As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2020.
Registration No. 333-239050
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 3
to
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
7320
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
83-2008699
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
103 John F. Kennedy Parkway
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078
(973) 921-5500
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
Joe A. Reinhardt III
Chief Legal Officer
103 John F. Kennedy Parkway
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078
(973) 921-5500
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer ý |
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o |
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 to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities
to be Registered |
Amount to be
Registered(1) |
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per Share |
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2) |
Amount of
Registration Fee(3) |
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Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
75,612,500 | $21.00 | 1,587,862,500 | $206,104.56 | ||||
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, Dated June 26, 2020
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
65,750,000 Shares
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Common Stock
This is an initial public offering of shares of common stock of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. All of the 65,750,000 shares of common stock are being sold by us.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per share will be between $19.00 and $21.00. We have applied to have our common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "DNB."
Following this offering and the concurrent private placement, affiliates of the Investor Consortium (as defined on page 2 of this prospectus) are expected to hold approximately 65.8% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, or 64.2%, if the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares is fully exercised, assuming an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth above). As a result, the Investor Consortium may be able to designate a majority of the board of directors even if they own less than 50% of the voting power of our common stock. As a result, the Investor Consortium will be able to exercise significant voting influence over fundamental and significant corporate matters and transactions. Therefore, we will qualify as a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Initial Public Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock," "ManagementDirector Independence and Controlled Company Exemption" and "Principal Stockholders."
DNB Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, Black Knight InfoServ, LLC, a subsidiary of one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, and CC Star Holdings, LP, a subsidiary of one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, have each entered into an agreement with us pursuant to which they have agreed to purchase $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of our common stock in a private placement at a price per share equal to 98.5% of the initial public offering price. This transaction is contingent upon, and is scheduled to close immediately subsequent to, the closing of this offering.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 28 to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Share
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Total
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Initial public offering price |
$ | $ | ||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) |
$ | $ | ||
Proceeds to us, before expenses |
$ | $ | ||
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To the extent that the underwriters sell more than 65,750,000 shares of common stock, the underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional 9,862,500 shares of common stock from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions, for 30 days after the date of this prospectus.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to investors against payment in New York, New York on or about , 2020.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | BofA Securities | |
J.P. Morgan |
|
Barclays |
Citigroup | Credit Suisse | HSBC | Jefferies | RBC Capital Markets | Wells Fargo Securities |
Deutsche Bank Securities | BMO Capital Markets | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | TD Securities |
Raymond James | Stephens Inc. | William Blair | Academy Securities | Loop Capital Markets |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free-writing prospectus we may specifically authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither we nor the underwriters (or any of our or their respective affiliates) have authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we nor the underwriters (or any of our or their respective affiliates) take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the underwriters (or any of our or their respective affiliates) are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any free-writing prospectus is only accurate as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or the time of any sale of shares of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
Trademarks and Trade Names
We and our subsidiaries own or have the rights to various trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights, including the following: Ampersand Design, Dun & Bradstreet, D&B, DUNS, D-U-N-S Number, D&B Worldwide Network, Lattice Engines, Lattice, WorldBase and WWN. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights referred to herein are listed without the ©, ® and symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we, or the applicable owner, will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our or their, as applicable, rights to these trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights. Other trademarks,
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trade names, service marks or copyrights appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
Market and Industry Information
Unless otherwise indicated, market data and industry information used throughout this prospectus is based on management's knowledge of the industry and the good faith estimates of management. We also relied, to the extent available, upon management's review of independent industry surveys and publications, other publicly available information prepared by a number of sources, including IDC Research, Inc. ("IDC"). All of the market data and industry information used in this prospectus involves a number of assumptions and limitations and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. Although we believe that these sources are reliable, neither we nor the underwriters can guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and neither we nor the underwriters have independently verified this information. While we believe the estimated market position, market opportunity and market size information included in this prospectus is generally reliable, such information, which is derived in part from management's estimates and beliefs, is inherently uncertain and imprecise. Projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industry in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in "Risk Factors," "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and elsewhere in this prospectus. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in our estimates and beliefs and in the estimates prepared by independent parties.
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This summary highlights certain significant aspects of our business and this offering. This is a summary of information contained elsewhere in this prospectus, is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making your investment decision. Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references herein to "Dun & Bradstreet," "D&B," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to (i) The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the Take-Private Transaction described herein and (ii) Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries following the Take-Private Transaction described herein.
This summary contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from future results contemplated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors such as those set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the information presented under "Risk Factors," "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the historical consolidated financial statements and related notes presented elsewhere in this prospectus.
Our Company
Dun & Bradstreet is a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics. Our mission is to deliver a global network of trust, enabling clients to transform uncertainty into confidence, risk into opportunity and potential into prosperity. Clients embed our trusted, end-to-end solutions into their daily workflows to inform commercial credit decisions, confirm suppliers are financially viable and compliant with laws and regulations, enhance salesforce productivity and gain visibility into key markets. Our solutions support our clients' mission critical business operations by providing proprietary and curated data and analytics to help drive informed decisions and improved outcomes.
We are differentiated by the scale, depth, diversity and accuracy of our constantly expanding business database, known as our "Data Cloud," that contains comprehensive information on more than 360 million total businesses as of March 31, 2020. Access to longitudinal curated data is critical for global commerce, and with only a small percentage of the world's businesses filing public financial statements, our data is a trusted source for reliable information about both public and private businesses. By building such a set of data over time, we were able to establish a unique identifier that creates a single thread connecting related corporate entities allowing our clients to form a holistic view of an enterprise. This unique identifier, which we refer to as the D-U-N-S Number, is a corporate "fingerprint" or "Social Security Number" of businesses. We believe that we are the only scale provider to possess both worldwide commercial credit data and comprehensive public records data that are linked together by a unique identifier allowing for an accurate assessment of public and private businesses globally.
Leveraging our category-defining commercial credit data and analytics, our Finance & Risk solutions are used in the critical decisioning processes of finance, risk, compliance and procurement departments worldwide. We are a market leader in commercial credit decisioning, with many of the top businesses in the world utilizing our solutions to make informed decisions when considering extending business loans and trade credit. We are also a leading provider of data and analytics to businesses looking to analyze supplier relationships and more effectively collect outstanding receivables. We believe our proprietary Paydex score, a numerical indicator based on promptness of a business's payments to its suppliers and vendors, is widely relied upon as an important measure of credit health for businesses. We are well positioned to provide accessible and actionable insights and analytics that mitigate risk and uncertainty, and ultimately protect and drive increased profitability for our clients.
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Our Sales & Marketing solutions combine firmographic, personal contact, intent and non-traditional, or "alternative," data, such as foot traffic, website usage, social media posts, online browsing activity and shipping trackers, to assist clients in optimizing their sales and marketing strategy by cleansing customer relationship management ("CRM") data and narrowing their focus and efforts on the highest probability prospects. As global competition continues to intensify, businesses need assistance with focusing their sales pipelines into a condensed list so that they can have their best sellers target the highest probability return accounts. We provide invaluable insights into businesses that can help our clients grow their businesses in a more efficient and effective manner.
We leverage these differentiated capabilities to serve a broad set of clients across multiple industries and geographies. We have a global client base of approximately 135,000, including some of the largest companies in the world. For example, in 2019, our client base included approximately 90% of the Fortune 500, approximately 80% of the Fortune 1000 and approximately 60% of the Global 500. Covering nearly all industry verticals, including financial services, technology, communications, government, retail, transportation and manufacturing, our data and analytics support a wide range of use cases. In terms of our geographic footprint, we have an industry-leading presence in North America, a growing presence in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and Greater China through our majority or wholly-owned subsidiaries and a broader global presence through our Worldwide Network ("WWN") alliances.
We believe that we have an attractive business model that is underpinned by highly recurring, diversified revenues, significant operating leverage, low capital requirements and strong free cash flow. The proprietary and embedded nature of our data and analytics solutions and the integral role that we play in our clients' decision-making processes have translated into high client retention and revenue visibility. For example, 20 of our top 25 clients by revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 have been our clients for over 20 years. We also benefit from strong operating leverage given our centralized Data Cloud and solutions, which allow us to generate strong contribution margins and free cash flow.
Our Transformation
Over the course of our history, we have earned the privileged position of leadership and trust within the industries we serve. However, over the past decade, operational and execution issues led to stagnant revenue growth and declining profitability. Identifying an opportunity to unlock Dun & Bradstreet's potential, the Investor Consortium led by William P. Foley II at Bilcar, LLC ("Bilcar"), Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL"), Cannae Holdings, Inc. ("Cannae"), Black Knight, Inc. ("Black Knight") and CC Capital Partners, LLC ("CC Capital" and together with Bilcar, THL, Cannae and Black Knight, the "Investor Consortium"), acquired Dun & Bradstreet in the Take-Private Transaction, as described below, in February 2019.
William P. Foley II, who was appointed as our Chairman, has extensive experience in industry consolidation and delivering shareholder value. As a pre-eminent operator, Mr. Foley has led four separate multi-billion dollar public market platforms with over 100 acquisitions across diverse platforms including Fidelity National Financial, Inc. ("FNF"), Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. ("FIS"), Black Knight, Ceridian HCM Holding Inc. ("Ceridian") and FGL Holdings Inc. ("FGL Holdings"). As Founder, former CEO, and now Chairman of FNF, Mr. Foley, has built the largest title insurance company, growing equity value from $3 million to $13 billion at its peak. His proven track record is driven by his value creation playbook, which is highlighted by identifying cost savings, undertaking strategy shifts, eliminating siloed organizational structures and accelerating product expansion. Coupled with Mr. Foley's exceptional track record of optimizing go-to-market organizations, executing strategic acquisitions and investing in growth, the value creation playbook has been substantiated by Mr. Foley's history of superior shareholder returns through consistently exceeding initial synergy estimates, as demonstrated by an average synergy realization of 1.4x the initial forecast.
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He also has an exceptional track record of recruiting and developing leaders to implement his transformation initiatives.
At Dun & Bradstreet, Mr. Foley and the rest of the Investor Consortium immediately brought in a new senior leadership team that includes Anthony M. Jabbour as our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stephen C. Daffron as our President, Bryan T. Hipsher as our Chief Financial Officer, Joe A. Reinhardt III as our Chief Legal Officer and Kevin Coop as our Chief Commercial Officer. The senior leadership team brings extensive experience and a proven track record of driving long-term stockholder value creation through transformation and growth initiatives. Together, they identified new leaders for each business unit, including Andrew Hausman, President, Finance & Risk, Michael C. Bird, President, Sales & Marketing and Neeraj Sahai, President, International, and several of our corporate support functions, including Dr. Suchitra "Bobby" Gupta as Chief Analytics Officer, Gary Kotovets as Chief Data Officer, Thomas Rauker as Chief Operations Officer and Gil Shaked as Chief Technology Officer.
The senior leadership team immediately commenced a comprehensive transformation to improve and revitalize our business for long-term success. They saw significant opportunity to create value by transforming the organization and improving the platform with new business unit leaders, enhanced technology and data, solution innovation and a client-centric go-to-market strategy.
To capitalize on the opportunities identified, we are investing in several strategic initiatives that we believe will allow Dun & Bradstreet to achieve its fullest potential.
Realigning Management and Organization
Optimizing Go-to-Market and Client Service
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Simplifying and Scaling Technology
Expanding and Enhancing Data
Strengthening Analytics and Insights
Our transformation strategy is based on a proven playbook of enhancing stockholder value through organizational re-alignment and re-investment and is well underway. As of March 31, 2020, these initiatives have resulted in approximately $206 million of net annualized run-rate savings, and we believe there are incremental opportunities to further rationalize our cost structure. In light of the changes that have been made or identified by our experienced operator-driven Investor Consortium and seasoned management team, we believe we are well-positioned to execute on our near- and long-term strategy of driving stockholder value through consistent revenue growth, managing cost initiatives and innovating and improving the way we add value and solve the increasingly challenging and complex needs of our clients.
Our Market Opportunity
Businesses rely on business-to-business ("B2B") data and analytics providers to extract data-driven insights and make better decisions. For example, in commercial lending and trade credit, the scarcity of readily available credit history makes the extension of credit a time-consuming and imprecise process. In procurement, businesses face increasingly complex and global supply chains, making the assessment
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of compliance and viability of all suppliers prohibitively difficult and expensive if not conducted effectively. In sales and marketing, businesses have benefitted from the proliferation of CRM, Marketing Automation and Sales Acceleration tools designed to help identify, track and improve both customer management and prospecting growth activities. While these tools are helping to fill sales funnels and improve the progression of opportunities, key challenges remain in salesforce productivity, effective client segmentation and marketing campaign activation. Common stumbling blocks include incorrect, or outdated, contact information, duplicated or inaccurate firmographic data and a lack of synchronization between the various platforms in the marketing technology ecosystem.
We help our clients solve these mission critical business problems. We believe the total addressable market ("TAM") in which we operate is large, growing and significantly underpenetrated. We participate in the big data and analytics software market, as defined by IDC, which represents a collection of software markets that functionally address decision support and decision automation. This market includes business intelligence and analytics tools, analytic data management and integration platforms and analytics and performance management applications. IDC estimates worldwide revenues of big data and analytics software to be approximately $67 billion in 2019. Within the broader market of data and analytics solutions, we serve a number of different markets, including the commercial credit data, sales and marketing data and Governance, Risk and Compliance ("GRC") markets to provide clients with decisioning support and automation. As we continue to drive innovation in our solutions, we expect to address a greater portion of this TAM as new use cases for our data assets and analytical capabilities are introduced.
We believe there are several key trends in the global macroeconomic environment generating additional growth in our TAM and increasing the potential demand for our solutions:
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of data regulatory requirements, which can vary by geography and industry served. Performing adequate diligence on clients and suppliers can be cumbersome and dampen the pace of business expansion, or worse, leave a business exposed to expensive fines and penalties. Regulations such as the Fifth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive, Office of Foreign Assets Control's ("OFAC's") Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the United States Department of Justice Foreign Corrupt Practices Act require businesses to take the necessary steps to comply in an efficient manner. Recently, regulations such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") and the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the "CCPA") have also introduced complexity into the collection and use of data by businesses. Manual processes are burdensome and prone to human error, and therefore demand for data and analytics as a solution continues to increase.
As a leading provider of data and analytics, we have witnessed the emergence and development of these trends firsthand. We believe that due to our differentiated capabilities and our privileged position as a tenured incumbent, we are well positioned to capture this market opportunity and benefit from these long-term trends.
Our Solutions
The defining characteristic of our solutions is the breadth and depth of our combined proprietary and curated public data and actionable analytics that help drive informed decisions for our clients. Our Data Cloud is compiled from approximately 16,000 sources, as well as from data collected by our 15 WWN alliances, resulting in data sourced from 243 countries and territories worldwide. We believe that we are uniquely able to match data to its corresponding entity, and have extensive related intellectual property with approximately 100 of our 210 patents dedicated to this function. Our capabilities in matching and identity resolution enable us to make sense of our vast universe of data, turning chaos into order. Since 1963, we have tracked these businesses by assigning unique identifiers (known as a D-U-N-S Number) to all companies in our data set. The D-U-N-S Number is recommended and, in many cases required, by over 240 commercial, trade and government organizations. This privileged position in the market has allowed us to commercialize the creation and monitoring of D-U-N-S Numbers by suppliers, which in turn feeds additional proprietary data into our platform.
Data is only valuable when it drives action that moves an organization towards its goals. Underpinned by an integrated technology platform, our solutions derive data-driven insights that help clients target, grow, collect, procure and comply. We provide clients with both curated bulk data to incorporate into their internal workflows and end-to-end solutions that generate insights from this data through configurable analytics. The chart below illustrates the comprehensive, end-to-end nature of our solutions, which are organized into two primary areas: Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing.
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Finance & Risk
Our Finance & Risk solutions are mission critical to our clients as they seek to leverage the data sets and analytics from our platform to manage risk, minimize fraud and monitor their supply chain. Top commercial enterprises in the world utilize our configurable solutions to make better decisions when considering small business loans, extending trade credit, analyzing supplier relationships and collecting outstanding receivables. Our Finance & Risk solutions help clients increase cash flow and profitability while mitigating credit, operational and regulatory risks by helping them answer questions such as:
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Sales & Marketing
Our Sales & Marketing solutions help businesses discover new revenue opportunities and accelerate growth by extending the use cases of our data and analytics platform. By adding our proprietary business data set to our personal contact, intent and non-traditional data, we are able to provide a single view of the prospective customer. Our Sales & Marketing solutions extend beyond simple contact data and enable clients to automate data management and cleansing, unmask and track website visitors and activate digital ads based on segmented prospect data. This helps our clients optimize their sales and marketing functions and narrow their focus on the highest probability businesses in order to answer questions such as:
Our Competitive Strengths
Market Leadership with the Most Comprehensive Commercial Credit Database
We are the category-defining player in the market for B2B credit decisioning data and analytics. We believe our long operating history uniquely qualifies and positions us to address the commercial data-driven decisioning needs of our clients due to the breadth and depth of our proprietary Data Cloud. Our Data Cloud includes more than 360 million businesses globally and extends far beyond those for which data is publicly available. The D-U-N-S Number is a widely recognized identifier and is a policy-driven requirement for the process of supplying trade credit for many businesses and governments. Our strategic relationships with our global WWN alliances provide us with international data in our global database, known as WorldBase, which we view as a key competitive strength in serving both U.S. and international businesses. The contributory nature of our Data Cloud, where we typically obtain updated information at little or no cost and own most of our data, creates a strong network effect that we believe gives us an expanding competitive advantage over other market participants or potential entrants. Our Data Cloud is also differentiated in our ability to track corporate linkages of child-to-parent organization relationships to help clients better understand commercial relationships and make better informed decisions with a more holistic view of the business.
Innovative Analytics and Decisioning Capabilities Driving End-to-End Solutions
In a world of increasing data access, the value proposition for companies like ours is shifting from the provision of core data to the generation of analytical insights to inform decisioning processes and optimize workflows, across interrelated business activities. Our end-to-end solutions cover a comprehensive spectrum of use cases across the lifecycle of our clients' businesses. These use cases continue to evolve as we find additional ways to derive insights from our data. We believe our configurable solutions, in combination with our proprietary Data Cloud, are a key competitive
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advantage for us and allow us to effectively compete across the entire commercial data and analytics landscape.
Deep Relationships with Blue Chip Clients
With our leading data and analytical insights, we serve many of the largest enterprises in the world, including approximately 90% of the businesses in the Fortune 500, approximately 80% of the Fortune 1000 and approximately 60% of the Global 500 during 2019. Our client base is diversified across size, industry and geography and features minimal concentration. In 2019, no client accounted for more than 5% of revenue, and our top 50 clients accounted for approximately 25% of revenue. We have held relationships with 20 of our top 25 clients by revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 for more than 20 years, which reflects how deeply embedded we are in their daily workflows and decisioning processes. For 2019, our annual revenue retention rate, reflecting the percentage of prior year revenue from clients who were retained in the current year, was 96%.
Scalable and Highly Attractive Financial Profile
We have an attractive business model underpinned by stable and highly recurring revenues, significant operating leverage and low capital requirements that contribute to strong free cash flow. Our high levels of client retention and shift toward multi-year subscription contracts result in a high degree of revenue visibility. The vast majority of our revenues are either recurring or re-occurring in nature. Additionally, we benefit from natural operating leverage given the high contribution margins associated with incremental revenue generated from our centralized Data Cloud and solutions. Despite the investments being made to enhance our technology, analytics and data, our capital requirements remain minimal with capital expenditures (including capitalized software development costs) of approximately 5% of revenues in 2019. All of these factors contribute to strong free cash flow generation, allowing us the financial flexibility to invest in the business and pursue growth through acquisitions.
World Class Management Team with Depth of Experience and Track Record of Success
Our senior management team has a track record of strong performance and significant expertise in both the markets we serve and in transforming similar businesses. The previous Dun & Bradstreet management team has been almost completely replaced with an experienced and energized group of senior executives who have spent years leading businesses in the vertical software and data and analytics sectors. Our senior executives have successfully worked together in architecting previous turnaround stories and delivering consistent growth both organically and through acquiring and integrating businesses. Our management team operates under the leadership of Mr. Foley, who has a long, successful history of acquiring, reorganizing and transforming companies by rationalizing cost structures, investing in growth and onboarding and mentoring senior management. Beyond our senior management team, we are focused on attracting and retaining the strongest talent at all levels throughout the organization.
Our Growth Strategy
Enhance Existing Client Relationships
We believe our current client base presents a large opportunity for growth through enhanced cross-selling in order to capture more of our clients' data and analytics spend. As an end-to-end provider of commercial data and analytics, we believe that there are significant opportunities to have clients buy from a consistent, single-source provider and to increase their interaction with our platform. Although our strategic clients used approximately nine of our solutions on average, our overall client base used less than two of our solutions on average as of December 31, 2019. While there is still room to add additional products to our strategic client base, which represents less than 1% of our total client base,
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we believe there is a significant opportunity to increase the number of solutions per client in the remainder of our client base. Our new go-to-market strategy will enable us to increase the number of touchpoints with key decision makers within any given client and allow us to identify and sell the right solutions to each decision maker's respective department. By focusing on enhancing the quality of our data and analytics, we will be able to produce more valuable insights, increasing client engagement across our existing solutions and driving clients towards new, innovative solutions.
Win New Clients in Targeted Markets
We believe that there is substantial opportunity to grow our client base. While we have significant market share in the enterprise and mid-market, there continues to be opportunity to win new clients. There are several instances where we have built a successful long-term enterprise client relationship with a particular company, but its competitors are not our clients. Our focus is to leverage our best practices from serving one company and articulate the value to similar companies that may benefit from our solutions and experience.
We also believe there is significant opportunity to expand our presence in the SMB market. We currently serve approximately 80,000 SMB clients out of the millions of businesses within this market. We have existing relationships with many SMBs through solutions enabling the proactive monitoring of their D-U-N-S Number. However, we have not historically capitalized on the opportunity to cross-sell them into our solutions. We are rolling out our Marketplace, an integrated web platform that will provide these businesses with an introduction to Dun & Bradstreet's capabilities and solutions for their potential use. By leveraging this go-to-market channel and offering more simplified solutions that are easily integrated into client workflows, we can continue to expand our reach among SMBs.
Develop Innovative Solutions
Given the depth and coverage of information contained in our proprietary Data Cloud, we believe we can continue to develop differentiated solutions to serve our clients in an increasing number of use cases. As we continue to gather and incorporate additional sources of data, the resulting analytics and insights we are able to provide within our solutions will be increasingly impactful to our clients and their decisioning processes. By improving the quality and breadth of our Data Cloud, we will be able to expand into adjacent use cases and leverage our data insights in new functional areas such as collections, fraud and capital markets. We will also be able to identify and further penetrate attractive addressable markets, as demonstrated by the development of our Risk & Compliance solutions, a high growth area within our Finance & Risk solutions, in order to better address the GRC market. These additional solutions utilize existing data architecture to generate high contribution incremental revenue streams.
Expand Our Presence in Attractive International Markets
Despite our global presence and industry leading position in the North American market, we remain relatively underpenetrated in international markets, with International revenue accounting for less than 20% of our business in 2019. We believe that expanding our presence in owned international markets can be a significant growth driver for us in the coming years. Our international growth strategy begins with localizing current solutions to meet global demand and, similar to our domestic strategy, includes a focus on cross-selling and upselling, winning new clients and developing innovative solutions.
Selectively Pursue Strategic Acquisitions
While the core focus of our strategy is to grow organically, we believe there are strategic acquisition opportunities that may allow us to expand our footprint, broaden our client base, increase the breadth and depth of our data sets and further strengthen our solutions. We believe there are
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attractive synergies that result from acquiring small companies that provide innovative solutions and integrating these solutions into our existing offerings to generate cross-selling and upselling opportunities across our existing client base, as demonstrated by our recent success of integrating Lattice Engines, Inc. ("Lattice"), coAction.com and Orb Intelligence, Inc. ("Orb"). Additionally, there are potential cost synergies that could result from integrating acquisitions into our efficient operating platform. Our leadership team has a proven track record of identifying, acquiring and integrating companies to drive long-term value creation, and we will continue to maintain a disciplined approach to pursuing acquisitions.
Our Investors
On February 8, 2019, an experienced and operationally-driven investor consortium led by the Investor Consortium acquired Dun & Bradstreet in an all-cash take-private transaction (the "Take-Private Transaction"). Following the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement and assuming an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), the Investor Consortium will own approximately 65.8% of our common stock, or 64.2% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full. In connection with a letter agreement, certain members of the Investor Consortium or their respective affiliates agree, for three years following the date hereof, to vote all of their shares in all matters related to the election of directors, including to elect certain individuals to our board of directors at each of the next shareholder meetings at which such individuals are eligible for election. As a result of the Investor Consortium's ownership of our common stock and the letter agreement, the Investor Consortium will be able to exercise significant voting influence over fundamental and significant corporate matters and transactions. Therefore, we expect to be a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the NYSE on which we have applied to list our shares of common stock. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Initial Public Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock," "ManagementDirector Independence and Controlled Company Exemption" and "Principal Stockholders."
Bilcar
Bilcar is a partnership owned by William and Carol Foley. Bilcar's assets include various investments and business interests. Mr. Foley serves as our Chairman of the Board. Mr. Foley is the Chairman of the Board of FNF, Cannae and Black Knight, and Co-Chairman of FGL Holdings. Mr. Foley brings extensive experience and has demonstrated operational expertise throughout his career, creating public companies whose combined market capitalization exceeds $110 billion. Mr. Foley and his team achieved $312 million in cost reductions, which was 208% of the initial target of $150 million, from FNF's acquisition of Lender Processing Services Inc., and has achieved approximately 1.4x targeted synergies in eight large transactions. Mr. Foley is a founder of FNF which, through his leadership, has transformed into the nation's largest title insurance company with industry leading margins.
Thomas H. Lee Partners
THL is a premier private equity firm investing in growth companies, headquartered primarily in North America. THL focuses its investment activity across four industry sectors: Financial Services, Technology & Business Solutions, Consumer and Healthcare. Since its founding in 1974, THL has raised more than $26 billion of equity capital, invested in over 150 companies and completed more than 400 add-on acquisitions representing an aggregate enterprise value at acquisition of over $200 billion. With dedicated sector and operating teams, THL brings deep domain expertise and resources to build great companies by helping to accelerate growth, improve operations and drive long-term sustainable value in partnership with management.
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Cannae Holdings
Cannae (NYSE: CNNE) is a diversified holding company which boasts a strong track record of investing in a diverse range of assets. Cannae holds majority and minority equity investment stakes in a number of entities, including Ceridian, ABRH, LLC, 99 Restaurants Holdings, LLC, Amerilife and Coding Solutions Topco, Inc. Principals at Cannae and its predecessors have successfully acquired over 100 companies with aggregate consideration in excess of $30 billion for FNF, Cannae and related companies over the last 20 years.
Black Knight
Black Knight (NYSE: BKI) is a leading provider of integrated software, data and analytics solutions that facilitate and automate many of the business processes across the homeownership life cycle. As a leading financial technology provider, Black Knight is committed to being a premier business partner that clients rely on to achieve their strategic goals, realize greater success and better serve their clients by delivering best-in-class software, services and insights with a relentless commitment to excellence, innovation, integrity and leadership.
CC Capital
CC Capital is a private investment firm founded in 2016 by Chinh E. Chu, with a focus on investing in and operating high-quality companies for the long-term. Prior to founding CC Capital, Mr. Chu had a successful 25-year career at Blackstone and played an instrumental role in building its Private Equity business. Over the course of his career at Blackstone, Mr. Chu led several industry verticals for the Private Equity Group, including Financial Services, Technology, Chemicals and Healthcare Products. He served as Co-Chairman of the firm's Private Equity Investment Committee and served on the firm's Executive Committee.
Concurrent Private Placement
Immediately subsequent to the closing of this offering, a subsidiary of Cannae, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, a subsidiary of Black Knight, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, and a subsidiary of CC Capital, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, intend to purchase from us in a private placement $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of our common stock at a price per share equal to 98.5% of the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed purchase price in the private placement of $19.70 per share, this would be 10,152,285 shares, 5,076,143 and 5,076,143 shares respectively. We will receive the full proceeds and will not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the shares that are sold in the private placement. The sale of the shares in the private placement is contingent upon the completion of this offering. The sale of these shares to Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital will not be registered in this offering and will be subject to a market standoff agreement with us and a lock-up agreement with the underwriters for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus. Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital will be party to the registration rights agreement that we expect to enter into in connection with this offering, and the registration rights agreement will apply to any shares acquired by Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital in the concurrent private placement. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsConcurrent Private Placement," "Registration Rights Agreement" and "Shares Eligible for Future SaleLock-up Arrangements and Registration Rights."
Recent Developments
The recent COVID-19 global pandemic has caused disruptions in supply chains, affecting workforce, production and sales across the world while potentially leading to a long-term downturn in
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economies. In the event of a difficult economy, such as the one we are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the probability of businesses, including the businesses of our clients, becoming insolvent increases. Disruptions in the financial markets could limit the ability or willingness of our clients to extend credit to their customers or cause our clients to constrain budgets, which could adversely impact demand for our data and analytics solutions. Further, continuing mandates that employees work remotely, prolonged travel restrictions or general economic uncertainty could negatively impact our suppliers' ability to provide us with data and services, our ability to deliver or market our solutions, our ability to acquire new clients or expand our services with existing clients and client demand for our solutions. In contrast, during such times the need for better insights related to the extension of credit is magnified, and we believe our Finance & Risk solutions become even more critical to our clients.
While this disruption is currently expected to be temporary, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the duration and the speed of recovery. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend on the effect on our clients and vendors, all of which are uncertain at this time and cannot be predicted. Given the current economic condition, we have been carefully monitoring the COVID-19 global pandemic and its impact on our business including, but not limited to, implementing additional operational processes to monitor client sales and collections, taking precautionary measures to ensure sufficient liquidity, including a proactive draw of $200 million on our revolving credit facility to preserve cash flow flexibility during the three months ended March 31, 2020, of which over $100 million has subsequently been repaid, and adjusting operations to ensure business continuity. While our productivity and financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have not been impacted materially by the pandemic, the ultimate impact is highly uncertain and will be difficult to predict, and depends on, among many factors, the duration of the pandemic and its ultimate impact to our clients, vendors, and the financial markets. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and OperationsAn outbreak of disease, global or localized health pandemic or epidemic or a similar public health threat, or the fear of such an event, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results operations."
Risks Associated with Our Business
Investing in our common stock involves a number of risks. These risks represent challenges to the successful implementation of our strategy and the growth of our business. Some of these risks are:
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could result in a material loss of business, regulatory enforcement, substantial legal liability and/or significant harm to our reputation;
For a discussion of these and other risks you should consider before making an investment in our common stock, see the section entitled "Risk Factors."
Corporate Information
We are a Delaware corporation. We were incorporated as Star Intermediate I, Inc. on September 18, 2018 by affiliates of the Investor Consortium in connection with the Take-Private Transaction and changed our name to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. on March 12, 2020. Our principal executive offices are located at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. Our telephone number is (973) 921-5500. Our corporate website address is www.dnb.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this prospectus. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase our common stock.
Corporate Structure
Following the Take-Private Transaction, our sole stockholder was Star Parent, L.P. ("Star Parent"), which owns all 314,494,968 shares (originally issued as 1,000 shares prior to the Stock Split (as defined below)) of our issued and outstanding common stock. Prior to the Stock Split, we were authorized to issue (a) 2,950,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and (b) 1,050,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share. On June 23, 2020, we amended our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of capital stock from 4,000,000 shares to 2,025,000,000 shares, consisting of 2,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share. On June 23, 2020, we effected a 314,494.968 for 1 stock split (the "Stock Split"). In connection with the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement, Star Parent will distribute an aggregate of
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278,728,434 shares of our common stock to certain of its limited partners, including affiliates of the Investor Consortium, in exchange for their partnership units in Star Parent, and an aggregate of 35,766,534 shares of our common stock will continue to be held by Star Parent. All of the common share and per share information referenced throughout the consolidated financial statements for the successor periods and accompanying notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Stock Split. Members of our board of directors and certain of our executive officers, employees and other limited partners will hold an indirect interest in such shares held by Star Parent. Such limited partners will be able to exchange such units in exchange for shares of our common stock held by Star Parent in accordance the terms of the Star Parent Partnership Agreement (defined below) to be in effect following this offering.
In connection with this offering, C/B Star Holdings, L.P., an entity jointly controlled by affiliates of CC Capital and Bilcar, has agreed to waive certain anti-dilution rights it has pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Star Parent, L.P., dated as of February 8, 2019, which we expect will be further amended and restated in connection with this offering (the "Star Parent Partnership Agreement") and terminate such provision in the Star Parent Partnership Agreement following this offering. In exchange for such waiver and termination, we expect to make a payment of $30.0 million to C/B Star Holdings, L.P. with a portion of the proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsOther Transactions."
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The following diagram illustrates our anticipated corporate structure after the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement and giving effect to the use of proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds."
See "Principal Stockholders" for further information.
