2.4 billion . The increase was primarily due to growth in our Dragon Medical cloud and Automotive solutions, offset in part by the continued erosion in our transcription services and the decline in our SRS business. We determine this value as of the end of the period reported, by using our estimate of three years of anticipated future revenue streams under signed on-demand contracts then in place, whether or not they are guaranteed through a minimum commitment clause. Our estimate is based on assumptions used in evaluating the contracts and determining sales compensation, adjusted for changes in estimated launch dates, actual volumes achieved, and other factors deemed relevant. For contracts with an expiration date beyond three years, we include only the value expected within three years. For other contracts, we assume renewal consistent with historic renewal rates unless there is a known cancellation. Contracts are generally priced by volume of usage and typically have no or low minimum commitments. Actual revenue could vary from our estimates due to factors such as cancellations, non-renewals or volume fluctuations.
Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Matters
On June 27, 2017, Nuance was a victim of the global NotPetya malware incident (the “2017 Malware Incident”). The NotPetya malware affected certain Nuance systems, including systems used by our healthcare customers, primarily for transcription services, as well as systems used by our imaging division to receive and process orders. For fiscal year 2017, we estimate that we lost approximately $68.0 million in revenues, primarily in our Healthcare segment, due to the service disruption and the reserves we established for customer refund credits related to 2017 Malware Incident. Additionally, we incurred incremental costs of approximately $24.0 million for fiscal year 2017 as a result of our remediation and restoration efforts, as well as incremental amortization expenses. Although the direct effects of the 2017 Malware Incident were remediated during fiscal year 2017, as explained below, the 2017 Malware Incident had a continued effect on our results of operations in the first half of fiscal year 2018 including contributing to: a year-over-year decline in the annualized line run-rate in our on-demand healthcare solutions and in the estimated three-year value of on-demand contracts; a year-over-year decline in hosted revenue and an increase in restructuring and other charges. In addition, we expect to expend additional resources during the remainder of fiscal year 2018 and beyond to continue to enhance and upgrade information security.

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In addition, in December 2017, an unauthorized third party illegally accessed certain reports hosted on a Nuance transcription platform. This incident was limited in scope to records of approximately 45,000 individuals and was isolated to a single transcription platform that was promptly shutdown. Customers using that platform were notified of the incident and were migrated to our eScription transcription platforms. We also notified law enforcement authorities and have cooperated in their investigation into the matter. The law enforcement investigation resulted in the identification of the third party, and the accessed reports have been recovered. This incident did not have a material effect on our financial results for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 and is not expected to have a material effect on our financial results for future periods. Future cybersecurity or data privacy incidents could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See “ Risk Factors - Cybersecurity and data privacy incidents or breaches may damage client relations and inhibit our growth .”
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Total Revenues
The following tables show total revenues by product type and by geographic location, based on the location of our customers, in dollars and percentage change (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Professional services and hosting
$
254.5

 
$
251.5

 
$
3.0

 
1.2
 %
 
$
788.1

 
$
763.6

 
$
24.5

 
3.2
 %
Product and licensing
168.7

 
154.2

 
14.5

 
9.4
 %
 
491.8

 
465.2

 
26.6

 
5.7
 %
Maintenance and support
79.7

 
80.5

 
(0.8
)
 
(1.0
)%
 
238.9

 
244.6

 
(5.7
)
 
(2.3
)%
Total Revenues
$
502.9

 
$
486.2

 
$
16.7

 
3.4
 %
 
$
1,518.8

 
$
1,473.5

 
$
45.3

 
3.1
 %
United States
$
362.8

 
$
341.8

 
$
21.0

 
6.1
 %
 
$
1,094.7

 
$
1,043.9

 
$
50.8

 
4.9
 %
International
140.1

 
144.4

 
(4.3
)
 
(3.0
)%
 
424.1

 
429.5

 
(5.4
)
 
(1.3
)%
Total Revenues
$
502.9

 
$
486.2

 
$
16.7

 
3.4
 %
 
$
1,518.8

 
$
1,473.5

 
$
45.3

 
3.1
 %
The geographic split for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was 72% of total revenues in the United States and 28% internationally, as compared to 70% of total revenues in the United States and 30% internationally for the three months ended June 30, 2017 .
The geographic split for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 was 72% of total revenues in the United States and 28% internationally, as compared to 71% of total revenues in the United States and 29% internationally for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 .
Professional Services and Hosting Revenue
Professional services revenue primarily consists of consulting, implementation and training services for customers. Hosting revenue primarily relates to delivering on-demand hosted services, such as medical transcription, automated customer care applications, mobile operator services, mobile infotainment and search and transcription, over a specified term. The following table shows professional services and hosting revenue, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Professional services revenue
$
64.2

 
$
62.1

 
$
2.1

 
3.3
%
 
$
218.2

 
$
178.8

 
$
39.5

 
22.1
 %
Hosting revenue
190.3

 
189.4

 
0.9

 
0.5
%
 
569.9

 
584.8

 
(15.0
)
 
(2.6
)%
 
$
254.5

 
$
251.5

 
$
3.0

 
1.2
%
 
$
788.1

 
$
763.6

 
$
24.5

 
3.2
 %
As a percentage of total revenue
50.6
%
 
51.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
51.9
%
 
51.8
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Hosting revenue increased by $0.9 million , or 0.5% , primarily due to a $3.7 million increase in our Automotive segment and a $2.6 million increase in Enterprise segment, partially offset by a $5.2 million decrease in our Other segment. Hosting revenue in Automotive increased due to continued growth in our speech recognition and infotainment platform services. Hosting revenue in Enterprise segment increased mostly due to growth in our omni-channel hosting solutions. Hosting Revenue in Other segment decreased due to lower revenue from both our SRS and Devices businesses.
Professional services revenue increased by $2.1 million , or 3.3% , primarily due to higher revenue from electronic healthcare record ("EHR") implementation and optimization services in Healthcare.

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As a percentage of total revenue, professional services and hosting revenue decreased from 51.7% to 50.6% , primarily due to higher product and licensing revenue discussed below.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Hosting revenue decreased by $15.0 million , or 2.6% , primarily due to a $18.8 million decrease in our Other segment and a $11.7 million decrease in our Healthcare segment, partially offset by a $11.3 million increase in our Automotive segment and a $4.3 million increase in our Enterprise segment. Hosting revenue in Other segment decreased due to lower revenue from both our SRS and Devices businesses. Healthcare hosting revenue decreased primarily due to the continued erosion in transcription services, offset in part by the continued market penetration and growth of our Dragon cloud-based solutions. Automotive hosting revenue increased primarily due to continued growth in our speech recognition and infotainment platform services. Hosting revenue in Enterprise segment increased primarily due to the growth in our omni-channel hosting solutions.
Professional services revenue increased by $39.5 million , or 22.1% , primarily due to higher revenue from EHR implementation and optimization services in Healthcare.
As a percentage of total revenue, professional services and hosting revenue increased from 51.8% to 51.9% , or essentially flat year-over-year.
Product and Licensing Revenue
Product and licensing revenue primarily consists of sales and licenses of our technology. The following table shows product and licensing revenue, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Product and licensing revenue
$
168.7

 
$
154.2

 
$
14.5

 
9.4
%
 
$
491.8

 
$
465.2

 
$
26.5

 
5.7
%
As a percentage of total revenue
33.5
%
 
31.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
32.4
%
 
31.6
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Product and licensing revenue increased by $14.5 million , or 9.4% , primarily due to a $7.6 million increase in Automotive, a $7.2 million increase in Enterprise, a $3.9 million increase in Imaging and a $2.6 million increase in Healthcare, partially offset by a $6.9 million decrease in Other. Automotive product and licensing revenue increased primarily due to the timing of royalties from existing and new customers. Enterprise product and licensing revenue increased primarily due to higher contact center license revenue. Imaging product and licensing revenue increased primarily due to higher Core Imaging revenue driven by new product launch. Healthcare product and licensing revenue increased primarily as a result of higher revenue from diagnostics solutions due to recent acquisitions. Other segment decreased due to lower revenue from both our SRS and Devices businesses. As a result, product and licensing revenue as a percentage of total revenue increased from 31.7% to 33.5% .
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Product and licensing revenue increased by $26.5 million , or 5.7% , primarily due to a $13.0 million increase in Automotive, a $13.2 million increase in Healthcare, a $3.3 million increase in Enterprise and a $2.2 million increase in Imaging, offset in part by a $5.1 million decrease in Other. Automotive product and licensing revenue increased primarily due to the timing of royalties from existing and new customers. Healthcare product and licensing revenue increased primarily as a result of higher revenue from diagnostics solutions due to recent acquisitions. Enterprise product and licensing revenue increased primarily due to higher contact center license revenue. Imaging product and licensing revenue increased primarily due to higher Core Imaging revenue driven by new product launch. Other segment decreased due to lower revenue from both our SRS and Devices businesses. As a result, product and licensing revenue as a percentage of total revenue increased from 31.6% to 32.4% .
Maintenance and Support Revenue
Maintenance and support revenue primarily consists of technical support and maintenance services. The following table shows maintenance and support revenue, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Maintenance and support revenue
$
79.7

 
$
80.5

 
$
(0.7
)
 
(1.0
)%
 
$
238.9

 
$
244.6

 
$
(5.7
)
 
(2.3
)%
As a percentage of total revenue
15.9
%
 
16.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
15.7
%
 
16.6
%
 
 
 
 

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Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Maintenance and support revenue decreased by $0.7 million , or 1.0% . As a percentage of total revenue, maintenance and support revenue decreased from 16.6% to 15.9% . The decreases were primarily due to the continuing customer transition from product licenses to cloud-based solutions in Healthcare.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Maintenance and support revenue decreased by $5.7 million , or 2.3% . As a percentage of total revenue, maintenance and support revenue decreased from 16.6% to 15.7% . The decreases were primarily due to the continuing customer transition from product licenses to cloud-based solutions in Healthcare.
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of Professional Services and Hosting Revenue
Cost of professional services and hosting revenue primarily consists of compensation for services personnel, outside consultants and overhead, as well as the hardware, infrastructure and communications fees that support our hosting solutions. The following table shows the cost of professional services and hosting revenue, in dollars and as a percentage of professional services and hosting revenue (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cost of professional services and hosting revenue
$
166.3

 
$
169.4

 
$
(3.2
)
 
(1.9
)%
 
$
519.9

 
$
498.5

 
$
21.4

 
4.3
%
As a percentage of professional services and hosting revenue
65.3
%
 
67.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
66.0
%
 
65.3
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
The decrease in cost of professional services and hosting revenue was primarily due to lower volume through our transcription services, partially offset by the growth in our Dragon Medical cloud-based solutions and EHR implementation and optimization services . Gross margin increased by 2.1 percentage points primarily due to a favorable shift in revenue mix towards higher margin Dragon Medical cloud-based offerings, offset in part by margin compression in our medical transcription services and the increase in EHR implementation and optimization services which carried lower margins.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
The increase in cost of professional services and hosting revenue was primarily due to the growth in our Dragon Medical cloud-based solutions and EHR implementation and optimization services , offset in part by lower volume through our transcription services. Also contributing to the increase was higher Automotive hosting costs driven by growth in our connected services. Gross margin decreased by 0.7 percentage points primarily due to margin compression in our medical transcription services and the increase in EHR implementation and optimization services which carried lower margins, offset in part by a favorable shift in revenue mix towards higher margin Dragon Medical cloud-based offerings.
Cost of Product and Licensing Revenue
Cost of product and licensing revenue primarily consists of material and fulfillment costs, manufacturing and operations costs and third-party royalty expenses. The following table shows the cost of product and licensing revenue, in dollars and as a percentage of product and licensing revenue (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cost of product and licensing revenue
$
19.1

 
$
17.6

 
$
1.4

 
8.0
%
 
$
57.1

 
$
54.8

 
$
2.2

 
4.2
%
As a percentage of product and licensing revenue
11.3
%
 
11.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
11.6
%
 
11.8
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Cost of product and licensing revenue increased by $1.4 million , or 8.0% . Gross margin was essentially flat year-over-year.

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Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Cost of product and licensing revenue increased by $2.2 million , or 4.2% . Gross margin was essentially flat year-over-year.
Cost of Maintenance and Support Revenue
Cost of maintenance and support revenue primarily consists of compensation for product support personnel and overhead. The following table shows the cost of maintenance and support revenue, in dollars and as a percentage of maintenance and support revenue (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cost of maintenance and support revenue
$
14.3

 
$
13.4

 
$
0.9

 
7.0
%
 
$
42.8

 
$
40.2

 
$
2.5

 
6.3
%
As a percentage of maintenance and support revenue
18.0
%
 
16.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
17.9
%
 
16.5
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Cost of maintenance and support revenue increased by $0.9 million , or 7.0% . Gross margins decreased by 1.3 percentage points primarily due to lower margin on Dragon Medical maintenance and support services in Healthcare.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Cost of maintenance and support revenue increased by $2.5 million , or 6.3% . Gross margins decreased by 1.4 percentage points primarily due to lower margin on Dragon Medical maintenance and support services in Healthcare.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development ("R&D") expense primarily consists of salaries, benefits, and overhead relating to engineering staff as well as third party engineering costs. The following table shows research and development expense, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Research and development expense
$
75.7

 
$
66.6

 
$
9.2

 
13.8
%
 
$
223.3

 
$
199.1

 
$
24.2

 
12.1
%
As a percentage of total revenue
15.1
%
 
13.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
14.7
%
 
13.5
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Research and development expense increased by $9.2 million , or 13.8% , primarily due to higher compensation expenses as a result of higher R&D headcount as a result of higher R&D headcount as we continue to invest in product evolution and new technologies to support our long-term growth.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Research and development expense increased by $24.2 million , or 12.1% , primarily due to higher compensation expenses as a result of higher R&D headcount as a result of higher R&D headcount as we continue to invest in product evolution and new technologies to support our long-term growth.

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Sales and Marketing Expense
Sales and marketing expense includes salaries and benefits, commissions, advertising, direct mail, public relations, tradeshow costs and other costs of marketing programs, travel expenses associated with our sales organization and overhead. The following table shows sales and marketing expense, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Sales and marketing expense
$
96.2

 
$
97.0

 
$
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)%
 
$
292.4

 
$
292.2

 
$
0.2

 
0.1
%
As a percentage of total revenue
19.1
%
 
20.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
19.2
%
 
19.8
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Sales and marketing expense decreased by $0.8 million , or 0.8% , primarily driven by increases in marketing and communication expenses, offset in part by lower compensation expenses.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Sales and marketing expense increased by $0.2 million , or 0.1% , primarily driven by the increase in professional service expenses and marketing and communication expenses.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense primarily consists of personnel costs for administration, finance, human resources, general management, fees for external professional advisers including accountants and attorneys, and provisions for doubtful accounts. The following table shows general and administrative expense, in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
General and administrative expense
$
50.7

 
$
42.3

 
$
8.3

 
19.7
%
 
$
177.8

 
$
123.6

 
$
54.2

 
43.8
%
As a percentage of total revenue
10.1
%
 
8.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
11.7
%
 
8.4
%
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
General and administrative expense increased by $8.3 million , or 19.7% , primarily due to professional service costs related to evaluating strategic alternatives for certain businesses and legal expenses related to enforcing our intellectual property rights.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
General and administrative expense increased by $54.2 million , or 43.8% , primarily due to professional services costs related to evaluating strategic alternatives for certain businesses and establishing the Automotive business as a separate operating segment, and legal expenses related to enforcing our intellectual property rights.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of acquired patents and technologies are included within cost of revenue and the amortization of acquired customer and contractual relationships, non-compete agreements, acquired trade names and trademarks, and other intangibles are included within operating expenses. Customer relationships are amortized based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationships are expected to be realized. Other identifiable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was recorded as follows (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cost of revenue
$
13.8

 
$
15.7

 
$
(2.0
)
 
(12.5
)%
 
$
43.9

 
$
48.5

 
$
(4.6
)
 
(9.5
)%
Operating expenses
24.1

 
29.2

 
(5.0
)
 
(17.3
)%
 
69.9

 
84.9

 
(15.1
)
 
(17.8
)%
Total amortization expense
$
37.9

 
$
44.9

 
$
(7.0
)
 
(15.6
)%
 
$
113.7

 
$
133.4

 
$
(19.7
)
 
(14.7
)%
As a percentage of total revenue
7.5
%
 
9.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
7.5
%
 
9.1
%
 
 
 
 
The decreases in total amortization of intangible assets for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 , as compared to the prior year periods, were primarily due to certain intangible assets having been fully amortized during fiscal year 2017.

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Acquisition-Related Costs, Net
Acquisition-related costs include costs related to business acquisitions. These costs consist of (i) transition and integration costs, including retention payments, transitional employee costs, earn-out payments, and other costs related to integration activities; (ii) professional service fees, including financial advisory, legal, accounting, and other outside services incurred in connection with acquisition activities, and disputes and regulatory matters related to acquired entities; and (iii) fair value adjustments to acquisition-related contingencies. A summary of the acquisition-related costs is as follows (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Transition and integration costs
$
5.4

 
$
3.7

 
$
1.6

 
44.3
 %
 
$
12.8

 
$
11.0

 
$
1.8

 
15.9
 %
Professional service fees
1.3

 
3.9

 
(2.7
)
 
(67.9
)%
 
2.7

 
11.9

 
(9.2
)
 
(77.3
)%
Acquisition-related adjustments
(1.7
)
 

 
(1.7
)
 
(9,089.5
)%
 
(2.7
)
 
(0.9
)
 
(1.8
)
 
200.0
 %
Total acquisition-related costs, net
$
4.9

 
$
7.6

 
$
(2.7
)
 
(35.7
)%
 
$
12.8

 
$
22.1

 
$
(9.2
)
 
(41.8
)%
As a percentage of total revenue
1.0
%
 
1.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.8
%
 
1.5
%
 
 
 
 
The decreases in acquisition-related costs, net for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 , as compared to the prior year periods, were primarily due to the decrease in professional service fees driven by reduced acquisition activities during fiscal year 2018.
Restructuring and Other Charges, Net
While restructuring and other charges, net are excluded from segment profits, the table below presents the restructuring and other charges, net associated with each segment (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
Healthcare
$
377

 
$

 
$
377

 
$

 
$
377

 
$
993

 
$

 
$
993

 
$
4,065

 
$
5,058

Enterprise
3,412

 
(197
)
 
3,215

 

 
3,215

 
1,910

 
2,040

 
3,950

 

 
3,950

Automotive
1,233

 

 
1,233

 

 
1,233

 
377

 

 
377

 

 
377

Imaging
2,725

 
1,170

 
3,895

 

 
3,895

 
43

 

 
43

 

 
43

Other
154

 
54

 
208

 

 
208

 
489

 
(511
)
 
(22
)
 

 
(22
)
Corporate
1,148

 
893

 
2,041

 
(1,732
)
 
309

 
241

 
25

 
266

 
3,363

 
3,629

Total
$
9,049

 
$
1,920

 
$
10,969

 
$
(1,732
)
 
$
9,237

 
$
4,053

 
$
1,554

 
$
5,607

 
$
7,428

 
$
13,035

 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
 
Personnel
 
Facilities
 
Total Restructuring
 
Other Charges
 
Total
Healthcare
$
3,678

 
$
25

 
$
3,703

 
$

 
$
3,703

 
$
3,554

 
$
870

 
$
4,424

 
$
4,065

 
$
8,489

Enterprise
3,939

 
2,170

 
6,109

 

 
6,109

 
2,722

 
2,904

 
5,626

 

 
5,626

Automotive
2,233

 

 
2,233

 

 
2,233

 
1,792

 

 
1,792

 

 
1,792

Imaging
4,031

 
1,163

 
5,194

 

 
5,194

 
629

 
387

 
1,016

 

 
1,016

Other
1,498

 
624

 
2,122

 

 
2,122

 
2,341

 
(460
)
 
1,881

 
10,773

 
12,654

Corporate
2,339

 
951

 
3,290

 
10,335

 
13,625

 
1,241

 
2,007

 
3,248

 
6,824

 
10,072

Total
$
17,718

 
$
4,933

 
$
22,651

 
$
10,335

 
$
32,986

 
$
12,279

 
$
5,708

 
$
17,987

 
$
21,662

 
$
39,649

Fiscal Year 2018
For the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , we recorded restructuring charges of $22.7 million , which included $17.7 million related to the termination of approximately 160 employees and $4.9 million related to certain excess facilities. Of these amounts, $11.0 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2018 , including $9.0 million related to employee termination and $1.9 million related to certain excess facilities. These actions were part of our strategic initiatives focused on investment rationalization, process optimization and cost reduction. We expect the remaining outstanding severance of $4.8 million to be substantially paid during fiscal year 2018 , and the remaining balance of $8.5 million related to excess facilities to be paid through fiscal year 2025 , in accordance with the terms of the applicable leases.
Additionally, for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , we recorded a $5.7 million expense related to the transition agreement of

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our former CEO, a $7.2 million expense related to our remediation and restoration efforts after the 2017 Malware Incident that occurred in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, offset in part by a $2.5 million income related to cash receipt from insurance claims related to the 2017 Malware Incident. For the three months ended June 30, 2018 , we recorded a $2.5 million income related to cash receipt from insurance claims related to the 2017 Malware Incident and a $1.1 million expense related to the CEO transition. The cash payments associated with the CEO transition agreement are expected to be made through fiscal year 2020 .
Fiscal Year 2017
For the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we recorded restructuring charges of $18.0 million , which included $12.3 million related to the termination of approximately 300 employees and $5.7 million related to certain excess facilities. Of these amounts, $5.6 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2017 , including $4.1 million related to employee termination and $1.6 million related to certain excess facilities. These actions were part of our strategic initiatives focused on process optimization and cost reduction.
Additionally, for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we recorded $5.8 million related to the transition agreement of our former CEO, $10.8 million of non-cash impairment charge related to an internally developed software, and $5.2 million professional services fees and fixed asset impairment related to the 2017 Malware Incident. Of these amounts, $2.3 million related to the CEO transition and $5.2 million professional services fees and fixed asset impairment related to the 2017 Malware Incident were recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2017 .
Impairment of Goodwill
Fiscal Year 2018
As more fully described in Note 4 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $138 million related to Other segment, with $35.1 million related to Devices and $102.8 million related to SRS.

Other Expense, Net
A summary of other expenses, net is as follows (dollars in millions):  
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Interest income
$
2.5

 
$
2.0

 
$
0.5

 
27.2
 %
 
$
6.9

 
$
4.3

 
$
2.7

 
62.4
 %
Interest expense
(33.8
)
 
(40.4
)
 
6.6

 
(16.3
)%
 
(103.8
)
 
(116.3
)
 
12.5

 
(10.8
)%
Other expense, net
(0.7
)
 
(1.0
)
 
0.3

 
(30.0
)%
 
(1.5
)
 
(21.3
)
 
19.8

 
(93.0
)%
Total other expense, net
$
(32.1
)
 
$
(39.5
)
 
$
7.4

 
(18.8
)%
 
$
(98.4
)
 
$
(133.3
)
 
$
34.9

 
(26.2
)%
As a percentage of total revenue
6.4
%
 
8.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
6.5
%
 
9.0
%
 
 
 
 
Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased $6.6 million, as compared to three months ended June 30, 2017 , was mainly due to the $331.2 million repurchase of the outstanding 2.75% convertible debentures in November 2017. Other expense, net for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 included debt extinguishment losses of $18.6 million primarily related to the partial repayment of our 2020 Senior Notes.
Provision for Income Taxes
The following table shows the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective income tax rate (dollars in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
10.6

 
$
2.6

 
$
8.0

 
305.3
%
 
$
(65.4
)
 
$
22.1

 
$
(87.5
)
 
(395.9
)%
Effective income tax rate
(305.2
)%
 
(10.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
34.4
%
 
(34.8
)%
 
 
 
 

As more fully described in Note 14 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), we remeasured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities at the lower rates and recorded approximately

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$87.0 million of tax benefits for the nine months ended June 30, 2018. Additionally, we recorded a $2.0 million provision for the deemed repatriation of foreign cash and earnings for the nine months ended June 30, 2018.
In addition, as more fully described in Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, in connection with the impairment charge of SRS's goodwill, we recognized a tax benefit of $8.5 million related to the portion of deductible goodwill in Brazil for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 .
The effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 reflects the impact of the TCJA discussed above. For other periods presented, the effective income tax rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 25% for fiscal year 2018 and 35% for fiscal year 2017 primarily due to current period losses in the United States that require an additional valuation allowance and accordingly provide no benefit to the provision as well as an increase to indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities. This is partially offset by our earnings in foreign operations that are subject to a significantly lower tax rate than the U.S. statutory tax rate, driven primarily by our subsidiaries in Ireland.
SEGMENT ANALYSIS
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, we commenced a reorganization of our segment reporting structure to allow our Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") greater focus on implementing strategic initiatives and identifying future investment opportunities. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, we established our Automotive business as a separate operating segment. Additionally, we moved our Dragon TV business from our former Mobile operating segment into our Enterprise operating segment to consolidate our telecommunications market resources. Finally, our SRS business and our Devices business, originally included within our former Mobile operating segment, are now presented within our Other segment. As a result, segment information for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 has been recast to reflect the new segment reporting structure.
The following table presents certain financial information about our operating segments (dollars in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Change
 
Percent
Change
June 30,
 
June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
Segment Revenues (a) :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare
$
236.2

 
$
232.6

 
$
3.6

 
1.5
 %
 
$
743.0

 
$
710.3

 
$
32.7

 
4.6
 %
Enterprise
119.6

 
114.1

 
5.5

 
4.8
 %
 
352.9

 
351.6

 
1.3

 
0.4
 %
Automotive
73.8

 
63.1

 
10.7

 
16.9
 %
 
204.2

 
183.7

 
20.5

 
11.2
 %
Imaging
54.2

 
49.4

 
4.8

 
9.8
 %
 
158.8

 
154.5

 
4.3

 
2.8
 %
Other
22.2

 
36.4

 
(14.2
)
 
(38.9
)%
 
74.3

 
102.6

 
(28.3
)
 
(27.5
)%
Total segment revenues
$
506.0

 
$
495.6

 
$
10.4

 
2.1
 %
 
$
1,533.2

 
$
1,502.7

 
$
30.5

 
2.0
 %
Less: acquisition related revenues adjustments
(3.1
)
 
(9.4
)
 
6.3

 
(66.6
)%
 
(14.4
)
 
(29.3
)
 
14.9

 
(50.8
)%
Total revenues
$
502.9

 
$
486.2

 
$
16.7

 
3.4
 %
 
$
1,518.8

 
$
1,473.5

 
$
45.3

 
3.1
 %
Segment Profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare
$
77.7

 
$
70.5

 
$
7.2

 
10.3
 %
 
$
242.5

 
$
232.4

 
$
10.1

 
4.3
 %
Enterprise
33.1

 
32.4

 
0.7

 
2.0
 %
 
96.5

 
102.7

 
(6.2
)
 
(6.0
)%
Automotive
28.2

 
30.7

 
(2.5
)
 
(8.4
)%
 
80.2

 
87.7

 
(7.5
)
 
(8.5
)%
Imaging
18.5

 
16.9

 
1.6

 
9.4
 %
 
46.4

 
53.0

 
(6.6
)
 
(12.4
)%
Other
3.1

 
12.7

 
(9.6
)
 
(75.7
)%
 
12.6

 
33.1

 
(20.5
)
 
(62.0
)%
Total segment profit
$
160.5

 
$
163.2

 
$
(2.7
)
 
(1.7
)%
 
$
478.3

 
$
508.9

 
$
(30.6
)
 
(6.0
)%
Segment Profit Margin:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare
32.9
%
 
30.3
%
 
2.6

 
 
 
32.6
%
 
32.7
%
 
(0.1
)
 
 
Enterprise
27.6
%
 
28.4
%
 
(0.8
)
 
 
 
27.4
%
 
29.2
%
 
(1.9
)
 
 
Automotive
38.2
%
 
48.7
%
 
(10.5
)
 
 
 
39.3
%
 
47.7
%
 
(8.4
)
 
 
Imaging
34.2
%
 
34.3
%
 
(0.1
)
 
 
 
29.2
%
 
34.3
%
 
(5.1
)
 
 
Other
13.9
%
 
34.9
%
 
(21.0
)
 
 
 
16.9
%
 
32.3
%
 
(15.3
)
 
 
Total segment profit margin
31.7
%
 
32.9
%
 
(1.2
)
 
 
 
31.2
%
 
33.9
%
 
(2.7
)
 
 
                       
(a)  
Segment revenues differ from reported revenues due to certain revenue adjustments related to acquisitions that would otherwise have been recognized but for the purchase accounting treatment of the business combinations. These revenues are included to allow for more complete comparisons to the financial results of historical operations and in evaluating management performance.