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Issuer |
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. | |
Common stock offered by us |
65,750,000 shares of common stock (or 75,612,500 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). |
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Common stock sold by us in the concurrent private placement |
Immediately subsequent to the closing of this offering, a subsidiary of Cannae, a subsidiary of Black Knight and a subsidiary of CC Capital intend to purchase from us in a private placement $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of our common stock at a price per share equal to 98.5% of the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed purchase price in the private placement of $19.70 per share, this would be 10,152,285, 5,076,143 and 5,076,143 shares, respectively. We will receive the full proceeds and will not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the shares that are sold in the private placement. The sale of the shares in the private placement is contingent upon the completion of this offering. The sale of these shares to Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital will not be registered in this offering and will be "restricted securities" under the Securities Act. In addition, these shares will be subject to a market standoff agreement with us and, to the extent ultimately owned by our directors, officers, Investor Consortium and certain other significant stockholders, a lock-up agreement with the underwriters for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus. Any shares acquired by Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital in the concurrent private placement will have the benefit of the registration rights agreement we expect to enter into with certain of our stockholders, including Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital, in connection with this offering. See "Shares Eligible for Future SaleLock-Up Arrangements and Registration Rights" for additional information regarding such restrictions and registration rights. We refer to the private placement of these shares of common stock as the "concurrent private placement." |
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Common stock to be outstanding after this offering and the concurrent private placement |
400,549,539 shares of common stock (or 410,412,039 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). |
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Option to purchase additional shares of common stock |
The underwriters have an option to purchase an additional 9,862,500 shares of common stock. The underwriters can exercise this option at any time within 30 days from the date of this prospectus. |
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Use of proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $1,647.9 million (or $1,837.3 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full) based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). |
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We intend to use $1,273.0 of these net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement to redeem all of our Cumulative Series A Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), $342.3 million to repay a portion of our 10.250% Senior Unsecured Notes outstanding due 2027, plus to pay fees and expenses related to the repayment and accrued interest and $30.0 million to make a payment to C/B Star Holdings, L.P. in connection with the waiver and termination of its anti-dilution rights in the Star Parent Partnership Agreement. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of additional indebtedness. See "Corporate Structure" and "Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsOther Transactions." See "Use of Proceeds." |
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Dividend policy |
We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future; however, we may change this policy in the future. See "Dividend Policy." |
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Voting rights |
Upon completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, the Investor Consortium will hold approximately 65.8% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock and will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval. See "Principal Stockholders" and "Description of Capital Stock." |
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Risk factors |
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See the "Risk Factors" section of this prospectus beginning on page 28 and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our common stock. |
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Directed Share Program |
At our request, an affiliate of BofA Securities, Inc., a participating underwriter, has reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 5% of the shares offered by this prospectus for sale to our directors, officers and selected senior managers. If these persons purchase reserved shares it will reduce the number of shares available for sale to the general public. Any reserved shares that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares offered by this prospectus, see "UnderwritingDirected Share Program." |
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Listing |
We have applied to have our common stock listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DNB." |
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Unless we indicate otherwise or unless the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus:
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Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data
The following table sets forth our summary historical consolidated financial and other data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. As a result of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the accompanying historical financial statements and summary historical consolidated financial data are presented on a Successor and Predecessor basis. References to Predecessor refer to the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the closing of the Take-Private Transaction. References to Successor refer to the consolidated financial position of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. as of March 31, 2020, March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2019 and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. During the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. had no significant operations and limited assets and had only incurred transaction-related expenses prior to the Take-Private Transaction. The Successor period also includes the results of operations and cash flows of the business acquired in the Take-Private Transaction for the periods from February 8, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and from February 8, 2019 to December 31, 2019. The consolidated financial statements for the Successor periods are not comparable to those of the Predecessor periods.
We derived the summary historical consolidated financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and as of March 31, 2020 from the Successor's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the summary historical consolidated financial data for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and as of December 31, 2019 from the Successor's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the summary historical consolidated financial data for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and as of December 31, 2018 from the Predecessor's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the summary historical consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2019 from the Successor's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that are not included in this prospectus. We derived the summary historical consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 from the Predecessor's consolidated financial statements that are not included in this prospectus.
Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period. You should read the information set forth below together with "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Capitalization," and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
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Period
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period
from January 1 to December 31 2019 |
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Period
January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
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(in millions, except per share data)
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Statement of operations data: |
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Revenue(1) |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | ||||||||||||
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Operating expenses |
138.9 | 64.3 | 56.7 | 448.5 | 56.7 | 563.4 | 573.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses(2) |
125.9 | 213.7 | 122.4 | 651.2 | 122.4 | 610.0 | 672.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(3) |
134.3 | 80.5 | 11.1 | 482.4 | 11.1 | 88.7 | 79.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | 51.8 | 0.1 | 25.4 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Total operating costs |
403.6 | 377.0 | 190.3 | 1,633.9 | 190.3 | 1,287.5 | 1,357.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Operating income (loss) |
(8.3 | ) | (202.9 | ) | (11.6 | ) | (220.0 | ) | (11.6 | ) | 428.9 | 385.0 | ||||||||||||||
Non-operating expenses |
7.3 | (43.8 | ) | (91.2 | ) | (455.9 | ) | (91.2 | ) | (55.8 | ) | (62.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
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Income (loss) before provision for income taxes |
(1.0 | ) | (246.7 | ) | (102.8 | ) | (675.9 | ) | (102.8 | ) | 373.1 | 322.7 | ||||||||||||||
Less: (Benefit) provision for income taxes |
(74.3 | ) | (37.0 | ) | (27.5 | ) | (118.2 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 81.6 | 179.7 | ||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
0.6 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 4.2 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 2.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) from continuing operations |
73.9 | (209.6 | ) | (74.8 | ) | (553.5 | ) | (74.8 | ) | 294.3 | 145.8 | |||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (6.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (4.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(32.0 | ) | (17.9 | ) | | (114.0 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | ||||||||
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Net earnings per share from continuing operations |
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Basic |
$ | 0.13 | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.76 | $ | 3.84 | ||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.13 | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.72 | $ | 3.81 | ||||||||
Pro forma earnings per share(4) |
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Basic |
$ | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (1.90 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (1.90 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma as adjusted earnings per share(5) |
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Basic |
$ | 0.02 | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | (0.69 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.02 | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | (0.69 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
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Basic |
314.5 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 37.1 | 36.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
314.5 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 37.3 | 37.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding |
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Basic |
314.5 | 314.5 | 314.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
314.5 | 314.5 | 314.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma as adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding(5) |
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Basic |
400.5 | 400.5 | 400.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
400.5 | 400.5 | 400.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flow data: |
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Net cash provided by (used in): |
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Operating activities |
$ | 0.5 | $ | (233.5 | ) | $ | (65.4 | ) | $ | (63.0 | ) | $ | (65.4 | ) | $ | 325.4 | $ | 286.5 | ||||||||
Investing activities |
$ | (35.6 | ) | $ | (5,952.3 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | $ | (6,154.6 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | $ | (65.3 | ) | $ | (206.6 | ) | |||||
Financing activities |
$ | 103.9 | $ | 6,321.4 | $ | 96.9 | $ | 6,321.8 | $ | 96.9 | $ | (609.7 | ) | $ | (18.8 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance sheet data at end of period(6)(7): |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 167.6 | $ | 138.0 | | $ | 98.6 | | $ | 90.2 | $ | 442.4 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 9,172.4 | $ | 9,263.8 | | $ | 9,112.8 | | $ | 1,820.9 | $ | 2,480.9 | ||||||||||||||
Total debt (current and long term) |
$ | 4,049.2 | $ | 3,882.7 | | $ | 3,900.8 | | $ | 1,136.6 | $ | 1,678.1 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 6,520.1 | $ | 6,338.6 | | $ | 6,503.3 | | $ | 2,510.8 | $ | 3,292.1 | ||||||||||||||
Cash dividends per common share |
| | | $ | | | $ | 1.57 | $ | 2.01 | ||||||||||||||||
Pro forma as adjusted balance sheet data(8): |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 179.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 9,184.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total debt (current and long-term) |
$ | 3,760.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 6,107.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other financial data(9): |
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Adjusted revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 204.6 | $ | 1,413.9 | $ | 204.6 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
33.8 | % | 23.3 | % | 32.4 | % | 35.5 | % | 32.4 | % | 33.1 | % | 30.1 | % | ||||||||||||
Adjusted net income |
$ | 16.7 | $ | (26.7 | ) | $ | 45.8 | $ | 27.4 | $ | 45.8 | $ | 383.9 | $ | 307.8 |
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Three months ended
March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1, to March 31, 2019 |
Period from
January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 |
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Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)(a) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (152.8 | ) | $ | (598.9 | ) | ||
Pro forma adjustments(b): |
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Reversal of preferred dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
32.0 | 31.6 | 127.7 | |||||||
Reversal of change in fair value of make-whole derivative liability |
(69.8 | ) | | 172.4 | ||||||
Reduction of interest expense resulting from debt repaymentnet of tax |
5.7 | 5.7 | 23.0 | |||||||
Pro forma as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor) |
$ | 9.4 | $ | (115.5 | ) | $ | (275.8 | ) | ||
Pro forma as adjusted weighted average shares outstanding: |
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Existing common stocks after stock split |
314.5 | 314.5 | 314.5 | |||||||
Common stocks issued from this offering and the concurrent private placement |
86.0 | 86.0 | 86.0 | |||||||
Total pro forma basic shares |
400.5 | 400.5 | 400.5 | |||||||
Dilution shares |
| | | |||||||
Total pro forma diluted shares |
400.5 | 400.5 | 400.5 | |||||||
Pro forma as adjusted earnings (loss) per share: |
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Basic |
$ | 0.02 | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | (0.69 | ) | ||
Diluted |
$ | 0.02 | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | (0.69 | ) |
|
As of March 31, 2020 | |||||||||
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|
As reported |
Pro forma
adjustments |
Pro forma
as adjusted |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 167.6 | $ | 12.1 | (d) | $ | 179.7 | |||
Total assets |
$ | 9,172.4 | $ | 12.1 | $ | 9,184.5 | ||||
Other current liabilities (excluding short-term debt) |
$ | 902.4 | $ | (114.7 | )(a)(b) | $ | 787.7 | |||
Short-term debt |
$ | 25.3 | $ | | $ | 25.3 | ||||
Long-term debt |
$ | 4,023.9 | $ | (289.1 | )(b) | $ | 3,734.8 | |||
Deferred income tax |
$ | 1,220.3 | $ | (9.3 | )(b) | $ | 1,211.0 | |||
Total liabilities |
$ | 6,520.1 | $ | (413.1 | ) | $ | 6,107.0 | |||
Cumulative preferred series A stock |
$ | 1,032.8 | $ | (1,032.8 | )(a) | $ | | |||
Total equity |
$ | 1,619.5 | $ | 1,458.0 | (a)(c) | $ | 3,077.5 |
22
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to reporting GAAP results, we evaluate performance and report our results on the non-GAAP financial measures discussed below. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors and rating agencies regarding our results, operating trends and performance between periods. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted revenue, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA"), adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted net income. Adjusted results are non-GAAP measures that adjust for the impact due to purchase accounting application and divestitures, restructuring charges, equity-based compensation, acquisition and divestiture-related costs (such as costs for bankers, legal fees, due diligence, retention payments and contingent consideration adjustments) and other non-core gains and charges that are not in the normal course of our business (such as gains and losses on sales of businesses, impairment charges, effect of significant changes in tax laws and material tax and legal settlements). We exclude amortization of recognized intangible assets resulting from the application of purchase accounting because it is non-cash and not indicative of our ongoing and underlying operating performance. Recognized intangible assets arise from acquisitions, or primarily the Take-Private Transaction. We believe that recognized intangible assets by their nature are fundamentally different from other depreciating assets that are replaced on a predictable operating cycle. Unlike other depreciating assets, such as developed and purchased software licenses or property and equipment, there is no replacement cost once these recognized intangible assets expire and the assets are not replaced. Additionally, our costs to operate, maintain and extend the life of acquired intangible assets and purchased intellectual property are reflected in our operating costs as personnel, data fee, facilities, overhead and similar items. Management believes it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets were recorded as part of purchase accounting and contribute to revenue generation. Amortization of recognized intangible assets will recur in future periods until such assets have been fully amortized. In addition, we isolate the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates on our revenue growth because we believe it is useful for investors to be able to compare revenue from one period to another, both after and before the effects of foreign exchange rate changes. The change in revenue performance attributable to foreign currency rates is determined by converting both our prior and current periods' foreign currency revenue by a constant rate. As a result, we monitor our adjusted revenue growth both after and before the effects of foreign exchange rate changes.
We believe that these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures provide management and other users with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our ongoing performance and comparability of our operating results from period to period. Our management regularly uses our supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and make operating decisions. These non-GAAP measures are among the factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Our non-GAAP or adjusted financial measures reflect adjustments based on the following items, as well as the related income tax.
Adjusted Revenue
We define adjusted revenue as revenue adjusted to include revenue for the period from January 8 to February 7, 2019 ("International lag adjustment") for the Predecessor related to the lag reporting for our International operations. On a GAAP basis, we report International results on a one-month lag, and for 2019 the Predecessor period for International is December 1, 2018 through January 7, 2019. The Successor period for International is February 8, 2019 (commencing on the closing date of the Take-Private Transaction) through November 30, 2019 for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Combined GAAP results for the year ended December 31, 2019 are not
23
comparable to the prior year period. The International lag adjustment is to facilitate comparability of 2019 periods to 2018 periods.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) excluding the following items:
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
We calculate adjusted EBITDA margin by dividing adjusted EBITDA by adjusted revenue.
Adjusted Net Income
We define adjusted net income as net income (loss) adjusted for the following items:
24
acquired intangible assets and purchased intellectual property are reflected in our operating costs as personnel, data fee, facilities, overhead and similar items;
The following table reconciles GAAP revenue to adjusted revenue:
|
Interim Periods | Annual Periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Successor |
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Predecessor | Successor |
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Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three
months ended March 31, 2020 |
Period
from January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period
from January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period
from January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period
January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
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(in millions)
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Revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | ||||||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| | 25.9 | | 25.9 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue(b) |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 204.6 | $ | 1,413.9 | $ | 204.6 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
1.6 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 7.9 | 1.0 | (1.4 | ) | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency(b) |
$ | 396.9 | $ | 174.4 | $ | 205.6 | $ | 1,421.8 | $ | 205.6 | $ | 1,715.0 | $ | 1,744.3 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(b) Includes deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(2) |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (138.9 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America |
$ | 341.5 | $ | 181.2 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 1,316.5 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 1,420.6 | $ | 1,444.0 | ||||||||||||
International |
71.2 | 15.0 | 56.4 | 236.3 | 56.4 | $ | 295.8 | $ | 306.4 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment revenue |
412.7 | 196.2 | 204.6 | 1,552.8 | 204.6 | 1,716.4 | 1,750.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other |
(17.4 | ) | (22.1 | ) | | (138.9 | ) | | | (7.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
1.6 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 7.9 | 1.0 | (1.4 | ) | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency |
$ | 396.9 | $ | 174.4 | $ | 205.6 | $ | 1,421.8 | $ | 205.6 | $ | 1,715.0 | $ | 1,744.3 | ||||||||||||
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25
The following table reconciles GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:
|
Interim Periods | Annual Periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Successor |
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Predecessor | Successor |
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Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three
months ended March 31, 2020 |
Period
from January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period
from January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period
from January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period
January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
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(in millions)
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Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
134.3 | 80.5 | 11.1 | 482.4 | 11.1 | 88.7 | 79.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expensenet |
82.7 | 48.0 | 5.2 | 301.1 | 5.2 | 52.5 | 58.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxnet |
(74.3 | ) | (37.0 | ) | (27.5 | ) | (118.2 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 81.6 | 179.7 | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA |
184.2 | (136.4 | ) | (86.8 | ) | (8.7 | ) | (86.8 | ) | 510.9 | 459.2 | |||||||||||||||
Other income (expense)net |
(90.0 | ) | (4.2 | ) | 86.0 | 154.8 | 86.0 | 3.3 | 4.2 | |||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
(0.6 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (4.2 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (2.8 | ) | (2.8 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest |
0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 6.5 | 0.8 | 6.2 | 4.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
32.0 | 17.9 | | 114.0 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| | 2.7 | | 2.7 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
(5.0 | ) | (4.1 | ) | | (20.7 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
3.8 | 0.5 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 10.8 | 20.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | 51.8 | 0.1 | 25.4 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
2.5 | 147.4 | 52.0 | 156.0 | 52.0 | 11.6 | 15.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Transition costs |
1.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 37.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | | |||||||||||||||||||
Legal reserve and costs associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
| (0.3 | ) | | (0.2 | ) | | 2.9 | (7.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Asset impairment |
0.1 | | | 3.4 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America |
$ | 143.8 | $ | 71.3 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 634.6 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 575.9 | $ | 525.5 | ||||||||||||
International |
23.2 | 2.9 | 20.3 | 78.2 | 20.3 | 91.2 | 102.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Corporate(b) |
(33.5 | ) | (33.6 | ) | (9.3 | ) | (210.7 | ) | (9.3 | ) | (98.5 | ) | (102.9 | ) | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(b) |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin(a)(b) |
33.8 | % | 23.3 | % | 32.4 | % | 35.5 | % | 32.4 | % | 33.1 | % | 30.1 | % | ||||||||||||
(b)Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(2): |
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Impact to adjusted EBITDA |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (138.9 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||
Impact to adjusted EBITDA margin |
(2.8 | )% | (8.7 | )% | | (5.8 | )% | | | (0.3 | )% |
26
The following table reconciles GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) to adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor):
|
Interim Periods | Annual Periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Successor |
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Predecessor | Successor |
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Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period
from January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period
from January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period
from January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period
January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
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(in millions)
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Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | ||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| | 2.7 | | 2.7 | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Incremental amortization resulting from the application of purchase accounting |
120.0 | 73.8 | 3.0 | 435.0 | 3.0 | 31.1 | 31.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
(5.0 | ) | (4.1 | ) | | (20.7 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
3.8 | 0.5 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 10.8 | 20.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | 51.8 | 0.1 | 25.4 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
2.5 | 147.4 | 52.0 | 156.0 | 52.0 | 11.6 | 15.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Transition costs |
1.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 37.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | | |||||||||||||||||||
Legal reserve and costs associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
| (0.3 | ) | | (0.2 | ) | | 2.9 | (7.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of the make-whole derivative liability associated with the Series A Preferred Stock |
(69.8 | ) | | | 172.4 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Asset impairment |
0.1 | | | 3.4 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-recurring pension charges |
| 0.1 | 89.4 | | 89.4 | 41.3 | 37.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
Merger, acquisition and divestiture-related non-operating costs |
| (0.8 | ) | 0.5 | (0.8 | ) | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Debt refinancing and extinguishment costs |
7.0 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Impact of 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act |
| | | | | 14.1 | 79.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Tax impact of the CARES Act |
(55.6 | ) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Impact of accounting method change(1) |
| | | | | (13.4 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax effect of the non-GAAP adjustments |
(33.9 | ) | (34.9 | ) | (38.3 | ) | (144.9 | ) | (38.3 | ) | (28.5 | ) | (42.9 | ) | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor)(f). |
$ | 16.7 | $ | (26.7 | ) | $ | 45.8 | $ | 27.4 | $ | 45.8 | $ | 383.9 | $ | 307.8 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(f) Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(2): |
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Pre-tax impact |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (138.9 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||
Tax impact |
4.5 | 4.7 | | 35.9 | | | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Impact to adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (12.9 | ) | $ | (17.4 | ) | $ | | $ | (103.0 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (5.4 | ) | ||||||||
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27
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all of the information contained in this prospectus before purchasing our common stock. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose some or all of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
Unfavorable global economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is impacted by general economic conditions and trends in the United States and abroad, including the COVID-19 global pandemic. Our largest clients, and therefore our business and revenues, depend on favorable macroeconomic conditions and are impacted by the availability of credit, the level and volatility of interest rates, inflation and employment levels. In addition, a significant amount of our revenues are concentrated among certain clients and in distinct geographic regions, particularly in the United States. Our solutions are also concentrated by varying degrees across different industries, particularly financial services, technology, communications, government, retail, transportation and manufacturing. Our client base suffers when financial markets experience volatility, illiquidity and disruption, which has occurred in the past and could reoccur in the future. Accordingly, we may have difficulty collecting payment from some clients on a timely basis or at all, and we may see higher rates of bankruptcies, restructurings, dissolutions and similar events among our client base. The potential for increased and continuing disruptions going forward, present considerable risks to our business and revenue. Changes in the economy have resulted, and may continue to result in, fluctuations in volumes, pricing and operating margins for our solutions. These types of disruptions could lead to a decline in client demand for our solutions and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
An outbreak of disease, global or localized health pandemic or epidemic or a similar public health threat, or the fear of such an event, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results operations.
A significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic, could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could have an adverse effect on demand for our solutions and access to our data sources. Less than four months after being reported in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. Disruptions in the financial markets could limit the ability or willingness of our clients to extend credit to their customers or cause our clients to constrain budgets, which could adversely impact demand for our data and analytics solutions. The U.S. and other governments abroad have implemented enhanced screening, broad shelter-in-place orders and social distancing requirements, business closures, quarantine requirements and travel restrictions in connection with the COVID-19 global pandemic. In addition to governmental measures, companies, including Dun & Bradstreet, are imposing, or may impose, temporary precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of the virus to employees, customers and communities, including requiring that employees work remotely and restricting non-essential travel. Additionally, many businesses permanently reduced employee headcount and many others have permanently ceased operations as a result of the pandemic. Given the breadth of our data, the large number of countries the data is sourced from and system requirements necessary to process and analyze such data, many of our employees and employees of our partners have been and may continue to be limited or unable to effectively work remotely. Further, our employees travel frequently to maintain relationships with and sell our solutions to our clients. Continued mandates that employees work remotely, prolonged travel
28
restrictions or general economic uncertainty could negatively impact our suppliers' ability to provide us with data and services, our ability to acquire new customers and expand our offerings within existing customers, our ability to deliver or market our solutions and client demand for our solutions. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the global pandemic, related travel advisories, business closures and quarantine or social distancing restrictions, the speed of recovery once the pandemic subsides, the impact of any resurgence of the pandemic once measures to slow the spread of the virus have been lifted and impacts to the global markets, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Preventing the effects from and responding to this market disruption or any other public health threat, related or otherwise, could further impact demand for our solutions and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to implement and execute our strategic plans to transform the business may not be successful and, accordingly, we may not be successful in achieving our goals to transform our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be successful in developing and implementing our strategic plans to transform our businesses, including realigning management, simplifying and scaling technology, expanding and enhancing data and optimizing our client services. If the development or implementation of our plans are not successful, we may not produce the revenue, margins, earnings or synergies that we expect, including offsetting the impact of adverse economic conditions that may exist currently or develop in the future. We may also face delays or difficulties in implementing technological, organizational and operational improvements, including our plans to leverage our data insights in new functional areas and utilize existing data architecture to generate high contribution incremental revenue streams, which could adversely affect our ability to successfully compete. In addition, the costs associated with implementing such plans may be more than anticipated and we may not have sufficient financial resources to fund all of the desired or necessary investments required in connection with our plans. The existing and future execution of our strategic and operating plans to transform our business will, to some extent, also be dependent on external factors that we cannot control. In addition, these strategic and operational plans need to be continually reassessed to meet the challenges and needs of our business in order for us to remain competitive. While our cost savings initiatives since the Take-Private Transaction have resulted in approximately $206 million of net annualized run-rate savings as of March 31, 2020, such savings may not be repeated in future periods. The failure to implement and execute our strategic and operating plans in a timely manner or at all, realize or maintain the cost savings or other benefits or improvements associated with such plans, have financial resources to fund the costs associated with such plans or incur costs in excess of anticipated amounts, or sufficiently assess and reassess these plans could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to develop or sell solutions in a timely manner or maintain and enhance our existing client relationships, our ability to maintain or increase our revenue could be adversely affected.
In order to keep pace with client demands for increasingly sophisticated solutions, to sustain expansion into growth industries and new markets and to maintain and grow our revenue, we must continue to innovate and introduce new solutions. The process of developing new solutions is complex and uncertain. Our industry solutions require extensive experience and knowledge from within the relevant industry. We must commit significant resources before knowing whether clients will accept new solutions. We may not be successful because of a variety of challenges, including planning or timing, technical hurdles, difficulty in predicting market demand, changes in regulation or a lack of appropriate resources. Additionally, even if we successfully develop new solutions, our existing clients might not accept these new solutions or new clients might not adopt our solutions due to operational constraints, high switching costs or general lack of market readiness.
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Furthermore, our ability to increase revenue will depend, in large part, on our ability to retain and enhance existing client relationships and increase the number of solutions our clients buy from us. Our ability to increase sales to existing clients depends on the quality of our data and solutions, clients' satisfaction with our solutions and their desire for additional solutions.
Failure to successfully develop and introduce new solutions or sell new or additional solutions to new or existing clients could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face significant competition for our solutions, which may increase as we expand our business.
We face significant competition for our solutions. We compete on the basis of differentiated solutions, datasets, analytics capabilities, ease of integration with our clients' technology, stability of services, client relationships, innovation and price. Our global and regional competitors vary in size, financial and technical capability, and in the scope of the products and services they offer. Some of our competitors may be better positioned to develop, promote and sell their products and services. Larger competitors may benefit from greater cost efficiencies and may be able to win business simply based on pricing. Our competitors may also be able to respond to opportunities before we do, by taking advantage of new technologies, changes in client requirements or market trends. In addition, we face competition from non-traditional and free data sources.
Many of our competitors have extensive client relationships, including relationships with our current and potential clients. New competitors, or alliances among competitors, may emerge and gain significant market share. Existing or new competitors may develop products and services that are superior to our solutions or that achieve greater acceptance than our solutions. If we are unable to respond to changes in client requirements as quickly and effectively as our competition, our ability to expand our business and sell our solutions may be adversely affected.
Additionally, our competitors often sell services at lower prices than us, individually or as part of integrated suites of several related services. This may cause our clients to purchase from our competitors rather than from us, which could result in reduced prices for certain solutions or the loss of clients. Price reductions by our competitors could also negatively impact our operating margins or harm our ability to obtain new long-term contracts or renewals of existing contracts on favorable terms. Additionally, some of our clients may develop their own solutions that replace the solutions they currently purchase from us or look to new technologies, which could result in lower revenue.
We believe that our D-U-N-S Number and our ability to link our data together with this unique identifier provides us with a strategic advantage by allowing for a global, end-to-end assessment of businesses throughout the world. However, some of our competitors and clients utilize their own unique identifiers, and clients have and may continue to adopt alternative standards to our D-U-N-S Number and stop using our solutions. For example, the General Services Administration announced in 2019 that it would transition away from the D-U-N-S Number for entity validation purposes and use a new entity identifier. In addition, public and commercial sources of free or relatively inexpensive business information have become increasingly available and this trend is expected to continue. To the extent the availability of free or relatively inexpensive business information increases, the demand for some of our solutions may decrease. If more clients adopt alternative standards to the D-U-N-S Number or look to these other sources of data, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We also expect that there will be significant competition as we expand our business, and we may not be able to compete effectively against current and future competitors. If we are unable to compete successfully, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Our brand and reputation are key assets and a competitive advantage, and our business may be affected by how we are perceived in the marketplace.
Our brand and reputation are key assets of our business and a competitive advantage. Our ability to attract and retain clients is highly dependent upon the external perceptions of our level of data quality, effective provision of solutions, business practices, including the actions of our employees, third-party providers, members of the WWN and other brand licensees, some of which may not be consistent with our policies and standards. Negative perception or publicity regarding these matters could damage our reputation with clients and the public, which could make it difficult for us to attract and maintain clients. Adverse developments with respect to our industry may also, by association, negatively impact our reputation, or result in higher regulatory or legislative scrutiny. Negative perceptions or publicity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our international operations and our ability to expand our operations outside the United States are subject to economic, political and other inherent risks.
We derive a portion of our revenues from clients outside the United States, and it is our intent to continue to expand our international operations. We have sales and technical support personnel in numerous countries worldwide. Expansion in international markets will require significant resources and management attention and will subject us to increased regulatory, economic and political risks.
The solutions we offer in developed and emerging markets must match our clients' demand for those solutions. Due to price, limited purchasing power and differences in the development of our solutions, our solutions may not be accepted in any particular developed or emerging market, and our international expansion efforts may not be successful. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by a variety of factors arising out of international commerce, some of which are beyond our control. These factors include:
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For example, we self-reported certain payments and expenses made by two Chinese subsidiaries that may have been in violation of the FCPA. In April 2018, we agreed with the SEC to pay $9.2 million to resolve the FCPA charges arising from such actions. As we continue to expand internationally, our success will partially depend on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks. Our failure to manage these risks could have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Data security and integrity are critically important to our business, and cybersecurity incidents, including cyberattacks, breaches of security, unauthorized access to or disclosure of confidential information, business disruption, or the perception that confidential information is not secure, could result in a material loss of business, regulatory enforcement, substantial legal liability and/or significant harm to our reputation.
We collect, store and transmit a large amount of confidential company information on over 360 million total businesses as of March 31, 2020, including financial information and personal information. We operate in an environment of significant risk of cybersecurity incidents resulting from unintentional events or deliberate attacks by third parties or insiders, which may involve exploiting highly obscure security vulnerabilities or sophisticated attack methods. These cyberattacks can take many forms, but they typically have one or more of the following objectives, among others:
We have experienced and expect to continue to experience numerous attempts to access our computer systems, software, networks, data and other technology assets on a daily basis. The security and protection of our data is a top priority for us. We devote significant resources to maintain and regularly upgrade the wide array of physical, technical, operational, and contractual safeguards that we employ to provide security around the collection, storage, use, access and delivery of information we have in our possession. Despite our physical security, implementation of technical controls and contractual precautions to identify, detect and prevent the unauthorized access to and alteration and disclosure of our data, we cannot be certain that third party systems that have access to our systems will not be compromised or disrupted in the future, whether as a result of criminal conduct or other advanced, deliberate attacks by malicious actors, including hackers, nation states and criminals, breaches due to employee error or malfeasance, or other disruptions during the process of upgrading or replacing computer software or hardware, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures or natural disasters or other catastrophic events. Due to the sensitive nature of the information we collect, store and transmit, it is not unusual for efforts to occur (coordinated or otherwise) by unauthorized persons to attempt to obtain access to our systems or data, or to inhibit our ability to deliver products or services to a consumer or a business client.
We must continually monitor and develop our information technology networks and infrastructure to prevent, detect, address and mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses and other events that could have a security impact. The preventive actions we take to address cybersecurity risk, including protection of our systems and networks, may be insufficient to repel or mitigate the effects of cyberattacks as it may not always be possible to anticipate, detect or recognize threats to our
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systems, or to implement effective preventive measures against all cybersecurity risks. This is because, among other things:
Although we have not incurred material losses or liabilities to date as a result of any breaches, unauthorized disclosure, loss or corruption of our data or inability of our clients to access our systems, such events could disrupt our operations, subject us to substantial regulatory and legal proceedings and potential liability and fines, result in a material loss of business and/or significantly harm our reputation.
We may not be able to immediately address the consequences of a cybersecurity incident because a successful breach of our computer systems, software, networks or other technology assets could occur and persist for an extended period of time before being detected due to, among other things:
The extent of a particular cybersecurity incident and the steps that we may need to take to investigate it may not be immediately clear, and it may take a significant amount of time before such an investigation can be completed and full and reliable information about the incident is known. While such an investigation is ongoing, we may not necessarily know the extent of the harm or how best to remediate it, and certain errors or actions could be repeated or compounded before they are discovered and remediated, any or all of which could further increase the costs and consequences of a cybersecurity incident.
Due to concerns about data security and integrity, a growing number of legislative and regulatory bodies have adopted breach notification and other requirements in the event that information subject to such laws is accessed by unauthorized persons and additional regulations regarding the use, access, accuracy and security of such data are possible. In the United States, we are subject to laws that provide for at least 50 disparate notification regimes. Complying with such numerous and complex regulations in the event of unauthorized access would be expensive and difficult, and failure to comply with these regulations could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and additional liability.
If we are unable to protect our computer systems, software, networks, data and other technology assets it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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A failure in the integrity of our data or the systems upon which we rely could harm our brand and result in a loss of sales and an increase in legal claims.
The reliability of our solutions is dependent upon the integrity of the data in our global databases. We utilize single source providers in certain countries to support the needs of our clients globally and rely on members of our WWN to provide local data in certain countries. A failure in the integrity of our databases, or an inability to ensure that our usage of data is consistent with any terms or restrictions on such use, whether inadvertently or through the actions of a third party, could harm us by exposing us to client or third-party claims or by causing a loss of client confidence in our solutions. For example, we license data from third parties for inclusion in the data solutions that we sell to our clients, and while we have guidelines and quality control requirements in place, we do not have absolute control over such third parties' data collection and compliance practices. We may experience an increase in risks to the integrity of our databases as we acquire content through the acquisition of companies with existing databases that may not be of the same quality or integrity as our existing databases.
In addition, there are continuous improvements in computer hardware, network operating systems, programming tools, programming languages, operating systems, data matching, data filtering and other database technologies and the use of the internet as well as emergence of new technologies. These improvements, as well as changes in client preferences or regulatory requirements or transitions to non-traditional or free data sources or new technologies, may require changes in the technology used to gather and process our data and deliver our solutions. Further, we rely on third-party technology contractors that have extensive knowledge of our systems and database technologies. The loss of these third-party contractors could negatively affect our ability to maintain and improve our systems. Our success will depend, in part, upon our ability to:
We may not successfully implement new technologies, cause clients or data suppliers to implement compatible technologies or adapt our technology to evolving client, regulatory and competitive requirements. If we fail to respond, or fail to cause our clients or data suppliers to respond, to changes in technology, regulatory requirements or client preferences, the demand for our solutions, the delivery of our solutions or our market reputation could be adversely affected. Additionally, our failure to implement important updates or the loss of key third-party technology consultants could affect our ability to successfully meet the timeline for us to generate cost savings resulting from our investments in improved technology. Failure to achieve any of these objectives would impede our ability to deliver strong financial results.
Although we are continually evolving the systems upon which we rely to sustain delivery of our solutions, meet client demands and support the development of new solutions and technologies, certain of our existing infrastructure is comprised of complex legacy technology that requires time and investment to upgrade without disruption to the business. We have in the past been subject to client and third-party complaints and lawsuits regarding our data, which have occasionally been resolved by the payment of monetary damages. We have also licensed, and we may license in the future, proprietary rights to third parties. While we attempt to ensure that the quality of our brand is maintained by the third parties to whom we grant such licenses and by clients, they may take actions that could materially adversely affect the value of our proprietary rights or our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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If we experience system failures, personnel disruptions or capacity constraints, the delivery of our solutions to our clients could be delayed or interrupted, which could harm our business and reputation and result in the loss of revenues or clients.
Our ability to provide reliable service largely depends on our ability to maintain the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer network, systems and data centers, some of which have been outsourced to third-party providers. In addition, we generate a significant amount of our revenues through channels that are dependent on links to telecommunications providers. Our systems, personnel and operations could be exposed to damage or interruption from fire, natural disasters, power loss, war, terrorist acts, civil disobedience, telecommunication failures, computer viruses, DDoS attacks or human error. We may not have sufficient redundant operations to cover a loss or failure of our systems in a timely manner. Any significant interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We could lose our access to data sources, which could prevent us from providing our solutions.