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Table of Contents

Segment Revenues
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Healthcare segment revenue increased by $3.6 million , or 1.5% , primarily due to higher revenue from Dragon Medical cloud-based solutions and EHR implementation and optimization services, offset by in part by lower revenue from our transcription services revenue due to the continued erosion.
Enterprise segment revenue increased by $5.5 million , or 4.8% , primarily due to higher contact center license revenue.
Automotive segment revenue increased by $10.7 million , or 16.9% , primarily due to higher royalties and revenues from our hosting solutions driven by continued growth in our speech recognition and infotainment platform services.
Imaging segment revenues increased by $4.8 million , or 9.8% , primarily due to higher revenue from our Core Imaging solutions due to new product launch.
Other segment revenue decreased by $14.2 million , or 38.9% , primarily due to declines in both SRS and Devices. The decline in SRS was primarily due to the recent market disruptions in India and Brazil. These markets have experienced recent and dramatic disruptions as a result of accelerated change in competition and business models for our SRS mobile operator customers, which has reduced demand for our services. The decline in our Devices business was primarily due to the ongoing consolidation of our handset manufacturer customer base, as well as continued erosion of our penetration of the remaining market.
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Healthcare segment revenue increased by $32.7 million , or 4.6% , primarily due to higher revenue from Dragon Medical cloud-based solutions and EHR implementation and optimization services, offset by in part by lower revenue from our transcription services revenue due to the continued erosion and the negative impact of the 2017 Malware Incident.
Enterprise segment revenue increased by $1.3 million , or 0.4% , primarily due to higher contact center license and services revenue, offset in part by lower volume through our legacy inbound and outbound on-demand solutions.
Automotive segment revenue increased by $20.5 million , or 11.2% , primarily due to higher royalties and revenues from our hosting solutions driven by continued growth in our speech recognition and infotainment platform services.
Imaging segment revenues increased by $4.3 million , or 2.8% , primarily due to higher revenue from our Core Imaging solutions due to new product launch.
Other segment revenue decreased by $28.3 million , or 27.5% , primarily due to declines in both of SRS and Devices. The decline in SRS was primarily due to the recent market disruptions in India and Brazil. These markets have experienced recent and dramatic disruptions as a result of accelerated change in competition and business models for our SRS mobile operator customers, which has reduced demand for our services. The decline in our Devices business was primarily due to the ongoing consolidation of our handset manufacturer customer base, as well as continued erosion of our penetration of the remaining market.
Segment Profit
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Healthcare segment profit increased by $7.2 million , or 10.3% , primarily due to higher segment revenue and higher gross margin. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to a favorable shift in revenue mix towards higher margin Dragon Medical cloud-based offerings, offset in part by margin compression in our medical transcription services and the increase in EHR implementation and optimization services which carried lower margins. As a result, segment profit margin increased by 2.6  percentage points to 32.9% .
Enterprise segment profit increased by $0.7 million , or 2.0% , primarily due to higher segment revenue, partially offset by lower gross margin and higher operating expenses. The lower gross margin was primarily due to higher infrastructure costs and increased headcount to support future growth. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher sales and marketing expenses. As a result, segment profit margin decreased by 0.8 percentage points to 27.6% .
Automotive segment profit decreased by $2.5 million , or 8.4% , primarily due to lower gross margin and higher R&D expenses, offset in part by higher revenue. The lower gross margin was primarily driven by our investment in automotive technologies

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and increased professional services headcount to support future growth. The higher R&D expenses was primarily driven by our increased investment in new technologies. As a result, segment profit margin decreased by 10.5 percentage points to 38.2% .
Imaging segment profit increased by 1.6 million , or 9.4% , primarily due to higher segment revenue, offset in part by gross margin and higher operating expenses. Gross margin declined as a result of an unfavorable shift in revenue mix from higher margin software revenue to lower margin hardware revenue. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher sales and marketing expenses to support new products and solutions. Segment profit margin remained essentially flat year-over-year.
Other segment profit decreased by $9.6 million , or 75.7% , primarily driven by revenue and gross margin declines. Profit margin decreased by 21.0 percentage points to 13.9% , primarily due to the recent market disruptions in India and Brazil , as more fully discussed in Overview - Business Trends .
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
Healthcare segment profit increased by $10.1 million , or 4.3% , primarily due to higher segment revenue offset in part by lower gross margin. The gross margin decline was primarily due to margin compression in our medical transcription services and the increase in EHR implementation and optimization services which carried lower margins, offset in part by a favorable shift in revenue mix towards higher margin Dragon Medical cloud-based offerings. As a result, segment profit margin remained essentially flat year-over-year.
Enterprise segment profit decreased by $6.2 million , or 6.0% , primarily due to essentially flat segment revenue and lower gross margin. The lower gross margin was primarily due to higher infrastructure costs and increased headcount to support future growth.As a result, segment profit margin decreased by 1.9 percentage points to 27.4% .
Automotive segment profit decreased by $7.5 million , or 8.5% , primarily due to lower gross margin and higher R&D expenses, offset in part by higher revenue. The lower gross margin was primarily driven by our investment in automotive technologies and increased professional services headcount to support future growth. The higher R&D expenses was primarily driven by our increased investment in new technologies. As a result, segment profit margin decreased by 8.4 percentage points to 39.3% .
Imaging segment profit decreased by $6.6 million , or 12.4% , primarily due to higher segment revenue, offset in part by gross margin and higher operating expenses. Gross margin declined as a result of an unfavorable shift in revenue mix from higher margin software revenue to lower margin hardware revenue. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher sales and marketing expenses to support new products and solutions. As a result, segment profit margin decreased by 5.1 percentage points to 29.2% .
Other segment profit decreased by $20.5 million , or 62.0% , primarily driven by revenue and gross margin declines. Profit margin decreased by 15.3% percentage points to 16.9% , primarily due to the recent market disruptions in India and Brazil , as more fully discussed in Overview - Business Trends .
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
We had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $509.1 million as of June 30, 2018 , a decrease of $365.0 million from $874.1 million as of September 30, 2017 . Our working capital, defined as total current assets less total current liabilities, was $255.4 million as of June 30, 2018 , compared to $216.4 million as of September 30, 2017 . Additionally, we had $235.7 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2018 . We believe that our existing sources of liquidity are sufficient to support our operating needs, capital requirements and any debt service requirements for the next twelve months.
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities held by our international operations totaled $96.3 million as of June 30, 2018 and $148.6 million as of September 30, 2017 . As more fully described in Note 14 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), we recorded a provisional amount of one-time repatriation tax of approximately $2 million on foreign cash and earnings as of June 30, 2018 . The actual impact of the TCJA may differ materially from our estimate due to changes in our interpretations and assumptions, additional guidance to be issued, and actions we may take as a result of the TCJA. We have not changed our indefinite reinvestment assertion related to foreign cash and earnings.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 was $295.0 million , a decrease of $87.3 million from $382.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 . The decrease was primarily due to:

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A decrease of $70.2 million due to lower net income, excluding non-cash adjustments;
A decrease of $40.8 million due to unfavorable changes in working capital, primarily due to the timing of billing and associated collections, as well as timing of certain payments related to Malware Incident remediation and strategic initiatives; offset in part by,
An increase of $23.7 million from changes in deferred revenue. Deferred revenue had a positive effect of $84.3 million on operating cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 , as compared to $60.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , primarily driven by continued growth of our Automotive connected solutions and Healthcare bundled offerings.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 was $47.2 million , a decrease of $182.7 million from $229.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 . The decrease was primarily due to:
An increase of $186.7 million in net proceeds from the sale and purchase of marketable securities and other investments; offset in part by,
An increase of $4.9 million in capital expenditures.
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 was $507.5 million , an increase of $568.2 million from cash provided by financing activities of $60.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 . The net increase was primarily due to:
A decrease in cash inflows of $838.1 million from debt issuance. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , the cash inflows from debt activities includes $494.6 million net proceeds from the issuance of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2026; and $344.3 million net proceeds from the issuance of our 1.25% 2025 Convertible Debentures;
An increase in cash outflows of $20.8 million related to acquisition payments with extended payment terms, offset in part by,
A decrease in cash outflows of $302.9 million from the redemption and repayment of debt. During the nine months ended June 30, 2018 holders of approximately $331.2 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2.75% 2031 Debentures exercised their right to require us to repurchase such debentures. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we made repayments of $616.7 million for the redemption of our 2020 Senior Notes and $17.9 million for the redemption of our 2031 Convertible Debentures; and
An increase in cash outflows of $12.9 million related to share repurchases. During the nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , we repurchased 8.1 million and 5.8 million shares of our common stock under our share repurchase program for $112.0 million and $99.1 million, respectively.

Debt
For a detailed description of the terms and restrictions of the debt and revolving credit facility, see Note 10 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
On August 1, 2018 , our Board of Directors authorized the repayment of $150 million of our 2020 Senior Notes, which is expected to be made in September 2018. We expect to fund this repayment using our existing cash and investments and our cash flows from operations.
Share Repurchase Program
On April 29, 2013 , our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program for up to $500.0 million , which was increased by $500.0 million on April 29, 2015. Under the terms of the share repurchase program, we have the ability to repurchase shares through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated stock repurchase transactions, or any combination of such methods. The share repurchase program does not require us to acquire any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended, extended or terminated by us at any time without prior notice. The timing and the amount of any purchases will be determined by management based on an evaluation of market conditions, capital allocation alternatives, and other factors.
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 , we repurchased 8.1 million shares of our common stock for $112.0 million under the program. For the nine months ended June 30, 2017 , we repurchased 5.8 million shares of our common stock for $99.1 million under the program. Since the commencement of the program, we have repurchased an aggregate of 54.6 million shares

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for $918.6 million . The amount paid in excess of par value is recognized in additional paid in capital. Shares were retired upon repurchase. As of June 30, 2018 , approximately $81.4 million remained available for future repurchases under the program.
On August 1, 2018, our Board of Directors approved an additional $500.0 million under our share repurchase program. Since the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, we have repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of our common stock for approximately $16.0 million .
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations
Contractual Obligations
The following table outlines our contractual payment obligations (dollars in millions):
 
 
Contractual Payments Due in Fiscal Year
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
2018
 
2019 and 2020
 
2021 and 2022
 
Thereafter
Convertible debentures (1)
 
$
1,337.0

 
$

 
$

 
$
310.5

 
$
1,026.5

Senior notes
 
1,250.0

 

 
450.0

 

 
800.0

Interest payable on long-term debt (2)
 
495.8

 
21.2

 
173.2

 
122.4

 
179.0

Letters of credit (3)
 
6.8

 
2.8

 
4.0

 

 

Lease obligations and other liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating leases
 
164.6

 
10.6

 
46.9

 
31.2

 
75.9

Operating leases under restructuring (4)
 
54.5

 
2.4

 
17.0

 
13.9

 
21.2

Purchase commitments (5)
 
32.6

 
8.0

 
13.8

 
10.8

 

Total contractual cash obligations
 
$
3,341.3

 
$
45.0

 
$
704.9

 
$
488.8

 
$
2,102.6

                      
(1)  
Pursuant to the terms of each convertible instrument, holders have the right to redeem the debt on specific dates prior to maturity. The repayment schedule above assumes that payment is due on the next redemption date after June 30, 2018 .
(2)  
Interest per annum is due and payable semi-annually and is determined based on the outstanding principal as of June 30, 2018 , the stated interest rate of each debt instrument and the assumed redemption dates discussed above.
(3)  
Letters of Credit are in place primarily to secure future operating lease payments.
(4)  
Obligations include contractual lease commitments related to facilities that were part of restructuring plans. As of June 30, 2018 , we have subleased certain of the facilities with total sublease income of $ 51.1 million through fiscal year 2025 .
(5)  
Purchase commitments include non-cancelable purchase commitments for property and equipment, inventory, and services in the normal course of business. These amounts also include arrangements that require a minimum purchase commitment by us.

Total unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2018 were $33.3 million . We do not expect any significant change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
Certain acquisition payments to selling shareholders were contingent upon the achievement of pre-determined performance target over a period of time after the acquisition. Such contingent payments were recorded at estimated fair values upon the acquisition and re-measured in subsequent reporting periods. As of June 30, 2018 , the maximum amount of payments to be made based on the agreements was $17.5 million if the specific performance objectives are achieved. In addition, certain deferred compensation payments to selling shareholders contingent upon their continued employment after the acquisition was recorded as compensation expense over the requisite service period. As of June 30, 2018 , total deferred compensation to be paid out upon the conclusion of requisite service periods was $24.3 million .
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2018 , there were no off-balance sheet arrangements that may have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies are included in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. There has been no material change to our critical accounting policies since September 30, 2017 . See Note 4 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the critical estimates related to our interim goodwill impairment analysis.

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RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 2 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the recently adopted and issued accounting standards.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices which could affect operating results, financial position and cash flows. We manage our exposure to these market risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.
Exchange Rate Sensitivity
We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Any foreign currency transaction, defined as a transaction denominated in a currency other than the local functional currency, will be reported in the functional currency at the applicable exchange rate in effect at the time of the transaction. A change in the value of the functional currency compared to the foreign currency of the transaction will have either a positive or negative impact on our financial position and results of operations.
Assets and liabilities of our foreign entities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and income and expense items are translated at average rates for the applicable period. Therefore, the change in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies may impact our financial position and results of operations. Historically, our primary exposure has related to transactions denominated in the euro, British pound, Brazilian real, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, Indian rupee and Hungarian forint.
Periodically, we enter into forward exchange contracts to hedge against foreign exchange rate fluctuations. As of June 30, 2018 , we had not designated any contracts as fair value or cash flow hedges. The contracts are not designated as cash flow hedges and generally are for periods less than 90 days. As of June 30, 2018 , the notional contract amount of outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts was $90.8 million .
Interest Rate Sensitivity
We are exposed to interest rate risk as a result of our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.
At June 30, 2018 , we held approximately $509.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities primarily consisting of cash, money-market funds, bank deposits and a separately managed investment portfolio. Assuming a one percentage point change in interest rates, our interest income on our investments classified as cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities would change by approximately $4.4 million per annum, based on the balances as of June 30, 2018 .
At June 30, 2018 , we had no outstanding debt subject to variable interest rates.
Convertible Debentures
The fair values of our convertible debentures are dependent on the price and volatility of our common stock as well as movements in interest rates. The fair market values of these debentures will generally increase as the market price of our common stock increases and will decrease as the market price of our common stock decreases. The fair market values of these debentures will generally increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The market value and interest rate changes affect the fair market values of these debentures, but do not impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to the fixed nature of the debt obligations. However, increases in the value of our common stock above the stated trigger price for each issuance for a specified period of time may provide the holders of these debentures the right to convert each bond using a conversion ratio and payment method as defined in the debenture agreement.