Our solutions depend extensively upon continued access to and receipt of data from external sources, including data received from clients, strategic partners and various government and public records repositories. In some cases, we compete with our data providers. Our data providers could stop providing data, provide untimely data or increase the costs for their data for a variety of reasons, including a perception that our systems are unsecure as a result of a data security incidents, budgetary constraints, a desire to generate additional revenue or for regulatory or competitive reasons. For example, the ability of our data providers to process and analyze such data may be constrained by government mandates to work remotely. We could also become subject to increased legislative, regulatory or judicial restrictions or mandates on the collection, disclosure or use or transfer of such data, in particular if such data is not collected by our providers in a way that allows us to legally use the data or cannot be transferred out of the country where it has been collected. We may not be successful in maintaining our relationships with these external data source providers or be able to continue to obtain data from them on acceptable terms or at all. Furthermore, we may not able to obtain data from alternative sources if our current sources become unavailable. If we were to lose access to this external data or if our access or use were restricted or were to become less economical or desirable, our ability to provide solutions could be negatively impacted, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We use software vendors and network and cloud providers in our business and if they cannot deliver or perform as expected or if our relationships with them are terminated or otherwise change it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to provide solutions to our clients requires that we work with certain third party providers, including software vendors and network and cloud providers, and depends on such third parties meeting our expectations in both timeliness, quality, quantity and economics. Our third party suppliers may be unable to meet such expectations due to a number of factors, including due to factors attributable to the COVID-19 global pandemic. We might incur significant additional liabilities if the services provided by these third parties do not meet our expectations, if they terminate or refuse to renew their relationships with us or if they were to offer their services to us on less advantageous terms. In addition, while there are backup systems in many of our operating facilities, we may experience an extended outage of network services supplied by these vendors or providers that could impair our ability to deliver our solutions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We rely on our relationships with key long-term clients, business partners and government contracts for a substantial part of our revenue, the diminution or termination of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have long-standing relationships with a number of our clients, many of whom renew their contracts with us annually, which provides our clients with the opportunity to renegotiate their contracts with us, award more business to our competitors or utilize alternative data sources. We also provide our data and solutions to business partners who may combine them with their own and other brands and services and sell them to clients. Such business partners may terminate their agreements with us and compete with us by selling our data or solutions to our clients. We may not retain or renew existing agreements, maintain relationships with any of our clients or business partners on acceptable terms or at all, or collect amounts owed to us from insolvent clients or business partners.
Market competition, business requirements, financial condition and consolidation through mergers or acquisitions, could also adversely affect our ability to continue or expand our relationships with our clients and business partners. There has been, and we expect there will continue to be, merger, acquisition and consolidation activity among our clients. If our clients merge with, or are acquired by, other entities that are not our clients, or that use fewer of our solutions, our revenue may be adversely impacted. Industry consolidation could also affect the base of recurring transaction-based revenue if consolidated clients combine their operations under one contract, since most of our contracts provide for volume discounts. In addition, our existing clients might leave certain geographic markets, which would no longer require them to purchase certain solutions from us and, consequently, we would generate less revenue than we currently expect.
Further, we derive a portion of our revenue from direct and indirect sales to U.S., state, local and foreign governments and their respective agencies and our competitors are increasingly targeting such governmental agencies as potential clients. Such government contracts are subject to various procurement or other laws and regulations, as well as contractual provisions, and violations could result in the imposition of various civil and criminal penalties, termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, or suspension of future government contracting. In addition, these entities may require license terms that we are unwilling to agree to (e.g., open data rights). As such, we may lose government clients to our competitors, our government contracts may be terminated or not be renewed or we may be suspended from government work or the ability to compete for new contracts.
The loss or diminution of one or more of our key clients, business partners or government contracts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend, in part, on strategic alliances, joint ventures and acquisitions to grow our business. If we are unable to make strategic acquisitions and develop and maintain these strategic alliances and joint ventures, our growth may be adversely affected.
An important focus of our business is to identify business partners who can enhance our solutions and enable us to develop solutions that differentiate us from our competitors. We have entered into several alliance agreements or license agreements with respect to certain of our datasets and solutions and may enter into similar agreements in the future. These arrangements may require us to restrict our use of certain of our solutions among certain client industries, or to grant licenses on terms that ultimately may prove to be unfavorable to us, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Relationships with our alliance agreement partners may include risks due to incomplete information regarding the marketplace and commercial strategies of our partners, and our alliance agreements or other licensing agreements may be the subject of contractual disputes. If we or our alliance agreements' partners are not successful in maintaining or commercializing the alliance agreements' solutions, such commercial failure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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In addition, a significant strategy for our international expansion is to establish operations through strategic alliances or joint ventures, including through our WWN. These arrangements may not be successful and our relationships with our partners may not be mutually beneficial. For example, some of our WWN alliances may limit our ability to expand our international operations if one of our WWN alliances already covers a particular geography. In addition, the terms of such relationships may restrict us from doing business in certain territories other than through such alliances or ventures, and we may be restricted in our ability to terminate such arrangements quickly if they no longer prove beneficial to us. Moreover, our ownership in and control of our foreign investments may be limited by local law. If these relationships cannot be established or maintained, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property adequately or cost-effectively, which may cause us to lose market share or force us to reduce our prices. We also rely on trade secrets and other forms of unpatented intellectual property that may be difficult to protect.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to protect and preserve the proprietary aspects of our technology and solutions such as our proprietary software and databases. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, including trade secrets and other unpatented intellectual property, our competitors could use our intellectual property to market and deliver similar solutions, decreasing the demand for our solutions. We rely on the patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other intellectual property laws of the United States and other countries, as well as contractual restrictions, such as nondisclosure agreements, to protect and control access to our proprietary intellectual property. These measures afford limited protection, however, in particular in regard to protection of databases, and may be inadequate. Moreover, much of the data contained in our databases is not proprietary to us. We may be unable to prevent third parties from using our proprietary assets without our authorization or from breaching any contractual restrictions with us. Enforcing our rights could be costly, time-consuming, distracting and harmful to significant business relationships. Claims that a third party illegally obtained and is using trade secrets can be difficult to prove, and courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets or other intellectual property rights. Additionally, others may independently develop non-infringing technologies that are similar or superior to ours. Any significant failure or inability to adequately protect and control our proprietary assets may harm our business and reduce our ability to compete.
We may face claims for intellectual property infringement, which could subject us to monetary damages or limit us in using some of our technologies or providing certain solutions.
There has been substantial litigation in the United States regarding intellectual property rights in the information technology industry. We may face claims that we infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties, including the intellectual property rights of third parties in other countries, which could result in a liability to us. Historically, patent applications in the United States and some foreign countries have not been publicly disclosed until 18 months following submission of the patent application, and we may not be aware of currently filed patent applications that relate to our solutions or processes. If patents are later issued on these applications, we may be liable for infringement. In the event that claims are asserted against us, we may be required to obtain licenses from third parties (if available on acceptable terms or at all). Any such claims, regardless of merit, could be time consuming and expensive to litigate or settle, divert the attention of management and materially disrupt the conduct of our business, and we may not prevail. Intellectual property infringement claims against us could subject us to liability for damages and restrict us from providing solutions or require changes to certain solutions. Although our policy is to obtain licenses or other rights where necessary, we may not have obtained all required licenses or rights. If a successful claim of infringement is brought against us and we fail to develop non-infringing solutions, or to obtain licenses on a timely and cost-effective basis, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We are subject to subscription and payment processing risk from our third-party vendors and any disruption to such processing systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on a third-party subscription management platform to process the subscription plans and billing frequencies of our clients. In addition, we rely primarily on third parties for credit card payment processing services. If these third-party vendors were to experience an interruption, delay or outages in service and availability, we may be unable to process new and renewing subscriptions or credit card payments. Furthermore, if these third-party vendors experience a cybersecurity breach affecting data related to services provided to us, we could experience reputational damage or incur liability. Although alternative providers may be available to us, we may incur significant expense and research and development efforts to deploy any alternative providers. To the extent there are disruptions in our or third-party subscription and payment processing systems, we could experience revenue loss, accounting issues and harm to our reputation and client relationships, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
When we engage in acquisitions, investments in new businesses or divestitures of existing businesses, we will face risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Acquisitions are part of our growth strategy. We may acquire or make investments in businesses that offer new or complementary solutions and technologies. Acquisitions may not be completed on favorable terms and acquired assets, data or businesses may not be successfully integrated into our operations. Any acquisitions or investments will include risks commonly encountered in acquisitions of businesses, including:
Any divestitures will be accompanied by the risks commonly encountered in the sale of businesses, which may include:
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These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, particularly if they occur in the context of a significant acquisition or divestiture. Acquisitions of businesses having a significant presence outside the United States will increase our exposure to the risks of conducting operations in international markets.
Our senior leadership team is critical to our continued success, and the loss of such personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our future success substantially depends on the continued service and performance of the members of our senior leadership team. These personnel possess business and technical capabilities that are difficult to replace. We have attempted to mitigate this risk by entering into employment contracts with the members of our senior management operating team and providing long-term incentive compensation with multi-year vesting provisions. If we lose key members of our senior management operating team or are unable to effect smooth transitions from one executive to another as part of our succession plan, we may not be able to effectively manage our current operations or meet ongoing and future business challenges, and this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to attract and retain the skilled employees that we need to support our business.
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain experienced management, sales, research and development, analytics, marketing and technical support personnel. If any of our key personnel were unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, it may be difficult to replace them and our business could be seriously harmed. If we are unable to find qualified successors to fill key positions as needed, our business could be seriously harmed. The complexity of our solutions requires trained client service and technical support personnel. We may not be able to hire and retain such qualified personnel at compensation levels consistent with our compensation structure. Some of our competitors may be able to offer more attractive terms of employment. In addition, we invest significant time and expense in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expense replacing employees and our ability to provide quality solutions could diminish, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of our executive officers and directors have or will have interests and positions that could present potential conflicts and demands on their time.
We are party to a variety of related party agreements and relationships with our Investor Consortium or their affiliates. Our Chief Executive Officer, Anthony M. Jabbour, also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Black Knight, which may require him to devote a significant amount of time to Black Knight. Five of our eight directors, including Messrs. Foley, Jabbour, Hagerty, Massey and Rao also serve on the board of directors of Black Knight. Mr. Foley also serves as Chairman of the board of directors of Cannae and our director Richard N. Massey serves as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Cannae.
As a result of the foregoing, there may be circumstances where Mr. Jabbour, Mr. Foley and certain of our other directors may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to, among other things: (i) our ongoing or future relationships with members or affiliates of the Investor Consortium, including any related party agreements; (ii) the quality, pricing and other terms associated with services that we provide to members or affiliates of the Investor Consortium, or that they provide to us, under related
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party agreements that we may have now or in the future; (iii) business opportunities arising for any of us, members or affiliates of the Investor Consortium; and (iv) conflicts of time with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us.
We have in place a code of conduct prescribing procedures for managing conflicts of interest. Our chief compliance officer and audit committee take responsibility for the review, approval or ratification of any potential conflicts of interest transactions. Additionally, we expect that interested directors will abstain from decisions with respect to conflicts of interest as a matter of practice. However, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective, that we will be able to resolve all potential conflicts or that the resolution of any such conflicts will be no less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated third party. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."
Certain estimates of market opportunity, forecasts of market growth and our operating metrics included in this prospectus may prove to be inaccurate.
Market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate. The estimates and forecasts in this prospectus relating to the size and expected growth of our target market may prove to be inaccurate. Even if the markets in which we compete meet the size estimates and growth forecasted in this prospectus, our business could fail to grow at similar rates, if at all. For more information regarding the estimates of market opportunity and the forecasts of market growth included in this prospectus, see "BusinessOur Market Opportunity."
We are subject to various governmental regulations, laws and orders, compliance with which may cause us to incur significant expenses or reduce the availability or effectiveness of our solutions, and the failure to comply with which could subject us to civil or criminal penalties or other liabilities.
We are subject to various government regulations, such as the Federal Trade Commission Act ("FTC Act") in the United States, the GDPR in the United Kingdom and various other international, federal, state and local laws and regulations. See "BusinessRegulatory Matters" for a description of select regulatory regimes to which we are subject. These laws and regulations, which generally are designed to protect the privacy of information relating to individuals and to prevent the unauthorized collection, access to and use of personal or confidential information available in the marketplace and prohibit certain deceptive and unfair acts, are complex and have tended to become more stringent over time. Further, these laws and regulations may change or be interpreted and applied differently over time and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and it is possible they will be interpreted and applied in ways that will materially and adversely affect our business. For example, several U.S. states have recently introduced and passed legislation to expand data security breach notification rules and to expand the scope of privacy protections provided. We already incur significant expenses in our attempt to ensure compliance with these laws.
Some of these state laws are intended to provide consumers (including sole proprietors) with greater transparency and control over their personal data. For example, the CCPA, which became effective January 1, 2020, applies to certain businesses that collect personal information from California residents, provides for penalties for noncompliance of up to $7,500 per violation, and establishes several rights for California residents, including a right to know what personal information is being collected about them and whether and to whom it is sold, a right to access their personal information and have it deleted, a right to opt out of the sale of their personal information and a right to equal service and price regardless of exercise of these rights. The final CCPA regulations were filed by the Office of the California Attorney General with the California Office of Administrative Law on June 1, 2020 and will not likely be effective until after July 1, 2020. The effects of this legislation potentially are far-reaching, requiring us to register as a data broker and requiring us to modify our data processing practices and policies with attendant costs and expenses in order to comply.
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The following legal and regulatory developments also could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations:
Changes in applicable legislation or regulations that restrict or dictate how we collect, maintain, combine and disseminate information could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In the future, we may be subject to significant additional expense to ensure continued compliance with applicable laws and regulations and to investigate, defend or remedy actual or alleged violations. Moreover, our compliance with privacy laws and regulations and our reputation depend in part on our clients' and business partners' adherence to privacy laws and regulations and their use of our solutions in ways consistent with client expectations and regulatory requirements. Businesses today are under intense scrutiny to comply with an ever-expanding and evolving set of data regulatory requirements, which can vary by geography and industry served. As such, performing adequate diligence on clients and suppliers can be cumbersome and dampen the pace of their business expansion or leave a business exposed to fines and penalties. Further, certain of the laws and regulations governing our business are subject to interpretation by judges, juries and administrative entities, creating substantial uncertainty for our business. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new laws or regulations may have on our business.
Current and future litigation, investigations or other actions against us could be costly and time consuming to defend.
We are from time to time subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, such as claims brought by our clients in connection with commercial disputes, defamation claims by subjects of our reporting, employment claims made by our current or former employees and regulatory investigations or other proceedings by state and federal regulators. We are currently responding to a second civil investigative demand from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") that we received in September 2019 in relation to an investigation by the FTC into potential violations of Section 5 of the FTC Act, primarily concerning our credit managing and monitoring products, such as CreditBuilder. This and other regulatory investigations may result in the assessment of fines for violations of laws or regulations or settlements resulting in a variety of remedies. While we have been working, and will continue to work, cooperatively with the FTC, the matter is ongoing and we cannot predict the outcome at this time.
We may incur material costs and expenses in connection with any investigations or claims, including but not limited to fines or penalties and legal costs, or be subject to other remedies, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Insurance may not cover such investigations and claims, may not be sufficient for one or more such investigations and claims and may not continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. An investigation or claim brought against us that is uninsured or underinsured could result in unanticipated costs, management distraction or reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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If we experience changes in tax laws or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our tax returns, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to federal, state and local income and other taxes in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions. From time to time U.S. federal, state, local and foreign governments make substantive changes to tax rules and the application thereof, which could result in materially different corporate taxes than would be incurred under existing tax law or interpretation and could adversely impact profitability. Governments have strengthened their efforts to increase revenues through changes in tax law, including laws regarding transfer pricing, economic presence and apportionment to determine the tax base.
Consequently, significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. Our future effective tax rates and the value of our deferred tax assets could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws. In addition, we are subject to the examination of our income tax returns and other tax authorities in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from such examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes and reserves for other taxes. Although we believe we have made appropriate provisions for taxes in the jurisdictions in which we operate, changes in tax laws, or challenges from tax authorities under existing tax laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
On December 22, 2017, a law commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Act") was enacted in the United States. Among other things, the 2017 Act reduces the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21 percent and implements a new system of taxation for non-U.S. earnings, including by imposing a one-time tax on the deemed repatriation of undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries. In the absence of guidance on various uncertainties and ambiguities in the application of certain provisions of the 2017 Act, we have used what we believe are reasonable interpretations and assumptions in applying the 2017 Act, but it is possible that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or the Financial Accounting Standards Board could issue subsequent guidance or take positions that differ from our prior interpretations and assumptions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have recorded a substantial amount of goodwill as a result of the Take-Private Transaction, and an economic downturn could cause the goodwill to become impaired, requiring write-downs that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations.
Goodwill recorded on our balance sheet was $2,850.8, or approximately 31.1% of our total assets, as of March 31, 2020. We are required to test goodwill and any other intangible assets with an indefinite life for possible impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis if there are indicators of a possible impairment. We are also required to evaluate amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment for impairment if there are indicators of a possible impairment.
There is significant judgment required in the analysis of a potential impairment of goodwill, identified intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. If, as a result of a general economic slowdown, deterioration in one or more of the markets in which we operate or impairment in our financial performance and/or future outlook, the estimated fair value of our long-lived assets decreases, we may determine that one or more of our long-lived assets is impaired. An impairment charge would be determined based on the estimated fair value of the assets and any such impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our pension plans are subject to financial market risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have significant pension plan assets and funding obligations. The performance of the financial and capital markets impacts our plan expenses and funding obligations. Decreases in market interest
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rates, decreases in the fair value of plan assets and investment losses on plan assets will increase our funding obligations, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to losses from risks for which we do not insure.
For certain risks, we do not maintain insurance coverage because of cost and/or availability. Because we retain some portion of insurable risks, and in some cases retain our risk of loss completely, unforeseen or catastrophic losses in excess of insured limits could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our substantial indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and our ability to operate our business or react to changes in the economy or our industry, prevent us from fulfilling our obligations and could divert our cash flow from operations for debt payments.
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which require significant interest and principal payments. As of March 31, 2020, after giving effect to this offering and the application of our estimated net proceeds therefrom, we would have had $3,760.1 million in total indebtedness outstanding, consisting of term loan borrowings (the "New Term Loan Facility") and revolving credit facility borrowings (the "New Revolving Facility") under our senior secured credit facilities (the "New Senior Secured Credit Facilities") and our senior secured and unsecured notes (the "New Notes"). In addition, subject to the limitations contained in the credit agreements governing our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indentures governing our New Notes, we may be able to incur substantial additional debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions or for other purposes. If we do so, the risks related to our high level of debt could increase. This substantial amount of indebtedness could have important consequences to us, including the following:
For additional information, see "Description of Material Indebtedness."
Despite our indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial leverage.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness. Although the agreements governing our indebtedness contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional
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indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness that may be incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Further, the restrictions in such agreements do not prevent us from incurring obligations, such as trade payables, that do not constitute indebtedness as defined in such debt instruments.
We are a holding company and rely on dividends, distributions and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.
We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own. As a result, we are largely dependent upon cash transfers in the form of intercompany loans and receivables from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations. The deterioration of the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries for any reason also could limit or impair their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
We may be unable to service our indebtedness.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, depends on and is subject to our financial and operating performance, which in turn is affected by general and regional economic, financial, competitive, business and other factors and reimbursement actions of governmental and commercial payors, all of which are beyond our control, including the availability of financing in the international banking and capital markets. Lower net revenues before provision for uncollectibles, or higher provision for uncollectibles, generally will reduce our cash flow. We may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, realize anticipated cost savings and operating improvements or be able to borrow sufficient funds to service or refinance our indebtedness or fund our other liquidity needs.
If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or to fund our other liquidity needs, we will need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, which could cause us to default on our debt obligations and impair our liquidity. Our ability to restructure or refinance our indebtedness will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants that could further restrict our business operations.
Moreover, in the event of a default, the holders of our indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The lenders under the New Revolving Facility could also elect to terminate their commitments thereunder, cease making further loans, and institute foreclosure proceedings against their collateral, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we breach our covenants under the credit facilities, we would be in default thereunder. The lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
The agreements governing our indebtedness impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, which may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies and capitalize on business opportunities.
The agreements governing our indebtedness each impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to, among other things:
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As a result of these restrictions, we are limited as to how we conduct our business, and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants.
Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above as well as other terms of our indebtedness and/or the terms of any future indebtedness from time to time could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or cannot refinance these borrowings, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Description of Material Indebtedness."
A decline in our operating results or available cash could cause us to experience difficulties in complying with covenants contained in more than one agreement, which could result in bankruptcy or liquidation.
If we were to sustain a decline in our operating results or available cash, we could experience difficulties in complying with the financial covenants contained in our credit agreements. The failure to comply with such covenants could result in an event of default and by reason of cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions, other indebtedness may then become immediately due and payable. In addition, should an event of default occur, the lenders of such debt could elect to terminate their commitments thereunder, cease making loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may need to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our credit facilities to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our credit facilities and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we would be in default, the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
The interest rates of loans under our Credit Agreement are priced using a spread over LIBOR.
LIBOR, the London interbank offered rate, is the basic rate of interest used in lending between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. We typically use LIBOR as a reference rate for the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities under our Credit Agreement such that the interest due to the applicable lenders with respect to a term loan or revolving loan under our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities is calculated using LIBOR plus an applicable spread above LIBOR. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear whether or not new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing U.S. Dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities. If LIBOR ceases to be available, we may seek to amend the Credit Agreement to replace LIBOR with a new standard to the extent one is established. At this time, due to a lack of consensus as to what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on our liquidity, interest expense, or the value of the New Term Loan Facility or New Revolving Facility.
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Risks Related to Our Initial Public Offering and Ownership of Our Common Stock
An active, liquid trading market for our common stock may never develop or be sustained.
We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol "DNB." However, we cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our company will lead to the development of an active trading market or how liquid that market may become. If an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling any of our shares that you purchase. The initial public offering price of our common stock will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters, and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail after the completion of this offering. The market price of our common stock may decline below the initial public offering price, and you may not be able to resell your shares at, or above, the initial public offering price.
The price of our common stock may be volatile and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Securities markets worldwide have experienced in the past, and are likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions could reduce the market price of our common stock, regardless of our results of operations. The trading price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, including, among other things, the risk factors described herein and other factors beyond our control. Factors affecting the trading price of our common stock could include:
These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for shares of our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock sometimes have
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instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. Securities litigation against us, regardless of the merits or outcome, could result in substantial costs and divert the time and attention of our management from our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish inaccurate or negative reports, our stock price could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced in part by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our company, the trading price for our stock would be negatively impacted. If we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage and one or more of these analysts initiate research with an unfavorable rating or downgrade our common stock, provide a more favorable recommendation about our competitors, publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business or cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease significantly.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market following this offering and the concurrent private placement by our existing stockholders or by persons who acquire shares in this offering and the concurrent private placement may cause the market price of our common stock to decrease significantly.
In connection with this offering and the concurrent private placement, our officers, directors and holders of substantially all of our outstanding common stock entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters of this offering that, subject to certain exceptions, prohibit the signing party from selling, contracting to sell or otherwise disposing of any common stock or securities that are convertible or exchangeable for common stock or entering into any arrangement that transfers the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock for a period of up to 180 days from the date of this prospectus filed in connection with this offering and the concurrent private placement, although the representatives of the underwriters may, in their sole discretion and at any time without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements. Upon a request to release any shares subject to a lock-up, the representatives of the underwriters would consider the particular circumstances surrounding the request including, but not limited to, the length of time before the lock-up expires, the number of shares requested to be released, reasons for the request, the possible impact on the market for our common stock and whether the holder of our shares requesting the release is an officer, director or other affiliate of ours.
Additionally, following the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, our Investor Consortium will collectively beneficially own approximately 65.8% of our common stock (or approximately 64.2% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). We expect to enter into a registration rights agreement with our Investor Consortium pursuant to which they will have the right to demand that we register shares of common stock held by them under the Securities Act and that we include any such shares in any registration statement that we file with the SEC, subject to certain exceptions. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsRegistration Rights Agreement." If the shares of common stock held by our Investor Consortium are registered for resale pursuant to such registration rights agreement, they will be freely tradeable. In the event such registration rights are exercised and a large number of shares of our common stock are sold in the public market, such sales could reduce the trading price of our common stock.
Further, we intend to adopt an equity incentive plan pursuant to which stock options to purchase shares of common stock and other stock-based awards are anticipated to be issued from time to time to
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our officers, directors, consultants and key employees. We also intend to adopt an employee stock purchase plan in connection with this offering. We intend to file registration statements registering under the Securities Act 40,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plan and 3,000,000 shares under the employees stock purchase plan.
As restrictions on resale expire or as shares are registered, our share price could drop significantly if the holders of these restricted or newly registered shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, might also make it more difficult for us to raise capital through the sale of equity securities at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.
See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" for a more detailed description of the shares that will be available for future sales upon completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and have no current plans to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. As a result of our current dividend policy, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock unless you sell our common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it. Any future determination to declare and pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash dividends from our operating subsidiaries, which may further restrict our ability to pay dividends as a result of the laws of their jurisdiction of organization or agreements of our subsidiaries, including agreements governing our indebtedness. For more information, see "Dividend Policy."
Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our directors will not be liable to us or any stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty, except (i) for acts that breach his or her duty of loyalty to the company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions without good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The bylaws also require us, if so requested, to advance expenses that such director or officer incurred in defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, provided that such person will return any such advance if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification by us. Any claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.
Members of the Investor Consortium intend to enter into a letter agreement, pursuant to which certain members of the Investor Consortium or their respective affiliates agree, for three years following the date hereof, to vote all of their shares in all matters related to the election of directors, including to elect five individuals to our board of directors, and it is possible the interests of the Investor Consortium may conflict with your interests.
In connection with this offering, the members of the Investor Consortium intend to enter into a voting letter agreement. Members of the Investor Consortium will collectively hold more than 50% of the voting power of our common stock following this offering and the concurrent private placement.
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Pursuant to the letter agreement for three years following the date hereof, Bilcar, THL, Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital (or their applicable affiliates) agree to vote all of their shares in all matters related to the election of directors, including to elect five individuals to our board of directors at each of the next shareholder meetings through the 2023 shareholder meeting at which such individuals are eligible for election. See "ManagementBoard of Directors." As a result, it is possible that the interests of the Investor Consortium may in some circumstances conflict with our interests and the interests of our other stockholders.
We will elect to take advantage of the "controlled company" exemption to the corporate governance rules for publicly listed companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
Because we qualify as a "controlled company" under the corporate governance rules for publicly-listed companies, we are not required to have a majority of our board be independent under the applicable rules of the NYSE, nor are we required to have a compensation committee or a corporate governance and nominating committee comprised entirely of independent directors. In light of our status as a controlled company, our board of directors will establish a compensation committee and a corporate governance and nominating committee that are not comprised solely of independent members at the time of the offering. In addition, our board of directors will not be composed of a majority of independent directors. Accordingly, should the interests of our Investor Consortium differ from those of other stockholders, the other stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance rules for publicly-listed companies. Our status as a controlled company could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
Our Investor Consortium can significantly influence our business and affairs and may have conflicts of interest with us in the future.
Following the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, our Investor Consortium will collectively own approximately 65.8% of our common stock (or approximately 64.2% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). As a result, the members of the Investor Consortium have the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval of stockholders, including the election of directors, mergers and takeover offers, regardless of whether others believe that approval of those matters is in our best interests.
In addition, the members of the Investor Consortium are in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. One or more of the members of the Investor Consortium may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. So long as the Investor Consortium, or funds controlled by or associated with the Investor Consortium, continue to own a significant amount of the outstanding shares of our common stock, even if such amount is less than 50%, the Investor Consortium will continue to be able to strongly influence us. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that none of the members of the Investor Consortium or any of their affiliates will have any duty to refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which we or our affiliates now engage or propose to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with us or our affiliates. See "Description of Capital StockCommon StockCorporate Opportunities."
If you purchase shares of our common stock in our initial public offering, you will experience substantial and immediate dilution.
The initial public offering price per share is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement. As a result, you will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the book value of our assets after subtracting
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the book value of our liabilities. Based on our net tangible book value deficit of $16.99 per share as of March 31, 2020, and the initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution in the amount of $32.27 per share. See "Dilution."
As a public company, we may expend additional time and resources to comply with rules and regulations that do not currently apply to us, and failure to comply with such rules may lead investors to lose confidence in our financial data.
As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and regulations of the NYSE. We will have to establish procedures and practices required as a public company. Establishing such procedures and practices will increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs, will make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly and could be burdensome on our personnel, systems and resources. We will devote significant resources to address these public company requirements, including compliance programs and investor relations, as well as our financial reporting obligations. As a result, we have and will continue to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not previously incur to comply with these rules and regulations. Furthermore, the need to establish the corporate infrastructure necessary for a public company may divert some of management's attention from operating our business and implementing our strategy. However, the measures we take may not be sufficient to satisfy our obligations as a public company. In addition, we may incur significant costs in order to comply with these requirements.
In particular, as a public company, our management will be required to conduct an annual evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting and include a report of management on our internal controls in our annual reports on Form 10-K. In addition, we will be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting beginning with our second annual report on Form 10-K we file with the SEC following this offering and the concurrent private placement. We have made, and will continue to make, changes to our internal controls and procedures for financial reporting and accounting systems to meet our reporting obligations. If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting, or if our registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an attestation and an unqualified report as to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock.
Anti-takeover protections in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws or our contractual obligations may discourage or prevent a takeover of our company, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders.
Provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, as well as provisions of the DGCL, could delay or make it more difficult to remove incumbent directors or could impede a merger, takeover or other business combination involving us or the replacement of our management, or discourage a potential investor from making a tender offer for our common stock, which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market value of our common stock, even if it would benefit our stockholders.
In addition, our board of directors has the authority to cause us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, in one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, redemption price, or prices and liquidation preferences of such series. The issuance of shares of preferred stock or the adoption of a stockholder rights plan may have the effect of delaying,
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deferring or preventing a change in control of our company without further action by the stockholders, even where stockholders are offered a premium for their shares. See "Description of Capital StockAnti-takeover Provisions."
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees, agents or other stockholders.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty or other wrongdoing by any of our directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders to us or our stockholders, (iii) action asserting a claim arising under any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or our amended and restated bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any action as to which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware within ten (10) days following such determination), in which case the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any such claims. The federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action asserting a claim arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a different judicial forum, including one that it may find favorable or convenient for a specified class of disputes with us or our directors, officers, other stockholders, or employees, which may discourage such lawsuits, make them more difficult or expensive to pursue, and result in outcomes that are less favorable to such stockholders than outcomes that may have been attainable in other jurisdictions. By agreeing to this provision, however, stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies' certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable. If a court were to find the choice of forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning the conditions of our industry and our operations, performance and financial condition, including in particular, statements relating to our business, growth strategies, product development efforts and future expenses. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance, such as those contained in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the following:
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See "Risk Factors" for a further description of these and other factors. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. If any of these risks materialize, or if any of the above assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results and developments may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. For the reasons described above, we caution you against relying on any forward-looking statements, which should also be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make such statement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or to revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless specifically expressed as such, and should be viewed as historical data.
53
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from our sale of 65,750,000 shares of common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement will be approximately $1,647.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us in connection with this offering. This assumes an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, the net proceeds to us will be approximately $1,837.3 million.
We intend to use $1,273.0 million of these net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement to redeem all of our Series A Preferred Stock that we issued in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, $342.3 million to repay a portion of our 10.250% Senior Unsecured Notes outstanding due 2027, plus to pay fees and expenses related to repayment and accrued interest and $30.0 million to make a payment to C/B Star Holdings, L.P. in connection with the waiver and termination of its anti-dilution rights in the Star Parent Partnership Agreement. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of additional indebtedness. See "Prospectus SummaryCorporate Structure" and "Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsOther Transactions."
Assuming no exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares, a $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase or decrease the net proceeds to us from this offering and the concurrent private placement by $63.1 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
An increase or decrease of one million shares of common stock sold in this offering and the concurrent private placement by us would increase or decrease, as applicable, our net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, by $19.2 million, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus.
54
On June 19, 2019, June 28, 2019, September 27, 2019, December 27, 2019 and March 27, 2020, we made aggregate dividend payments of approximately $21.3 million, $10.7 million, $32.1 million, $32.0 million and $32.0 million, respectively, to holders of our Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms thereof. We expect to make an additional aggregate dividend payment of approximately $32.0 million on June 26, 2020 to holders of our Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms thereof. We intend to use the proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our Series A Preferred Stock. See "Use of Proceeds."
We do not currently intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, in the future, subject to the factors described below and our future liquidity and capitalization, we may change this policy and choose to pay dividends.
Our ability to pay dividends is currently restricted by the terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness and may be further restricted by any future indebtedness we incur. See "Description of Material Indebtedness."
We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own. As a result, our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock is dependent upon cash dividends and distributions and other transfers from our subsidiaries.
In addition, under Delaware law, our board of directors may declare dividends only to the extent of our surplus (which is defined as total assets at fair market value minus total liabilities, minus statutory capital) or, if there is no surplus, out of our net profits for the then current and/or immediately preceding fiscal year.
Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will take into account:
See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Initial Public Offering and Ownership of Our Common StockWe do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future," "Risks Related to Our IndebtednessWe are a holding company and rely on dividends, distributions and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations," "The agreements governing our indebtedness impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, which may restrict our ability to pursue business strategies and capitalize on business opportunities," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital Resources," "Description of Material Indebtedness" and "Description of Capital Stock."
55
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of March 31, 2020 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement and the application of the net proceeds received by us from this offering and the concurrent private placement as described under "Use of Proceeds."