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The following table summarizes the fair value and conversion value of our convertible debentures, and the estimated increase in fair value and conversion value with a hypothetical 10% increase in the stock price of $13.89 as of June 30, 2018 (dollars in millions):
 
June 30, 2018
 
Fair value
 
Conversion value
 
Increase to fair value
 
Increase to conversion value
2.75% 2031 Debentures
$
45.9

 
$
19.9

 
$
0.3

 
$
2.0

1.5% 2035 Debentures
$
256.0

 
$
156.9

 
$
6.5

 
$
15.7

1.0% 2035 Debentures
$
607.8

 
$
343.7

 
$
13.9

 
$
34.4

1.25% 2025 Debentures
$
325.6

 
$
217.9

 
$
14.4

 
$
21.8

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of, and with the participation of, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to meet the requirements of Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no material changes to our internal controls over financial reporting as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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
This information is included in Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, in the accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements and is incorporated herein by reference from Item 1 of Part I.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described below when evaluating our company and when deciding whether to invest in our company. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we do not currently believe are important to an investor may also harm our business operations. If any of the events, contingencies, circumstances or conditions described below actually occurs, our business, financial condition or our results of operations could be seriously harmed. If that happens, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose part or all of the value of any of our shares held by you.

Risks Related to Our Business
The markets in which we operate are highly competitive and rapidly changing and we may be unable to compete successfully.
There are a number of companies that develop or may develop products that compete in our targeted markets. The markets for our products and services are characterized by intense competition, evolving industry and regulatory standards, emerging business and distribution models, disruptive software and hardware technology developments, short product and service life cycles, price

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sensitivity on the part of customers, and frequent new product introductions, including alternatives for certain of our products that offer limited functionality at significantly lower costs or free of charge. Within voice recognition and natural language understanding, we compete primarily with Amazon, Google, as well as other smaller providers. In our Healthcare business we compete primarily with M*Modal, Optum, 3M and other smaller providers. In our Automotive business we compete, or may in the future compete, with Amazon, Google, iFlyTek and Microsoft as well as with other, smaller vendors particularly in China. In our Imaging business we compete primarily with ABBYY and Adobe. Also, some of our partners such as Avaya, Canon, Cisco, and Genesys develop and market products that might be considered substitutes for our solutions. In addition, a number of smaller companies in voice recognition, natural language understanding, text input and imaging offer technologies or products that are competitive with our solutions. Current and potential competitors have established, or may establish, cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase the ability of their technologies to address the needs of our prospective customers. Furthermore, there has been a trend toward industry consolidation in our markets for several years. We expect this trend to continue as companies attempt to strengthen or hold their market positions in an evolving industry and as companies are acquired or are unable to continue operations.
The competition in these markets could adversely affect our operating results by reducing the volume of the products we license or the prices we can charge. Some of our current or potential competitors, such as 3M, Adobe, Amazon, Google and Microsoft, have significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. These competitors may be able to respond more rapidly than we can to new or emerging technologies or changes in customer requirements. They may also devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we do, and in certain cases may be able to include or combine their competitive products or technologies with other of their products or technologies in a manner whereby the competitive functionality is available at lower cost or free of charge within the larger offering. To the extent they do so, market acceptance and penetration of our products, and therefore our revenue and bookings, may be adversely affected. Our success will depend substantially upon our ability to enhance our products and technologies and to develop and introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new products and features that meet changing customer requirements and incorporate technological enhancements. If we are unable to develop new products and enhance functionalities or technologies to adapt to these changes, or if we are unable to realize synergies among our acquired products and technologies, our business will suffer.
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from period to period, and this may cause our stock price to decline.
Our revenue, bookings and operating results have fluctuated materially in the past and are expected to continue to fluctuate in the future. Given these fluctuations, we believe that quarter to quarter comparisons of revenue, bookings and operating results are not necessarily meaningful nor an accurate indicator of our future performance. These fluctuations may cause our results of operations to not meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors. If this occurs, the price of our stock would likely decline. Factors that contribute to fluctuations in operating results include:
volume, timing and fulfillment of customer orders and receipt of royalty reports;
fluctuating sales by our channel partners to their customers;
customers delaying their purchasing decisions in anticipation of new versions of our products;
contractual counterparties are unable to, or do not, meet their contractual commitments to us;
introduction of new products by us or our competitors;
cybersecurity or data breaches perpetrated by hackers or other third parties;
seasonality in purchasing patterns of our customers;
reduction in the prices of our products in response to competition, market conditions or contractual obligations;
returns and allowance charges in excess of accrued amounts;
timing of significant marketing and sales promotions;
impairment of goodwill or intangible assets;
the pace of the transition to an on-demand and transactional revenue model;
delayed realization of synergies resulting from our acquisitions;
accounts receivable that are not collectible and write-offs of excess or obsolete inventory;
increased expenditures incurred pursuing new product or market opportunities;
higher than anticipated costs related to fixed-price contracts with our customers;
change in costs due to regulatory or trade restrictions;
expenses incurred in litigation matters, whether initiated by us or brought by third-parties against us and even in matters where we are the prevailing party, and settlements or judgments we are required to pay in connection with disputes; and
general economic trends as they affect the customer bases into which we sell.

Due to the foregoing factors, among others, our revenue, bookings and operating results are difficult to forecast. Our expense levels are based in significant part on our expectations of future revenue, and we may not be able to reduce our expenses quickly

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to respond to near-term shortfalls in projected revenue. Therefore, our failure to meet revenue expectations would seriously harm our operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
A significant portion of our revenue and bookings are derived, and a significant portion of our research and development activities are based, outside the United States. Our results could be harmed by economic, political, regulatory, foreign currency fluctuations and other risks associated with these international regions.
Because we operate worldwide, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. We anticipate that revenue and bookings from international operations could increase in the future. Most of our international revenue and bookings are generated by sales in Europe and Asia. In addition, some of our products are developed outside the United States and we have a large number of employees in India that provide development and transcription services. We also have a large number of employees in Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom that provide professional services. A significant portion of the development of our voice recognition and natural language understanding solutions is conducted in Canada and Germany, and a significant portion of our imaging research and development is conducted in Hungary and Canada. We also have significant research and development resources in Austria, Belgium, China, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In addition, we are exposed to fluctuating exchange rates of foreign currencies including the euro, British pound, Brazilian real, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, Indian rupee and Hungarian forint. Changes in the value of foreign currencies relative to the value of the U.S. dollar could adversely affect future revenue and operating results. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors associated with international sales and operations, including:
adverse political and economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad;
trade protection measures, including tariffs and import/export controls, imposed by the United States and/or by other countries or regional authorities such as China, Canada or the European Union;
the impact on local and global economies of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates or the lack of ability to hedge certain foreign currencies;
changes in a specific country's or region's economic conditions;
compliance with laws and regulations in many countries and any subsequent changes in such laws and regulations;
geopolitical turmoil, including terrorism and war;
changing and import or export licensing requirements, particularly for our voice biometrics products;
changing data privacy regulations and customer requirements to locate data centers in certain jurisdictions;
restrictions on cross-border investment, including enhanced oversight by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and substantial restrictions on investment from China;
changes in applicable tax laws;
difficulties in staffing and managing operations in multiple locations in many countries;
longer payment cycles of foreign customers and timing of collections in foreign jurisdictions; and
less effective protection of intellectual property than in the United States.
 
We recently hired a new Chief Executive Officer. If we encounter difficulties in the transition, our business could be negatively impacted.
Mark D. Benjamin became our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors in April 2018. Our future success will partly depend upon Mr. Benjamin’s ability, along with the ability of other senior management and other key employees, to effectively implement our business strategies. In addition, Mr. Benjamin may pursue changes in our strategy or business focus. Mr. Benjamin may require transition time to fully understand all aspects of our business as would be typical with any executive transition. If we have failures in any aspects of this transition, or new strategies implemented by our management team are not successful, our business could be harmed.
If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our business could be harmed.
If any of our key employees were to leave, we could face substantial difficulty in hiring qualified successors and could experience a loss in productivity while any successor obtains the necessary training and experience. For example, we have recently undergone a chief executive officer transition with the retirement of Mr. Ricci as our Chief Executive Officer in March 2018 and the appointment of Mr. Benjamin as our new Chief Executive Officer in April 2018. Although we have arrangements with some of our executive officers designed to promote retention, our employment relationships are generally at-will and we have had key employees leave in the past. We cannot assure you that one or more key employees will not leave in the future. We intend to continue to hire additional highly qualified personnel, including research and development and operational personnel, but may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain qualified personnel in the future. Any failure to attract, integrate, motivate and retain these employees could harm our business.

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In response to our changing needs and input from our investors, we recently added a number of new directors to our Board of Directors and expect to add additional directors over the balance of fiscal year 2018 and a number of long-serving directors retired from our Board of Directos. If the transition to these new directors is not effective, our business could be harmed.
In addition to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Benjamin was appointed to our Board of Directors effective in April 2018, and in June 2018 three long-serving directors retired from our Board. With these changes, three of the five members of our Board of Directors have joined since December 2017. We also expect to add additional members to our Board of Directors in the coming months. We have also recently reconstituted the membership of Board Committees and expect further changes as new directors are added to take advantage of the experience the new members bring to our Board of Directors. There can be no assurances that the new Board of Directors or its committees will function effectively and that there will not be any adverse effects on the business as a result of the significant changes on our Board of Directors.
We experienced a significant malware incident in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, which had and continues to have a significant impact on our future results of operations and financial condition.
On June 27, 2017, Nuance was a victim of the global NotPetya malware incident (the “2017 Malware Incident”). The NotPetya malware affected certain Nuance systems, including systems used by our healthcare customers, primarily for transcription services, as well as systems used by our imaging division to receive and process orders. Our revenue and our operating results for fiscal year 2017 were negatively impacted by the 2017 Malware Incident. For fiscal year 2017, we estimate that we lost approximately $68.0 million in revenues, primarily in our Healthcare segment, due to the service disruption and the reserves we established for customer refund credits. Additionally, we incurred incremental costs of approximately $24.0 million for fiscal year 2017 as a result of our remediation and restoration efforts, as well as incremental amortization expenses. Although the direct effects of the 2017 Malware Incident were remediated during fiscal year 2017, the 2017 Malware Incident had a continued effect on our results of operations in the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2018. Our outlook for the remainder of fiscal year 2018 reflects both the residual effects of the incident and the ongoing significant costs we will incur to continuously enhance information security.
Cybersecurity and data privacy incidents or breaches may damage client relations and inhibit our growth.
The confidentiality and security of our information, and that of third parties, is critical to our business. Our services involve the transmission, use, and storage of customers’ and their customer’s confidential information. We were the victim of a cybercrime in the past, and future cybersecurity or data privacy incidents could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. While we maintain a broad array of information security and privacy measures, policies and practices, our networks may be breached through a variety of means, resulting in someone obtaining unauthorized access to our information, to information of our customers or their customers, or to our intellectual property; disabling or degrading service; or sabotaging systems or information. In addition, hardware, software, or applications we develop or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to our systems or facilities, or those of third parties with whom we do business, through fraud or other forms of deceiving our employees, contractors, and vendors. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. We will continue to incur significant costs to continuously enhance our information security measures to defend against the threat of cybercrime. Any cybersecurity or data privacy incident or breach may result in:
loss of revenue resulting from the operational disruption;
loss of revenue or increased bad debt expense due to the inability to invoice properly or to customer dissatisfaction resulting in collection issues;
loss of revenue due to loss of customers;
material remediation costs to restore systems;
material investments in new or enhanced systems in order to enhance our information security posture;
cost of incentives offered to customers to restore confidence and maintain business relationships;
reputational damage resulting in the failure to retain or attract customers;
costs associated with potential litigation or governmental investigations;
costs associated with any required notices of a data breach;
costs associated with the potential loss of critical business data; and
other consequences of which we are not currently aware but will discover through the remediation process.

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Our business is subject to a variety of domestic and international laws, rules, policies and other obligations regarding data protection.
We are subject to a complex array of federal, state and international laws relating to the collection, use, retention, disclosure, security and transfer of personally identifiable information and personal health information, with additional laws applicable in some jurisdictions where the information is collected from children. In many cases, these laws apply not only to transfers between unrelated third-parties but also to transfers between us and our subsidiaries. Many jurisdictions have passed laws in this area, and other jurisdictions are considering imposing additional restrictions. The European Commission adopted the European General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which went into effect on May 25, 2018. China adopted a new cybersecurity law as of June 2017, and there is an increase in regulation of biometric data globally, which may include voiceprints. In addition, California adopted significant new consumer privacy laws in June 2018 that will be effective beginning in January 2020. Complying with the GDPR and other emerging and changing requirements may cause us to incur substantial costs and may require us to change our business practices. Noncompliance could result in penalties or significant legal liability, and could affect our ability to retain and attract customers.
Any failure by us, our customers, suppliers or other parties with whom we do business to comply with our privacy policy or with federal, state or international privacy-related or data protection laws and regulations could result in proceedings against us by governmental entities or others. Any alleged or actual failure to comply with applicable privacy laws and regulations may:
cause our customers to lose confidence in our solutions;
harm our reputation;
expose us to litigation, regulatory investigations and to resulting liabilities including reimbursement of customer costs, damages penalties or fines imposed by regulatory agencies; and
require us to incur significant expenses for remediation.
Interruptions or delays in services could impair the delivery of our services and harm our business
Because our services are complex and incorporate a variety of hardware and proprietary and third-party software, our services may have errors or defects that could result in unanticipated downtime for our customers and harm to our reputation and our business. We have from time to time, found defects in our services, and new errors in our services may be detected in the future. As we acquire companies, we may encounter difficulty in incorporating the acquired services or technologies into our services. Any damage to, or failure of, the systems that serve our customers in whole or in part, could result in interruptions in our service. Interruptions in our service may reduce our revenue, cause us to issue credits or pay service-level agreement penalties, cause customers to terminate their on-demand services, and adversely affect our renewal rates and our ability to attract new customers.
Interruptions or delays in service from data center hosting facilities could impair the delivery of our services and harm our business.
We currently serve our customers from data center hosting facilities we directly manage and from third-party public cloud facilities. Any damage to, or failure of, the systems that serve our customers in whole or in part, could result in interruptions in our service. Interruptions in our service may reduce our revenue, cause us to issue credits or pay service level agreement penalties, cause customers to terminate their on-demand services and adversely affect our renewal rates and our ability to attract new customers.
As part of our business strategy, we acquire other businesses and technologies, and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions will depend on successfully integrating the acquired businesses.
As part of our business strategy, we have in the past acquired, and expect to continue to acquire, other businesses and technologies. Our prior acquisitions required, and our recently completed acquisitions continue to require, substantial integration and management efforts, and we expect future acquisitions to require similar efforts. Successfully realizing the benefits of acquisitions involves a number of risks, including:
difficulty in transitioning and integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses;
potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management;
difficulty in incorporating acquired products and technologies into our products and technologies;
potential difficulties in completing projects associated with in-process research and development;
unanticipated expenses and delays in completing acquired development projects and technology integration and upgrades;
challenges associated with managing additional, geographically remote businesses;
impairment of relationships with partners and customers;