56
This table should be read in conjunction with "Use of Proceeds," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Description of Capital Stock" as well as the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
As of March 31, 2020 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Actual | Adjustments | As Adjusted(1) | |||||||
|
(unaudited; in millions, except share
and per share data) |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 167.6 | $ | 12.1 | $ | 179.7 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Debt: |
||||||||||
New Senior Secured Credit Facilities:(2)(3) |
||||||||||
New Revolving Facility |
$ | 200.0 | $ | | $ | 200.0 | ||||
New Term Loan Facility |
2,441.7 | | 2,441.7 | |||||||
6.875% New Senior Secured Notes due 2026(4) |
684.7 | | 684.7 | |||||||
10.250% New Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027(5) |
722.8 | (289.1 | ) | 433.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt |
$ | 4,049.2 | $ | (289.1 | ) | $ | 3,760.1 | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Series A Preferred Stock $0.001 par value per share, 1,050,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual; Liquidation preference of $1,067.9 at March 31, 2020; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, as adjusted(6) |
$ | 1,032.8 | $ | (1,032.8 | ) | $ | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholder equity: |
||||||||||
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, 2,000,000,000 authorized, actual and as adjusted; 314,494,968 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 400,549,539 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted |
$ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 25,000,000 shares authorized, actual and as adjusted; no shares issued and outstanding, actual and as adjusted(7) |
| | | |||||||
Capital surplus |
2,087.6 | 1,584.7 | 3,672.3 | |||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(500.0 | ) | (126.7 | ) | (626.7 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(26.2 | ) | | (26.2 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total stockholder equity |
1,561.4 | 1,458.0 | 3,019.4 | |||||||
Non-controlling interest |
58.1 | | 58.1 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total equity |
$ | 1,619.5 | $ | 1,458.0 | $ | 3,077.5 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total capitalization |
$ | 6,701.5 | $ | 136.1 | $ | 6,837.6 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
57
2020, our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities consisted of (i) the $2,530.0 million New Term Loan Facility with an interest rate margin of 400 basis points over the LIBOR rate that will amortize beginning June 30, 2020, in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1.00% of the original principal amount, with the balance being payable on February 8, 2026; and (ii) the New Revolving Facility, which provides for up to $400.0 million of revolving extensions of credit outstanding any time until February 8, 2024 with an interest rate margin of 350 basis points over the LIBOR rate. As of March 31, 2020, we had $200.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the New Revolving Facility and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the New Term Loan Facility was $2,530.0 million. As of June 23, 2020, we had $52.5 million in outstanding borrowings under the New Revolving Facility. See "Description of Material Indebtedness."
58
If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock upon the consummation of this offering and the concurrent private placement. Dilution results from the fact that the per share offering price of our common stock is in excess of the book value per share attributable to new investors.
Our net tangible book deficit as of March 31, 2020 was $5,341.9 million, or $16.99 per share of common stock. Net tangible book deficit represents the amount of total tangible assets less total liabilities, and net tangible book deficit per share represents net tangible book deficit divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding. The calculation of net tangible book deficit and net tangible book deficit per share, does not include any impact of the Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock.
After giving effect to (i) the sale of 86,054,571 shares of common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement at the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus) and (ii) the application of the net proceeds from this offering, our as adjusted net tangible book deficit as of March 31, 2020 would have been $4,916.7 million, or $12.27 per share. This represents an immediate decrease in as adjusted net tangible book deficit of $4.72 per share to our existing investors and an immediate dilution in as adjusted net tangible book deficit of $32.27 per share to new investors.
The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share of common stock basis:
Assumed initial public offering price per share |
$ | 20.00 | |||||
Net tangible book deficit per share as of March 31, 2020 |
(16.99 | ) | |||||
Decrease in net tangible book deficit per share attributable to new investors |
4.72 | ||||||
| | | | | | | |
As adjusted net tangible book deficit per share after this offering |
(12.27 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Dilution per share to new investors in this offering and the concurrent private placement |
$ | 32.27 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus), would have the following effect to our as adjusted net tangible book deficit, after this offering, as adjusted net tangible book deficit per share and the dilution per share to new investors by in each case assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
|
Decrease
(increase) |
Decrease
(increase) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in millions except per share data)
|
||||||
As adjusted net tangible book deficit |
$ | 63.1 | $ | (63.1 | ) | ||
As adjusted net tangible book deficit per share |
$ | 0.15 | $ | (0.16 | ) | ||
Dilution per share to new investors |
$ | (0.85 | ) | $ | 0.84 |
A one million increase or decrease in the number of shares offered by us would have the following effect to our as adjusted net tangible book deficit, as adjusted net tangible book deficit per share, and the dilution per share to new investors in each case assuming the initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range on the cover page of this
59
prospectus remains the same, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
|
Decrease
(increase) |
Decrease
(increase) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(in millions except
for share and per share data) |
||||||
As adjusted net tangible book deficit |
$ | 19.2 | $ | (19.2 | ) | ||
As adjusted net tangible book deficit per share |
$ | 0.07 | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||
Dilution per share to new investors |
$ | 0.07 | $ | (0.08 | ) |
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of March 31, 2020, after giving effect to this offering and the concurrent private placement, the total number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total cash consideration paid to us, or to be paid, and the average price per share paid, or to be paid, by existing stockholders and new investors purchasing shares in this offering and the concurrent private placement, at an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range on the cover page of this prospectus, before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions:
|
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration |
|
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Average Price
Per Share |
|||||||||||||||
|
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | ||||||||||||
Existing stockholders |
314,494,968 | 78.5 | % | $ | 2,167.8 | 55.8 | % | $ | 6.89 | |||||||
New investors |
86,054,571 | 21.5 | % | 1,715.0 | 44.2 | % | $ | 19.93 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
400,549,539 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,882.8 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
If the underwriters were to fully exercise their option to purchase 9,862,500 additional shares of our common stock, the percentage of shares of our common stock held by existing investors would be 76.6%, and the percentage of shares of our common stock held by new investors would be 23.4%.
The above discussion and tables are based on the number of shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 on a pro forma as adjusted basis and excludes (i) an aggregate of 32,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and (ii) 8,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that we intend to grant under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan to certain directors, executive officers and employees at the time of this offering. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial and other data for the periods and as of the dates indicated. As a result of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the accompanying historical financial statements and selected historical consolidated financial data are presented on a Successor and Predecessor basis. References to Predecessor refer to the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the closing of the Take-Private Transaction. References to Successor refer to the consolidated financial position of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. as of March 31, 2020, March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2019 and the results of operations and cash flows of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. During the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. had no significant operations and limited assets and had only incurred transaction-related expenses prior to the Take-Private Transaction. The Successor period also includes the results of operations and cash flows of the business acquired in the Take-Private Transaction for the period from February 8, 2019 to December 31, 2019. The consolidated financial statements for the Successor periods are not comparable to those of the Predecessor periods.
We derived the selected historical consolidated financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and as of March 31, 2020 from the Successor's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the selected historical consolidated financial data for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and as of December 31, 2019 from the Successor's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the selected historical consolidated financial data for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and as of December 31, 2018 from the Predecessor's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the summary historical consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2019 from the Successor's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that are not included in this prospectus. We derived the selected historical consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 from the Predecessor's consolidated financial statements that are not included in this prospectus. We derived pro forma data from Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results of operations. You should read the information set forth below together with "Prospectus SummarySummary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Capitalization" and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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Interim Periods | Annual Periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Successor |
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Predecessor | Successor |
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Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
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|
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2016 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2015 |
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(in millions, other than per share data)
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Statement of operations data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue(1) |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | $ | 1,703.7 | $ | 1,637.1 | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses |
138.9 | 64.3 | 56.7 | 448.5 | 56.7 | 563.4 | 573.3 | 542.6 | 544.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses(2) |
125.9 | 213.7 | 122.4 | 651.2 | 122.4 | 610.0 | 672.4 | 711.2 | 664.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(3) |
134.3 | 80.5 | 11.1 | 482.4 | 11.1 | 88.7 | 79.7 | 68.6 | 58.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | 51.8 | 0.1 | 25.4 | 32.1 | 22.1 | 32.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating costs |
403.6 | 377.0 | 190.3 | 1,633.9 | 190.3 | 1,287.5 | 1,357.5 | 1,344.5 | 1,300.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) |
(8.3 | ) | (202.9 | ) | (11.6 | ) | (220.0 | ) | (11.6 | ) | 428.9 | 385.0 | 359.2 | 337.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-operating income (loss) net |
7.3 | (43.8 | ) | (91.2 | ) | (455.9 | ) | (91.2 | ) | (55.8 | ) | (62.3 | ) | (155.6 | ) | (57.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates |
(1.0 | ) | (246.7 | ) | (102.8 | ) | (675.9 | ) | (102.8 | ) | 373.1 | 322.7 | 203.6 | 280.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less: (benefit) provision for income taxes |
(74.3 | ) | (37.0 | ) | (27.5 | ) | (118.2 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 81.6 | 179.7 | 99.9 | 74.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
0.6 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 4.2 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations |
73.9 | (209.6 | ) | (74.8 | ) | (553.5 | ) | (74.8 | ) | 294.3 | 145.8 | 106.5 | 208.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (6.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (4.1 | ) | (5.0 | ) | (4.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(32.0 | ) | (17.9 | ) | | (114.0 | ) | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/ The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor). |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | $ | 101.5 | $ | 204.2 | ||||||||||
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings per share from continuing operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.13 | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.76 | $ | 3.84 | $ | 2.78 | $ | 5.66 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.13 | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.72 | $ | 3.81 | $ | 2.76 | $ | 5.61 | ||||||||||
Pro forma earnings per share(4) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (1.90 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
$ | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (1.90 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
314.5 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 37.1 | 36.9 | 36.5 | 36.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
314.5 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 314.5 | 37.2 | 37.3 | 37.2 | 36.8 | 36.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
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Diluted |
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Cash flow data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating activities from continuing operations |
$ | 0.5 | $ | (233.5 | ) | $ | (65.4 | ) | $ | (63.0 | ) | $ | (65.4 | ) | $ | 325.4 | $ | 286.5 | $ | 322.7 | $ | 336.8 | ||||||||||
Investing activities from continuing operations |
$ | (35.6 | ) | $ | (5,952.3 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | $ | (6,154.6 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | $ | (65.3 | ) | $ | (206.6 | ) | $ | (58.1 | ) | $ | (371.1 | ) | |||||
Financing activities from continuing operations |
$ | 103.9 | $ | 6,321.4 | $ | 96.9 | $ | 6,321.8 | $ | 96.9 | $ | (609.7 | ) | $ | (18.8 | ) | $ | (224.9 | ) | $ | 110.7 | |||||||||||
Balance sheet data at end of period(5)(6): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 167.6 | $ | 138.0 | | $ | 98.6 | | $ | 90.2 | $ | 442.4 | $ | 352.6 | $ | 365.7 | ||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 9,172.4 | $ | 9,263.8 | | $ | 9,112.8 | | $ | 1,820.9 | $ | 2,480.9 | $ | 2,209.2 | $ | 2,266.5 | ||||||||||||||||
Total debt (current and long term) |
$ | 4,049.2 | $ | 3,882.7 | | $ | 3,900.8 | | $ | 1,136.6 | $ | 1,678.1 | $ | 1,617.0 | $ | 1,817.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 6,520.1 | $ | 6,338.6 | | $ | 6,503.3 | | $ | 2,510.8 | $ | 3,292.1 | $ | 3,197.0 | $ | 3,371.8 | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends per common share |
| | | $ | | | $ | 1.57 | $ | 2.01 | $ | 1.93 | $ | 1.85 |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information about our consolidated statements of operations, after giving effect to the Take-Private Transaction and the related financing activities as if they occurred on January 1, 2019. The historical consolidated financial information has been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements to give effect to pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the Take-Private Transaction and the related financing activities, (2) factually supportable and (3) expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results.
On February 8, 2019, a subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. merged with and into The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, and The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation became an indirect subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. is indirectly owned by members of the Investor Consortium. The Take-Private transaction was valued at $6,068.7 million of which $5,431.2 million was paid to acquire then-outstanding Predecessor's common stock, including stock options and restricted stock units, based on $145.00 per share and $637.5 million was paid to extinguish our then-existing debt on the closing date of the Take-Private Transaction. Assets and liabilities were recorded at the estimated fair value initially at the transaction closing date. Goodwill has been recorded based on the amount that the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets recognized. We completed the purchase accounting process as of December 31, 2019.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements as of and for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented for informational purposes only. The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial information should not be relied upon as being indicative of what our results of operations would have been had the Take-Private Transaction and the related financing activities been completed as of the date indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also does not project our financial position or results of operations for any future period or date. Future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations and Data (Unaudited) and should not be relied on as an indication of our results after the consummation of this offering contemplated by such unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA (UNAUDITED)
($ IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
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Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
(1) Basis of Presentation
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on the historical financial statements of the Predecessor and was prepared using the acquisition method of accounting assuming the Take-Private Transaction and the related financing activities occurred on January 1, 2019. The acquisition method of accounting is based on Accounting Standard Code, or ASC, Topic 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), and uses the fair value concepts defined in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements ("ASC 820"). Application of ASC 820 to determine fair value of acquired assets and liabilities in accordance to ASC 805 requires us to make judgments and estimates and it is possible that others applying reasonable judgment to the same facts and circumstances could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts.
(2) Pro Forma Adjustments
This note should be read in conjunction with other notes in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. Adjustments included in the columns under the headings "Pro Forma Adjustments" represent the following:
|
Predecessor | Successor | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|||||
Successor transaction costs |
$ | | $ | 147.4 | |||
Predecessor transaction costs |
52.0 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
|
$ | 52.0 | $ | 147.4 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
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|
|
|
|
Predecessor | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Intangible Assets
|
Useful
Lives |
Value |
Amortization
Method |
Period from
January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||
Trade name |
Indefinite | $ | 1,275.8 | | $ | | ||||||
Software short life |
3 | $ | 22.2 | Straight line | 0.8 | |||||||
Software medium life |
5 | $ | 31.7 | Straight line | 0.7 | |||||||
Software medium life |
7 | $ | 175.5 | Straight line | 2.6 | |||||||
Software long life |
10 | $ | 146.6 | Straight line | 1.5 | |||||||
Database |
17 | $ | 1,722.0 | Accelerated Method | 19.9 | |||||||
Client relationships & partnership agreements |
8 to 17 | $ | 2,618.8 | Accelerated Method | 29.6 | |||||||
Removal of Predecessor's intangible asset amortization |
(10.0 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total incremental amortization expense for intangible assets |
$ | 45.1 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The table below sets forth the future amortization as of December 31, 2019 associated with the intangible assets recognized as a result of the Take-Private Transaction:
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Computer software |
$ | 53.5 | $ | 53.5 | $ | 46.8 | $ | 46.1 | $ | 40.4 | $ | 87.9 | $ | 328.2 | |||||||||
Client relationship |
253.6 | 237.6 | 221.6 | 205.6 | 189.6 | 1,041.5 | 2,149.5 | ||||||||||||||||
Database |
197.6 | 186.3 | 175.1 | 163.8 | 152.5 | 892.6 | 1,767.9 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 504.7 | $ | 477.4 | $ | 443.5 | $ | 415.5 | $ | 382.5 | $ | 2,022.0 | $ | 4,245.6 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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|
|
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Principal | Interest Rate |
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||
$400.0 million, New Revolving Facility |
$ | | LIBOR + 350 basis points(1) | $ | | ||||
$500.0 million, New Repatriation Bridge Facility |
$ | 63.0 | LIBOR + 350 basis points(1) | 0.4 | |||||
$2,530.0 million, New Term Loan Facility |
$ | 2,530.0 | LIBOR + 500 basis points(1) | 19.5 | |||||
$700.0 million, 6.875% New Senior Secured Notes due 2026 |
$ | 700.0 | 6.875% | 4.9 | |||||
$750.0 million, 10.250% New Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 |
$ | 750.0 | 10.250% | 7.9 | |||||
Amortization of deferred debt issuance cost |
2.5 | ||||||||
Removal of interest expense for then-existing debt prior to the Take-Private Transaction |
(5.5 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total incremental interest expense |
$ | 29.7 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of deferred issuance costs for the New Revolving Facility |
$ | 0.2 | |||||||
Removal of amortization of then-existing Revolving Credit Facility |
(0.1 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total incremental amortization of deferred revolver fee |
$ | 0.1 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
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The unrecognized actuarial losses or gains were set to zero as of February 8, 2019 as a result of purchase accounting. An adjustment is made to reverse the amortization of actuarial losses of $3.8 million recorded by the Predecessor in the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our historical combined financial statements includes periods before the Take-Private Transaction as defined below under "Take-Private Transaction." Accordingly, the discussion and analysis of such periods does not reflect the significant impact the Take-Private Transaction has had and will have on our results of operations. As a result, our historical results of operations are not comparable and may not be indicative of our future results of operations. In addition, the statements in the discussion and analysis regarding industry outlook, our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our liquidity and capital resources and the other non-historical statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should read the following discussion together with the sections entitled "Risk Factors," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data," "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data," "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and the financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Information presented for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 is derived from the Successor's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Information presented for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2019 is derived from the Successor's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Information presented for the period from January 1 to February 7, 2019 and each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is derived from the Predecessor's audited consolidated financial statements for those periods included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
Dun & Bradstreet is a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics. Our mission is to deliver a global network of trust, enabling clients to transform uncertainty into confidence, risk into opportunity and potential into prosperity. Clients embed our trusted, end-to-end solutions into their daily workflows to inform commercial credit decisions, confirm suppliers are financially viable and compliant with laws and regulations, enhance salesforce productivity and gain visibility into key markets. Our solutions support our clients' mission critical business operations by providing proprietary and curated data and analytics to help drive informed decisions and improved outcomes.
Leveraging our category-defining commercial credit data and analytics, our Finance & Risk solutions are used in the critical decisioning processes of finance, risk, compliance and procurement departments worldwide. We are a market leader in commercial credit decisioning, with many of the top businesses in the world utilizing our solutions to make informed decisions when considering extending business loans and trade credit. We are also a leading provider of data and analytics to businesses looking to analyze supplier relationships and more effectively collect outstanding receivables. We believe our proprietary Paydex score, a numerical indicator based on promptness of a business's payments to its suppliers and vendors, is widely relied upon as an important measure of credit health for businesses. We are well positioned to provide accessible and actionable insights and analytics that mitigate risk and uncertainty, and ultimately protect and drive increased profitability for our clients.
Our Sales & Marketing solutions combine firmographic, personal contact, intent and non-traditional, or "alternative," data to assist clients in optimizing their sales and marketing strategy by cleansing CRM data and narrowing their focus and efforts on the highest probability prospects. As global competition continues to intensify, businesses need assistance with focusing their sales pipelines into a condensed list so that they can have their best sellers target the highest probability return
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accounts. We provide invaluable insights into businesses that can help our clients grow their businesses in a more efficient and effective manner.
We leverage these differentiated capabilities to serve a broad set of clients across multiple industries and geographies. We have a global client base of approximately 135,000, including some of the largest companies in the world. Covering nearly all industry verticals, including financial services, technology, communications, government, retail, transportation and manufacturing, our data and analytics support a wide range of use cases. In terms of our geographic footprint, we have an industry-leading presence in North America, a growing presence in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and Greater China through our majority or wholly-owned subsidiaries and a broader global presence through our WWN alliances.
We believe that we have an attractive business model that is underpinned by highly recurring, diversified revenues, significant operating leverage, low capital requirements and strong free cash flow. The proprietary and embedded nature of our data and analytics solutions and the integral role that we play in our clients' decision-making processes have historically translated into high client retention and revenue visibility. We also benefit from strong operating leverage given our centralized Data Cloud and solutions, which allow us to generate strong contribution margins and free cash flow.
Segments
Since the Take-Private Transaction, management has made changes to transform our business. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed the composition of our reportable segments, the classification of revenue by solution set and our measure of segment profit (from operating profit to adjusted EBITDA) in the information that we provide to our chief operating decision makers (CODMs) to better align with how they assess performance and allocate resources. Latin America Worldwide, which was previously included in the Americas reportable segment, is currently included in the International segment. Accordingly, prior period results have been recast to conform to the current presentation of segments, revenue by solution set, and the measure of segment profit. These changes do not impact our consolidated results.
Our segment disclosure is intended to provide the users of our consolidated financial statements with a view of the business that is consistent with management of the Company.
We manage our business and report our financial results in two operating and reportable segments: North America and International.
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The following table represents the contribution by segment to revenue:
|
Interim Periods | Annual Periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
North America: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 193.0 | $ | 101.9 | $ | 80.4 | $ | 728.2 | $ | 80.4 | $ | 792.6 | $ | 828.4 | ||||||||||||
Sales & Marketing |
148.5 | 79.3 | 67.8 | 588.3 | 67.8 | 628.0 | 615.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total North America |
$ | 341.5 | $ | 181.2 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 1,316.5 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 1,420.6 | $ | 1,444.0 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 57.5 | $ | 11.8 | $ | 43.4 | $ | 191.3 | $ | 43.4 | $ | 233.6 | $ | 246.0 | ||||||||||||
Sales & Marketing |
13.7 | 3.2 | 13.0 | 45.0 | 13.0 | 62.2 | 60.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total International |
$ | 71.2 | $ | 15.0 | $ | 56.4 | $ | 236.3 | $ | 56.4 | $ | 295.8 | $ | 306.4 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate and other: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | (9.8 | ) | $ | (13.4 | ) | $ | (19.2 | ) | $ | (82.9 | ) | $ | (19.2 | ) | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Sales & Marketing |
(7.6 | ) | (8.7 | ) | (6.7 | ) | (56.0 | ) | (6.7 | ) | | (7.9 | ) | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total corporate and other(1) |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | (25.9 | ) | $ | (138.9 | ) | $ | (25.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 240.7 | $ | 100.3 | $ | 104.6 | $ | 836.6 | $ | 104.6 | $ | 1,026.2 | $ | 1,074.4 | ||||||||||||
Sales & Marketing |
154.6 | 73.8 | 74.1 | 577.3 | 74.1 | 690.2 | 668.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Certain expenses incurred in Corporate that are not directly attributable to one or more of the operating segments remain in Corporate. These corporate costs typically are administrative in nature, such as restructuring, legal and regulatory charges, purchase accounting adjustments and transition and integration costs. In addition, we report in Corporate and Other revenue adjustments related to deferred revenue fair value adjustment recorded in accordance with GAAP and the International lag reporting adjustment, related to the Take-Private Transaction in 2019, and deferred revenue fair value adjustments related to the acquisitions of Lattice and Avention in 2019 and 2017, respectively.
The financial statements of our subsidiaries outside of North America reflect a twelve months ended November 30 in order to facilitate the timely reporting of the consolidated financial results and consolidated financial position.
The consolidated financial statements reflect results of the subsidiaries outside of North America for the twelve-month period ended November 30 in order to facilitate the timely reporting of the consolidated financial results and consolidated financial position.
Take-Private Transaction
On February 8, 2019, we were acquired in an all-cash Take-Private Transaction by the Investor Consortium. The Take-Private Transaction was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805 and Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. was determined to be the accounting acquirer. In the accompanying
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consolidated financial statements, references to Predecessor refer to the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its subsidiaries on and prior to February 7, 2019. References to Successor refer to the consolidated financial position of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. During the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. had no significant operations and limited assets and had only incurred transaction-related expenses prior to the Take-Private Transaction. The Successor period also includes the results of operations and cash flows of the business acquired in the Take-Private Transaction for the period from February 8, 2019 to December 31, 2019. The Predecessor and Successor consolidated financial information presented herein is not comparable primarily due to the application of acquisition accounting in the Successor financial statements as of February 8, 2019, as further described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements of which the most significant impact is (i) the increased amortization expense for the intangible assets, (ii) additional interest expense associated with debt financing arrangements entered into in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, (iii) higher non-recurring transaction costs attributable to the Take-Private Transaction and (iv) a shorter Successor period for our International operations.
The Take-Private Transaction was funded through $3,076.8 million of cash, as well as $4,043.0 million in borrowings from credit facilities and the issuances of notes. Net proceeds from the notes issuances and credit facilities were used to (i) finance the consummation of the Take-Private Transaction, (ii) repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under the Predecessor's then-existing credit facilities, (iii) fund the redemption of all the Predecessor's then-existing senior notes and (iv) pay related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with the Take-Private Transaction and related financing activities.
On February 8, 2019, as required by the related change in control provision in the Predecessor's debt agreements, we repaid in full the outstanding borrowings under the then-existing Revolving Five-Year Credit Agreement ("Prior Revolving Credit Facility") and the Term Loan Credit Agreement ("Prior Term Loan Facility," together with the Prior Revolving Credit Facility, the "Prior Credit Facilities"), both dated as of June 19, 2018. In addition, on February 8, 2019, notices of full redemption with respect to the Predecessor's (i) 4.00% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million, and (ii) 4.37% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "2022 Notes" and, together with the 2020 Notes, the "Prior Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million, were delivered to the respective holders thereof, notifying those holders of the redemption of the entire outstanding aggregate principal amount of each series of Prior Notes on March 10, 2019.
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, we entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") governing our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The New Senior Secured Credit Facilities provide for (i) the New Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2,530.0 million, (ii) the New Revolving Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million and (iii) the repatriation bridge facility (the "New Repatriation Bridge Facility") in an aggregate amount of $63.0 million. Also on February 8, 2019, we issued $700.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior First Lien Notes due 2026 ("New Senior Secured Notes") and $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 ("New Senior Unsecured Notes"). The closing of the above Successor debt financing was conditioned on the payoff of the Predecessor debt.
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Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Economic Conditions
Our business is also impacted by general economic conditions. For example, in the event of a difficult economy, such as the one we are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the probability of businesses, including the businesses of our clients, becoming insolvent increases. Disruptions in the financial markets could limit the ability or willingness of our clients to extend credit to their customers or cause our clients to constrain budgets, which could adversely impact demand for our data and analytics solutions. Further, continuing mandates that employees work remotely, prolonged travel restrictions or general economic uncertainty could negatively impact our suppliers' ability to provide us with data and services, our ability to deliver or market our solutions, our ability to acquire new customers or expand our services in existing customers and client demand for our solutions. In contrast, during such times the need for better insights related to the extension of credit is magnified, and we believe our Finance & Risk solutions become even more critical to our clients. The impacts of a weakened economy on our business, financial condition and results operations, especially as it relates to the COVID-19 global pandemic, is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. See "Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Business and OperationsAn outbreak of disease, global or localized health pandemic or epidemic or a similar public health threat, or the fear of such an event, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results operations."
Regulatory Requirements
In recent years, there has been an increased legislative and regulatory focus on data privacy practices. As a result, federal and state governments have enacted various new laws, rules and regulations. One example of such legislation is the CCPA, which became effective January 1, 2020. The CCPA applies to certain businesses that collect personal information from California residents, and bestows broad rights on individuals, including a right to know what personal information is being collected about them and whether and to whom it is sold, a right to access their personal information and have it deleted, a right to opt out of the sale of their personal information and a right to equal service and price regardless of exercise of these rights. This has led businesses to seek data providers and solutions that assist them in satisfying their regulatory compliance obligations in the face of a changing regulatory environment. We have developed solutions that comply with this need, which may result in additional revenues. See "BusinessRegulatory Matters."
Recent Acquisitions
On March 11, 2020, we acquired the assets of coAction.com. coAction.com is a leader in revenue cycle management in the order-to-cash process, serving mid to large size companies across multiple industries. The results of coAction.com, which is not material, have been included in our North America segment from the date of the acquisition.
On January 7, 2020, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in Orb. Orb is a prominent digital business identity and firmographic data provider, which allows us to better capture the digital footprint of businesses as well as the digital exhaust that businesses generate. The results of Orb, which is not material, have been included in our North America segment from the date of the acquisition.
On July 1, 2019, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in Lattice. Lattice is a leading artificial intelligence powered customer data platform, enabling B2B organizations to scale their account-based marketing and sales programs across every channel. The results of Lattice, which are not material, have been included in our North America segment since the date of the acquisition.
On January 9, 2017, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in Avention. Avention provides clients with a deeper understanding of companies contact and market data, delivered through a robust
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technology platform. The results of Avention, which are not material, have been included in our North America segment since the date of the acquisition.
Key Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
We generate our North America and International segment revenues primarily through subscription-based contractual arrangements that we enter into with clients to provide data, analytics and analytics-related services either individually, or as part of an integrated offering of multiple services. These arrangements occasionally include offerings from more than one business unit to the same client.
Expenses
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses primarily include data acquisition and royalty fees, costs related to our databases, service fulfillment costs, call center and technology support costs, hardware and software maintenance costs, telecommunication expenses, personnel-related costs associated with these functions and occupancy costs associated with the facilities where these functions are performed.
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include personnel-related costs for sales, administrative and corporate management employees, costs for professional and consulting services, advertising and occupancy and facilities expense of these functions.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of depreciation related to investments in property and equipment, as well as amortization of purchased and developed software and other intangible assets, principally database and client relationships recognized in connection with the Take-Private Transaction.
Non-Operating Income and Expense
Non-operating income and expense includes interest expense, interest income, dividends from cost-method investments, gains and losses from divestitures, mark-to-market expense related to certain derivatives and other non-operating income and expenses.
Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Provision for income tax expenses (benefit) represents international, U.S. federal, state and local income taxes based on income in multiple jurisdictions for our corporate subsidiaries.
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Key Metrics
In addition to reporting GAAP results, we evaluate performance and report our results on the non-GAAP financial measures discussed below. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures provides useful information to investors and rating agencies regarding our results, operating trends and performance between periods. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted net income. In addition, we isolate the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates on our revenue growth because we believe it is useful for investors to be able to compare revenue from one period to another, both after and before the effects of foreign exchange rate changes. The change in our revenue performance attributable to foreign currency rates is determined by converting both our prior and current periods' foreign currency revenue by a constant rate. As a result, we monitor our adjusted revenue growth both after and before the effects of foreign exchange rate changes.
We believe that these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures provide management and other users with additional meaningful financial information that should be considered when assessing our ongoing performance and comparability of our operating results from period to period. Our management regularly uses our supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and make operating decisions. These non-GAAP measures are among the factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative to our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. See "Prospectus SummarySummary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other DataNon-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional detail.
Adjusted Revenue
We define adjusted revenue as reported revenue adjusted to include the revenues that were not recorded by us during the period presented due to the International lag reporting adjustment.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) excluding the following items: (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) interest expense and income; (iii) income tax benefit or provision; (iv) other expenses or income; (v) equity in net income of affiliates; (vi) net income attributable to non-controlling interests; (vii) dividends allocated to preferred stockholders; (viii) revenue and expense adjustments to include results for the period from January 8 to February 7, 2019, for the Predecessor related to the International lag adjustment; (ix) other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting (e.g. commission asset amortization); (x) equity-based compensation; (xi) restructuring charges; (xii) merger and acquisition related operating costs; (xiii) transition costs primarily consisting of non-recurring incentive expenses associated with our synergy program; (xiv) legal reserve and costs associated with significant legal and regulatory matters; and (xv) asset impairment.
Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by adjusted revenue.
Adjusted Net Income
We define adjusted net income as net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) adjusted for International lag reporting adjustments, incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting, other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting, equity-based compensation, restructuring charges, merger, acquisition and divestiture-related operating costs, transition costs and other non-recurring revenue and expense items.
75
Results of Operations
GAAP Results
As a result of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the historical financial statements and information are presented on a Successor and Predecessor basis. References to Predecessor refer to the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the closing of the Take-Private Transaction. References to Successor refer to the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. During the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. had no significant operations and limited assets and had only incurred transaction-related expenses prior to the Take-Private Transaction. The Successor periods in 2019 also include the results of operations and cash flows of the business acquired in the Take-Private Transaction for the period from February 8, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the period from February 8, 2019 to December 31, 2019. The Predecessor and Successor consolidated financial information presented herein is not comparable primarily due to the application of acquisition accounting in the Successor financial statements as of February 8, 2019, as further described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, of which the most significant impact is (i) the increased amortization expense for intangible assets, (ii) additional interest expense associated with debt financing arrangements entered into in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, (iii) higher non-recurring transaction costs attributable to the Take-Private Transaction and (iv) a shorter Successor period for our International operations.
To facilitate comparability of the three months ended March 31, 2020 to the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019 to the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, we present combined results for each period as below:
These pro forma adjustments are prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X to include additional deferred revenue adjustment, additional amortization related to the recognized intangible assets and additional interest expenses associated with the Successor debt. In addition, non-recurring transaction costs directly attributable to the transaction, acceleration vesting costs related to the Predecessor's restricted stock units, one-time pension settlement charge and actuarial loss amortization are eliminated from the respective period. We compare results for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 to the combined pro forma results for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and the combined pro forma results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 to the Predecessor results for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018. We present the information for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 and the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019 in this format to assist readers in understanding and assessing the trends and significant changes in our results of operations on a comparable basis. We believe this presentation is appropriate because it provides a more meaningful comparison and more relevant analysis of our
76
results of operations for the 2020 period compared with the 2019 period and for the 2019 period compared with the 2018 period. The following tables set forth our historical results of operations for the periods indicated below:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020(1) |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019(1) |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019(2) |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019(a) |
|
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | (16.0 | ) | (b) | $ | 336.8 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses |
138.9 | 64.3 | 56.7 | | 121.0 | |||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
125.9 | 213.7 | 122.4 | (212.9 | ) | (c) | 123.2 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
134.3 | 80.5 | 11.1 | 45.1 | (d) | 136.7 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | | 18.6 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs |
403.6 | 377.0 | 190.3 | (167.8 | ) | 399.5 | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) |
(8.3 | ) | (202.9 | ) | (11.6 | ) | 151.8 | (62.7 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income |
0.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 | | 1.4 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(83.0 | ) | (49.1 | ) | (5.5 | ) | (29.7 | ) | (e) | (84.3 | ) | |||||||||
Other income (expense)net |
90.0 | 4.2 | (86.0 | ) | 89.5 | (f) | 7.7 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income (expense)net |
7.3 | (43.8 | ) | (91.2 | ) | 59.8 | (75.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates |
(1.0 | ) | (246.7 | ) | (102.8 | ) | 211.6 | (137.9 | ) | |||||||||||
Less: (benefit) provision for income taxes |
(74.3 | ) | (37.0 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 47.2 | (g) | (17.3 | ) | ||||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
0.6 | 0.1 | 0.5 | | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
73.9 | (209.6 | ) | (74.8 | ) | 164.4 | (120.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.8 | ) | | (1.2 | ) | |||||||||||
Less: dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(32.0 | ) | (17.9 | ) | | (13.7 | ) | (h) | (31.6 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 150.7 | $ | (152.8 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
77
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019(a) |
|
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019(1) |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019(2) |
|
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | (16.0 | ) | (b) | $ | 1,576.6 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses |
448.5 | 56.7 | | 505.2 | 563.4 | 573.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
651.2 | 122.4 | (212.9 | ) | (c) | 560.7 | 610.0 | 672.4 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
482.4 | 11.1 | 45.1 | (d) | 538.6 | 88.7 | 79.7 | ||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
51.8 | 0.1 | | 51.9 | 25.4 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs |
1,633.9 | 190.3 | (167.8 | ) | 1,656.4 | 1,287.5 | 1,357.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) |
(220.0 | ) | (11.6 | ) | 151.8 | (79.8 | ) | 428.9 | 385.0 | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income |
2.4 | 0.3 | | 2.7 | 1.9 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(303.5 | ) | (5.5 | ) | (29.7 | ) | (e) | (338.7 | ) | (54.4 | ) | (59.7 | ) | ||||||||||
Other income (expense)net |
(154.8 | ) | (86.0 | ) | 89.5 | (f) | (151.3 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (4.2 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income (expense)net |
(455.9 | ) | (91.2 | ) | 59.8 | (487.3 | ) | (55.8 | ) | (62.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates |
(675.9 | ) | (102.8 | ) | 211.6 | (567.1 | ) | 373.1 | 322.7 | ||||||||||||||
Less: (benefit) provision for income taxes |
(118.2 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 47.2 | (g) | (98.5 | ) | 81.6 | 179.7 | |||||||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
4.2 | 0.5 | | 4.7 | 2.8 | 2.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
(553.5 | ) | (74.8 | ) | 164.4 | (463.9 | ) | 294.3 | 145.8 | ||||||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(6.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | | (7.3 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (4.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
Less: dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(114.0 | ) | | (13.7 | ) | (h) | (127.7 | ) | | | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 150.7 | $ | (598.9 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
78
Notes for the Pro Forma Adjustments for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
Key Performance Measures
Management, including our chief operating decision makers, evaluates the financial performance of our businesses based on a variety of key indicators. These indicators include the non-GAAP measures adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted net income. Adjusted results are non-GAAP measures to adjust for the impact of purchase accounting application and
79
divestitures, restructuring charges, equity-based compensation, acquisition and divestiture-related costs (such as costs for bankers, legal fees, due diligence, retention payments and contingent consideration adjustments) and other non-core gains and charges that are not in the normal course of our business (such as gains and losses on sales of businesses, impairment charges, effect of significant changes in tax laws and material tax and legal settlements). We exclude amortization of recognized intangible assets resulting from the application of purchase accounting because it is non-cash and not indicative of our ongoing and underlying operating performance. Recognized intangible assets arise from acquisitions, or primarily the Take-Private Transaction. We believe that recognized intangible assets by their nature are fundamentally different from other depreciating assets that are replaced on a predictable operating cycle. Unlike other depreciating assets, such as developed and purchased software licenses or property and equipment, there is no replacement cost once these recognized intangible assets expire and the assets are not replaced. Additionally, our costs to operate, maintain and extend the life of acquired intangible assets and purchased intellectual property are reflected in our operating costs as personnel, data fee, facilities, overhead and similar items. Management believes it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets were recorded as part of purchase accounting and contribute to revenue generation. Amortization of recognized intangible assets will recur in future periods until such assets have been fully amortized. In addition, we isolate the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates on our revenue growth because we believe it is useful for investors to be able to compare revenue from one period to another, both before and after the effects of foreign exchange rate changes. The change in revenue performance attributable to foreign currency rates is determined by converting both our prior and current periods' foreign currency by a constant rate. As a result, we monitor our adjusted revenue growth both after and before the effects of foreign exchange rate changes.
A more detail discussion on non-GAAP financial measures is included in "Prospectus SummarySummary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data."
The tables below set forth our key performance measures for the periods indicated:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months
Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||
NonGAAP Financial Measures |
||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted revenue(a) |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 204.6 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 362.7 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(a) |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 90.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin(a) |
33.8 | % | 23.3 | % | 32.4 | % | | 25.0 | % | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted net income(a) |
$ | 16.7 | $ | (26.7 | ) | $ | 45.8 | $ | (12.4 | ) | $ | 6.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(1): |
||||||||||||||||||
Impact to adjusted revenue |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (38.1 | ) | ||||
Impact to adjusted EBITDA margin |
(2.8 | )% | (8.7 | )% | | N/A | (7.1 | )% | ||||||||||
Impact to adjusted net incomenet of tax |
$ | (12.9 | ) | $ | (17.4 | ) | $ | | $ | (12.4 | ) | $ | (29.8 | ) |
80
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
Combined
Pro Forma Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
NonGAAP Financial Measures |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted revenue(b) |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | 204.6 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 1,602.5 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(b) |
$ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 552.4 | $ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin(b) |
35.5 | % | 32.4 | % | N/A | 34.5 | % | 33.1 | % | 30.1 | % | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted net income(b) |
$ | 27.4 | $ | 45.8 | $ | (12.4 | ) | $ | 60.8 | $ | 383.9 | $ | 307.8 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(b) Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(1): |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Impact to adjusted revenue |
$ | (138.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (154.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | |||||
Impact to adjusted EBITDA margin |
(5.8 | )% | | N/A | (5.8 | )% | | (0.3 | )% | ||||||||||||
Impact to adjusted net income |
$ | (103.0 | ) | $ | | $ | (12.4 | ) | $ | (115.4 | ) | $ | | $ | (5.4 | ) |
Reconciliations of the above non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables below:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months
Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 336.8 | |||||||
International lag adjustment |
| | 25.9 | | 25.9 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue(c) |
395.3 | 174.1 | 204.6 | (16.0 | ) | 362.7 | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
1.6 | 0.3 | 1.0 | | 1.3 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency(c) |
$ | 396.9 | $ | 174.4 | $ | 205.6 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 364.0 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(c) Includes deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(1) |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (38.1 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America |
$ | 341.5 | $ | 181.2 | $ | 148.2 | $ | | $ | 329.4 | ||||||||
International |
71.2 | 15.0 | 56.4 | | $ | 71.4 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment revenue |
412.7 | 196.2 | 204.6 | | 400.8 | |||||||||||||
Corporate and other |
(17.4 | ) | (22.1 | ) | | (16.0 | ) | (38.1 | ) | |||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
1.6 | 0.3 | 1.0 | | 1.3 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency |
$ | 396.9 | $ | 174.4 | $ | 205.6 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 364.0 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
81
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 1,576.6 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | ||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| 25.9 | | 25.9 | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue(d) |
1,413.9 | 204.6 | (16.0 | ) | 1,602.5 | 1,716.4 | 1,742.5 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
7.9 | 1.0 | | 8.9 | (1.4 | ) | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency(d) |
$ | 1,421.8 | $ | 205.6 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 1,611.4 | $ | 1,715.0 | $ | 1,744.3 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(d) Includes deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(1) |
$ | (138.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (154.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America |
$ | 1,316.5 | $ | 148.2 | $ | | $ | 1,464.7 | $ | 1,420.6 | $ | 1,444.0 | |||||||||
International |
236.3 | 56.4 | | $ | 292.7 | $ | 295.8 | $ | 306.4 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment revenue |
1,552.8 | 204.6 | | 1,757.4 | 1,716.4 | 1,750.4 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate and other |
(138.9 | ) | | (16.0 | ) | (154.9 | ) | | (7.9 | ) | |||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
7.9 | 1.0 | | 8.9 | (1.4 | ) | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency |
$ | 1,421.8 | $ | 205.6 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 1,611.4 | $ | 1,715.0 | $ | 1,744.3 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months
Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 150.7 | $ | (152.8 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
134.3 | 80.5 | 11.1 | 45.1 | 136.7 | |||||||||||||
Interest expensenet |
82.7 | 48.0 | 5.2 | 29.7 | 82.9 | |||||||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxnet |
(74.3 | ) | (37.0 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 47.2 | (17.3 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA |
184.2 | (136.4 | ) | (86.8 | ) | 272.7 | 49.5 | |||||||||||
Other income (expense)net |
(90.0 | ) | (4.2 | ) | 86.0 | (89.5 | ) | (7.7 | ) | |||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
(0.6 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.5 | ) | | (0.6 | ) | |||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest |
0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | | 1.2 | |||||||||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
32.0 | 17.9 | | 13.7 | 31.6 | |||||||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| | 2.7 | | 2.7 | |||||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
(5.0 | ) | (4.1 | ) | | (3.1 | ) | (7.2 | ) | |||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
3.8 | 0.5 | 11.7 | (10.4 | ) | 1.8 | ||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | | 18.6 | |||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
2.5 | 147.4 | 52.0 | (199.4 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Transition costs |
1.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | | 1.3 | |||||||||||||
Legal reserve associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
| (0.3 | ) | | | (0.3 | ) | |||||||||||
Asset impairment |
0.1 | | | | | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 90.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America |
$ | 143.8 | $ | 71.3 | $ | 55.3 | $ | | $ | 126.6 | ||||||||
International |
23.2 | 2.9 | 20.3 | | 23.2 | |||||||||||||
Corporate and other(e) |
(33.5 | ) | (33.6 | ) | (9.3 | ) | (16.0 | ) | (58.9 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(e) |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 90.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin(e) |
33.8 | % | 23.3 | % | 32.4 | % | N/A | 25.0 | % | |||||||||
(e) Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting |
||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments(1): |
||||||||||||||||||
Impact to adjusted EBITDA |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (38.1 | ) | ||||
Impact to adjusted EBITDA margin |
(2.8 | %) | (8.7 | %) | | N/A | (7.1 | %) |
82
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 150.7 | $ | (598.9 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
482.4 | 11.1 | 45.1 | 538.6 | 88.7 | 79.7 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expensenet |
301.1 | 5.2 | 29.7 | 336.0 | 52.5 | 58.1 | |||||||||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxnet |
(118.2 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 47.2 | (98.5 | ) | 81.6 | 179.7 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA |
(8.7 | ) | (86.8 | ) | 272.7 | 177.2 | 510.9 | 459.2 | |||||||||||||
Other income (expense)net |
154.8 | 86.0 | (89.5 | ) | 151.3 | 3.3 | 4.2 | ||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
(4.2 | ) | (0.5 | ) | | (4.7 | ) | (2.8 | ) | (2.8 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest |
6.5 | 0.8 | | 7.3 | 6.2 | 4.1 | |||||||||||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
114.0 | | 13.7 | 127.7 | | | |||||||||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| 2.7 | | 2.7 | | | |||||||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
(20.7 | ) | | (3.1 | ) | (23.8 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
11.7 | 11.7 | (10.4 | ) | 13.0 | 10.8 | 20.5 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
51.8 | 0.1 | | 51.9 | 25.4 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
156.0 | 52.0 | (199.4 | ) | 8.6 | 11.6 | 15.0 | ||||||||||||||
Transition costs |
37.7 | 0.3 | | 38.0 | 0.3 | | |||||||||||||||
Legal reserve associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
(0.2 | ) | | | (0.2 | ) | 2.9 | (7.7 | ) | ||||||||||||
Asset impairment |
3.4 | | | 3.4 | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 552.4 | $ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America |
$ | 634.6 | $ | 55.3 | $ | | $ | 689.9 | $ | 575.9 | $ | 525.5 | |||||||||
International |
78.2 | 20.3 | | 98.5 | 91.2 | 102.0 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate and other(f) |
(210.7 | ) | (9.3 | ) | (16.0 | ) | (236.0 | ) | (98.5 | ) | (102.9 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA(f) |
$ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 552.4 | $ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin(f) |
35.5 | % | 32.4 | % | N/A | 34.5 | % | 33.1 | % | 30.1 | % | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(f) Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(1): |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Impact to adjusted EBITDA |
$ | (138.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (154.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | |||||
Impact to adjusted EBITDA margin |
(5.8 | %) | | N/A | (5.8 | %) | | (0.3 | %) |
83
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months
Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 150.7 | $ | (152.8 | ) | |||||
International lag adjustment |
| | 2.7 | | 2.7 | |||||||||||||
Incremental amortization of intangible assets resulting from the application of purchase accounting |
120.0 | 73.8 | 3.0 | 45.1 | 121.9 | |||||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
(5.0 | ) | (4.1 | ) | | (3.1 | ) | (7.2 | ) | |||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
3.8 | 0.5 | 11.7 | (10.4 | ) | 1.8 | ||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | | 18.6 | |||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
2.5 | 147.4 | 52.0 | (199.4 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Transition costs |
1.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | | 1.3 | |||||||||||||
Legal reserve and costs associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
| (0.3 | ) | | | (0.3 | ) | |||||||||||
Change in fair value of the make-whole derivative liability associated with the Series A Preferred Stock |
(69.8 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||
Asset impairment |
0.1 | | | | | |||||||||||||
Non-recurring pension charges |
| 0.1 | 89.4 | (89.5 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Predecessor pro forma incremental interest expense |
| | | 29.7 | 29.7 | |||||||||||||
Pro forma incremental dividends |
| | | 13.7 | 13.7 | |||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related non-operating costs |
| (0.8 | ) | 0.5 | | (0.3 | ) | |||||||||||
Debt refinancing and extinguishment costs |
7.0 | | | | | |||||||||||||
Tax impact of the CARES act |
(55.6 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||
Impact of accounting method change |
| | | | | |||||||||||||
Tax effect of the non-GAAP and pro forma adjustments |
(33.9 | ) | (34.9 | ) | (38.3 | ) | 50.8 | (22.4 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 16.7 | $ | (26.7 | ) | $ | 45.8 | $ | (12.4 | ) | $ | 6.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(1): |
||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax impact |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (38.1 | ) | ||||
Tax impact |
4.5 | 4.7 | | 3.6 | 8.3 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net impact to adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (12.9 | ) | $ | (17.4 | ) | $ | | $ | (12.4 | ) | (29.8 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
84
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
Combined
Pro Forma Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 |
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||||||||
|
($ in millions)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 150.7 | (598.9 | ) | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | ||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| 2.7 | | 2.7 | | | |||||||||||||||
Incremental amortization of intangible assets resulting from the application of purchase accounting |
435.0 | 3.0 | 45.1 | 483.1 | 31.1 | 31.5 | |||||||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
(20.7 | ) | | (3.1 | ) | (23.8 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
11.7 | 11.7 | (10.4 | ) | 13.0 | 10.8 | 20.5 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
51.8 | 0.1 | | 51.9 | 25.4 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
156.0 | 52.0 | (199.4 | ) | 8.6 | 11.6 | 15.0 | ||||||||||||||
Transition costs |
37.7 | 0.3 | | 38.0 | 0.3 | | |||||||||||||||
Legal reserve and costs associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
(0.2 | ) | | | (0.2 | ) | 2.9 | (7.7 | ) | ||||||||||||
Change in fair value of the make-whole derivative liability associated with the Series A Preferred Stock |
172.4 | | | 172.4 | | | |||||||||||||||
Asset impairment |
3.4 | | | 3.4 | | | |||||||||||||||
Non-recurring pension charges |
0.0 | 89.4 | (89.5 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 41.3 | 37.9 | |||||||||||||
Predecessor pro forma incremental interest expense |
| | 29.7 | 29.7 | | | |||||||||||||||
Pro forma incremental dividends |
| | 13.7 | 13.7 | | | |||||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related non-operating costs |
(0.8 | ) | 0.5 | | (0.3 | ) | 0.2 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||
Impact of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act |
| | | | 14.1 | 79.0 | |||||||||||||||
Impact of accounting method change |
| | | | (13.4 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Tax effect of the non-GAAP and pro forma adjustments |
(144.9 | ) | (38.3 | ) | 50.8 | (132.4 | ) | (28.5 | ) | (42.9 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 27.4 | $ | 45.8 | $ | (12.4 | ) | $ | 60.8 | $ | 383.9 | $ | 307.8 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments(1): |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax impact |
$ | (138.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (154.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | |||||
Tax impact |
35.9 | | 3.6 | 39.5 | | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Impact to Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (103.0 | ) | $ | | $ | (12.4 | ) | $ | (115.4 | ) | $ | | $ | (5.4 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For a presentation of our key performance measures and related reconciliations for the quarterly periods included in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, and each of the quarterly periods in the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, see "Quarterly Financial Data."
85
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 versus Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Revenue
Total revenue was $395.3 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, $174.1 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and $178.7 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019. Total revenue increased $221.2 million, or 127%, and $216.6 million, or 121%, for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction. In addition, revenue was reduced by $17.4 million and $22.1 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 and for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, respectively, resulting from deferred revenue adjustments included in both periods arising from the Take-Private Transaction and additionally related to the Lattice and Orb acquisitions for the current year period. Revenue for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 was reduced by $25.9 million due to the International Lag Adjustment.
Total revenue increased $58.5 million, or 17% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. Increase in total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily due to the International Lag Adjustment of $25.9 million included in the prior year period which had an impact of eight percentage points on the year over year increase and the impact of higher purchase accounting deferred revenue adjustments of $20.7 million included in the prior year period (inclusive of pro forma deferred revenue adjustment), which had an impact of seven percentage points on the year over year increase. The remaining increase was driven by a net increase in our segment revenue consisting of increased North America total revenue of $12.1 million, or 4% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), and decreased International total revenue of $0.2 million, or less than 1% (less than 1% increase before the effect of foreign exchange).
86
Revenue by segment was as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Pro Forma
Adjustments for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019(1) |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||
North America: |
||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 193.0 | $ | 101.9 | $ | 80.4 | $ | | $ | 182.3 | ||||||||
Sales & Marketing |
148.5 | 79.3 | 67.8 | | 147.1 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total North America |
$ | 341.5 | $ | 181.2 | $ | 148.2 | $ | | $ | 329.4 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International: |
||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 57.5 | $ | 11.8 | $ | 43.4 | $ | | $ | 55.2 | ||||||||
Sales & Marketing |
13.7 | 3.2 | 13.0 | | 16.2 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total International |
$ | 71.2 | $ | 15.0 | $ | 56.4 | $ | | $ | 71.4 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate and Other: |
||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | (9.8 | ) | $ | (13.4 | ) | $ | (19.2 | ) | $ | (9.7 | ) | $ | (42.3 | ) | |||
Sales & Marketing |
(7.6 | ) | (8.7 | ) | (6.7 | ) | (6.3 | ) | (21.7 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Corporate and Other(2) |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | (25.9 | ) | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | (64.0 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 240.7 | $ | 100.3 | $ | 104.6 | $ | (9.7 | ) | $ | 195.2 | |||||||
Sales & Marketing |
154.6 | 73.8 | 74.1 | (6.3 | ) | 141.6 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | (16.0 | ) | $ | 336.8 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America Segment
North America revenue increased $160.3 million, or 88%, and $193.3 million, or 130%, for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
North America revenue increased $12.1 million, or 4% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was due to growth in both our Sales & Marketing and Finance & Risk solutions, as discussed below.
Finance & Risk
North America Finance & Risk revenue increased $91.1 million, or 89%, and $112.6 million, or 140%, for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to
87
February 7, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
North America Finance & Risk revenue increased $10.7 million, or 6% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to higher revenue related to Finance Solutions products of approximately $13 million, partially offset by lower usage and delivery in our Compliance business of approximately $2 million.
Sales & Marketing
North America Sales & Marketing revenue increased $69.2 million, or 87%, and $80.7 million, or 119%, for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
North America Sales & Marketing revenue increased $1.4 million, or 1% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to revenue of $4.9 million from the acquisition of Lattice, which was acquired at the beginning of the third quarter of 2019 and higher revenue in our Advanced Marketing solution set of approximately $4 million primarily reflecting higher demand. The aforementioned increases were partially offset by lower royalty revenue of approximately $4 million from our Data.com legacy partnership and decreased revenue of approximately $3 million from D&B Hoovers, primarily due to lower sales from prior year.
International Segment
International revenue increased $56.2 million, or 375%, and $14.8 million, or 26%, for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
International revenue decreased $0.2 million, or less than 1% (less than 1% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. Excluding the negative impact of foreign exchange of $0.3 million, growth of $0.1 million was primarily due to growth in our Finance & Risk solutions, partially offset by declines in our Sales & Marketing solutions, as discussed below.
Finance & Risk
International Finance & Risk revenue increased $45.7 million, or 387%, and $14.1 million, or 32%, for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
International Finance & Risk revenue increased $2.3 million, or 4% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. Excluding the negative impact of foreign exchange of $0.1 million, growth of $2.4 million was driven primarily by increased demand for cross-border data from our WWN alliances of approximately $1.7 million and increased revenue from our U.K. market of approximately $0.5 million, primarily from our D&B Onboard product.
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Sales & Marketing
International Sales & Marketing revenue increased $10.5 million, or 328%, and $0.7 million, or 5%, for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
International Sales & Marketing revenue decreased $2.5 million, or 15% (14% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. Excluding the negative impact of foreign exchange of $0.2 million, International Sales & Marketing revenue declined $2.3 million, primarily driven by lower product royalties from our WWN alliances.
Consolidated Operating Costs
Consolidated operating costs were as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019(1) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
$ | 138.9 | $ | 64.3 | $ | 56.7 | $ | 121.0 | |||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
125.9 | 213.7 | 122.4 | 123.2 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
134.3 | 80.5 | 11.1 | 136.7 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | 18.6 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs |
$ | 403.6 | $ | 377.0 | $ | 190.3 | $ | 399.5 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (8.3 | ) | $ | (202.9 | ) | $ | (11.6 | ) | $ | (62.7 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $138.9 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $74.6 million, or 116%, compared to the prior year Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and an increase of $82.2 million, or 145%, compared to the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
Operating expenses increased $17.9 million, or 15%, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily related to the International Lag Adjustment of $14.8 million in the prior year period associated with the Take-Private Transaction.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses were $125.9 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of $87.8 million, or 41%, compared to the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and an increase of $3.5 million, or 3%, compared to the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2020. The decrease compared to the prior year Successor period was primarily due to the Successor transaction costs of $147.4 million included in the
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prior year period, partially offset by the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in the prior year period resulting from the Take-Private Transaction. The increase compared to the prior year Predecessor period was primarily due to the impact of partial quarter results reflected in the prior year period as a result of the Take-Private Transaction, partially offset by the Predecessor transaction costs of $52.0 million included in the prior year period.
Selling and administrative expenses were $123.2 million for the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019, excluding one-time transaction costs directly attributable to the Take-Private Transaction. Selling and administrative expenses increased $2.7 million, or 2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to the International Lag Adjustment of $8.3 million in the prior year period, partially offset by lower net personnel costs of approximately $6 million resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $134.3 million, $80.5 million and $11.1 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. Higher depreciation and amortization for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to each of the prior year periods was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods as a result of the Take-Private Transaction. In addition, higher depreciation and amortization in each of the Successor periods was related to recognized intangible assets arising from the Take-Private Transaction.
Depreciation and amortization decreased $2.4 million, or 2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in depreciation and amortization was primarily as a result of the accelerating amortization method applied to the customer relationship and database intangible assets recognized in connection with the Take-Private Transaction.
Restructuring Charge
We recorded restructuring charges of $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, $18.5 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and $0.1 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. Higher restructuring charges in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 was as a result of the restructuring plan management implemented after the Take-Private Transaction to remove duplicate headcount, reduce future operating expenses, and improve operational performance and profitability. As of March 31, 2020, these initiatives have resulted in approximately $206 million of net annualized run-rate savings. See Note 4 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Operating Income (Loss)
Consolidated operating loss was $8.3 million, $202.9 million and $11.6 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. Lower operating loss for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 was primarily due to the Successor transaction costs of $147.4 million, higher restructuring charge of $14.0 million in the 2019 Successor period and the net impact of partial quarter results reflected in the prior year period resulting from the Take-Private Transaction. Lower operating loss for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 was primarily due to the impact of partial quarter results and the
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Predecessor transaction costs of $52.0 million reflected in the prior year Predecessor period, partially offset by the higher depreciation and amortization costs of $123.2 million included in the 2020 period resulting from the recognized intangible assets in connection with the Take-Private Transaction.
Consolidated operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $8.3 million compared to consolidated operating loss of $62.7 million for the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019, an improvement of $54.4 million, or 87%. The change was primarily due to increased revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily due to higher deferred revenue adjustments of $20.7 million and higher restructuring charge of $14.1 million in the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. Higher total segment revenue of $11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 also contributed to the increase.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin by segment was as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019(1) |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||||
|
(dollars in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
North America: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 143.8 | $ | 71.3 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 126.6 | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
42.1 | % | 39.3 | % | 37.3 | % | 38.4 | % | |||||||
International: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 23.2 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 20.3 | $ | 23.2 | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
32.6 | % | 19.4 | % | 35.9 | % | 32.4 | % | |||||||
Corporate and Other: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | (33.5 | ) | $ | (33.6 | ) | $ | (9.3 | ) | $ | (58.9 | ) | |||
Consolidated total: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 90.9 | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
33.8 | % | 23.3 | % | 32.4 | % | 25.0 | % |
Consolidated
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $133.5 million, $40.6 million and $66.3 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. Higher adjusted EBITDA for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to each of the prior year periods was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the prior year periods resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $133.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $90.9 million for the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $42.6 million, or 47%. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin was 33.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to 25.0% for the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019, an improvement of 880 basis points. The improvement in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the impact of higher purchase accounting deferred revenue adjustments of $20.7 million included in the prior year period (inclusive of pro forma deferred revenue adjustment), which had an impact of 30 percentage points on the year over year increase. The remaining
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improvement was primarily due to higher total segment revenue of $11.9 million and lower net personnel costs of approximately $8 million resulting from ongoing cost management efforts for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
North America Segment
North America adjusted EBITDA increased $17.2 million, or 14%, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 370 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The improvement in both adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin was primarily due to higher revenue of $12.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and lower net personnel costs of approximately $5 million resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
International Segment
International adjusted EBITDA was $23.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2020 and the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 20 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019.
Corporate and Other
Corporate adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2020 improved by $25.4 million, or 43%, compared to the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The improvement was primarily due to the impact of higher purchase accounting deferred revenue adjustments of $20.7 million included in the prior year period (inclusive of pro forma deferred revenue adjustment), which had an impact of 21 percentage points on the year over year increase. The remaining improvement was primarily attributable to lower personnel costs resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
Interest Income (Expense)Net
Interest income (expense)net was as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019(1) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | 0.3 | $ | 1.1 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 1.4 | |||||||
Interest expense |
(83.0 | ) | (49.1 | ) | (5.5 | ) | (84.3 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income (expense)net |
$ | (82.7 | ) | $ | (48.0 | ) | $ | (5.2 | ) | $ | (82.9 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income decreased $0.8 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, primarily attributable to one-time interest income related to the settlement fund in connection with the Take-Private Transaction recorded in the prior year Successor period.
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Interest expense increased during each of the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 and the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, compared to the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019. The increase was attributable to higher average amounts of debt outstanding. In addition, higher interest expense for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to each of the 2019 periods was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in the prior year period resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
Interest expense decreased $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the Predecessor combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to lower interest rates in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Other Income (Expense)Net
Other income (expense)net was as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma Three Months Ended March 31, 2019(1) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
Non-operating pension income (expense) |
$ | 11.5 | $ | 5.6 | $ | (85.7 | ) | $ | 9.5 | ||||||
Change in fair value of make-whole derivative liability(2) |
69.8 | | | | |||||||||||
Miscellaneous other income (expense)Net |
8.7 | (1.4 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (1.8 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense)net |
$ | 90.0 | $ | 4.2 | $ | (86.0 | ) | $ | 7.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating pension income (expense) was an income of $11.5 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, an income of $5.6 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and an expense of $85.7 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019. A one-time settlement charge of $85.8 million related to our U.S. Non-Qualified plan was included in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 8, 2019. Higher income for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 and the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 was also due to the elimination of actuarial loss amortization as a result of the application of purchase accounting in connection with the Take-Private Transaction. Excluding the impact of the one-time settlement charge and the actuarial loss amortization included in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, both attributable to the Take-Private Transaction, non-operating pension income was $9.5 million for the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019.
The change in fair value of make-whole derivative liability relates to the valuation of a derivative bifurcated in accordance with GAAP from the Series A Preferred Stock that was issued in February 2019 to finance the Take-Private Transaction. Beginning in November 2019, we determined that there was a more than remote likelihood that the Series A Preferred Stock would become redeemable before November 8, 2021. We recorded a gain of $69.8 million in the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 to adjust the fair value of the make-whole derivative liability based on management's estimate of probability of the triggering event associated with the make-whole derivative liability.
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The increase in miscellaneous other income (expense)net of $10.1 million and $9.0 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively, was primarily driven by higher foreign exchange income in the current year period due to certain intercompany loan exposures no longer being hedged.
Provision for Income Taxes
In response to liquidity issues that businesses are facing as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 by the U.S. government. The CARES Act provides for a five-year carryback of U.S. federal net operating losses generated in tax years beginning in 2018, 2019, or 2020. As a result of the application of the CARES Act, our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was positively impacted by a net benefit of $55.6 million. In addition, the CARES Act temporarily increases the deductible interest expense limitation for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020.
The effective tax rate for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 was 7430%, reflecting a tax benefit of $74.3 million on a pre-tax loss of $1.0 million, compared to 15.0% for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, reflecting a tax benefit of $37.0 million on a pre-tax loss of $246.7 million, and 26.7% for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, reflecting a tax benefit of $27.5 million on a pre-tax loss of $102.8 million. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was positively impacted by the enactment of the CARES Act which allows for the carryback of U.S. federal net operating losses arising in 2018, 2019 or 2020 to each of the five preceding years for which the corporate tax rate for certain years was 35% (periods prior to 2018), as compared to the current 21% rate. In addition, the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was positively impacted by the income associated with the fair value adjustment related to the Series A Preferred Stock make-whole derivative liability which is not taxable. The effective tax rates for both the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 were negatively impacted by non-deductible transactions costs incurred as part of the Take-Private Transaction, partially offset by the excess tax benefit related to the acceleration of the vesting of equity-based awards in connection with the Take-Private Transaction for the Predecessor period January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019.
Net Income (Loss)
Consolidated net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. was a net income of $41.5 million, a net loss of $227.9 million and net loss of $75.6 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively. Higher net income of $269.4 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019, was primarily due to transaction costs of approximately $147 million incurred in connection with the Take-Private Transaction included in the 2019 Successor period, a reduction in the fair value of the make-whole derivative liability recorded in connection with the make-whole provision for the Series A Preferred Stock, resulting in a gain of $69.8 million in the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, higher income tax benefit of $55.6 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 related to the CARES Act, restructuring costs that were lower by $14.0 million in the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020; partially offset by higher dividends of $14.1 million allocated to the preferred stockholders in the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Higher net income of $117.1 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 was primarily driven by the pension settlement charge of $85.8 million recorded in January 2019 (Predecessor), a reduction in the fair value of the make-whole derivative liability recorded in connection with the make-whole
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provision for the Series A Preferred Stock, resulting in a gain of $69.8 million in the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, higher income tax benefit of $55.6 million for the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, and transaction costs of $52.0 million incurred by the Predecessor attributable to the Take-Private Transaction included in the 2019 Predecessor period; partially offset by dividends of $32.0 million allocated to the preferred stockholders in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and the net impact of the partial quarter results reflected in the prior year Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 resulting from the Take-Private Transaction.
Net income was $41.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to net loss of $152.8 million for the combined pro forma three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in net income of $194.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to:
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
Revenue
Our total revenue was $1,413.9 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $178.7 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and $1,716.4 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Our total revenue for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $302.5 million, or 18%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction. In addition, revenue was reduced by $138.9 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as a result of deferred revenue adjustments arising from the Take-Private Transaction. Revenue for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 was reduced by $25.9 million due to the International lag adjustment.
Our total revenue decreased $139.8 million, or 8% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Decrease in total revenue for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was primarily due to the negative impact of the $154.9 million purchase accounting deferred revenue adjustments arising from the Take-Private Transaction and the Lattice acquisition which had an impact of nine percentage points to the year over year decrease. In addition, the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 has one less month of International revenue of $25.9 million due to the impact on lag reporting arising from the Take-Private Transaction, which had an impact of 1.5 percentage points to the year over year decrease. The above decreases were partially offset by the net increase in our segment revenue consisting of increased North America revenue of $44.1 million, or 3% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), and a decreased International total revenue of $3.1 million, or 1% (2% increase before the effect of foreign exchange).
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Revenue by segment was as follows:
North America Segment
North America revenue was $1,316.5 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $148.2 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and $1,420.6 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. North America revenue for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $104.1 million, or 7%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction.
North America revenue increased $44.1 million, or 3% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase was due to growth in both our Sales & Marketing and Finance & Risk solutions, as discussed below.
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Finance & Risk
North America Finance & Risk revenue was $728.2 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $80.4 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, and $792.6 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. North America Finance & Risk revenue for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $64.4 million, or 8%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction.
North America Finance & Risk revenue increased $16.0 million, or 2% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher demand related to our Risk & Compliance businesses of approximately $11 million and our D&B Credibility products of approximately $4 million.
Sales & Marketing
North America Sales & Marketing revenue was $588.3 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $67.8 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and $628.0 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. North America Sales & Marketing revenue for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $39.7 million, or 6%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction.
North America Sales & Marketing revenue increased $28.1 million, or 4% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to higher revenue in our Master Data solution of approximately $17 million. Revenue also increased by approximately $12 million from the acquisition of Lattice, which was acquired at the beginning of the third quarter of 2019.
International Segment
International revenue was $236.3 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $56.4 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and $295.8 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. International revenue for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $59.5 million, or 20%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction.
International revenue decreased $3.1 million, or 1% (2% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The negative impact of foreign exchange was $9.5 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, growth of $6.4 million was primarily due to increased revenue in our U.K. market driven by higher demand and usage related to our Finance & Risk solutions, including Risk & Compliance products, as discussed below.
Finance & Risk
International Finance & Risk revenue was $191.3 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $43.4 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to
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February 7, 2019 and $233.6 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. International Finance & Risk revenue for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $42.3 million, or 18%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction.
International Finance & Risk revenue increased $1.1 million, or less than 1% (4% increase before the effect of foreign exchange) for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The negative impact of foreign exchange was $7.1 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, growth of $8.2 million was driven primarily by our U.K. market from our D&B Finance Analytics and D&B Onboard products.
Sales & Marketing
International Sales & Marketing revenue was $45.0 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $13.0 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and $62.2 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. International Sales & Marketing revenue for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $17.2 million, or 28%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction.
International Sales & Marketing revenue decreased $4.2 million, or 7% (3% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange) for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The negative impact of foreign exchange was $2.4 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, $1.8 million of decline was primarily from our U.K. market, largely as a result of transferring legacy Avention contracts to our WWN alliances pursuant to preexisting agreements governing partner exclusivity in certain territories.
Consolidated Operating Costs
Consolidated operating costs were as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma |
Predecessor | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2019(1) |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
$ | 448.5 | $ | 56.7 | $ | 505.2 | $ | 563.4 | |||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
651.2 | 122.4 | 560.7 | 610.0 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
482.4 | 11.1 | 538.6 | 88.7 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
51.8 | 0.1 | 51.9 | 25.4 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs |
$ | 1,633.9 | $ | 190.3 | $ | 1,656.4 | $ | 1,287.5 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (220.0 | ) | $ | (11.6 | ) | $ | (79.8 | ) | $ | 428.9 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $448.5 million, $56.7 million and $563.4 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Operating expenses for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased $114.9 million, or 20%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 as a result of the Take-Private Transaction.