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assumption of unknown material liabilities of acquired companies;
the accuracy of revenue and bookings projections of acquired companies;
customers delaying purchases of our products pending resolution of product integration between our existing and our newly acquired products;
entering markets or types of businesses in which we have limited experience; and
potential loss of key employees of the acquired business.
As a result of these and other risks, if we are unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses, we may not realize the anticipated benefits from our acquisitions. Any failure to achieve these benefits or failure to successfully integrate acquired businesses and technologies could seriously harm our business.
Charges to earnings as a result of our acquisitions may adversely affect our operating results in the foreseeable future, which could have a material and adverse effect on the market value of our common stock.
Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we record the market value of our common stock and other forms of consideration issued in connection with an acquisition as the cost of acquiring the company or business. We allocate that cost to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including various identifiable intangible assets such as acquired technology, acquired trade names and acquired customer relationships, based on their respective fair values. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are inherently uncertain. After we complete an acquisition, the following factors could result in material charges and may adversely affect our operating results and cash flows:
costs incurred to combine the operations of businesses we acquire, such as transitional employee expenses and employee retention, redeployment or relocation expenses;
impairment of goodwill or intangible assets;
amortization of intangible assets acquired;
a reduction in the useful lives of intangible assets acquired;
identification of or changes to assumed contingent liabilities, both income tax and non-income tax related, after our final determination of the amounts for these contingencies or the conclusion of the measurement period (generally up to one year from the acquisition date), whichever comes first;
charges to our operating results to eliminate certain duplicative pre-merger activities, to restructure our operations or to reduce our cost structure;
charges to our operating results arising from expenses incurred to effect the acquisition; and
charges to our operating results due to the expensing of stock awards assumed in acquisitions.

Intangible assets are generally amortized over three to ten years. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is subject to an impairment analysis, at least annually, which may result in an impairment charge if the carrying value exceeds its implied fair value. As of June 30, 2018 , we had identified intangible assets of approximately $612.9 million , net of accumulated amortization, and goodwill of approximately $3.5 billion , net of accumulated impairment charges. In addition, purchase accounting limits our ability to recognize certain revenue that otherwise would have been recognized by the acquired company as an independent business. As a result, the combined company may delay revenue recognition or recognize less revenue than we and the acquired company would have recognized as independent companies.
We have grown, and may continue to grow, through acquisitions, which could dilute our existing stockholders and/or increase our debt levels.
In connection with past acquisitions, we have in the past issued a substantial number of shares of our common stock as transaction consideration, including contingent consideration, and also incurred significant debt to finance the cash consideration used for our acquisitions. We may continue to issue equity securities for future acquisitions, which would dilute existing stockholders, perhaps significantly, depending on the terms of such acquisitions. We may also incur additional debt in connection with future acquisitions, which, if available at all, may place additional restrictions on our ability to operate our business.
Our strategy to increase cloud services, term licensing and transaction-based recurring revenue may adversely affect our near-term revenue growth and results of operations.
Our ongoing shift from a perpetual software license model to cloud services, term licensing and transaction-based recurring revenue models will create a recurring revenue stream that is more predictable. The transition, however, creates risks related to the timing of revenue recognition. We also incur certain expenses associated with the infrastructures and selling efforts of our hosting offerings in advance of our ability to recognize the revenues associated with these offerings, which may adversely affect our near-term reported revenues, results of operations and cash flows. A decline in renewals of recurring revenue offerings in any period may

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not be immediately reflected in our results for that period but may result in a decline in our revenue and results of operations in future quarters.
Impairment of our intangible assets could result in significant charges that would adversely impact our future operating results.
We have significant intangible assets, including goodwill and other intangible assets, which are susceptible to valuation adjustments as a result of changes in various factors or conditions. The most significant intangible assets are customer relationships, patents and core technology, completed technology and trademarks. Customer relationships are amortized on an accelerated basis based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of customer relationships are being utilized. Other identifiable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We assess the potential impairment of intangible assets on an annual basis, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment of such assets include the following:

significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results;
significant changes in the manner of or use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;
significant negative industry or economic trends;
significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period;
changes in our organization or management reporting structure that could result in additional reporting units, which may require alternative methods of estimating fair values or greater disaggregation or aggregation in our analysis by reporting unit; and
our market capitalization declining to below net book value.

For example, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, we reorganized our former Mobile business into three discrete lines of business. In connection with this reorganization, and with the review of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the second quarter of fiscal year 2018 that was triggered by recent financial results and rapidly changing business conditions for our Subscriber Revenue Services (“SRS”), we recorded a total of $137.9 million of goodwill impairment charge related to our Devices business and SRS for the second quarter of fiscal 2018. For more information, please see Note 4 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Future adverse changes in these or other unforeseeable factors could result in an impairment charge that would impact our results of operations and financial position in the reporting period identified.

We have a history of operating losses, and may incur losses in the future, which may require us to raise additional capital on unfavorable terms.
We reported net losses of $151.0 million , $12.5 million and $115.0 million in fiscal years 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and a net loss of $14.0 million for the third fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2018 . We had a total accumulated deficit of $705.8 million as of June 30, 2018 . If we are unable to return to profitability, the market price for our stock may decline, perhaps substantially. We cannot assure you that our revenue or bookings will grow or that we will return to profitability in the future. If we do not achieve profitability, we may be required to raise additional capital to maintain or grow our operations. Additional capital, if available at all, may be highly dilutive to existing investors or contain other unfavorable terms, such as a high interest rate and restrictive covenants.

If our efforts to execute our formal transformation program are not successful, our business could be harmed.
We have been executing a formal transformation program to focus our product investments on our growth opportunities, increase our operating efficiencies, reduce costs, and further enhance shareholder value through share buybacks. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in executing this transformation program or be able to fully realize the anticipated benefits of this program, within the expected time frames, or at all. Additionally, if we are not successful in strategically aligning our product portfolio, we may not be able to achieve the anticipated benefits of this program. A failure to successfully reduce and re-align our costs could have an adverse effect on our revenue and on our expenses and profitability. As a result, our financial results may not meet our or the expectations of securities analysts or investors in the future and our business could be harmed.
Tax matters may cause significant variability in our financial results.
Our businesses are subject to income taxation in the United States, as well as in many tax jurisdictions throughout the world. Tax rates in these jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. If our effective tax rate increases, our operating results and cash flow could be adversely affected. Our effective income tax rate can vary significantly between periods due to a number of complex factors including:

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projected levels of taxable income;
pre-tax income being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory rates or higher than anticipated in countries with higher statutory rates;
increases or decreases to valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets;
tax audits conducted and settled by various tax authorities;
adjustments to income taxes upon finalization of income tax returns;
the ability to claim foreign tax credits;
the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings for which we have not previously provided for income taxes; and
changes in tax laws and their interpretations in countries in which we are subject to taxation.
During 2014, Ireland enacted changes to the taxation of certain Irish incorporated companies effective as of January 2021. On October 5, 2015, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released the Final Reports for its Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting. The implementation of one or more of these reports in jurisdictions in which we operate, together with the 2014 enactment by Ireland, could result in an increase to our effective tax rate. In addition, in December 2017, the United States enacted the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017. We expect this to have a material impact on our GAAP tax financial results.  We have determined that our GAAP tax provision for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was benefited by approximately $80 million driven by a revaluation of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities using the updated federal tax rates, offset in part by a one-time repatriation tax on non-US cash and earnings. Future changes in U.S. and non-U.S. tax laws and regulations could have a material effect on our results of operations in the periods in which such laws and regulations become effective as well as in future periods.
The failure to successfully maintain the adequacy of our system of internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse impact on our ability to report our financial results in an accurate and timely manner.
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we were required to develop and are required to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements. In addition, our management is required to assess and certify the adequacy of our controls on a quarterly basis, and our independent auditors must attest and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis. Any failure in the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse impact on our ability to report our financial statements in an accurate and timely manner. Inaccurate and/or untimely financial statements could subject us to regulatory actions, civil or criminal penalties, shareholder litigation, or loss of customer confidence, which could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace and ultimately could negatively impact our stock price due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.
Our sales to government clients subject us to risks, including early termination, audits, investigations, sanctions and penalties.
We derive a portion of our revenues and bookings from contracts with the United States government, as well as various state and local governments, and their respective agencies. Government contracts are generally subject to oversight, including audits and investigations which could identify violations of these agreements. Government contract violations could result in a range of consequences including, but not limited to, contract price adjustments, civil and criminal penalties, contract termination, forfeiture of profit and/or suspension of payment, and suspension or debarment from future government contracts. We could also suffer serious harm to our reputation if we were found to have violated the terms of our government contracts.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property and Technology
Third parties have claimed and may claim in the future that we are infringing their intellectual property, and we could be exposed to significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling our products if such claims are successful.
From time to time, we are subject to claims and law actions alleging that we or our customers may be infringing or contributing to the infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. We may be unaware of intellectual property rights of others that may cover some of our technologies and products. If it appears necessary or desirable, we may seek licenses for these intellectual property rights. However, we may not be able to obtain licenses from some or all claimants, the terms of any offered licenses may not be acceptable to us, and we may not be able to resolve disputes without litigation. Any litigation regarding intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. Intellectual property disputes could subject us to significant liabilities, require us to enter into royalty and licensing arrangements on unfavorable terms, prevent us from manufacturing or licensing certain of our products, cause severe disruptions to our operations or the markets in which we compete, or require us to satisfy indemnification commitments with our customers including contractual provisions under various arrangements. Any of these could seriously harm our business.

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Unauthorized use of our proprietary technology and intellectual property could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our success and competitive position depend in large part on our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property rights protecting our products and services. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, confidentiality provisions and licensing arrangements to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or discover aspects of our products or to obtain, license, sell or otherwise use information that we regard as proprietary. Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult and we may not be able to protect our technology from unauthorized use. Additionally, our competitors may independently develop technologies that are substantially the same or superior to our technologies and that do not infringe our rights. In these cases, we would be unable to prevent our competitors from selling or licensing these similar or superior technologies. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Although the source code for our proprietary software is protected both as a trade secret and as a copyrighted work, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Litigation, regardless of the outcome, can be very expensive and can divert management efforts.
Our software products may have bugs, which could result in delayed or lost revenue and bookings, expensive correction, liability to our customers and claims against us.
Complex software products such as ours may contain errors, defects or bugs. Defects in the solutions or products that we develop and sell to our customers could require expensive corrections and result in delayed or lost revenue and bookings, adverse customer reaction and negative publicity about us or our products and services. Customers who are not satisfied with any of our products may also bring claims against us for damages, which, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time-consuming to defend, and could result in costly litigation and payment of damages. Such claims could harm our reputation, financial results and competitive position.
Risks Related to our Corporate Structure, Organization and Common Stock
Our debt agreements contain covenant restrictions that may limit our ability to operate our business.
Our debt agreements contain, and any of our other future debt agreements or arrangements may contain, covenant restrictions that limit our ability to operate our business, including restrictions on our ability to:
incur additional debt or issue guarantees;
create liens;
make certain investments;
enter into transactions with our affiliates;
sell certain assets;
repurchase capital stock or make other restricted payments;
declare or pay dividends or make other distributions to stockholders; and
merge or consolidate with any entity.
Our ability to comply with these limitations is dependent on our future performance, which will be subject to many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including prevailing economic conditions. As a result of these limitations, our ability to respond to changes in business and economic conditions and to obtain additional financing, if needed, may be significantly restricted, and we may be prevented from engaging in transactions that might otherwise be beneficial to us. In addition, our failure to comply with our debt covenants could result in a default under our debt agreements, which could permit the holders to accelerate our obligation to repay the debt. If any of our debt is accelerated, we may not have sufficient funds available to repay the accelerated debt.
Our significant debt could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our credit facility and our convertible debentures.