Operating expenses decreased $58.2 million, or 10%, for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the International lag adjustment of $14.8 million, the decrease was primarily due to lower net personnel costs resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses were $651.2 million, $122.4 million and $610.0 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Selling and administrative expenses for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 increased $41.2 million, or 7%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to the Successor transaction costs of $147.4 million, attributable to the Take-Private Transaction, included in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, partially offset by the impact of the partial year results reflected in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, also as a result of the Take-Private Transaction. For the 2019 Predecessor period, selling and administrative expenses decreased $487.6 million, or 80%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to the impact of the partial year results included in the 2019 Predecessor period, partially offset by the Predecessor transaction costs of $52.0 million, attributable to the Take-Private Transaction.
Selling and administrative expenses were $651.2 million, $122.4 million and $610.0 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Excluding one-time transaction costs directly attributable to the Take-Private Transaction, selling and administrative expenses were $560.7 million for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $49.3 million, or 8%, compared to the Predecessor twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to lower net personnel costs of approximately $39 million resulting from ongoing cost management efforts, lower professional fees of approximately $32 million and the International lag adjustment of $8.3 million, partially offset by higher transition related bonuses of approximately $38 million. One-time transaction costs primarily consisted of costs incurred related to sponsor fees, bank fees, legal fees, costs associated with the acceleration of the vesting of the outstanding Predecessor's equity-based incentive grants and other professional fees.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization were $482.4 million, $11.1 million and $88.7 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Depreciation and amortization for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 increased $393.7 million, or 444%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to the increase in the carrying values of amortizable recognized intangible assets arising from the Take-Private Transaction.
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Depreciation and amortization increased $449.9 million, or 507%, for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to the increase in the carrying values of amortizable intangible assets after the application of purchase accounting in connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019. Furthermore, additional pro forma amortization expense of $45.1 million was included in the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019, giving effect to the Take-Private Transaction as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019.
Restructuring Charge
We recorded restructuring charges of $51.8 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, $0.1 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and $25.4 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Higher restructuring charges in the Successor period was as a result of the restructuring plan management implemented after the Take-Private Transaction to remove duplicate headcount, reduce future operating expenses, and improve operational performance and profitability. As of December 31, 2019, these initiatives have resulted in approximately $203 million of net annualized run-rate savings. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Operating Income (Loss)
Consolidated operating loss was $220.0 million and $11.6 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, respectively, compared to consolidated operating income of $428.9 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Higher loss of $648.9 million, or 151%, during the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the impact of the Take-Private Transaction, resulting in higher depreciation and amortization of approximately $404 million due to recognized intangible assets, reduction of revenue of approximately $139 million associated with deferred revenue fair value adjustment, and Successor transaction costs of $147.4 million, partially offset by the impact of the partial year results included in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
Consolidated operating loss for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $79.8 million compared to consolidated operating income of $428.9 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $508.7 million, or 119%. The decrease was primarily due to the negative impact of the application of purchase accounting of approximately $605 million primarily in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, resulting in the reduction of deferred revenue recognized as revenue and higher depreciation and amortization. Additionally, after the Take-Private Transaction, we incurred higher transition costs of approximately $38 million and higher restructuring costs of $26 million for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019. These higher costs were partially offset by lower ongoing net personnel costs of approximately $57 million and professional costs of approximately $32 million, resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
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Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin by segment was as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma |
Predecessor | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2019(1) |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
(dollars in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
North America: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 634.6 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 689.9 | $ | 575.9 | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
48.2 | % | 37.3 | % | 47.1 | % | 40.5 | % | |||||||
International: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 78.2 | $ | 20.3 | $ | 98.5 | $ | 91.2 | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
33.2 | % | 35.9 | % | 33.6 | % | 30.8 | % | |||||||
Corporate and other: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | (210.7 | ) | $ | (9.3 | ) | $ | (236.0 | ) | $ | (98.5 | ) | |||
Consolidated total: |
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 552.4 | $ | 568.6 | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
35.5 | % | 32.4 | % | 34.5 | % | 33.1 | % |
Consolidated
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $502.1 million, $66.3 million and $568.6 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 decreased by $66.5 million, or 12%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to the impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustment of $138.9 million in connection with the Take-Private Transaction and the Lattice acquisition, which had an impact of 24 percentage points to the year over year decrease, partially offset by lower net personnel costs of approximately $73 million resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $552.4 million for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to $568.6 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $16.2 million, or 3%. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustment of $154.9 million (inclusive of the pro forma deferred revenue adjustment), which had an impact of 27 percentage points to the year over year decrease, partially offset by higher segment revenue of $41 million. The remaining increase was primarily due to lower operating costs resulting from ongoing cost management efforts. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin was 34.5% for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to 33.1% for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 140 basis points.
North America Segment
Adjusted EBITDA increased $114.0 million, or 20%, for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 660 basis points for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The
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improvement in both adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin was primarily due to lower net personnel costs of $69.3 million resulting from ongoing cost management efforts. Furthermore, higher revenue of $44.0 million in the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 also contributed to the improvement of North America's adjusted EBITDA.
International Segment
Adjusted EBITDA increased $7.3 million, or 8%, for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 280 basis points for the combined twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The improvement in both adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin was primarily due to lower net personnel costs resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
Corporate and Other
Adjusted EBITDA for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 declined by $137.5 million, or 140%, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to the deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustment of $154.9 million (inclusive of pro forma deferred revenue adjustment) as a result of the Take-Private Transaction and the Lattice acquisition, partially offset by lower professional fees resulting from ongoing cost management efforts.
Interest Income (Expense)Net
Interest income (expense)net was as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma |
Predecessor | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2019(1) |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | 2.4 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 2.7 | $ | 1.9 | |||||||
Interest expense |
(303.5 | ) | (5.5 | ) | (338.7 | ) | (54.4 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income (expense)net |
$ | (301.1 | ) | $ | (5.2 | ) | $ | (336.0 | ) | $ | (52.5 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 increased $0.5 million, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to higher average investable balances in the United States at higher interest rates, as well as one-time interest income related to the settlement fund in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, partially offset by the impact of the partial year results included in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Interest income increased $0.8 million for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in interest income was primarily attributable to higher average investable balances in the United States at higher interest rates, as well as one-time interest income related to the settlement fund in connection with the Take-Private Transaction for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019.
Interest expense for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 increased $249.1 million, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to
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higher average interest rates on our outstanding debt balances and higher average amounts of debt outstanding during the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, partially offset by the partial year results included in the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Interest expense increased $284.3 million for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to higher average interest rates on our outstanding debt balances and higher average amounts of debt outstanding. In addition, additional pro forma interest expense of $29.7 million was included in the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 to give effect to the Take-Private Transaction as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019.
Other Income (Expense)Net
Other income (expense)net was as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
Combined
Pro Forma |
Predecessor | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2019(1) |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||||||||||
Non-operating pension income (expense) |
$ | 35.9 | $ | (85.7 | ) | $ | 39.8 | $ | (2.4 | ) | |||||
Change in fair value of make-whole derivative liability(2) |
(172.4 |
) |
|
(172.4 |
) |
|
|||||||||
Miscellaneous other expensenet |
(18.3 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (18.7 | ) | (0.9 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense)net |
$ | (154.8 | ) | $ | (86.0 | ) | $ | (151.3 | ) | $ | (3.3 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating pension income (expense) was an income of $35.9 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, an expense of $85.7 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, and an expense of $2.4 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. A one-time settlement charge of $85.8 million related to our U.S. Non-Qualified plan was included in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019. Higher income for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 was primarily due to the elimination of actuarial loss amortization as a result of the application of purchase accounting in connection with the Take-Private Transaction. The higher income for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily driven by the elimination of actuarial loss amortization discussed above.
The change in fair value of make-whole derivative liability for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 only occurs in the Successor period as it relates to the valuation of a derivative bifurcated in accordance with GAAP from the Series A Preferred Stock that was issued in February 2019 to finance the Take-Private Transaction. Beginning in November 2019, we determined that there was a more than remote likelihood that the Series A Preferred Stock would become redeemable before November 8, 2021.
Higher miscellaneous other expensenet of $17.4 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily driven by higher foreign exchange loss in the current year period due to certain intercompany
103
loan exposures no longer being hedged and higher dividend income from minority-interest investment included in the prior year period.
The increase in miscellaneous other expensenet of $17.8 million for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the same reasons discussed above.
Provision for Income Taxes
Effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor) |
55.7 | % | ||
Impact of reduction in the U.S. federal tax rate due to the 2017 Act(1) |
(14.0 | ) | ||
Impact of release of uncertain tax positions |
(0.5 | ) | ||
Impact of income earned in non U.S. jurisdictions(2) |
5.0 | |||
Impact of nondeductible charges and non-taxable income(3) |
(5.0 | ) | ||
Impact of tax credits and deductions |
4.8 | |||
Impact of one-time tax on deemed earnings repatriation(4) |
(13.4 | ) | ||
Impact of net deferred tax asset write-down due to federal tax rate change(5) |
(7.8 | ) | ||
Impact of change in state tax |
0.7 | |||
Impact of tax accounting method change(6) |
(3.6 | ) | ||
Other |
| |||
| | | | |
Effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) |
21.9 | % | ||
| | | | |
Impact of uncertain tax positions(7) |
(8.0 | ) | ||
Impact of income earned in non U.S. jurisdictions |
2.3 | |||
Impact of nondeductible charges and non-taxable income(8) |
(3.2 | ) | ||
Impact of legacy transaction costs(9) |
6.7 | |||
Impact of tax credits and deductions |
3.2 | |||
Impact of prior year one-time tax on deemed earnings repatriation |
(3.8 | ) | ||
Impact of change in state tax |
4.2 | |||
Impact of prior year tax accounting method change |
3.6 | |||
Impact of valuation allowance |
0.1 | |||
Other |
(0.3 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Effective tax rate for the period ended February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) |
26.7 | % | ||
| | | | |
Impact of uncertain tax positions taken in the 2019 Predecessor period |
7.8 | |||
Impact of income earned in non U.S. jurisdictions |
0.2 | |||
Impact of non-deductible charges and non-taxable income(8) |
(2.6 | ) | ||
Impact of legacy transaction costs |
(6.7 | ) | ||
Impact of non-deductible change in fair value of make-whole derivative liability for the Series A Preferred Stock |
(5.4 | ) | ||
Impact of tax credits and deductions |
1.2 | |||
Impact of GILTI Inclusion |
(4.4 | ) | ||
Impact of change in state tax |
(3.6 | ) | ||
Impact of valuation allowance(10) |
4.0 | |||
Other |
0.3 | |||
| | | | |
Effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 (Successor) |
17.5 | % | ||
| | | | |
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Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
Consolidated net income (loss) was a net loss of $553.5 million, a net loss of $74.8 million and net income of $294.3 million for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 and the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Higher net losses for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) were primarily due to:
Loss in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 was primarily driven by the pension settlement charge of $85.8 million and transaction costs of $52.0 million attributable to the Take-Private Transaction.
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Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
Revenue
Total revenue decreased $26.1 million, or 2% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in total revenue was driven by a decrease in North America total revenue of $23.5 million, or 2% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange) and a decrease in International total revenue of $10.6 million, or 4% (5% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange).
The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in a decrease in revenue of $31.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 and Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for further details. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Topic 606, total revenue increased $5.0 million, or less than 1% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange).
We acquired a 100% equity interest in Avention during the first quarter of 2017. The impact of the deferred revenue fair value adjustment was a reduction to revenue of $7.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for further details on the Avention acquisition.
Revenue by segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||
North America: |
|||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 792.6 | $ | 828.4 | |||
Sales & Marketing |
628.0 | 615.6 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total North America |
$ | 1,420.6 | $ | 1,444.0 | |||
| | | | | | | |
International: |
|||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 233.6 | $ | 246.0 | |||
Sales & Marketing |
62.2 | 60.4 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total International |
$ | 295.8 | $ | 306.4 | |||
| | | | | | | |
Corporate and other: |
|||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | | $ | | |||
Sales & Marketing |
| (7.9 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Total corporate and other(1) |
$ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | ||
| | | | | | | |
Revenue: |
|||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 1,026.2 | $ | 1,074.4 | |||
Sales & Marketing |
690.2 | 668.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total revenue |
$ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
106
North America Segment
North America revenue decreased $23.4 million, or 2% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in a decrease of $20.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 and Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for further details. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Topic 606, North America total revenue increased $3.0 million, or less than 1% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange).
Finance & Risk
North America Finance & Risk revenue decreased $35.8 million, or 4% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange). The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in decreased revenue of $27.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Topic 606, Finance & Risk solutions decreased $8.1 million, or 1% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange). The decrease in revenue from Finance & Risk solutions reflects lower revenue from our legacy Risk & Credibility products of approximately $16 million and our Government business of approximately $3 million, partially offset by new business in our Compliance products of approximately $6 million as well as our Analytics offerings of approximately $4 million.
Sales & Marketing
North America Sales & Marketing revenue increased $12.4 million, or 2% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange). The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in increased revenue of $7.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Topic 606, Sales & Marketing Solutions increased $5.1 million, or 1% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange). The increase in Sales & Marketing Solutions reflects increased revenue from new business in our Master Data offerings of approximately $7 million as well as our Audience Solutions products of approximately $5 million and Analytics products of approximately $5 million. The aforementioned increases were partially offset by lower royalty revenue from our data.com legacy partnership of approximately $7 million and decreased revenue in D&B Hoovers of approximately $5 million.
International Segment
International revenue decreased $10.6 million, or 4% (5% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange), for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in a decrease of $10.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1 and Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements further details. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Topic 606, International total revenue increased $0.1 million, or less than 1% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange).
Finance & Risk
International Finance & Risk revenue decreased $12.4 million, or 5% (6% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange). The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in decreased revenue of $16.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Topic 606, Finance & Risk solutions increased $3.8 million, or 2% (less than 1% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), primarily reflecting increased revenue from certain Compliance products of approximately $5 million, positive impact of foreign exchange of approximately $3 million and increased project revenue from our WWN related to credit bureau services of approximately $3 million. These aforementioned increases were partially offset by decreased revenue of approximately $8 million related to transition services provided to our WWN alliances due to the completion of the conversion of our Benelux and Latin America operations to the WWN alliances model.
107
Sales & Marketing
International Sales & Marketing revenue increased $1.8 million, or 3% (2% increase before the effect of foreign exchange). The adoption of Topic 606 resulted in increased revenue of $5.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the impact of the adoption of Topic 606, Sales & Marketing solutions decreased $3.7 million, or 6% (both after and before the effect of foreign exchange), primarily reflects the impact of sunsetting certain products, non-recurring prior-year revenue in WWN and lower alliance revenue.
Consolidated Operating Costs
Consolidated operating costs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||
Operating expenses |
$ | 563.4 | $ | 573.3 | |||
Selling and administrative expenses |
610.0 | 672.4 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
88.7 | 79.7 | |||||
Restructuring charge |
25.4 | 32.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Operating costs |
$ | 1,287.5 | $ | 1,357.5 | |||
| | | | | | | |
Operating income |
$ | 428.9 | $ | 385.0 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased $9.9 million, or 2%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily a result of our cost reduction efforts.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses decreased $62.4 million, or 9%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to the following:
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $9.0 million, or 11%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to increased capital costs for revenue generating investments to enhance our capabilities, partially offset by the effect of the completion of the depreciable lives of certain assets.
108
Restructuring Charge
We recorded restructuring charges of $25.4 million and $32.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The charges primarily related to severance resulting from our various cost reduction initiatives. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Operating Income
Consolidated
Consolidated operating income was $428.9 million and $385.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, an improvement of $43.9 million, or 11%. The improvement in operating income was primarily attributable to decreased costs of approximately $30 million as a result of our cost reduction efforts, lower restructuring charge of $6.7 million and lower equity-based compensation of $9.7 million due to the departure of several senior executives in 2018, partially offset by the impact associated with a reduction of legal reserve of $7.7 million in the prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin by segment in the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||
|
(dollars in millions)
|
||||||
North America: |
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 575.9 | $ | 525.5 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
40.5 | % | 36.4 | % | |||
International: |
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 91.2 | $ | 102.0 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
30.8 | % | 33.3 | % | |||
Corporate and other: |
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | (98.5 | ) | $ | (102.9 | ) | |
Consolidated total: |
|||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
33.1 | % | 30.1 | % |
Consolidated
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 increased $44.0 million, or 8%, primarily as a result of our cost reduction efforts partially offset by the impact of the adoption of Topic 606.
North America Segment
Adjusted EBITDA increased $50.4 million, or 10%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 410 basis points for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the prior year. The improvement in both adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin was primarily due to decreased costs as a result of cost reduction efforts.
109
International Segment
Adjusted EBITDA decreased $10.8 million, or 11% the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 250 basis points for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the adoption of Topic 606 of $9.3 million.
Corporate and Other
Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $98.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, an improvement of $4.4 million, or 4%, primarily due to the impact of reduced revenue of $7.9 million in 2017 resulting from deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustment associated with the Avention acquisition, partially offset by higher corporate costs in 2018 of approximately $4 million related to professional fees.
Interest Income (Expense)Net
Interest income (expense)net for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||
Interest income |
$ | 1.9 | $ | 1.6 | |||
Interest expense |
(54.4 | ) | (59.7 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Interest (expense)net |
$ | (52.5 | ) | $ | (58.1 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Interest income increased $0.3 million, or 16% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The increase in interest income was primarily attributable to higher average interest rates on invested cash.
Interest expense decreased $5.3 million, or 9%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to lower average amounts of debt outstanding.
Other Income (Expense)Net
Other income (expense)net for years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||
Loss on sale of businesses |
$ | | $ | (0.7) | |||
Pension and postretirement costsnon-service cost components |
(2.4) | (2.1) | |||||
Miscellaneous other (expense)net |
(0.9) | (1.4) | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Other income (expense)net |
$ | (3.3) | $ | (4.2) | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
110
Provision for Income Taxes
Effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) |
49.0 | % | ||
Impact of legacy tax matters(1) |
1.6 | |||
Impact of release of uncertain tax positions |
0.7 | |||
Impact of income earned in non U.S. jurisdictions with lower tax rates |
(0.2 | ) | ||
Impact of nondeductible charges(2) |
(4.0 | ) | ||
Impact of tax credits and deductions |
(2.1 | ) | ||
Impact of prior year earnings repatriation(3) |
17.2 | |||
Impact of net deferred tax asset write-down due to federal tax rate change(4) |
7.8 | |||
Impact of change in state tax |
(0.1 | ) | ||
Impact of prior year sale of Benelux and Latin America(5) |
(15.1 | ) | ||
Other |
0.9 | |||
| | | | |
Effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor) |
55.7 | % | ||
| | | | |
Impact of reduction in the U.S. federal tax rate due to the 2017 Act(6) |
(14.0 | ) | ||
Impact of release of uncertain tax positions |
(0.5 | ) | ||
Impact of income earned in non U.S. jurisdictions(7) |
5.0 | |||
Impact of nondeductible charges and non-taxable income(8) |
(5.0 | ) | ||
Impact of tax credits and deductions |
4.8 | |||
Impact of one-time tax on deemed earnings repatriation(9) |
(13.4 | ) | ||
Impact of net deferred tax asset write-down due to federal tax rate change(10) |
(7.8 | ) | ||
Impact of change in state tax |
0.7 | |||
Impact of tax accounting method change(11) |
(3.6 | ) | ||
Other |
| |||
| | | | |
Effective tax rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) |
21.9 | % | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
111
Net Income from Continuing Operations
Net income from continuing operations increased $148.5 million, or 102%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, driven by lower operating costs of approximately $30 million as a result of cost reduction effort and the reduction of the U.S. Corporate 2018 income tax rate of approximately $32 million, the toll charge and deferred tax revaluation of $79.0 million recorded in 2017 as a result of the enactment of the 2017 Act in December 2017. In addition, our 2018 net income was favorably impacted by a U.S. tax accounting method change of $13.4 million approved by the IRS in April 2018.
Excluding the impact associated with enactment of the 2017 Act and the U.S. tax accounting method change, equity-based compensation, restructuring charges, incremental amortization resulting from purchase accounting and other non-recurring charges, adjusted net income from continuing operations increased $76.1 million, or 25%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, primarily driven by lower operating costs in 2018 as a result of cost reduction effort and the reduction of the U.S. Corporate 2018 income tax rate.
See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further detail on the incremental charge related to the tax liability on the undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries.
Earnings per Share ("EPS")
EPS from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic earnings per share |
$ | 7.76 | $ | 3.84 | |||
Diluted earnings per share |
$ | 7.72 | $ | 3.81 |
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, both basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dun & Bradstreet common stockholders increased 103% compared with the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The increases for basic and diluted EPS were primarily due to a 103% increase in Net Income from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet common stockholders for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, largely driven by the reduction of the 2018 U.S. federal corporate income tax rate, the toll charge and deferred tax revaluation recorded in 2017 as a result of the enactment of the 2017 Act. In addition, our 2018 EPS was favorably impacted by a U.S. tax accounting method change approved by the IRS in April 2018.
Quarterly Financial Data
The tables below set forth certain of our financial and other information for the periods indicated. For a discussion of our non-GAAP measures, see "Key Metrics," "Results of OperationsKey
112
Performance Measures" and "Prospectus SummarySummary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data."
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
December 31,
2019 |
September 30,
2019 |
June 30,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
September 30,
2018 |
June 30,
2018 |
March 31,
2018 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 432.7 | $ | 408.2 | $ | 398.9 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 446.8 | $ | 414.5 | $ | 446.2 | $ | 408.9 | ||||||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| | | | 25.9 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue(a) |
432.7 | 408.2 | 398.9 | 174.1 | 204.6 | 446.8 | 414.5 | 446.2 | 408.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
2.8 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.5 | (1.2 | ) | (2.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency(a) |
$ | 435.5 | $ | 411.2 | $ | 400.7 | $ | 174.4 | $ | 205.6 | $ | 448.2 | $ | 415.0 | $ | 445.0 | $ | 406.8 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) Includes deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustments |
$ | (39.6 | ) | $ | (39.2 | ) | $ | (38.0 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America |
$ | 399.7 | $ | 374.7 | $ | 360.9 | $ | 181.2 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 373.8 | $ | 341.0 | $ | 371.9 | $ | 333.9 | ||||||||||||
International |
72.6 | 72.7 | 76.0 | 15.0 | 56.4 | 73.0 | 73.5 | 74.3 | 75.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Segment revenue |
472.3 | 447.4 | 436.9 | 196.2 | 204.6 | 446.8 | 414.5 | 446.2 | 408.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other |
(39.6 | ) | (39.2 | ) | (38.0 | ) | (22.1 | ) | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
2.8 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.5 | (1.2 | ) | (2.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted revenue before the effect of foreign currency(a) |
$ | 435.5 | $ | 411.2 | $ | 400.7 | $ | 174.4 | $ | 205.6 | $ | 448.2 | $ | 415.0 | $ | 445.0 | $ | 406.8 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ |
(263.3 |
) |
$ |
(88.8 |
) |
$ |
(94.0 |
) |
$ |
(227.9 |
) |
$ |
(75.6 |
) |
$ |
77.4 |
$ |
55.9 |
$ |
98.2 |
$ |
56.6 |
|||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
141.8 | 123.3 | 136.8 | 80.5 | 11.1 | 22.4 | 22.6 | 22.6 | 21.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
82.6 | 85.1 | 85.4 | 48.0 | 5.2 | 13.2 | 13.1 | 12.9 | 13.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxnet |
(34.1 | ) | (24.0 | ) | (23.1 | ) | (37.0 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 42.4 | 17.6 | 7.8 | 13.8 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA |
(73.0 | ) | 95.6 | 105.1 | (136.4 | ) | (86.8 | ) | 155.4 | 109.2 | 141.5 | 104.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
173.4 | (6.3 | ) | (8.1 | ) | (4.2 | ) | 86.0 | 2.1 | 2.0 | (1.3 | ) | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
(0.8 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (2.8 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (0.6 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest |
3.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
32.0 | 32.1 | 32.0 | 17.9 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| | | | 2.7 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
(4.8 | ) | (5.4 | ) | (6.4 | ) | (4.1 | ) | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 0.5 | 11.7 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 3.9 | (0.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges |
7.7 | 8.2 | 17.4 | 18.5 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 10.5 | 11.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
1.5 | 5.9 | 1.2 | 147.4 | 52.0 | 3.5 | 6.9 | 0.4 | 0.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transition costs |
13.9 | 20.3 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Legal reserve associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
| | 0.1 | (0.3 | ) | | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Asset impairment |
1.1 | | 2.3 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 158.0 | $ | 155.0 | $ | 148.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 167.2 | $ | 127.0 | $ | 156.8 | $ | 117.6 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
113
Market Risk
We employ established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates and foreign currencies. We use foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge short-term foreign currency denominated loans and certain third-party and intercompany transactions. We may also use foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge our net investments in our foreign subsidiaries. In addition, we may use interest rate derivatives to hedge a portion of the interest rate exposure on our outstanding debt or in anticipation of a future debt issuance, as discussed under "Interest Rate Risk Management" below.
We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. If a hedging instrument ceases to qualify as a hedge in accordance with hedge accounting guidelines, any subsequent gains and losses are recognized in the appropriate period income. Collateral is generally not required for these types of instruments.
A discussion of our accounting policies for financial instruments is included in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements, and further disclosure relating to financial instruments is included in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Our objective in managing our exposure to interest rates is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings, cash flows and financial position, and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we maintain a practice that floating-rate debt be managed within a minimum and maximum range of our total debt exposure. To manage our exposure and limit volatility, we may use fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and/or interest rate swaps. We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets.
We use interest rate swaps to manage the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings. Under the swap agreements, we make monthly payments based on the fixed interest rate and receive monthly payments based on the floating rate. The objective of the swaps is to mitigate the variation of future cash flows from changes in the floating interest rates on our existing debt. For further detail of our debt, see Note 5 to both the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial statements. The swaps are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of the hedging instruments are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and reclassified to earnings in the same line item associated with the hedged item when the hedged item impacts earnings.
A 100 basis point increase/decrease in the weighted average interest rate on our outstanding debt subject to rate variability would result in an incremental increase/decrease in annual interest expense of approximately $26 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
114
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
We have numerous offices in various countries outside of the United States and conduct operations in several countries through minority equity investments and strategic relationships with local providers. Our operations outside of the United States generated approximately 19%, 17% and 18% of our total revenue for the combined pro forma twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively. Approximately 7% and 20% of our assets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were located outside of the United States.
Our objective in managing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce the volatility caused by foreign exchange rate changes on the earnings, cash flows and financial position of our international operations. We follow a practice of hedging certain balance sheet positions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries. In addition, we are subject to foreign exchange risk associated with our international earnings and net investments in our foreign subsidiaries. We use short-term, foreign exchange forward and, from time to time, option contracts to execute our hedging strategies. Typically, these contracts have maturities of 12 months or less. These contracts are denominated primarily in the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar and the Hong Kong dollar. The gains and losses on the forward contracts associated with our balance sheet positions are recorded in "Other Income (Expense)Net" in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and are essentially offset by the losses and gains on the underlying foreign currency transactions. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments under authoritative guidance.
In prior years, to decrease earnings volatility, we hedged substantially all balance sheet positions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries with short-term, foreign exchange forward contracts. Beginning in the third quarter of 2019, certain balance sheet positions are no longer being hedged in order to reduce the volatility of cash flows required to settle these forward contracts. In addition, we may use foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain net investment positions. The underlying transactions and the corresponding foreign exchange forward contracts are marked to market at the end of each quarter and the fair value impacts are reflected within the consolidated financial statements.
At March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and 2018, the notional amounts of our foreign exchange forward contracts were $122.1 million, $152.0 million and $182.2 million, respectively.
Realized gains and losses associated with these contracts were $16.5 million and $24.4 million, respectively, for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor); $17.0 million and $24.0 million, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor); and $22.1 million and $15.5 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017 (Predecessor). Unrealized gains and losses associated with these contracts were $1.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019 (Successor); $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor); and $1.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017 (Predecessor).
If exchange rates to which we are exposed under our outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts were to increase, on average, 10% from year-end 2019 levels, the unrealized losses on our foreign exchange forward contracts would be approximately $0.3 million, excluding the expected gains on the underlying hedged items. If exchange rates, on average, were to decrease 10% from year-end 2019 levels, the unrealized gains on our foreign exchange forward contracts would be approximately $0.3 million, excluding the expected losses on the underlying hedged items. However, the estimated potential gains and losses on these contracts would substantially be offset by changes in the dollar equivalent value of the underlying hedged items.
115
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity consist of cash flows provided by operating activities, cash and cash equivalents on hand and our short-term borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities. Our principal uses of liquidity are working capital, capital expenditures, debt service, dividend payments for Series A Preferred Stock and other general corporate purposes.
We believe that cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as needed with available financing arrangements, is sufficient to meet our short-term needs, including restructuring charges, our capital investments, contractual obligations, interest payments and tax liabilities related to our distributed and undistributed foreign earnings. We continue to generate substantial cash from ongoing operating activities and manage our capital structure to meet short- and long-term objectives including investing in existing businesses and strategic acquisitions. In addition, we have the ability to use the short-term borrowings from the New Revolving Facility to supplement the seasonality in the timing of receipts in order to fund our working capital needs. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors that are difficult to predict, including the size, timing and structure of any future acquisitions, future capital investments and future results of operations.
The recent COVID-19 global pandemic has caused disruptions in supply chains, affecting workforce, production and sales across the world while potentially leading to a long-term downturn in economies. While this disruption is currently expected to be temporary, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the duration and the speed of recovery. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend on the effect on our clients and vendors, all of which are uncertain at this time and cannot be predicted. Given the current economic condition, we have been carefully monitoring the COVID-19 global pandemic and its impact on our business including, but not limited to, implementing additional operational processes to monitor clients sales and collections, taking precautionary measures to ensure sufficient liquidity, including a proactive draw of $200 million on our revolving facility to preserve cash flow flexibility during the three months ended March 31, 2020, of which over $100 million has subsequently been repaid, and adjusting operations to ensure business continuity. While our productivity and financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have not been impacted materially by the pandemic, the ultimate impact will be difficult to predict, and depends on, among many factors, the duration of the pandemic and its ultimate impact to our customers, vendors, and the financial markets.
In response to liquidity issues that businesses are facing as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 by the U.S. government. Among many other reliefs, the CARES Act provides assistance to businesses through the modification of rules related to net operating losses and interest expense deductions. Many of these modifications are designed to provide critical cash flow and liquidity to businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic, including allowing the amendment of prior tax returns to obtain tax refunds. The CARES Act also allows for the deferral of 2020 employer FICA payroll taxes to 2021 and 2022 as well as delaying any federal tax payments due April 15, 2020 and June 15, 2020 until July 15, 2020. The Company intends to utilize the relief opportunities provided by the CARES Act. As a result of the application of the CARES Act, the Company expects to realize a net income tax cash benefit of approximately $90 million. We have also deferred 2020 FICA payroll tax payments of approximately $12 million, with half due at the end of 2021 and the remaining half at the end of 2022.
As of March 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $167.6 million, of which $101.1 million was held by our foreign operations. We intend to reinvest indefinitely all earnings from our China and India subsidiaries. Cash held in our China and India operations was a total of $43.8 million as of March 31, 2020.
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In connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, we received equity funding of $3,076.8 million and entered into credit facility arrangements and issued notes, resulting in total borrowings of $4,043.0 million. The proceeds were used to (i) finance the consummation of the Take-Private Transaction, (ii) repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Term Loan Facility and Prior Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) fund the redemption of the Predecessor senior notes and (iv) pay related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with these transactions.
On June 12, 2019, in connection with the acquisition of Lattice, Star Parent issued capital call notices to its Class A and B unit owners to raise up to $100.0 million by July 15, 2019. Star Parent received the total capital funding of $100.0 million during 2019 from the Class A and B unit owners. The funding was ultimately contributed to Dun & Bradstreet as capital surplus.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Information about our cash flows, by category, is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:
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Interim Periods | Annual Periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Successor |
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Predecessor | Successor |
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Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Three Months
Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
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|
(in millions)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
$ | 0.5 | $ | (233.5 | ) | $ | (65.4 | ) | $ | (63.0 | ) | $ | (65.4 | ) | $ | 325.4 | $ | 286.5 | ||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(35.6 | ) | (5,952.3 | ) | (5.3 | ) | (6,154.6 | ) | (5.3 | ) | (65.3 | ) | (206.6 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
103.9 | 6,321.4 | 96.9 | 6,321.8 | 96.9 | (609.7 | ) | (18.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total cash provided (used) during the period before the effect of exchange rate changes |
$ | 68.8 | $ | 135.6 | $ | 26.2 | $ | 104.2 | $ | 26.2 | $ | (349.6 | ) | $ | 61.1 | |||||||||||
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Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 versus Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Higher operating cash flows in the Successor three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the prior Successor period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, was primarily driven by transaction cost payments and pension settlement payments in connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019 totaling approximately $197 million during the 2019 Successor period and approximately $243 million during the 2019 Predecessor period. The aforementioned higher payments in 2019 were partially offset by increased interest payments of approximately $78 million and $101 million, increased bonus payments of approximately $48 million and $76 million, and increased tax payments of approximately $14 million and $10 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the 2019 Successor period and 2019 Predecessor period, respectively. The remaining increase in the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to each of the 2019 periods was primarily due to the impact of the partial quarter results reflected in each of the 2019 periods.
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Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
Net cash used in operating activities was $63.0 million for the 2019 Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and $65.4 million for the 2019 Predecessor period. Net cash provided by operating activities was $325.4 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in operating cash flows in the 2019 Successor period and 2019 Predecessor period, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily driven by transaction cost payments and pension settlement payments in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, totaling approximately $197 million during the 2019 Successor period and approximately $243 million during the 2019 Predecessor period. In addition, we had higher interest payments of $178.6 million during the 2019 Successor period, compared to the 2018 Predecessor period.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $38.9 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, primarily driven by lower tax payments in 2018 compared to the prior year.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 versus Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Lower net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor), compared to the prior year period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 (Successor) was primarily driven by the net payment of $6,078 million in the prior year Successor period to acquire the Predecessor company in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, including payments to settle the Predecessor line of credit and term loan.