We have a significant amount of debt. As of June 30, 2018 , we had $2,587.0 million outstanding principal amount of debt, including $450.0 million of senior notes due in 2020, $300.0 million of senior notes due in 2024, and $500.0 million of senior notes due in 2026, $46.6 million of 2.75% 2031 Convertible Debentures redeemable in November 2021, $263.9 million of 1.5% 2035 Convertible Debentures redeemable in November 2021, $676.5 million of 1.0% 2035 Convertible Debentures redeemable in December 2022, and $350.0 million of 1.25% 2025 Convertible Debentures redeemable in April 2025. Investors may require us to redeem these debentures earlier than the dates indicated if the closing sale price of our common stock is more than 130% of the

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then current conversion price of the respective debentures for certain specified periods. If a holder elects to convert, we will be required to pay the principal amount in cash and any amounts payable in excess of the principal amount in cash or shares of our common stock, at our election. We also had a $242.5 million Revolving Credit Facility under which $6.8 million was committed to backing outstanding letters of credit issued and $235.7 million was available for borrowing at June 30, 2018 . Our debt level could have important consequences, for example it could:
 
require us to use a large portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on debt, including the convertible debentures and the credit facility, which will reduce the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, research and development, exploiting business opportunities, and other business activities;
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants related to our debt, our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets or pay cash dividends.
Our ability to meet our payment and other obligations under our debt instruments depends on our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that additional capital will be available to us, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our payment obligations under the convertible debentures and our other debt and to fund other liquidity needs. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations, we may need to refinance or restructure our debt, including the convertible debentures, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. If we are unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may not be able to meet our payment obligations under the convertible debentures and our other debt.
The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations, and this may make it difficult for you to resell the common stock when you want or at prices you find attractive.
Our stock price historically has been, and may continue to be, volatile. Various factors contribute to the volatility of our stock price, including, for example, quarterly variations in our financial results, new product introductions by us or our competitors and general economic and market conditions. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock by our largest stockholders, or the perception that such sales could occur, could also contribute to the volatility or our stock price. While we cannot predict the individual effect that any of these factors may have on the market price of our common stock, these factors, either individually or in the aggregate, could result in significant volatility in our stock price. Moreover, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock often are subject to securities class action litigation. Any such litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management's attention and resources.
Current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy may negatively affect the value of our investment portfolio.
Our investment portfolios, which include investments in money market funds, bank deposits and separately managed investment portfolios, are generally subject to credit, liquidity, counterparty, market and interest rate risks that may be exacerbated by a global financial crisis or by uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union or recent changes in tariffs and trade agreements. If the banking system or the fixed income, credit or equity markets deteriorate or remain volatile, our investment portfolio may be impacted and the values and liquidity of our investments could be adversely affected.
Future issuances of our common stock could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and our ability to raise funds in new stock offerings.
Future issuances of substantial amounts of our common stock, whether in the public market or through private placements, including issuances in connection with acquisition activities, or the perception that such issuances could occur, could adversely affect prevailing trading prices of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future offerings of equity or equity-related securities. In connection with past acquisitions, we issued a substantial number of shares of our common stock as transaction consideration or contingent consideration. We may continue to issue equity securities for future acquisitions, which would dilute existing stockholders, perhaps significantly depending on the terms of such acquisitions. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of shares of common stock, or the availability of shares of common stock for future sale, will have on the trading price of our common stock.
Our business could be negatively affected by the actions of activist stockholders.
In recent periods, certain stockholders have publicly and privately expressed concerns with the Company’s performance and with certain governance matters. For example, certain stockholders had expressed concerns about the timing and process related to our

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former chief executive officer retiring and the appointment of a new chief executive officer, certain provisions of our executive compensation plans, majority voting requirements for director elections and features of our corporate governance provisions in our governing documents and policies. In addition, we have enacted certain changes to our bylaws in the past year in response to demands from stockholders that may weaken our ability to prevent an unsolicited takeover. Responding to actions by activist stockholders can be costly and time-consuming, disrupting our operations and diverting the attention of management and our employees. Furthermore, any perceived uncertainties as to our future direction could result in the loss of potential business opportunities, and may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following is a summary of our share repurchases for the three months ended June 30, 2018 :
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program (1)
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (1)
April 1, 2018 - April 30, 2018
 

 
$

 

 
$
193,410

May 1, 2018 - May 31, 2018
 
4,188

 
$
13.58

 
4,188

 
$
136,529

June 1, 2018 - June 30, 2018
 
3,919

 
$
14.06

 
3,919

 
$
81,431

Total
 
8,107

 
 
 
8,107

 
 
              
(1) On April 29, 2013 , our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program for up to $500.0 million , which was increased by $500.0 million on April 29, 2015. As of June 30, 2018 , approximately $81.4 million remained available for future repurchases under the program.
For the majority of restricted stock units granted to employees, the number of shares issued on the date the restricted stock units vest is net of the minimum statutory income withholding tax requirements that we pay in cash to the applicable taxing authorities on behalf of our employees. We do not consider these transactions to be common stock repurchases.
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Other Information

(a)     In July 2018, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new form of Change of Control and Severance Agreement for use with executive officers, a summary of the key terms of which is as follows: The new form of agreement will have an initial three-year term ending September 30, 2021, renewing automatically thereafter for successive three-year terms, unless the Company or the executive provides timely notice of non-renewal prior to the end of the initial or a succeeding term. The new form of agreement provides that in the event an executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated without Cause (and not due to death or Disability) other than within twelve (12) months following a Change of Control of the Company (as those terms are defined in the agreement), he/she will be eligible to receive severance benefits consisting of: (i) twelve (12) months base salary, payable in a lump sum; (ii) a pro-rated percentage of his/her target bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, payable in a lump sum; (iii) vesting of the pro-rated portion of the outstanding time-based Company equity awards that are scheduled to vest in the fiscal year in which the termination occurs and (iv) twelve (12) months Company-paid health insurance continuation coverage under COBRA, subject to the executive timely electing such coverage. If an executive’s employment is terminated without Cause (and not due to death or Disability) or executive resigns for Good Reason (as such term is defined in the agreement) within twelve (12) months following a Change of Control of the Company, he/she will instead be eligible to receive severance benefits consisting of: (i) twelve (12) months base salary, payable in a lump sum; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of the executive’s annual target bonus for the year of termination, or the year preceding the Change of Control, if greater; (iii) full vesting of all outstanding time-based Company equity awards and (iv) twelve (12) months Company-paid health insurance continuation coverage under COBRA, subject to the executive timely electing such coverage. In addition, upon a Change of Control of the Company, (a) executive’s outstanding performance-based equity awards subject to performance goals for the fiscal year of the Change of Control (other than relative total shareholder return performance goals), will convert to time-based equity awards with respect to the number of shares that would vest at 100% of targeted performance and (b) outstanding performance-based equity awards subject to relative total shareholder return performance goals will convert to time-based equity awards with respect to the number of shares that would vest based on actual performance as of the Change of Control. Performance-

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based equity awards described in the preceding sentence, as so modified, will vest on the last day of the performance period, subject to executive’s continued service through such date or upon earlier termination without Cause or resignation for Good Reason. Upon a Change of Control, an executive’s outstanding performance-based equity awards subject to goals for fiscal years after the fiscal year of the Change in Control will remain subject to their existing terms, except executive will receive acceleration of 50% of shares subject to such awards (determined assuming achievement of performance goals at 100% of target) if executive’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason during twelve (12) months following a of Change of Control. To receive the foregoing severance payments and benefits, an executive would be required to enter into a separation and release agreement with the Company and continue to comply with his/her existing confidentiality and restrictive covenant agreements. If an executive’s employment with the Company terminates due to death or due Disability he/she or his/her eligible dependents will be eligible to receive benefits consisting of twelve (12) months Company-paid health insurance under COBRA and immediate acceleration of all of his/her outstanding and unvested time-based equity awards. The foregoing description of the new form of Change of Control and Severance Agreement is a summary only and does not purport to be complete. A copy of such agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2.
The Company has entered into, or expects in the near term to enter into, change of control and severance agreements with each of its Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Benjamin whose employment agreement addresses severance benefits to which he would be entitled, in substantially the form summarized above, except that the agreement with Mr. Tempesta includes previously approved and disclosed enhanced severance benefits in the event that his employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Mr. Tempesta resigns from the Company for Good Reason on or before December 31, 2019. The enhanced benefits are that any time-based equity awards outstanding at the time of termination that were scheduled to vest at any time on or before December 31, 2019 will fully vest upon the termination and any performance-based equity awards outstanding at the time of termination that were scheduled to vest at any time on or before December 31, 2019 will fully vest upon the termination, with the performance measures deemed to have been fully achieved at target level.


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Item 6.
Exhibits
The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference (as stated therein) as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
Form
 
File No.
 
Exhibit
 
Filing
Date
 
Filed
Herewith
3.1
 
 
10-Q
 
0-27038
 
3.2
 
5/11/2001
 
 
3.2
 
 
10-Q
 
0-27038
 
3.1
 
8/9/2004
 
 
3.3
 
 
8-K
 
0-27038
 
3.1
 
10/19/2005
 
 
3.4
 
 
8-K
 
0-27038
 
3.1
 
6/26/2018
 
 
3.5
 
 
S-3
 
333-142182
 
3.3
 
4/18/2007
 
 
10.1
 
 
10-Q
 
0-27038
 
10.3
 
5/10/2018
 
 
10.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
10.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
31.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
32.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
101.0
 
The following materials from Nuance Communications, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 6/30/2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X


52

Table of Contents


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Burlington, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on August 9, 2018 .
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nuance Communications, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Daniel D. Tempesta
 
 
 
Daniel D. Tempesta
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 

53


Exhibit 10.2
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CHANGE OF CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT - SVP
This Change of Control and Severance Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between [_______] (“ Executive ”) and Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), effective as of the later date on the signature page of this Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”).
RECITALS
1.      The Compensation Committee (the “ Committee ”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication and objectivity of Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat, or occurrence of a Change of Control.
2.      The Committee believes that it is imperative to provide Executive with severance benefits upon Executive’s termination of employment under certain circumstances to provide Executive with enhanced financial security, incentive and encouragement to remain with the Company.
3.      Certain capitalized terms used in the Agreement are defined in Section 7 below.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Executive’s continued employment and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Term of Agreement . This Agreement will have an initial term commencing on the Effective Date and ending September 30, 2021 (the “ Initial Term ”). At the end of the Initial Term, this Agreement will renew automatically for additional three (3) year terms (each an “ Additional Term ”), unless either party provides the other party with written notice of non-renewal at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of automatic renewal. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, if a Change of Control occurs when there are fewer than twelve (12) months remaining during the Initial Term or an Additional Term, the term of this Agreement will extend automatically through the date that is twelve (12) months following the effective date of the Change of Control. If Executive becomes entitled to benefits under Section 3 during the term of this Agreement, the Agreement will not terminate until all of the obligations of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied. For avoidance of doubt, Executive will not be entitled to severance benefits under Section 3 due solely to notice of non-renewal or termination of the Agreement due to non-renewal.
2. At-Will Employment . The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment is and will continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law, except as otherwise specifically provided under the terms of a written employment agreement between the Company and Executive.
3. Severance Benefits .
(a) Termination Other than During Change of Control Period . If Executive’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, and such termination occurs outside the Change of Control Period, then, subject to Section 4 and the other provisions of this Agreement, Executive will receive from the Company:
(i) Severance . A lump sum severance payment equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the termination date.





(ii) Continued Employee Benefits . Continuation coverage under the terms of the Company medical benefit plan pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“ COBRA ”) for Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents, subject to Executive timely electing COBRA coverage. For one year from the date of Executive’s termination the Company will pay directly on Executive’s behalf the COBRA premiums (at the coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company will in lieu thereof provide to Executive a taxable lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (x) twelve (12), multiplied by (y) the monthly COBRA premium that Executive otherwise would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination of employment (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payment will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payment in lieu of COBRA reimbursements may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable tax withholdings.
(b) Termination Following a Change of Control . If during the Change of Control Period (i) Executive’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, or (ii) Executive resigns for Good Reason, then, subject to Section 4 and the other provisions of this Agreement, Executive will receive from the Company:
(i) Severance . A lump sum severance payment equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the termination date (or, if greater, as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control).
(ii) [ FOR NON-SALES PERSONNEL : Target Bonus . A lump sum severance payment equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the greater of (1) Executive’s target bonus for the year in which Executive’s termination occurs, or (2) Executive’s target bonus in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control.] [ FOR SALES PERSONNEL : Commissions . A lump sum severance payment equal to one hundred percent (100%) Executive’s target annual commission for the year in which Executive’s termination occurs, pro-rated for the period remaining in the fiscal year in which Executive’s termination occurs.
(iii) Continued Employee Benefits . Continuation coverage under the terms of the Company medical benefit plan pursuant to COBRA for Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents, subject to Executive timely electing COBRA coverage. For one year from the date of Executive’s termination the Company will pay directly on Executive’s behalf the COBRA premiums (at the coverage levels in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company will in lieu thereof provide to Executive a taxable lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (x) twelve (12), multiplied by (y) the monthly COBRA premium that Executive otherwise would be required to pay to continue the group health coverage for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, as in effect on the date of Executive’s termination of employment (which amount will be based on the premium for the first month of COBRA coverage), which payment will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payment in lieu of COBRA reimbursements may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to all applicable tax withholdings.
(iv) Vesting of Time-Based Equity Awards . One hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s outstanding and unvested time-vesting equity awards (excluding any awards vesting based on performance) covering shares of the Company’s common stock will become vested in full.





(c) Vesting of Performance-Based Equity Awards .
(i) Upon a Change of Control, a number of Executive’s then-outstanding performance-based restricted stock units granted under the Company’s 2000 Stock Plan or any successor thereto (the “ Plan ”) that are subject to performance goals for the fiscal year in which the Change of Control occurs will become eligible for time-based vesting as if the performance goals had been achieved at 100% of targeted performance (the “ Eligible Shares ”). Following the Change of Control, the original time-based vesting schedule for the Eligible Shares will cease to apply and the Eligible Shares will instead vest on the last day of the performance period in which the Change of Control occurs, subject to Executive’s remaining a Service Provider (as defined in the Plan) through such date, or, if earlier, upon Executive’s termination by the Company or its successor other than for Cause or upon Executive’s resignation for Good Reason.
(ii) Upon a Change of Control, Executive’s then-outstanding performance-based restricted stock units granted under the Plan (or any successor thereto) that are subject to relative total shareholder return performance goals will become eligible for time-based vesting based on the number of shares that would vest based on actual performance determined as of the Change of Control (the “ Eligible TSR Shares ”). Following the Change of Control, the Eligible TSR Shares shall vest on the last day of the performance period, subject to Executive’s remaining a Service Provider (as defined in the Plan) through such date, or, if earlier, upon Executive’s termination by the Company or its successor other than for Cause or upon Executive’s resignation for Good Reason.
(iii) Except as provided in this Section 3(c), all performance-based restricted stock units described in this Section 3(c) remain subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreement.
(d) Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause . If Executive’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries terminates in a voluntary resignation (other than for Good Reason during the Change of Control Period), or if the Executive is terminated for Cause, then Executive shall not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits except as otherwise provided by applicable law or those (if any) as may be available under the Company’s severance and benefit plans and policies in effect at the time of such termination.
(e) Accrued Amounts . Without regard to the reason for, or the timing of, Executive’s termination of employment, the Company shall pay Executive: (i) any unpaid base salary due for periods prior to the date of termination, (ii) accrued and unused vacation, as required under the applicable Company policy; and (iii) all expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the business of the Company prior to the date of termination in accordance with the Company’s business expense reimbursement policy. These payments shall be made promptly upon termination and within the period of time mandated by law.
(f) Exclusive Remedy . In the event of termination of Executive’s employment as set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement, the provisions of Section 3 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the payment of accrued but unpaid wages, as required by law, or any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses). During the term of this Agreement, Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon termination of employment, including under any offer letter or other agreement with the Company, other than those benefits expressly set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.
(g) Transfer between Company and any Subsidiary . For purposes of this Section 3, if Executive’s employment relationship with the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company ceases, Executive will not, solely by virtue thereof, be determined to have been terminated without Cause for purposes of this Agreement if Executive continues to remain employed by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company immediately thereafter (e.g., upon transfer of Executive’s employment from the Company to a Company subsidiary).
4. Conditions to Receipt of Severance
(a) Release of Claims Agreement . The receipt of any severance payments or benefits in Section 3 pursuant to this Agreement is subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement





and release of claims in substantially the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A (the “ Release ”), which must become effective and irrevocable no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Release Deadline ”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any right to severance payments or benefits under this Agreement. Any severance payments or benefits otherwise payable to Executive between the termination date and the Release Deadline will be paid on or within fifteen (15) days following the Release Deadline, or, if later, such time as required by Section 5(a), except that acceleration of vesting of equity awards not subject to Section 409A will become effective on the date the Release becomes effective. In no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective and irrevocable.
(b) Proprietary Information and Non-Competition Agreement . Executive’s receipt of any severance payments or benefits under Section 3 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with the terms of any agreements between Executive and the Company concerning inventions, confidentiality, or restrictive covenants (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”).
5. Section 409A .
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Payments will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A‑1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. In addition, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but before the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment under Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.
(b) Any amount paid under this Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of this Agreement.
(c) Any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit (as defined below) will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of this Agreement.
(d) The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply. Specifically, the payments hereunder are intended to be exempt from the Requirements of Section 409A under the “short-term” deferral rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition before actual payment to Executive under Section 409A. In no event will the Company reimburse Executive for any taxes or other costs that may be imposed on Executive as a result of Section 409A or any other law.





6. Limitation on Payments . In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then Executive’s benefits under this Agreement shall be either:
(a) delivered in full, or
(b) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to the Excise Tax,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in severance and other benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that benefits are delivered to a lesser extent, reduction will occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments, (2) cancellation of equity awards granted within the twelve-month period prior to a “change of control” (as determined under Code Section 280G) that are deemed to have been granted contingent upon the change of control (as determined under Code Section 280G), (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards and (4) reduction of continued employee benefits. In the event that accelerated vesting of equity awards is to be cancelled, such vesting acceleration will be cancelled in the reverse chronological order of the award grant dates.
Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants (the “ Accountants ”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section.
7. Definition of Terms . The following terms referred to in this Agreement will have the following meanings:
(a) Cause . “ Cause ” will mean (i) any act of dishonesty or fraud taken by Executive in connection with his or her responsibilities as an employee other than immaterial, inadvertent acts that are promptly remedied by Executive following notice by the Company, (ii) Executive’s breach of the fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty owed to the Company, or material breach of the duty to protect the Company’s confidential and proprietary information, (iii) Executive’s conviction or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds or any other act of moral turpitude, (iv) Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duties, (v) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement or a written policy of the Company; (vi) Executive’s engagement in conduct or activities that result, or are reasonably likely to result, in negative publicity or public disrespect, contempt or ridicule of the Company; (vii) Executive’s failure to abide by the lawful and reasonable directives of the Company; (viii) Executive’s repeated failure to materially perform the primary duties of Executive’s position; or (ix) Executive’s death or absence from work due to a disability for a period in excess of ninety (90) days in any twelve month period that qualifies for benefits under the Company’s long-term disability program provided, however, that: a termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant to clause (vii) or clause (viii) of this Section shall not be deemed a termination for “Cause” unless the Company notifies Executive in writing of the alleged failure or breach that the Company claims constitutes Cause, and Executive fails to substantially cure such failure or breach within thirty (30) days of such notice; and provided further, however,





that clauses (vii) and (viii) of this Section shall not apply during the pendency of a Change of Control Period and therefore no termination for Cause may be made under such clauses during any such period.
(b) Change of Control . “ Change of Control ” will mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities;
(ii) the consummation by the Company of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation (in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as immediately prior to the transaction); or
(iii) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets (it being understood that the sale or spinoff of one or more (but not all material) divisions of the Company shall not constitute the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets).
Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change of Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
(c) Change of Control Period . “ Change of Control Period ” means the period beginning on a Change of Control and ending on the one-year anniversary of the Change of Control.
(d) Code . “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) Deferred Payments . “ Deferred Payments ” means any severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that, in each case, are or when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits are, considered deferred compensation under Section 409A.
(f) Exchange Act . “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(g) Good Reason . “ Good Reason ” means Executive’s termination of employment within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s express written consent: (i) a material reduction in Executive’s duties, authority or responsibilities; provided, however, that the following will not constitute “Good Reason”: (1) Executive’s continued employment following the Change of Control with substantially the same responsibility with respect to the Company’s business and operations (for example, Executive will not experience a “Good Reason” condition if Executive has substantially the same responsibilities with respect to the business of the Company as Executive had immediately prior to the Change of Control whether Executive’s title is revised to reflect Executive’s placement within the overall corporate hierarchy or whether Executive provides services to a subsidiary, affiliate, business unit or otherwise), (2) changes to duties, authority or responsibilities following and related to a “going-private” transaction with significant management equity participation, or (3) changes to duties, authority or responsibilities that results solely from the Company’s ceasing to be a stand-alone public corporation; (ii) a material reduction by the Company in the annual base compensation or target bonus opportunity (as a percentage of base salary) of the Executive as in effect immediately prior to such reduction provided, however, that one or more reductions in base compensation or target bonus opportunity applicable to all executives generally that, cumulatively, total ten





percent (10%) or less in base compensation and/or ten (10) percentage points or less in target bonus opportunity will not constitute a material reduction for purposes of this clause (ii); (iii) the relocation of the Executive to a facility or a location more than fifty (50) miles from the Executive’s then present location; (iv) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this agreement by any successors contemplated in Section 8 below; or (v) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any equity award agreement between Company and the Executive.  In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and the Company shall have failed to cure during a period of thirty (30) days following the date of such notice.
(h) Section 409A . “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code and the final Treasury Regulations and any official Internal Revenue Service guidance promulgated thereunder.
(i) Section 409A Limit . “ Section 409A Limit ” means two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during the Executive’s taxable year preceding the Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.
8. Successors .
(a) The Company’s Successors . Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets will assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 8(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.
(b) Executive’s Successors . The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
9. Notice .
(a) General . Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered, when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or when delivered by private courier service such as UPS or Federal Express that has tracking capability. In the case of Executive, mailed notices will be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of the Company.
(b) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason will be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice or any shorter period required herein).
10. Resignation . Upon the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive will be deemed to have resigned from all officer and/or director positions held at the Company and its affiliates voluntarily, without any further required action by Executive, as of the end of Executive’s





employment and Executive, at the Board’s request, will execute any documents reasonably necessary to reflect Executive’s resignation.
11. Miscellaneous Provisions .
(a) No Duty to Mitigate . Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement (whether by seeking new employment or in any other manner), nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(b) Waiver . No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party will be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.
(c) Headings . All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
(d) Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement supersedes, replaces in their entirety and terminates any prior representations, understandings, undertakings or agreements between the Company and the Executive, whether written or oral and whether expressed or implied, that provided any benefits to Executive upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto and which specifically mention this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement providing for acceleration or other modification of the vesting provisions of equity awards are intended to supersede the vesting provisions of any equity awards that may outstanding during the term of this Agreement.
(e) Governing Law . If Executive is resident in California, this Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of California, and the Company and the Executive each consent to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the State of California. If Executive is resident in any state or other jurisdiction other than California, this Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Company and the Executive each consent to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(f) Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which will remain in full force and effect.
(g) Withholding . All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable income, employment and other taxes.
(h) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signature Page to Follow]













IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Change of Control and Severance Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year set forth below.
COMPANY                      NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By:     ____________________________________         
Title:     ____________________________________         
Date:     ____________________________________                         

EXECUTIVE                      By:    ____________________________________
Title: ____________________________________
Date:    ____________________________________
                        


































EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SEPARATION & RELEASE AGREEMENT
This Separation & Release Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is made by and between Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and _______________ (“ Executive ”). The Company and Executive are sometimes referred to collectively as the “ Parties ” and individually as a “ Party .”
WHEREAS, Executive has agreed to enter this Agreement whereby Executive will release any and all claims Executive may have against the Company and other released parties upon certain events specified in the Change of Control and Severance Agreement by and between Company and Executive (the “ Severance Agreement ”).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Termination . Executive’s employment from the Company terminated on ________________ (the “ Termination Date ”).
2. Confidential Information . Subject to Section 13, Executive shall continue to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary information of the Company and shall continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the Proprietary Information, Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”) between Executive and the Company. Executive agrees that the above reaffirmation and agreement with the Confidentiality Agreement shall constitute a new and separately enforceable agreement to abide by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, entered and effective as of the Effective Date. Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that any violation of the restrictive covenants in the Confidentiality Agreement shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement. Executive shall return all the Company property and confidential and proprietary information in Executive’s possession to the Company on the Effective Date of this Agreement.
3. Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits . Executive acknowledges and represents that, other than the severance and benefits to be paid as set forth in the Severance Agreement, the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, premiums, leaves, relocation costs, interest, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Executive.
4. Non-Solicitation . In exchange for the severance pay and other consideration under the Severance Agreement to which Executive would not otherwise be entitled, Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) year after the Termination Date, Executive will not, without the express written consent of the Company, in its sole discretion, [(a) solicit any business that is competitive with the Company’s business from any client or customer of the Company or (b) either in Executive’s individual capacity or on behalf of or through any other entity, either directly or indirectly, hire, engage, recruit or participate in any way in the hiring, engagement or recruitment of, or participate in any effort to hire or solicit, any current or future employees of the Company or any subsidiary thereof.] [Delete bracketed text for employees in California and substitute the following: “directly or indirectly solicit any of the employees of the Company or any subsidiary thereof to leave their employment with the Company or any subsidiary thereof.”]
5. Non-disparagement . In exchange for the severance pay and other consideration under the Severance Agreement to which Executive would not otherwise be entitled, Executive agrees not to disparage the Company, the Company’s officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents, in any manner likely to be harmful to them or the Company’s business, business reputation or personal reputation. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent either Executive or the Company employees who are aware of the existence of this





Agreement from responding accurately and fully to any question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process, nor prevent Executive from engaging in Protected Activities (as defined below).
6. [Non-Compete . In exchange for the severance pay and other consideration under the Severance Agreement to which Executive would not otherwise be entitled, Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) year after the Termination Date, Executive will not, without the express written consent of the Company, in its sole discretion, enter, engage in, participate in, or assist, either as an individual on your own or as a partner, joint venturer, employee, agent, consultant, officer, trustee, director, owner, part-owner, shareholder, or in any other capacity, in the United States of America, directly or indirectly, any other business organization whose activities or products are competitive with the activities or products of the Company then existing or under development. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Executive from working for an employer that is engaged in activities or offers products that are competitive with the activities and products of the Company so long as Executive does not work for or with the department, division, or group in that employer’s organization that is engaging in such activities or developing such products. Executive recognizes that these restrictions on competition are reasonable because of the Company’s investment in goodwill, its customer lists, and other proprietary information and Executive’s knowledge of the Company’s business and business plans. If any period of time or geographical area should be judged unreasonable in any judicial proceeding, then the period of time or geographical area shall be reduced to such extent as may be deemed required so as to be reasonable and enforceable. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from making passive investments of not more than two percent (2%) of a class of securities of any business enterprise registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.][Delete paragraph for employees located in California.]
7. Release of Claims . Executive agrees that the consideration to be paid in accordance with the terms of the Severance Agreement represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Executive by the Company. Executive, on behalf of himself, and his respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted any legal or administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Executive may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement including, without limitation,
(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;
(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Executive’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and conversion;
(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Family Rights Act; the California Labor Code, the California Workers’ Compensation Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Massachusetts Law Prohibiting Unlawful





Discrimination, as amended, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 1 et seq., Massachusetts Discriminatory Wage Rates Penalized Law (Massachusetts Equal Pay Law), as amended, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 105A et seq., Massachusetts Right to be Free from Sexual Harassment Law, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 214, § 1C, Massachusetts Discrimination Against Certain Persons on Account of Age Law, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 24A et seq., Massachusetts Equal Rights Law, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, § 102 et seq., Massachusetts Violation of Constitutional Rights Law, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 12, § 11I, Massachusetts Family and Medical Leave Law, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 52D; and the Massachusetts Wage Act, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 148, et seq.;
(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution;
(f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and
(g) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Executive agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any severance obligations due Executive under the Severance Agreement and does not release claims that cannot be released as a matter of law. Nothing in this Agreement waives Executive’s rights to indemnification or any payments under any insurance policy, if any, provided by any act or agreement of the Company, state or federal law or policy of insurance.
8. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA . Executive acknowledges that Executive is waiving and releasing any rights he or she may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Executive and the Company agree that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which Executive was already entitled. Executive further acknowledges that Executive has been advised by this writing that (a) Executive should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Executive has at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) Executive has seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. Any revocation should be in writing and delivered to the General Counsel at the Company by close of business on the seventh day from the date that Executive signs this Agreement. In the event Executive signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, Executive hereby acknowledges that he/she has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for considering this Agreement. The parties agree that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day period.
9. California Civil Code Section 1542 . Executive acknowledges that Executive has been advised to consult with legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, a statute that otherwise prohibits the release of unknown claims, which provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
Executive, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights Executive may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect.





10. No Pending or Future Lawsuits . Executive represents that he or she has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in her name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein. Executive also represents that Executive does not intend to bring any claims on his/her own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein.
11. No Cooperation . Subject to Section 13, Executive agrees that he or she will not counsel or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer, director, employee, agent, representative, shareholder or attorney of the Company, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or as related directly to the ADEA waiver in this Agreement.
12. No Admission of Liability . Executive understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of disputed claims. No action taken by the Company, either previously or in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any claims heretofore made or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to the Executive or to any third party.
13. Protected Activity . Executive understands that nothing in this Agreement or in the Confidentiality Agreement shall in any way limit or prohibit Executive from engaging for a lawful purpose in any Protected Activity. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Protected Activity ” shall mean filing a charge, complaint or report with, or otherwise communicating with, cooperating with or participating in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any federal, state or local government agency or commission, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Labor Relations Board (“ Government Agencies ”). Executive understands that in connection with such Protected Activity, Executive is permitted to disclose documents or other information as permitted by law, and without giving notice to, or receiving authorization from, the Company. Executive agrees to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company Proprietary Information under this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement to any parties other than the relevant Government Agencies. Executive further understands that Protected Activity does not include the disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications
14. Miscellaneous .
(a) Costs . The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement.
(b) Authority . Executive represents and warrants that Executive has the capacity to act on his or her own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through Executive to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(c) No Representations . Executive represents that Executive has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Neither Party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other Party hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
(d) Severability . In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision.
(e) Attorneys’ Fees . Except with regard to a legal action challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of the waiver herein under the ADEA, in the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or effect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.