Higher net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor), compared to the prior year period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) was primarily driven by the net payments of $15.8 million to acquire Orb and coAction in the current year period and higher spending of $13.0 million on capital expenditure.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
Net cash used in investing activities was $6,154.6 million for the 2019 Successor period, $5.3 million for the 2019 Predecessor period and $65.3 million for the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in net cash used in the 2019 Successor period was primarily driven by the net payment of $6,078 million to acquire the Predecessor company in connection with the Take-Private Transaction and the acquisition of Lattice, including payments to settle the Predecessor line of credit and term loan.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $141.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 compared to 2017, primarily driven by payment of $150.0 million in 2017 for the acquisition of Avention, partially offset by higher net cash payments of $14.3 million in 2018 to settle our foreign currency forward contracts for our hedged transactions.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 versus Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
The decrease in cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor), compared to the prior year period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019
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(Successor) was primarily related to the raising of equity and debt financing for the Take-Private Transaction in the prior year period, partially offset by net borrowings on the New Revolving Facility.
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
Net cash provided by financing activities was $6,321.8 million for the 2019 Successor period and $96.9 million for the 2019 Predecessor period, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $609.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in cash provided by financing activities during the 2019 Successor period, compared to the Predecessor twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was primarily related to the raising of equity and debt financing for the Take-Private Transaction.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 versus Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
Net cash used in financing activities increased by $590.9 million during 2018 compared to 2017, primarily driven by payments to reduce our net borrowings through refinancing activities.
Below is a summary of our borrowings as of March 31, 2020 (Successor), December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor):
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Successor |
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Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
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December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
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Debt
Issuance Costs and Discount* |
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|
Debt
Issuance Costs and Discount |
|
|
Debt
Issuance Costs and Discount |
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|
Maturity |
Principal
Amount |
Carrying
Value |
Principal
Amount |
Carrying
Value |
|
Principal
Amount |
Carrying
Value |
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(in millions)
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Debt Maturing Within One Year: |
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New Repatriation Bridge Facility |
February 7, 2020 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 63.0 | $ | 0.1 | $ | 62.9 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||||
New Term Loan Facility |
25.3 | | 25.3 | 19.0 | | 19.0 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 Term Loan Facility |
Retired | | | | | | | 15.0 | | 15.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 Revolving Credit Facility |
Retired | | | | | | | 2.0 | | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total short-term debt |
$ | 25.3 | $ | | $ | 25.3 | $ | 82.0 | $ | 0.1 | $ | 81.9 | $ | 17.0 | $ | | $ | 17.0 | ||||||||||||||
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Maturing After One Year: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Term Loan Facility |
February 8, 2026 | $ | 2,504.7 | $ | 88.3 | $ | 2,416.4 | $ | 2,511.0 | $ | 98.3 | $ | 2,412.7 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||||
New Revolving Facility |
February 8, 2024 | 200.0 | | 200.0 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
6.875% New Senior Secured Notes |
August 15, 2026 | 700.0 | 15.3 | 684.7 | 700.0 | 15.8 | 684.2 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
10.250% New Senior Unsecured Notes |
February 15, 2027 | 750.0 | 27.2 | 722.8 | 750.0 | 28.0 | 722.0 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4.37% Senior Notes |
Retired | | | | | | | 300.0 | 2.1 | 297.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4.00% Senior Notes |
Retired | | | | | | | 300.0 | 1.2 | 298.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 Term Loan Facility |
Retired | | | | | | | 277.5 | 0.6 | 276.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 Revolving Credit Facility |
Retired | | | | | | | 246.0 | | 246.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total long-term debt |
$ | 4,154.7 | $ | 130.8 | $ | 4,023.9 | $ | 3,961.0 | $ | 142.1 | $ | 3,818.9 | $ | 1,123.5 | $ | 3.9 | $ | 1,119.6 | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt |
$ | 4,180.0 | $ | 130.8 | $ | 4,049.2 | $ | 4,043.0 | $ | 142.2 | $ | 3,900.8 | $ | 1,140.5 | $ | 3.9 | $ | 1,136.6 | ||||||||||||||
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New Senior Secured Credit Facilities
Borrowings under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin over a LIBOR rate subject to interest rate floors, and they are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets.
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Other details of the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction, we repaid in full all outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Term Loan Facility and Prior Revolving Credit Facility and funded the redemption and discharge of the Prior Notes.
Both the Successor notes and the Predecessor notes contained certain covenants that limit our ability to enter into certain transactions. In addition, both the Successor credit facilities and the Predecessor credit facilities contained financial covenants requiring the maintenance of debt to EBITDA ratios, which are defined in the respective credit facility agreements. We were in compliance with the respective financial and non-financial covenants at March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Tax Liability under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The enactment of the 2017 Act resulted in a significant impact on our financial statements. One of the key provisions in the 2017 Act was to impose a one-time mandatory U.S. tax on accumulated undistributed foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017 and, as a result, we were able to repatriate a significant portion of our accumulated undistributed earnings from our non-U.S. subsidiaries through December 31, 2017. The 2017 Act also allows us to remit our future earnings to the United States without incurring additional U.S. taxes. As of March 31, 2020 (Successor) and December 31, 2019 (Successor), our total tax liability associated with the 2017 Act was $60.2 million, of which $5.2 million was included in "Accrued Income Tax" and $55.0 million was included in "Other Non-Current Liabilities." As of December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), our total tax liability associated with the 2017 Act was $65.7 million, of which $5.3 million was included in "Accrued Income Tax" and $60.4 million was included in "Other Non-Current Liabilities."
Redeemable Preferred Stock
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. issued 1,050,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $1,028.4 million, net of issuance
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discount of $21.6 million. Together with other financing sources, the net proceeds were contributed to us to consummate the Take-Private Transaction. Each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference equal to the sum of (a) the stated value ($1,000.00 per share) (the "Stated Value") plus (b) all accrued, accumulated and unpaid dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to cumulative dividend at (a) 12% per annum from February 7, 2019 to February 7, 2027; (b) 13% per annum from February 8, 2027 to February 8, 2028; and (c) 14% per annum from and after February 8, 2028. Unpaid dividends are accumulated and compounded quarterly regardless of whether they are declared. The Series A Preferred Stock (inclusive of unpaid dividends) has a ranking senior and in priority of payment to all other capital stock in any liquidation or winding up of our Company, and so long as any share of Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, no dividends or distributions on, or purchases or redemptions of other capital stock may be made, paid or declared with certain exception as defined in the Certificate of Designations.
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 we classified the Series A Preferred Stock as mezzanine equity because the instrument contains a redemption feature which is contingent upon certain events, the occurrence of which is not solely within our control.
We have bifurcated embedded derivatives related to the make-whole provision and assess fair value at each reporting date. Beginning in November 2019, we determined that there was a more than remote likelihood that the Series A Preferred Stock would become redeemable before November 8, 2021. The fair value at each period is estimated using the with and without method and based on management's estimate of probability of the triggering event associated with the make-whole derivative liability. As a result, we determined the fair value of the make-whole provision to be $102.6 million and $172.4 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. In addition, we recorded accretion of $1.0 million and $3.4 million to the mezzanine equity using interest method for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor) and for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), respectively.
On May 31, 2019, July 30, 2019, December 16, 2019, March 4, 2020 and May 14, 2020, the board of directors of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. declared a cash dividend to all holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of record at the close of business on May 31, 2019, September 16, 2019, December 16, 2019, March 31, 2020 and June 15, 2020, respectively. The May 31, 2019 dividend amount was $30.51 per share in an aggregate amount of $32.0 million, which was paid in June and July 2019. The September 16, 2019 dividend amounts was $30.51 per share, in an aggregate amount of $32.1 million, which was paid in September 2019. The December 16, 2019 and March 4, 2020 dividend amount was $30.51 per share, in an aggregate amount of $32.0 million, which was paid in December 2019 and March 4, 2020, respectively. The May 14, 2020 dividend amount was $30.51 per share, in an aggregate amount equal to $32.0 million and is expected to be paid on June 26, 2020.
The consummation of this offering is expected to be a qualifying IPO for purposes of the redemption requirements of our Series A Preferred Stock. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our Series A Preferred Stock. See "Use of Proceeds."
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Contractual Obligations
The following table presents our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019:
Contractual Obligations(1)
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Total | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Thereafter | All Other | |||||||||||||||||
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(in millions)
|
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Current and long-term debt(2) |
$ | 5,825.8 | $ | 355.6 | $ | 294.5 | $ | 293.0 | $ | 291.5 | $ | 290.1 | $ | 4,301.1 | $ | | |||||||||
Operating leases(3) |
$ | 108.1 | $ | 27.2 | $ | 25.0 | $ | 20.9 | $ | 11.7 | $ | 7.1 | $ | 16.2 | $ | | |||||||||
Commitments to outsourcers and other purchase obligations(4) |
$ | 534.1 | $ | 183.8 | $ | 116.8 | $ | 89.2 | $ | 30.1 | $ | 23.3 | $ | 90.9 | $ | | |||||||||
Pension and other postretirement benefits payments/contributions(5) |
$ | 103.8 | $ | 5.4 | $ | 5.2 | $ | 8.4 | $ | 8.5 | $ | 22.6 | $ | 53.7 | $ | | |||||||||
Unrecognized tax benefits(6) |
$ | 17.5 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 17.5 | |||||||||
Tax liabilities related to the 2017 Act(7) |
$ | 60.2 | $ | 5.2 | $ | 5.2 | $ | 5.2 | $ | 5.2 | $ | 9.8 | $ | 29.6 | $ | |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet arrangements, other than our foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swaps discussed in Note 10 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor) and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 (Successor).
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
In preparing our consolidated financial statements and accounting for the underlying transactions and balances reflected therein, we have applied the significant accounting policies described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Of those policies, we consider the policies described below to be critical because they are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results, and they require management's subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
If actual results in a given period ultimately differ from previous estimates, the actual results could have a material impact on such period.
Revenue Recognition
Post Adoption of Topic 606
Application of the various accounting principles in GAAP related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require significant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting, including whether multiple goods and services in the contract are each separate performance obligations. Other judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal in a transaction, primarily as it relates to transactions with alliances and partners, and whether separate contracts with the same client entered into at or about the same time should be combined into a single contract. We also use judgment to assess whether it is probable we will collect the consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services transferred. We base our judgment on the client's ability and intention to pay that amount of consideration when it falls due which includes an assessment of their historical payment experience, credit risk indicators and the market and economic conditions affecting the client.
We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation deliverable based on the relative standalone selling price basis. When the standalone selling price is not directly observable from actual standalone sales, we estimate a standalone selling price making maximum use of any observable data and estimates of what a client in the market would be willing to pay for those goods or services.
Pre-Adoption of Topic 606
Application of the various accounting principles in GAAP related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Specifically, complex arrangements with non-standard terms and conditions may require significant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting, including whether the deliverables specified in a multiple-element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting. Other judgments include determining whether we are acting as the principal in a transaction, primarily as it relates to transactions with alliances and partners, and whether separate contracts are considered part of one arrangement. We also use judgment to assess whether collectability is reasonably assured before we recognize any revenue. We base our judgment on the creditworthiness of the client, their historical payment experience and the market and economic conditions affecting the client.
Total consideration in multiple-element arrangements is allocated to each deliverable based on the relative selling price at the inception of the arrangements and does not change. We determine the estimated selling price for each deliverable using the selling price hierarchy (vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price, third-party evidence of selling price, and best estimated selling price). We review estimated selling prices used in this hierarchy on a quarterly basis and update as required.
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Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations
Our defined-benefit pension plans are accounted for on an actuarial basis, which requires the selection of various assumptions. For each plan, the most significant assumptions include an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, a discount rate, mortality rates of participants and expectation of mortality improvement.
The expected long-term rate of return on the plan assets that is utilized in determining pension expense is derived based on target asset allocation as well as expected returns on asset categories of plan investments. For the U.S. Qualified Plan, our most significant pension obligation, the long-term rate of return assumption was 7.00% for each of 2019, 2018 and 2017. For 2020, we will use a long-term rate of return of 6.50%. The 6.50% assumption represents our best estimate of the expected long-term future investment performance of the U.S. Qualified Plan, after considering expectations for future capital market returns and the plan's asset allocation. As of December 31, 2019, the U.S. Qualified Plan was 59% invested in return-seeking assets and 41% invested in liability-hedging assets.
Another key assumption is the discount rate, which is used to measure the present value of pension plan obligations and postretirement health care obligations. The discount rates are derived using a yield curve approach which matches projected plan benefit payment streams with bond portfolios, reflecting actual liability duration unique to our plans. We use the Spot Rate Approach to measure service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve to the plans' liability cash flows. We believe this approach provides a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and their corresponding spot rates on the yield curve. This change does not affect the measurement of our plan obligations.
Mortality assumptions are used to estimate life expectancy of plan participants, determining projected pension obligations and the period over which retirement plan benefits are expected to be paid. For our U.S. plans we used the PRI 2012 mortality table ("PRI-2012") and RP-2014 mortality table ("RP-2014") at December 31, 2019 and 2018, together with mortality improvement projection scales MP-2019 and MP-2018, respectively. The adoption of the updated mortality table and improvement projection scales at December 31, 2019 and 2018 resulted in a reduction of the projected benefit obligations for the U.S. plans of approximately $43 million and $4 million, respectively.
Changes in the above key assumptions for our global pension plans would have the following effects to our pension obligations at December 31, 2019:
|
Long-Term Rate of
Return |
Discount Rate | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
25 Basis Points | 25 Basis Points | |||||||||||
|
Increase | Decrease | Increase | Decrease | |||||||||
|
(in millions)
|
||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in pension cost |
$ | (3.7 | ) | $ | 3.7 | $ | 2.7 | $ | (2.8 | ) | |||
Increase (decrease) in pension obligation |
$ | | $ | | $ | (50.6 | ) | $ | 53.6 |
We believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, though changes in these assumptions would affect our pension and other postretirement obligations and benefit costs.
See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding costs of, and assumptions for, our pension and postretirement benefit obligations and costs.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of assets and liabilities of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not subject to regular periodic amortization. Instead, the
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carrying amount of goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at December 31, and between annual tests if events or circumstances warrant such a test.
We assess recoverability of goodwill at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment which is a business and for which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by a segment manager. At December 31, 2019, our reporting units are Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing within the North America segment, and United Kingdom, Greater China, India and our WWN alliances.
In accordance with ASU No. 2017-04, IntangiblesGoodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment we record goodwill impairment charges if a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value. The impairment charge is also limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. An impairment charge, if any, is recorded as an operating expense in the period that the impairment is identified.
For the purpose of the goodwill impairment test, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an initial qualitative assessment identifies that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an additional quantitative evaluation is performed. Alternatively, we may elect to proceed directly to the quantitative goodwill impairment test.
For the qualitative goodwill impairment test, we analyze actual and projected reporting unit growth trends for revenue and profits, as well as historical performance. We also assess critical factors that may have an impact to the reporting units, including macroeconomic conditions, market-related exposures, regulatory environment, cost factors, changes in the carrying amount of net assets, any plans to dispose of all or part of the reporting unit, and other reporting unit specific factors such as changes in key personnel, strategy, customers or competition.
For quantitative goodwill impairment test, we determine the fair value of our reporting units based on the market approach and also in certain instances using the income approach to further validate our results. Under the market approach, we estimate the fair value based on market multiples of current year EBITDA for each individual reporting unit. We use judgment in identifying the relevant comparable company market multiples (i.e., recent divestitures/acquisitions, facts and circumstances surrounding the market, dominance, growth rate, etc.). For income approach, we use the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit. The projected cash flows are based on management's most recent view of the long-term outlook for each reporting unit. Factors specific to each reporting unit could include revenue growth, profit margins, terminal value, capital expenditure projections, assumed tax rates, discount rates and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management.
Our determination of EBITDA multiples and projected cash flows are sensitive to the risk of future variances due to market conditions as well as business unit execution risks. Management assesses the relevance and reliability of the multiples and projected cash flows by considering factors unique to its reporting units, including recent operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, recent market transactions involving comparable businesses and other data. EBITDA multiples and projected cash flows can also be significantly impacted by the future growth opportunities for the reporting unit as well as for the Company itself, general market and geographic sentiment and pending or recently completed merger transactions.
Consequently, if future results fall below our forward-looking projections for an extended period of time, the results of future impairment tests could indicate that impairment exists. Although we believe the multiples of EBITDA in our market approach and the projected cash flows in our income approach are reasonable assumptions about our business, a significant increase in competition or reduction in our competitive capabilities could have a significant adverse impact on our ability to retain market share and thus on the projected values for our reporting units.
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As a reasonableness check, we reconcile the estimated fair values derived in the valuations for the total Company based on the individual reporting units to our total enterprise value (calculated by multiplying the closing price of our common stock, if applicable, by the number of shares outstanding at that time, adjusted for the value of our debt).
For 2019, we performed the qualitative test for each of our reporting units and the results of our tests indicated that it was not more likely than not that the goodwill in any reporting unit was impaired. We performed quantitative goodwill impairment tests during 2018 and 2017, which also resulted in no impairment.
At December 31, 2018, the estimated fair values of our reporting units exceeded the respective carrying values by amounts ranging from 50% to well over 100%.
The value of goodwill increased significantly as a result of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for further detail on goodwill by segment.
Indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill are also assessed annually for impairment at December 31, or, under certain circumstances which indicate there may be an impairment. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. The estimated fair value is determined by utilizing the expected present value of the future cash flows of the assets. We perform both qualitative and quantitative impairment tests to compare the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying value. We perform a qualitative impairment test based on macroeconomic and market conditions, industry considerations, overall performance and other relevant factors. We may also perform a quantitative impairment test primarily using an income approach based on projected cash flows.
No impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles have been recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the award's vesting period. The compensation expense of our current stock-based compensation programs is calculated by estimating the fair value of each profits interest unit on the date of grant. We determine the grant date fair value using the Black Scholes valuation model. Subsequent to the Take-Private Transaction, our stock was not publicly traded. We do not have a history of market prices for our common stock. Thus, estimating grant date fair value requires us to make assumptions including stock price, expected time to liquidity, expected volatility and discount for lack of marketability. The fair value of the underlying shares and unit grants was determined contemporaneously with the grants.
For our 2019 grants, we determined stock price per unit equal to the closing price of our Class A equity unit price on February 8, 2019, also the closing date of the Take-Private Transaction. Approximately 94% of the units issued in 2019 were granted in February 2019 and March 2019 and almost all of the remaining units were granted by June 2019. As these grant dates were shortly after the Take-Private Transaction closed on February 8, 2019 and there was no indication that the value of our Company changed, we believe it is reasonable to assume the Take-Private Transaction date price approximates the fair value of the enterprise value on each of the grant dates.
For the expected time to liquidity assumption, management estimated, on the valuation date, the earliest expected change of control or liquidity event was approximately three and half years. The estimate was based on available facts and circumstances on the valuation date, such as our performance and outlook, investors' strategy and need for liquidity, market conditions, and our financing needs, among other considerations.
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For the expected volatility assumption, we utilized the observable data of a group of similar public companies (the "peer group") to develop our volatility assumption. The expected volatility of our stock was determined based on the range of the measure of the implied volatility and the historical volatility for our peer group of companies, re-levered to reflect our capital structure and debt, for a period which is commensurate with the expected holding period of the units. Based on this analysis, our weighted average expected volatility rate was 43.9% for the 2019 grants.
All other assumptions remaining constant, the increase or decrease in the expected time to liquidity of six months would have the effect of increasing or decreasing our 2019 annual compensation cost by approximately $4 million.
All other assumptions remaining constant, a decrease in the expected volatility of 10% would have the effect of decreasing our 2019 compensation expense by approximately $2 million, while an increase in the volatility of 10% would have the effect of increasing our 2019 annual compensation cost by approximately $4 million.
We recognize forfeitures and the corresponding reductions in expense as they occur.
Our stock-based compensation programs are described more fully in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements
Assets and liabilities are subject to fair value measurements in certain circumstances, including purchase accounting applied to assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination and long-lived assets that are written down to fair value when they are impaired. Upon the completion of an acquisition, we identify the acquired assets and liabilities, including intangible assets and estimate their fair values. A fair value measurement is determined as the price we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In the absence of active markets for the identical assets or liabilities, such measurements involve developing assumptions based on market observable data and, in the absence of such data, internal information that is consistent with what market participants would use in a hypothetical transaction that occurs at the measurement date. The determination of fair value often involves significant judgments about assumptions such as determining an appropriate discount rate that factors in both risk and liquidity premiums, identifying the similarities and differences in market transactions, weighting those differences accordingly and then making the appropriate adjustments to those market transactions to reflect the risks specific to the asset or liability being valued. Fair value measurements also require us to project our future cash flows based on our business plans and outlook which can be significantly impacted by our future growth opportunities, general market and geographic sentiment. See Notes 11, 13 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on fair value measurements and acquisitions.
Income Taxes and Tax Contingencies
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions. In determining our consolidated provision for income taxes for financial statement purposes, we must make certain estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments affect the determination of the recoverability of certain deferred tax assets and the calculation of certain tax liabilities, which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense and net operating losses.
In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, we consider all available positive and negative evidence including our past operating results, as applicable, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent years and our forecast of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, we develop assumptions, including the amount of future pre-tax operating income, the reversal of
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temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.
We currently have recorded valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions that we will maintain until it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be realized. Our income tax expense recorded in the future may be reduced to the extent of decreases in our valuation allowances. The realization of our remaining deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on future taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction. Any reduction in future taxable income may require that we record an additional valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance could result in additional income tax expense in such period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.
Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management records the effect of a tax rate or law change on our deferred tax assets and liabilities in the period of enactment. Future tax rate or law changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In connection with the enactment of the 2017 Act, we estimated the associated tax effects and recorded a provisional tax charge of $80.7 million in our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017 in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" and Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. In addition, we adopted ASU No. 2018-02 at December 31, 2017. Accordingly, we elected to reclassify $150.5 million related to the income tax effect of the 2017 Act on our U.S. pension and retirement plans from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") to retained earnings. In accordance with our accounting policy, we release income tax effects from AOCI once the reason the tax effects were established cease to exist. During 2018, we continued to assess and finalized the tax impact of the 2017 Act as of December 31, 2018. We recorded an incremental charge of $14.2 million in our consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, related to the tax liability on the undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries. We have also made an accounting policy election to provide for tax expense related to the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income in the period when the tax is incurred. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor).
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Our Company
Dun & Bradstreet is a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics. Our mission is to deliver a global network of trust, enabling clients to transform uncertainty into confidence, risk into opportunity and potential into prosperity. Clients embed our trusted, end-to-end solutions into their daily workflows to inform commercial credit decisions, confirm suppliers are financially viable and compliant with laws and regulations enhance salesforce productivity and gain visibility into key markets. Our solutions support our clients' mission critical business operations by providing proprietary and curated data and analytics to help drive informed decisions and improved outcomes.
We are differentiated by the scale, depth, diversity and accuracy of our constantly expanding business database, known as our "Data Cloud," that contains comprehensive information on more than 360 million total businesses as of March 31, 2020. Access to longitudinal curated data is critical for global commerce, and with only a small percentage of the world's businesses filing public financial statements, our data is a trusted source for reliable information about both public and private businesses. By building such a set of data over time, we were able to establish a unique identifier that creates a single thread connecting related corporate entities allowing our clients to form a holistic view of an enterprise. This unique identifier, which we refer to as the D-U-N-S Number, is a corporate "fingerprint" or "Social Security Number" of businesses. We believe that we are the only scale provider to possess both worldwide commercial credit data and comprehensive public records data that are linked together by a unique identifier allowing for an accurate assessment of public and private businesses globally.
Leveraging our category-defining commercial credit data and analytics, our Finance & Risk solutions are used in the critical decisioning processes of finance, risk, compliance and procurement departments worldwide. We are a market leader in commercial credit decisioning, with many of the top businesses in the world utilizing our solutions to make informed decisions when considering extending business loans and trade credit. We are also a leading provider of data and analytics to businesses looking to analyze supplier relationships and more effectively collect outstanding receivables. We believe our proprietary Paydex score is widely relied upon as an important measure of credit health for businesses. We are well positioned to provide accessible and actionable insights and analytics that mitigate risk and uncertainty, and ultimately protect and drive increased profitability for our clients.
Our Sales & Marketing solutions combine firmographic, personal contact, intent and non-traditional, or alternative, data, such as foot traffic, website usage, social media posts, online browsing activity and shipping trackers, to assist clients in optimizing their sales and marketing strategy by cleansing CRM data and narrowing their focus and efforts on the highest probability prospects. As global competition continues to intensify, businesses need assistance with focusing their sales pipelines into a condensed list so that they can have their best sellers target the highest probability return accounts. We provide invaluable insights into businesses that can help our clients grow their businesses in a more efficient and effective manner.
We leverage these differentiated capabilities to serve a broad set of clients across multiple industries and geographies. We have a global client base of approximately 135,000, including some of the largest companies in the world. For example, in 2019, our client base included approximately 90% of the Fortune 500, approximately 80% of the Fortune 1000 and approximately 60% of the Global 500. Covering nearly all industry verticals, including financial services, technology, communications, government, retail, transportation and manufacturing, our data and analytics support a wide range of use cases. In terms of our geographic footprint, we have an industry-leading presence in North America, a growing presence in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and Greater China through our majority or wholly-owned subsidiaries and a broader global presence through our WWN alliances.
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We believe that we have an attractive business model that is underpinned by highly recurring, diversified revenues, significant operating leverage, low capital requirements and strong free cash flow. The proprietary and embedded nature of our data and analytics solutions and the integral role that we play in our clients' decision-making processes have translated into high client retention and revenue visibility. For example, 20 of our top 25 clients by revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 have been our clients for over 20 years. We also benefit from strong operating leverage given our centralized Data Cloud and solutions, which allow us to generate strong contribution margins and free cash flow.
Our Transformation
Over the course of our history, we have earned the privileged position of leadership and trust within the industries we serve. However, over the past decade, operational and execution issues led to stagnant revenue growth and declining profitability. Identifying an opportunity to unlock Dun & Bradstreet's potential, the Investor Consortium led by William P. Foley II at Bilcar, THL, Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital, acquired Dun & Bradstreet in the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019.
William P. Foley II, who was appointed as our Chairman, has extensive experience in industry consolidation and delivering shareholder value. As a pre-eminent operator, Mr. Foley has led four separate multi-billion dollar public market platforms with over 100 acquisitions across diverse platforms including FNF, FIS, Black Knight, Ceridian and FGL Holdings. As Founder, former CEO, and now Chairman of FNF, Mr. Foley has built the largest title insurance company, growing equity value from $3 million to $13 billion at its peak. His proven track record is driven by his value creation playbook, which is highlighted by identifying cost savings, undertaking strategy shifts, eliminating siloed organizational structures and accelerating product expansion. Coupled with Mr. Foley's exceptional track record of optimizing go-to-market organizations, executing strategic acquisitions and investing in growth, the value creation playbook has been substantiated by Mr. Foley's history of superior shareholder returns through consistently exceeding initial synergy estimates, as demonstrated by an average synergy realization of 1.4x the initial forecast. He also has an exceptional track record of recruiting and developing leaders to implement his transformation initiatives.
At Dun & Bradstreet, Mr. Foley and the rest of the Investor Consortium immediately brought in a new senior leadership team that includes Anthony M. Jabbour as our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stephen C. Daffron as our President, Bryan T. Hipsher as our Chief Financial Officer, Joe A. Reinhardt III as our Chief Legal Officer and Kevin Coop as our Chief Commercial Officer. The senior leadership team brings extensive experience and a proven track record of driving long-term stockholder value creation through transformation and growth initiatives. Together, they identified new leaders for each business unit, including Andrew Hausman, President, Finance & Risk, Michael C. Bird, President, Sales & Marketing and Neeraj Sahai, President, International, and several of our corporate support functions, including Dr. Bobby Gupta as Chief Analytics Officer, Gary Kotovets as Chief Data Officer, Thomas Rauker as Chief Operations Officer and Gil Shaked as Chief Technology Officer.
The senior leadership team immediately commenced a comprehensive transformation to improve and revitalize our business for long-term success. They saw significant opportunity to create value by transforming the organization and improving the platform with new business unit leaders, enhanced technology and data, solution innovation and a client-centric go-to-market strategy.
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To capitalize on the opportunities identified, we are investing in several strategic initiatives that we believe will allow Dun & Bradstreet to achieve its fullest potential.
Realigning Management and Organization
Optimizing Go-to-Market and Client Service
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Simplifying and Scaling Technology
Expanding and Enhancing Data
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buying process at companies that are most important to our clients based on our verified usage analysis.
Strengthening Analytics and Insights
Our transformation strategy is based on a proven playbook of enhancing stockholder value through organizational re-alignment and re-investment and is well underway. As of March 31, 2020, these initiatives have resulted in approximately $206 million of net annualized run-rate savings, and we believe there are incremental opportunities to further rationalize our cost structure. In light of the changes that have been made or identified by our experienced operator-driven Investor Consortium and seasoned management team, we believe we are well-positioned to execute on our near- and long-term strategy of driving stockholder value through consistent revenue growth, managing cost initiatives and innovating and improving the way we add value and solve the increasingly challenging and complex needs of our clients.
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Our Market Opportunity
Businesses rely on B2B data and analytics providers to extract data-driven insights and make better decisions. For example, in commercial lending and trade credit, the scarcity of readily available credit history makes the extension of credit a time-consuming and imprecise process. In procurement, businesses face increasingly complex and global supply chains, making the assessment of compliance and viability of all suppliers prohibitively difficult and expensive if not conducted effectively. In sales and marketing, businesses have benefitted from the proliferation of CRM, Marketing Automation and Sales Acceleration tools designed to help identify, track and improve both customer management and prospecting growth activities. While these tools are helping to fill sales funnels and improve the progression of opportunities, key challenges remain in salesforce productivity, effective client segmentation and marketing campaign activation. Common stumbling blocks include incorrect, or outdated, contact information, duplicated or inaccurate firmographic data and a lack of synchronization between the various platforms in the marketing technology ecosystem.
We help our clients solve these mission critical business problems. We believe the TAM in which we operate is large, growing and significantly underpenetrated. We participate in the big data and analytics software market, as defined by IDC, which represents a collection of software markets that functionally address decision support and decision automation. This market includes business intelligence and analytics tools, analytic data management and integration platforms and analytics and performance management applications. IDC estimates worldwide revenues of big data and analytics software to be approximately $67 billion in 2019. Within the broader market of data and analytics solutions, we serve a number of different markets, including the commercial credit data, sales and marketing data and GRC markets to provide clients with decisioning support and automation. As we continue to drive innovation in our solutions, we expect to address a greater portion of this TAM as new use cases for our data assets and analytical capabilities are introduced.
We believe there are several key trends in the global macroeconomic environment generating additional growth in our TAM and increasing the potential demand for our solutions:
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analytics providers, creating market demand. The availability of more insightful analytical tools, in turn, drives growing recognition of the power of analytics in everyday business processes.
As a leading provider of data and analytics, we have witnessed the emergence and development of these trends firsthand. We believe that due to our differentiated capabilities and our privileged position as a tenured incumbent, we are well positioned to capture this market opportunity and benefit from these long-term trends.
Our Solutions
The defining characteristic of our solutions is the breadth and depth of our combined proprietary and curated public data and actionable analytics that help drive informed decisions for our clients. Our Data Cloud is compiled from approximately 16,000 sources, as well as from data collected by our 15 WWN alliances, resulting in data sourced from 243 countries and territories worldwide. We believe that we are uniquely able to match data to its corresponding entity, and have extensive related intellectual property with approximately 100 of our 210 patents dedicated to this function. Our capabilities in matching and identity resolution enable us to make sense of our vast universe of data, turning chaos into order. Since 1963, we have tracked these businesses by assigning unique identifiers (known as a D-U-N-S Number) to all companies in our data set. The D-U-N-S Number is recommended and, in many cases required, by over 240 commercial, trade and government organizations. This privileged position in the market has allowed us to commercialize the creation and monitoring of D-U-N-S Numbers by suppliers, which in turn feeds additional proprietary data into our platform.
Data is only valuable when it drives action that moves an organization towards its goals. Underpinned by an integrated technology platform, our solutions derive data-driven insights that help clients target, grow, collect, procure and comply. We provide clients with both curated bulk data to incorporate into their internal workflows and end-to-end solutions that generate insights from this data through configurable analytics. The chart below illustrates the comprehensive, end-to-end nature of our solutions, which are organized into two primary areas: Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing.
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Finance & Risk
Our Finance & Risk solutions are mission critical to our clients as they seek to leverage the data sets and analytics from our platform to manage risk, minimize fraud and monitor their supply chain. Top commercial enterprises in the world utilize our configurable solutions to make better decisions when considering small business loans, extending trade credit, analyzing supplier relationships and collecting outstanding receivables. Our Finance & Risk solutions help clients increase cash flow and profitability while mitigating credit, operational and regulatory risks by helping them answer questions such as:
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Our principal Finance & Risk solutions include:
D&B Finance Analytics, which includes D&B Credit and DNBi, is a subscription-based online application that offers clients real time access to our most complete and up-to-date global information, comprehensive monitoring and portfolio analysis.
D&B Direct is an application programming interface ("API") that delivers risk and financial data directly into enterprise applications such as enterprise resource planning applications ("ERPs") and CRMs for real-time credit decision making. The API format allows users to configure their own solutions for their organization's needs.
D&B Credibility is a suite of powerful tools that allows SMBs to monitor and build their business credit file. SMBs can review detailed reporting on all D&B scores and ratings as well as access triggered alerts for any changes in scores and custom reports with key scores and risk indicators.
D&B Enterprise Risk Assessment Manager ("eRAM") is a global solution for managing and automating credit decisioning and reporting for complex account portfolios, regardless of geography. This solution provides globally consistent data and integrates with in-house ERPs and CRMs. eRAM allows clients to access all of Dun & Bradstreet's global scores and risk indicators for customized scoring, reporting and analytics.
Within Finance & Risk, Risk & Compliance offers the tools and expertise to help certify, monitor, analyze and mitigate risk for clients. These solutions provide clients with supplier intelligence, enable ethical and responsible sourcing, facilitate FCPA anti-bribery and sanction management, and provide KYC and AML insights.
Our principal Risk & Compliance solutions include:
D&B Compass is a cloud-based workflow management solution which automates manual processes to easily and efficiently integrate master data and rules-driven workflows. This solution leverages expansive firmographics data and proprietary analytics to help suppliers reduce the cost of onboarding, screening and monitoring third parties.