(f) Entire Agreement . This Agreement, along with the Severance Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement, represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive concerning Executive’s separation from the Company.
(g) No Oral Modification . This Agreement may only be amended in writing signed by Executive and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(h) Governing Law . [FOR MA RESIDENTS:] [This Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Company and the Executive each consent to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.] [FOR CA RESIDENTS:] [This Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of California, and the Company and the Executive each consent to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the State of California.]
(i) Effective Date . This Agreement is effective eight (8) days after it has been signed by both Executive, so long as it has been signed by the Parties and has not been revoked by either Party before that date (the “ Effective Date ”).
(j) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.
(k) Voluntary Execution of Agreement . Executive understands and agrees that Executive is executing this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of Executive’s claims against the Company and other persons referenced herein. Executive acknowledge that:
(i) Executive has read this Agreement;
(ii) Executive has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of Executive’s own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel;
(iii) Executive understand the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and
(iv) Executive is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.
Signature Page Follows






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Separation & Release Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

COMPANY:                      NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By:     ____________________________________         
Title:     ____________________________________         
Date:     ____________________________________                                 
EXECUTIVE:                          ____________________________________         
Date:      ____________________________________                         













Exhibit 10.3
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

1995 DIRECTORS’ STOCK PLAN
As Amended and Restated June 25, 2018
1. Purposes of the Plan . The purposes of this Directors’ Stock Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for service as Directors of the Company, to provide additional incentive to the Outside Directors of the Company to serve as Directors, and to encourage their continued service on the Board.
2. Definitions . As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Award ” shall mean, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
(b) Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.
(e) Company ” shall mean Nuance Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(f) Continuous Status as a Director ” shall mean the absence of any interruption or termination of service as a Director.
(g) Director ” shall mean a member of the Board.
(h) Employee ” shall mean any person, including officers and directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall not be sufficient in and of itself to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(i) Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(j) Option ” shall mean a nonstatutory stock option (i.e., an option that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code) granted pursuant to the Plan.
(k) Optioned Stock ” shall mean the Common Stock subject to an Option.
(l) Optionee ” shall mean an Outside Director who receives an Option.
(m) Outside Director ” shall mean a Director who is not an Employee.
(n) Parent ” shall mean a “parent corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(o) Participant ” shall mean the holder of an outstanding Award, which shall include an Optionee.
(p) Plan ” shall mean this 1995 Directors’ Stock Plan, as amended and restated.
(q) Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement ” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and an Outside Director evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right.
(r) Stock Purchase Right ” means the right to purchase Shares pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.
(s) Share ” shall mean a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 11 of the Plan.
(t) Subsidiary ” shall mean a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan . Subject to the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and/or sold under the Plan is 2,820,000 Shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If any outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if Shares acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company, the Shares allocable to the terminated portion of such Award or



such forfeited or repurchased Shares shall again be available for grant under the Plan. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
4. Administration of and Grants of Awards under the Plan .
(a) Administrator . Except as otherwise required herein, the Plan shall be administered by the Board.
(b) Procedure for Grants . All grants of Awards hereunder shall be automatic and nondiscretionary and shall be made strictly in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) No person shall have any discretion to select which Outside Directors shall be granted Stock Purchase Rights or to determine the number of Shares to be covered by Stock Purchase Rights granted to Outside Directors.
(ii) Each Outside Director shall be automatically granted a Stock Purchase Right for a number of Shares having a value of $500,000 based on the grant date closing sales price for a Share on the primary stock exchange or national market system on which Shares are listed, rounded down to the nearest share (the “ First Stock Purchase Right ”) on the date on which such person first becomes an Outside Director (other than directors who become Outside Directors solely as a result of the termination of their employment with the Company), whether through election by the shareholders of the Company or by appointment by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy.
(iii) After the First Stock Purchase Right has been granted to an Outside Director, such Outside Director shall thereafter be automatically granted additional Stock Purchase Rights for a number of Shares having a value of $250,000 based on the grant date closing sales price for a Share on the primary stock exchange or national market system on which Shares are listed, rounded down to the nearest share (a “ Subsequent Stock Purchase Right ”) on January 1 of each year, provided that, on such date, he or she shall have served on the Board for at least six (6) months prior to the grant date.
(iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (ii) and (iii) hereof, in the event that a grant would cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards plus the number of Shares previously purchased upon exercise of Options or issued pursuant to Stock Purchase Rights to exceed the total number of Shares authorized for issuance pursuant to this Plan, then each such automatic grant shall be for that number of Shares determined by dividing the total number of Shares remaining available for grant by the number of Outside Directors receiving a Stock Purchase Right on such automatic grant date. Any further grants shall then be deferred until such time, if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the Plan through action of the shareholders to increase the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration of Awards previously granted hereunder.
(v) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (ii) and (iii) hereof, any grant of an Award made before the Company has obtained shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 17 hereof shall be conditioned upon obtaining such shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 17 hereof.
(vi) The terms of each Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder shall be as follows:
(1) The purchase price per Share shall be $0.001 per Share.
(2) Each First Stock Purchase Right shall become vested in installments cumulatively as to 1/3 of the Shares subject to the Stock Purchase Right on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant of the Stock Purchase Right, but in each case subject to Sections 4(c) and 9 of the Plan.
(3) Each Subsequent Stock Purchase Right shall become vested on the first anniversary of the date of grant of the Stock Purchase Right, subject to Sections 4(c) and 9 of the Plan.
(4) The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall provide for forfeiture of unvested shares upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the Outside Director’s

1995 Director’s Stock Plan
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service with the Company for any reason (including death or Disability), subject to Section 4(c) of the Plan.
(c) Powers of the Board . Subject to the provisions and restrictions of the Plan, the Board shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to determine, upon review of relevant information and in accordance with Section 8(b) of the Plan, the fair market value of the Common Stock; (ii) to determine the exercise price per share of Options to be granted, which exercise price shall be determined in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Plan; (iii) to interpret the Plan; (iv) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (v) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effectuate the grant of an Award previously granted hereunder; (vi) modify the terms of any outstanding Award, including (without limitation) accelerating the vesting of the Award, provided that any modification that materially diminishes the rights of the Award holder shall be subject to the consent of the holder; and (vii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(d) Effect of Board’s Decision . All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Board shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of any Awards granted under the Plan.
(e) Suspension or Termination of Award . If the President or his or her designee reasonably believes that a Participant has committed an act of misconduct, the President may suspend the Participant’s right to exercise any option (or to purchase shares pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right) pending a determination by the Board of Directors (excluding the Outside Director accused of such misconduct). If the Board of Directors (excluding the Outside Director accused of such misconduct) determines a Participant has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of an obligation owed to the Company, breach of fiduciary duty or deliberate disregard of the Company rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company, or if a Participant makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company trade secret or confidential information, engages in any conduct constituting unfair competition, induces any Company customer to breach a contract with the Company or induces any principal for whom the Company acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship, neither the Optionee nor his or her estate shall be entitled to exercise any option (or purchase shares pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right) whatsoever. In making such determination, the Board of Directors (excluding the Outside Director accused of such misconduct) shall act fairly and shall give the Participant an opportunity to appear and present evidence on Participant’s behalf at a hearing before the Board or a committee of the Board.
5. Eligibility . Awards may be granted only to Outside Directors. All Awards shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 4(b) hereof. An Outside Director who has been granted an Award may, if he or she is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional Award or Awards in accordance with such provisions. The Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the Director or the Company may have to terminate his or her directorship at any time.
6. Term of Plan; Effective Date . The Plan shall continue in effect until March 31, 2026, unless sooner terminated under Section 13 of the Plan.
7. Term of Options . The term of each Option shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof.
8. Exercise or Purchase Price and Consideration .
(a) Exercise Price .
(i) The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be 100% of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant of the Option.
(ii) The per Share purchase price for the Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right shall be equal to the par value of such Shares.

1995 Director’s Stock Plan
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(b) Fair Market Value . The fair market value shall be determined by the Board; provided, however, that where there is a public market for the Common Stock, the fair market value per Share shall be the mean of the bid and asked prices of the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the date of grant, as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or, if not so reported, as otherwise reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (“ Nasdaq ”) System) or, in the event the Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market or listed on a stock exchange, the fair market value per Share shall be the closing price on such system or exchange on the date of grant of the Option, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. With respect to any Options granted hereunder concurrently with the initial effectiveness of the Plan, the fair market value shall be the Price to Public as set forth in the final prospectus relating to such initial public offering.
(c) Form of Consideration . The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option or pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right shall consist entirely of cash, check, other Shares of Common Stock having a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise or purchase price of the Shares as to which said Award shall be exercised (which, if acquired from the Company, shall have been held for at least six months), or any combination of such methods of payment and/or any other consideration or method of payment as shall be permitted under applicable corporate law.
9. Exercise of Awards .
(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder . The exercise of an Option to acquire Shares is referred to herein as the exercise of an Award. Any Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable or vest at such times as are set forth in the Plan; provided, however, that no Awards shall be exercisable prior to shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 17 hereof has been obtained. An Award may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Award shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the person entitled to exercise the Award and full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Award is exercised has been received by the Company. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(c) of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock of shares subject to a Stock Purchase Right, notwithstanding the exercise of the Award. A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued to the Participant as soon as practicable after exercise of an Option or vesting of a Stock Purchase Right. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.
(b) Termination of Status as a Director . If an Outside Director ceases to serve as a Director, he or she may, but only within ninety (90) days after the date he or she ceases to be a Director of the Company, exercise his or her Award to the extent that he or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Award be exercised after its term set forth in Section 7 has expired. To the extent that such Outside Director was not entitled to exercise an Award at the date of such termination, or does not exercise such Award (which he or she was entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Award shall terminate.
(c) Disability of Participant . Notwithstanding Section 9(b) above, in the event a Director is unable to continue his or her service as a Director with the Company as a result of his or her total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), he or she may, but only within six (6) months (or such other period of time not exceeding twelve (12) months as is determined by the Board) from the date of such termination, exercise his or her Award to the extent he or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Award be exercised after its term set forth in Section 7 has expired. To the extent that he or she was not entitled to

1995 Director’s Stock Plan
4
 
 


exercise the Award at the date of termination, or if he or she does not exercise such Award (which he or she was entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Award shall terminate.
(d) Death of Participant . In the event of the death of a Participant:
(i) During the term of services of an Outside Director who is, at the time of his or her death, a Director of the Company and who shall have been in Continuous Status as a Director since the date of grant of the Award, the Award may be exercised, at any time within six (6) months following the date of death, by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that would have accrued had the Participant continued living and remained in Continuous Status as Director for six (6) months (or such lesser period of time as is determined by the Board) after the date of death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Award be exercised after its term set forth in Section 7 has expired.
(ii) Within three (3) months after the termination of Continuous Status as a Director, the Award may be exercised, at any time within six (6) months following the date of death, by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the date of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the option be exercised after its term set forth in Section 7 has expired.
10. Nontransferability of Awards . The Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order (as defined by the Code or the rules thereunder). The designation of a beneficiary by a Participant does not constitute a transfer. An Award may be exercised during the lifetime of a Participant only by the Participant or a transferee permitted by this Section.
11. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization; Corporate Transactions .
(a) Adjustment . Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Award, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Award.
(b) Corporate Transactions . In the event of (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, (iii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or (iv) any other capital reorganization in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the shares of the Company entitled to vote are exchanged, each Participant shall, immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, fully vest in and have the right to exercise all his or her outstanding Awards, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, and all restrictions on Stock Purchase Rights, restricted Shares (or units) and all other Awards will lapse, and such Awards will become fully vested and exercisable. If an Option is not either assumed or the Participant provided a substitute option with comparable terms in such liquidation, dissolution, sale, merger, consolidation or reorganization, the Company will provide the

1995 Director’s Stock Plan
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Participant a reasonable period prior to the effectiveness of such transaction to exercise the Option, including Shares as to which the Option would not be otherwise exercisable, at the end of such time the Option will terminate.
12. Time of Granting Awards . The date of grant of an Award shall, for all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4(b) hereof. Notice of the determination shall be given to each Outside Director to whom an Award is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
13. Amendment and Termination of the Plan .
(a) Amendment and Termination . The Board may amend or terminate the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable; provided that, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any other applicable law or regulation), the Company shall obtain approval of the shareholders of the Company to Plan amendments to the extent and in the manner required by such law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions set forth in Section 4 of this Plan (and any other Sections of this Plan that affect the formula award terms required to be specified in this Plan by Rule 16b-3) shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than to comport with changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.
(b) Effect of Amendment or Termination . Any such amendment or termination of the Plan that would impair the rights of any Participant shall not affect Awards already granted to such Participant and such Awards shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company.
14. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares . Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares, if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
15. Reservation of Shares . The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
16. Award Agreement . Awards shall be evidenced by either written option agreements or Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements, as applicable, in such form as the Board shall approve.
17. Shareholder Approval . Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company at or prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders held subsequent to the granting of an Option hereunder. If such shareholder approval is obtained at a duly held shareholders’ meeting, it may be obtained by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company present or represented and entitled to vote thereon. If such shareholder approval is obtained by written consent, it may be obtained by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company. Awards may be granted, but not exercised, before such shareholder approval. For the avoidance of doubt, the changes effected by the June [25], 2018 Amendment and Restatement of the Plan are not subject to shareholder approval.

1995 Director’s Stock Plan
6
 
 


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302(A) OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Mark Benjamin, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nuance Communications, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
By:
 
/s/ Mark Benjamin
 
 
 
Mark Benjamin
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
August 9, 2018




Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302(A) OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Daniel D. Tempesta , certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nuance Communications, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Daniel D. Tempesta
 
 
 
Daniel D. Tempesta
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
August 9, 2018




Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Mark Benjamin, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Quarterly Report of Nuance Communications, Inc. on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Nuance Communications, Inc.
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Mark Benjamin
 
 
 
Mark Benjamin
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
August 9, 2018



I, Daniel D. Tempesta , certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Quarterly Report of Nuance Communications, Inc. on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Nuance Communications, Inc.
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Daniel D. Tempesta
 
 
 
Daniel D. Tempesta
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
August 9, 2018