D&B Supplier Risk Manager provides focused and predictive insights to help certify, monitor, analyze and mitigate risk across the supply chain to avoid costly disruptions. This solution offers predictive scores and government indicators to provide strategic advantage and visibility into risk management.
D&B Onboard leverages the Data Cloud to provide comprehensive insights into businesses to facilitate global KYC/AML compliance and to minimize financial, legal and reputational risk exposure. Onboard automates compliance and onboarding activities by validating identity of businesses against a global database of over 360 million businesses to confirm accurate representation.
D&B Beneficial Ownership offers risk intelligence on Ultimate Beneficial Ownership from what we believe to be the world's largest commercial database. Clients are able to view, update and monitor company's hierarchy and beneficial ownership to provide clarity, efficiency and accuracy around beneficial owners. The database includes key shareholders, both individuals and corporate entities, globally.
Sales & Marketing
Our Sales & Marketing solutions help businesses discover new revenue opportunities and accelerate growth by extending the use cases of our data and analytics platform. By adding our proprietary business data set to our personal contact, intent and non-traditional data, we are able to provide a single view of the prospective customer. Our Sales & Marketing solutions extend beyond simple contact data and enable clients to automate data management and cleansing, unmask and track
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website visitors and activate digital ads based on segmented prospect data. This helps our clients optimize their sales and marketing functions and narrow their focus on the highest probability businesses in order to answer questions such as:
Our principal Sales & Marketing solutions include:
D&B Optimizer is an integrated data management solution that links clients' first party business records directly with the D&B Data Cloud and ensures continuous data hygiene and management to drive actionable commercial insights and a single client view across multiple system and touchpoints.
D&B Master Data empowers clients to quickly and deeply understand business relationships (clients, prospects, suppliers and partners) and leverage that intelligence across the organization to confidently make critical business decisions about those relationships to grow and protect their businesses.
D&B Hoovers is a sales intelligence solution that allows clients to research companies, quickly build pipelines, engage in informed conversations and enhance sales productivity. Clients are able to target companies and contacts with more than 200 search filters that continually refresh based on developed criteria. Hoovers populates Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics records to allow clients to reduce time spent on administrative tasks and improve sales productivity.
D&B Lattice is a customer data platform that connects first- and third-party data across clients' marketing technology stack to power real-time lead scoring, prospect segmentation and personalized account-based marketing ("ABM") campaigns across digital, search, social, email and sales channels.
D&B Audience Targeting helps clients reach the right audiences with the right messages by leveraging our over 500 million digital IDs and curated selection of over 425 pre-defined B2B audience targeting segments that span digital display, mobile, social and programmatic TV advertising channels.
D&B Visitor Intelligence turns web visitors into leads by leveraging D&B's rich B2B data set and digital identity resolution capabilities to unmask anonymous web traffic and identify which companies and potential buyers are visiting client websites. This critical real-time visitor intelligence drives personalized web experiences, increased conversion rates with prefill web registrations and retargeting capabilities to quickly engage these new leads and accelerate the sales process.
D&B Direct delivers valuable customer insights into CRMs, marketing automation and other marketing applications for on-demand business intelligence via an API. This configurable format allows users to tailor their own solutions for their organization's needs.
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Representative Case Studies
Below are a few examples of ways in which our clients have used our solutions to improve their business processes and achieve better outcomes.
Our Competitive Strengths
Market Leadership with the Most Comprehensive Commercial Credit Database
We are the category-defining player in the market for B2B credit decisioning data and analytics. We believe our long operating history uniquely qualifies and positions us to address the commercial data-driven decisioning needs of our clients due to the breadth and depth of our proprietary Data Cloud. Our Data Cloud includes more than 360 million businesses globally and extends far beyond those for which data is publicly available. The D-U-N-S Number is a widely recognized identifier and is a policy-driven requirement for the process of supplying trade credit for many businesses and governments. Our owned, proprietary data sets include commercial credit and firmographic data, personal contact data, regulatory compliance, receivables, payment history and other data. Our strategic
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relationships with our global WWN alliances provide us with international data in our global database, known as WorldBase, which we view as a key competitive strength in serving both U.S. and international businesses. The contributory nature of our Data Cloud, where we typically obtain updated information at little or no cost and own most of our data, creates a strong network effect that we believe gives us an expanding competitive advantage over other market participants or potential entrants. Our Data Cloud is also differentiated in our ability to track corporate linkages of child-to-parent organization relationships to help clients better understand commercial relationships and make better informed decisions with a more holistic view of the business.
Innovative Analytics and Decisioning Capabilities Driving End-to-End Solutions
In a world of increasing data access, the value proposition for companies like ours is shifting from the provision of core data to the generation of analytical insights to inform decisioning processes and optimize workflows, across interrelated business activities. Our end-to-end solutions cover a comprehensive spectrum of use cases across the lifecycle of our clients' businesses. These use cases continue to evolve as we find additional ways to derive insights from our data. We believe our configurable solutions, in combination with our proprietary Data Cloud, are a key competitive advantage for us and allow us to effectively compete across the entire commercial data and analytics landscape.
Deep Relationships with Blue Chip Clients
With our leading data and analytical insights, we serve many of the largest enterprises in the world, including approximately 90% of the businesses in the Fortune 500, approximately 80% of the Fortune 1000 and approximately 60% of the Global 500 during 2019. Our client base is diversified across size, industry and geography and features minimal concentration. In 2019, no client accounted for more than 5% of revenue, and our top 50 clients accounted for approximately 25% of revenue. We have held relationships with 20 of our top 25 clients by revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 for more than 20 years, which reflects how deeply embedded we are in their daily workflows and decisioning processes. For 2019, our annual revenue retention rate, reflecting the percentage of prior year revenue from clients who were retained in the current year, was 96%.
Scalable and Highly Attractive Financial Profile
We have an attractive business model underpinned by stable and highly recurring revenues, significant operating leverage and low capital requirements that contribute to strong free cash flow. Our high levels of client retention and shift toward multi-year subscription contracts result in a high degree of revenue visibility. The vast majority of our revenues are either recurring or re-occurring in nature. Additionally, we benefit from natural operating leverage given the high contribution margins associated with incremental revenue generated from our centralized Data Cloud and solutions. Despite the investments being made to enhance our technology, analytics and data, our capital requirements remain minimal with capital expenditures (including capitalized software development costs) of approximately 5% of revenues in 2019. All of these factors contribute to strong free cash flow generation, allowing us the financial flexibility to invest in the business and pursue growth through acquisitions.
World Class Management Team with Depth of Experience and Track Record of Success
Our senior management team has a track record of strong performance and significant expertise in both the markets we serve and in transforming similar businesses. The previous Dun & Bradstreet management team has been almost completely replaced with an experienced and energized group of senior executives who have spent years leading businesses in the vertical software and data and analytics sectors. Our senior executives have successfully worked together in architecting previous turnaround stories and delivering consistent growth both organically and through acquiring and
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integrating businesses. Our management team operates under the leadership of Mr. Foley, who has a long, successful history of acquiring, reorganizing and transforming companies by rationalizing cost structures, investing in growth and onboarding and mentoring senior management. Beyond our senior management team, we are focused on attracting and retaining the strongest talent at all levels throughout the organization.
Our Growth Strategy
Enhance Existing Client Relationships
We believe our current client base presents a large opportunity for growth through enhanced cross-selling in order to capture more of our clients' data and analytics spend. As an end-to-end provider of commercial data and analytics, we believe that there are significant opportunities to have clients buy from a consistent, single-source provider and to increase their interaction with our platform. Although our strategic clients used approximately nine of our solutions on average, our overall client base used less than two of our solutions on average as of December 31, 2019. While there is still room to add additional products to our strategic client base, which represents less than 1% of our total client base, we believe there is a significant opportunity to increase the number of solutions per client in the remainder of our client base. Our new go-to-market strategy will enable us to increase the number of touchpoints with key decision makers within any given client and allow us to identify and sell the right solutions to each decision maker's respective department. By focusing on enhancing the quality of our data and analytics, we will be able to produce more valuable insights, increasing client engagement across our existing solutions and driving clients towards new, innovative solutions.
Win New Clients in Targeted Markets
We believe that there is substantial opportunity to grow our client base. While we have significant market share in the enterprise and mid-market, there continues to be opportunity to win new clients. There are several instances where we have built a successful long-term enterprise client relationship with a particular company, but its competitors are not our clients. Our focus is to leverage our best practices from serving one company and articulate the value to similar companies that may benefit from our solutions and experience.
We also believe there is significant opportunity to expand our presence in the SMB market. We currently serve approximately 80,000 SMB clients out of the millions of businesses within this market. We have existing relationships with many SMBs through solutions enabling the proactive monitoring of their D-U-N-S Number. However, we have not historically capitalized on the opportunity to cross-sell them into our solutions. We are rolling out our Marketplace, an integrated web platform that will provide these businesses with an introduction to Dun & Bradstreet's capabilities and solutions for their potential use. By leveraging this go-to-market channel and offering more simplified solutions that are easily integrated into client workflows, we can continue to expand our reach among SMBs.
Develop Innovative Solutions
Given the depth and coverage of information contained in our proprietary Data Cloud, we believe we can continue to develop differentiated solutions to serve our clients in an increasing number of use cases. As we continue to gather and incorporate additional sources of data, the resulting analytics and insights we are able to provide within our solutions will be increasingly impactful to our clients and their decisioning processes. By improving the quality and breadth of our Data Cloud, we will be able to expand into adjacent use cases and leverage our data insights in new functional areas such as collections, fraud and capital markets. We will also be able to identify and further penetrate attractive addressable markets, as demonstrated by the development of our Risk & Compliance solutions, a high growth area within our Finance & Risk solutions, in order to better address the GRC market. These
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additional solutions utilize existing data architecture to generate high contribution incremental revenue streams.
Expand Our Presence in Attractive International Markets
Despite our global presence and industry leading position in the North American market, we remain relatively underpenetrated in international markets, with International revenue accounting for less than 20% of our business in 2019. We believe that expanding our presence in owned international markets can be a significant growth driver for us in the coming years. Our international growth strategy begins with localizing current solutions to meet global demand and, similar to our domestic strategy, includes a focus on cross-selling and upselling, winning new clients and developing innovative solutions.
Selectively Pursue Strategic Acquisitions
While the core focus of our strategy is to grow organically, we believe there are strategic acquisition opportunities that may allow us to expand our footprint, broaden our client base, increase the breadth and depth of our data sets and further strengthen our solutions. We believe there are attractive synergies that result from acquiring small companies that provide innovative solutions and integrating these solutions into our existing offerings to generate cross-selling and upselling opportunities across our existing client base, as demonstrated by our recent success of integrating Lattice, coAction.com and Orb. Additionally, there are potential cost synergies that could result from integrating acquisitions into our efficient operating platform. Our leadership team has a proven track record of identifying, acquiring and integrating companies to drive long-term value creation, and we will continue to maintain a disciplined approach to pursuing acquisitions.
Our Clients
We have a diversified client base with approximately 135,000 clients worldwide, including approximately 90% of the Fortune 500, approximately 80% of the Fortune 1000 and approximately 60% of the Global 500 during 2019.
Our client base is diversified across size, industry and geography, and features minimal concentration; with no client accounting for more than 5% of revenue and our top 50 clients accounting for approximately 25% of revenue. Our clients include enterprises across nearly all industry verticals, including financial services, technology, communications, retail, transportation and manufacturing, and our data and analytics support use cases of all types. A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from companies in the financial services industry. We have held relationships with 20 of our top 25 clients by revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 for more than 20 years, which reflects how deeply embedded we are in their daily workflows and decisioning processes. For 2019, our annual revenue retention rate, reflecting the percentage of prior year revenue from clients who were retained in the current year, was 96%.
In addition to our blue chip corporate client base, we serve a number of government organizations. Through the development of our analytics, we continue to move into mission critical functions with higher applicability across federal, state and local government organizations.
We have a presence in 243 countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greater China and India as of March 31, 2020. Our international presence is
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organized through the WWN alliances and owned markets. The following table presents the contribution by geography to revenue:
|
Three Months
Ended March 31, |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Revenue: |
|||||||||||||
North Americas |
83 | % | 83 | % | 83 | % | 82 | % | |||||
International |
17 | % | 17 | % | 17 | % | 18 | % |
Go-to-Market Organization
Our sales and marketing efforts are focused on both generating new clients as well as cross-selling and upselling our end-to-end solutions to existing clients. After the Take-Private Transaction, we shifted our Go-to-Market strategy and restacked accounts. The salesforce prior to the Take-Private Transaction was approximately 1,400 sales professionals. During 2019, the salesforce had a turnover of 30%, while upgrading approximately 20% of its talent. As of March 31, 2020, the salesforce has approximately 1,200 sales professionals. Our salesforce is segmented into three distinct categories: strategic sales, field sales and inside sales.
Our strategic sales team covers our largest and most sophisticated clients who typically use multiple D&B solutions across a variety of use cases. These strategic clients are each independently managed by directors who own the client relationship and are equipped to sell all solutions. In many instances, we install our employees on-site to assist our clients in implementing and configuring our analytics for various use cases, acting as a "one-stop shop" for our clients' data and analytics needs.
Our field sales team is geographically distributed and specializes within either Finance & Risk or Sales & Marketing, largely targeting clients with revenues in excess of $250 million. Clients in this grouping typically buy only one of our solutions, and there is ample opportunity to expand the depth of our relationships as we continue to educate and train our sales professionals on selling our full suite of solutions.
Lastly, our inside sales team is focused on all other businesses that are not covered by our other direct sales channels in the emerging and micro business segments.
In addition to our direct go-to-market efforts, we also sell through our network of strategic alliances to jointly deliver our data and analytics to our mutual clients. This indirect channel is centrally managed collaboratively within the sales organization and also has responsibility for coordinating all global WWN and owned markets to ensure consistency of approach and account management for our global clients.
Given the breadth of our end-to-end solutions and increased focus on cross-selling, we have spent considerable time training and upskilling our salesforce in a formal sales training program. We now require sales certifications from our salesforce and have instituted talent assessments and mid-year performance check-ins to ensure we continue to shape our culture to winning and accountability.
We have also redesigned our sales compensation plans to incentivize multi-year contracting and cross-selling rather than one-year deals that are renewed each year. This has reinvigorated our salesforce and produced demonstrable results in the number and volume of multi-year contracts being sold today.
Both our Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing solutions are generally licensed via a master agreement or online terms and conditions with corresponding product specific terms that are either in separate order forms or are incorporated into the online terms and conditions. The master agreement and online terms cover high level topics such as license rights and restrictions, confidentiality, data
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protection and privacy, audit rights, warranties and disclaimers, intellectual property ownership, and termination rights. In some cases, order forms will include the product specific terms such as the solutions being licensed, the specifications, access levels and entitlements for those solutions, pricing and payment terms. Master agreements are typically evergreen and allow orders to be executed on an ongoing basis and online terms are either annual or have a duration equal to the order to which they relate. Order forms may be for one-year or multi-year periods. Most products and solutions are subject to auto-renewal provisions. Master agreements can be terminated for breach by either party, generally after a 15-60 day cure period. Approximately 76% of our revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was generated from solutions provided pursuant to fixed price subscriptions.
International Presence
We have operated internationally for over 160 years and benefit from an extensive network and strong global brand recognition. We have an operating framework of owned, majority-controlled and partnered / franchised markets that serve international clients and secure critical global data to support both our United States and international clients. Across all international markets, we leverage our unique data sets and solutions to serve our clients' Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing needs.
There are certain key international markets in which we operate independently or through joint ventures, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, India and Greater China. As we continue to provide international companies with our best-in-class data on U.S. companies, suppliers and prospects, our solutions have also increasingly become localized in recent years to better serve foreign markets. Our local presence ensures the complete, timely and accurate collection of commercial information.
In addition, we also operate through 15 WWN alliances. Our partners license our data and technology, as well as our trademarks and brand, to serve local markets on behalf of Dun & Bradstreet. Our extensive international network enables millions of executives around the world to make confident business decisions with reliable and accessible information. Our strategic relationships with our global WWN alliances provide us with best-in-class breadth of international data in our WorldBase, which we view as a key competitive strength in serving international enterprises. This approach has improved the applicability of our data to local clients, while enlarging and strengthening the data sets for clients in all geographies.
Competition
We primarily compete on the basis of differentiated data sets, analytical capabilities, solutions, client relationships, innovation and price. We believe that we compete favorably in each of these categories across both our Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing solutions. Our competitors vary based on the client size and geographical market that our solutions cover.
For our Finance & Risk solutions, our competition generally varies by client size between enterprise, mid-market and SMBs. D&B has a leading presence in the enterprise market as clients place a high degree of value on our best-in-class commercial credit database to inform their critical decisions around the extension of credit. D&B's main competitors in the enterprise and mid-market include Bureau van Dijk (owned by Moody's Corporation) in Europe and Equifax and Experian in North America. In the SMB market, commercial credit health becomes increasingly tied to consumer credit health. Our competition in this market generally includes Equifax, Experian and other consumer credit providers that offer commercial data. Additionally, there is a fragmented tail of low cost, vertical and regionally focused point solutions in this market that may be attractive to certain clients, but lack the scale and coverage breadth to compete holistically.
For our Sales & Marketing solutions, our competition has historically been very fragmented with many players offering varying levels of data quantity and quality, and with data being collected in ways that may cross ethical and privacy boundaries. Dun & Bradstreet strives to protect the data and privacy
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of clients and to maintain the highest standards in the ethical acquisition, aggregation, curation and delivery of data. Our direct competitors vary depending on use cases, such as market segmentation, digital marketing lead generation, lead enrichment, sales effectiveness and data management. In the market for contact data, our competition generally includes Bureau Van Dijk, ZoomInfo and a few consultancies building bespoke solutions. For other sales and marketing solutions such as customer data platform, visitor intelligence, audience targeting and intent data, we face a number of smaller competitors.
Overall, outside North America, the competitive environment varies by region and country, and can be significantly impacted by the legislative actions of local governments, availability of data and local business preferences.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, our direct competition for our Finance & Risk solutions is primarily from Bureau van Dijk, Creditsafe and Experian. Additionally, the Sales & Marketing solutions landscape in these markets is both localized and fragmented, where numerous local players of varying sizes compete for business.
In Asia Pacific, we face competition in our Finance & Risk solutions from a mix of local and global providers. We compete with Experian in India and a subsidiary of Experian, Sinotrust International Information & Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd., in China. In addition, as in the United Kingdom, the Sales & Marketing solutions landscape throughout Asia is localized and fragmented.
We believe that the solutions we provide to our clients in all geographies reflect our deep understanding of our clients' businesses, the differentiated nature of our data and the quality of our analytics and decisioning capabilities. The integration of our solutions into our clients' mission critical workflows helps to ensure long-lasting relationships, efficiency and continuous improvement.
Technology
Technology is key to how we efficiently collect, curate and ultimately deliver our data, actionable analytics and business insights to make investments in modernizing our infrastructure and optimizing our architecture to increase control, create efficiencies and greatly enhance the ability of our platforms to scale. We have begun the re-architecture of our technology platform to enhance our ability to organize and process high volumes of disparate data, increase system availability and improve delivery, while lowering our overall cost structure and ensuring information security. We continue to work towards evolving Dun & Bradstreet into a platform with the ability to seamlessly add and integrate new data sets and analytical capabilities into our simplified and scaled technology infrastructure.
Intellectual Property
We own and control various intellectual property rights, such as trade secrets, confidential information, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents and applications to the foregoing. These rights, in the aggregate, are of material importance to our business. We also believe that the Dun & Bradstreet name and related trade names, marks and logos are of material importance to our business. We are licensed to use certain technology and other intellectual property rights owned and controlled by others, and other companies are licensed to use certain technology and other intellectual property rights owned and controlled by us. We consider our trademarks, service marks, databases, software, copyrights, patents, patent applications and other intellectual property to be proprietary, and we rely on a combination of statutory (e.g., copyright, trademark, trade secret, patent, etc.) and contract and liability safeguards for protecting them throughout the world.
We own patents and patent applications both in the United States and in other selected countries of importance to us. The patents and patent applications include claims which pertain to certain technologies and inventions which we have determined are proprietary and warrant patent protection. We believe that the protection of our innovative technology and inventions, such as our proprietary
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methods for data curation and identity resolution, through the filing of patent applications, is a prudent business strategy. Filing of these patent applications may or may not provide us with a dominant position in the fields of technology. However, these patents and/or patent applications may provide us with legal defenses should subsequent patents in these fields be issued to third-parties and later asserted against us. Where appropriate, we may also consider asserting, or cross-licensing, our patents.
Employees
As of March 31, 2020, we had 4,037 employees worldwide, of whom 2,662 were in our North America segment and Corporate, and 1,375 were in our International segment. Our workforce also engages third-party consultants as an ongoing part of our business where appropriate. There are no unions in our U.S. or Canadian operations, and works councils and trade unions represent a small portion of our employees outside of the United States and Canada. We have not experienced any work stoppages and we believe we maintain strong relations with our employees.
Corporate
In addition to our two reportable segments, we have a corporate organization that consists primarily of general and administrative expenses that are not included in the other segments.
Properties
Our corporate office is located at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078, in a property that we lease. This property also serves as our executive offices. This lease expires on March 31, 2023, with two five year renewal options. As of March 31, 2020, we lease space in approximately 34 other locations, including Center Valley, Pennsylvania, Austin, Texas, Marlow, England and Dublin, Ireland. Our other properties, most of which are leased, are geographically distributed worldwide to meet sales and operating needs. We consider all of these properties that we occupy to be both suitable and adequate to meet current operating requirements.
Regulatory Matters
Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements is a top priority for us. This includes compliance, to the extent applicable, with national and local privacy and data protection laws and regulations, anti-corruption laws, export control laws, antitrust/competition laws, and national laws regulating enterprise credit reporting agencies. These laws are enforced by national and local regulatory agencies, and in some instances also through private civil litigation.
We proactively manage our compliance with laws and regulations through a dedicated legal and compliance team situated in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and China, all reporting to the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at our U.S. headquarters. Through the legal and compliance functions, we promulgate compliance policies and procedures, provide train our associates, have a third-party compliance program, monitor all material laws and regulations, monitor the efficacy of our internal compliance-related controls, assist in the development of new services, and meet as necessary and appropriate with regulators and legislators to establish transparency of our operations and create a means to understand and react should any issues arise.
Data and Privacy Protection and Regulation
Our operations are subject to applicable national and local laws that regulate privacy, data/cyber security, broader data collection and use, cross-border data transfers and/or business credit reporting. These laws impact, among other things. data collection, usage, storage, security and breach, dissemination (including transfer to third parties and cross-border), retention and destruction. Certain
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of these laws provide for civil and criminal penalties for violations. The laws and regulations that affect our business include, but are not limited to:
We are also subject to federal and state laws impacting marketing such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 and state unfair or deceptive practices acts.
These laws and regulations, which generally are designed to protect the privacy of the public and to prevent the misuse of personal information available in the marketplace, are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. We already incur significant expenses in our attempt to ensure compliance with these laws. Currently, public concern is high with regard to the operation of credit reporting agencies in the United States, as well as the collection, use, accuracy, correction and sharing of personal information, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial information, medical information, department of motor vehicle data and behavioral data. In addition, many consumer advocates, privacy advocates, legislatures and government regulators believe that existing laws and regulations do not adequately protect privacy and have become increasingly concerned with the use of these types of personal information. As a result, they are lobbying for further restrictions on the dissemination or commercial use of personal information to the public and private sectors. Additional legislative or regulatory efforts in the United States could further regulate the collection, use, communication, access, accuracy, obsolescence, sharing, correction and security of this personal information. In addition, any perception that our practices or products are an invasion of privacy, whether or not consistent with current or future regulations and industry practices, may subject us to public criticism, private class actions, reputational harm, or claims by regulators, which could disrupt our business and expose us to increased liability.
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various pending and threatened litigation and regulatory matters related to our operations, some of which include claims brought by our clients in connection with commercial disputes, defamation claims by subjects of our reporting and employment claims made by our current or former employees. From time to time, we also receive requests for information from various state and federal regulatory authorities, some of which may result in the assessment of fines for violations of regulations or settlements with such authorities requiring a variety of remedies.
On a regular basis we accrue reserves for these claims based on our historical experience and our ability to reasonably estimate and ascertain the probability of any liability. See Note 8, "Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
Environmental Matter
In March of 2011, we received a Request for Information from the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), regarding our former printing facility located along the Gowanus Canal. The facility
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was operated by us as a printing plant between 1914 and 1966, at which time we sold it. In 2010, the adjacent Gowanus Canal was identified by the EPA as a Superfund site under CERCLA which will be cleaned and restored. On March 24, 2014, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order ("UAO") to 27 potentially responsible parties ("PRPs"), including us, directing the PRPs to perform the Remedial Design and associated work at the Gowanus Canal Superfund Site. The final allocation apportioning liability among the participating PRPs in the Remedial Design phase was issued on February 28, 2019, and we were allocated a 0.38% share. On April 11, 2019, the EPA issued another UAO to us and other PRPs for certain Removal Action work. We met with the EPA on May 2, 2019 to discuss the UAO and, on May 9, 2019, sent the EPA a response wherein we denied liability, reserved rights and indicated that we will cooperate with the EPA and comply with the UAO. Total liabilities of approximately $2.2 million in connection with the remediation have been accrued through March 31, 2020, but the total cost or range of costs associated with this matter, including potential future costs related to natural resource damages, cannot be determined at this time.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees
The following table sets forth the names and ages, as of March 31, 2020, and titles of the individuals who will serve as our executive officers and members of our board of directors at the time of the offering.
Name
|
Age | Position | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
William P. Foley II | 75 | Chairman of the Board | ||
Anthony M. Jabbour |
|
52 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, Director |
Stephen C. Daffron |
|
64 |
|
President |
Bryan T. Hipsher |
|
37 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Joe A. Reinhardt III |
|
57 |
|
Chief Legal Officer |
Douglas K. Ammerman |
|
68 |
|
Director |
Chinh E. Chu |
|
53 |
|
Director |
Thomas M. Hagerty |
|
57 |
|
Director |
Richard N. Massey |
|
64 |
|
Director |
James A. Quella |
|
70 |
|
Director |
Ganesh B. Rao |
|
43 |
|
Director |
The following table sets forth the names and ages, as of March 31, 2020, and titles of certain of our key employees.
Name
|
Age | Position | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Michael C. Bird | 56 | PresidentSales & Marketing Solutions | ||
Kevin Coop |
|
56 |
|
Chief Commercial Officer |
Suchitra "Bobby" Gupta |
|
60 |
|
Chief Analytics Officer |
Gary Kotovets |
|
41 |
|
Chief Data Officer |
Andrew Hausman |
|
52 |
|
PresidentFinance & Risk Solutions |
Thomas Rauker |
|
56 |
|
Chief Operations Officer |
Neeraj Sahai |
|
62 |
|
PresidentInternational |
Gil Shaked |
|
59 |
|
Chief Technology Officer |
William P. Foley II has served as our Chairman since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Foley has served as Chairman of Black Knight since December 2014 and as Chairman of Black Knight and its predecessors since January 2014. Mr. Foley is a founder of FNF and has served as Chairman of the board of directors of FNF since 1984. He served as Chief Executive Officer of FNF until May 2007 and as President of FNF until December 1994. Mr. Foley also has served as Co-Chairman of FGL Holdings since April 2016 and as Chairman of Cannae since July 2017. Cannae is externally managed by Trasimene Capital Management, LLC ("Trasimene Capital"), and Mr. Foley serves as a Senior Managing Director of Trasimene Capital. Mr. Foley is a founder and has served as the Chairman of Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, since May 2020. He previously served as Executive Chairman of Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp. from March
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2020 to May 2020. Mr. Foley also serves on the boards of directors of The Foley Family Charitable Foundation and the Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens. Mr. Foley is a founder, trustee and director of The Folded Flag Foundation. Mr. Foley also is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Foley Family Wines Holdings, Inc., a private holding company for numerous vineyards and wineries, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC, which is the private company that owns the Vegas Golden Knights, a National Hockey League team. Within the past five years, Mr. Foley served as Vice Chairman of FIS and as a director of Ceridian. After receiving his B.S. degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Foley served in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of captain.
Mr. Foley's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include more than 30 years as a director and executive officer of FNF, his strategic vision, his experience as a board member and executive officer of public and private companies in a wide variety of industries and his strong track record of building and maintaining stockholder value and successfully negotiating and implementing mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Foley provides us with high-value added services and has sufficient time to focus on us.
Anthony M. Jabbour has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a director since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Jabbour has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Black Knight since April 2018 and has served as a director of Black Knight since May 2018. Prior to joining Black Knight, Mr. Jabbour served as Corporate Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of FIS from December 2015 through December 2017. Mr. Jabbour served as Corporate Executive Vice President of the Integrated Financial Solutions segment of FIS from February 2015 until December 2015. Mr. Jabbour served as Executive Vice President of the North America Financial Institutions division of FIS from February 2011 to February 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Jabbour held positions of increasing responsibility in operations and delivery from the time he joined FIS in 2004. Prior to joining FIS, Mr. Jabbour worked for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and for IBM's Global Services group managing complex client projects and relationships.
Mr. Jabbour's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his extensive experience in leadership roles with financial services and technology companies, resulting in his deep knowledge of our business and industry and strong leadership abilities.
Stephen C. Daffron has served as our President since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Dr. Daffron is a Co-Founder and Industry Partner of Motive Partners, a private equity firm focused on technology-enabled companies that power the financial services industry founded in January 2016. Prior to joining Motive Partners, Dr. Daffron served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Interactive Data Holdings Corporation from September 2013 until its acquisition by Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. in January 2016. Prior to that, Dr. Daffron served as Global Head of Operations and Technology for Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. Prior to that role he spent more than two decades on Wall Street holding senior leadership positions at Renaissance Technologies Corp., Citigroup Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. Prior to his career in finance, he served as an Associate Professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and in various command and staff positions in the U.S. Army around the world.
Bryan T. Hipsher has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hipsher served as Senior Vice President of Finance for Black Knight. from January 2014 through February 2019. From July 2008 to January 2014, Mr. Hipsher served as Senior Vice President of Finance for Lender Processing Services, Inc. Prior to that role, he held positions of increasing responsibility in finance, operations and accounting from the time he joined FNF in 2006.
Joe A. Reinhardt III has served as our Chief Legal Officer since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Reinhardt serves as principal legal counsel to the Company, its subsidiaries, senior
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management and the board of directors. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Reinhardt served in various roles with FNF for 24 years, including as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Fidelity National Title Group, where he managed a legal department with over 600 professionals, from 2013 to February 2019. Before joining the FNF, Mr. Reinhardt worked as a tax consultant with Ernst & Young.
Douglas K. Ammerman has served as a member of our board of directors since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Ammerman has served as a director of FNF since 2005. Mr. Ammerman is a retired partner of KPMG LLP, where he became a partner in 1984. Mr. Ammerman formally retired from KPMG in 2002. He also serves as a director of Stantec Inc., J. Alexander's Holdings Inc. and Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp. Mr. Ammerman formerly served on the boards of Remy International, Inc. and El Pollo Loco, Inc.
Mr. Ammerman's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his financial and accounting background and expertise, including his 18 years as a partner with KPMG, and his experience as a director on the boards of other companies.
Chinh E. Chu has served as a member of our board of directors since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Chu is the Founder and Managing Partner at CC Capital, a private investment firm which he founded in 2015. Before founding CC Capital, Mr. Chu worked at Blackstone from 1990 to 2015. Mr. Chu was a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone since 2000, and previously served as Co-Chair of Blackstone's Private Equity Executive Committee and was a member of Blackstone's Executive Committee. Mr. Chu served as Co-Chairman of FGL Holdings from April 2016 until June 2020 when it was acquired. Mr. Chu is also a director of Collier Creek Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company he co-founded in April 2018 which announced its business combination on June 5, 2020, and NCR Corporation. Mr. Chu previously served as a director of Kronos Incorporated, SunGard Data Systems, Inc., Stiefel Laboratories, Freescale Semiconductor, Ltd. Biomet, Inc., Alliant, Celanese Corporation, Nalco Company, DJO Global, Inc., HealthMarkets, Inc., Nycomed, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange, Graham Packaging and AlliedBarton Security Services. Before joining Blackstone in 1990, Mr. Chu worked at Salomon Brothers in the Mergers & Acquisitions Department.
Mr. Chu's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his substantial experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and strategic business planning, his track record at Blackstone and in advising and managing multi-national companies and his experience serving as a director for various public and private companies.
Thomas M. Hagerty has served as a member of our board of directors since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Hagerty is a Managing Director of THL, which he joined in 1988. Mr. Hagerty is a director of Black Knight, Ceridian, FleetCor Technologies, FNF and Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp. Mr. Hagerty formerly served on the boards of First Bancorp, MoneyGram International and FIS.
Mr. Hagerty's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his managerial and strategic expertise working with large growth-oriented companies as a Managing Director of THL, a leading private equity firm, and his experience in enhancing value at such companies, along with his expertise in corporate finance.
Richard N. Massey has served as a member of our board of directors since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Massey serves as a Senior Managing Director of Trasimene Capital and Chief Executive Officer of Cannae. Mr. Massey served as the Chairman and principal shareholder of Bear State Financial, Inc., a publicly traded financial institution from 2011 until April 2018. Mr. Massey has served on Cannae's board of directors since June 2018 and Black Knight's board of directors since December 2014. In addition, Mr. Massey has served as a director of FNF since February 2006. Mr. Massey has been a partner in Westrock Capital, LLC, a private investment partnership, since
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January 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Massey was Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel of Alltel Corporation and served as Managing Director of Stephens Inc., a private investment bank, during which time his financial advisory practice focused on software and information technology companies. Mr. Massey also serves as a director of FGL Holdings. Mr. Massey is also a director of the Oxford American Literary Project and Chairman of the Board of the Arkansas Razorback Foundation. Mr. Massey formerly served as a director of FIS and Chairman of Bear State Financial, Inc.
Mr. Massey's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his experience in corporate finance and investment banking and as a financial and legal advisor to public and private businesses, as well as his expertise in identifying, negotiating and consummating mergers and acquisitions.
James A. Quella has served as a member of our board of directors since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Since 2013, Mr. Quella has served as a Senior Advisor at Blackstone. On June 30, 2013, Mr. Quella retired as a Senior Managing Director and Senior Operating Partner at Blackstone, where he worked since 2004. Mr. Quella was responsible for monitoring the strategy and operational performance of Blackstone's portfolio companies and providing direct assistance in the oversight of large investments. Mr. Quella has been a director of Michaels Stores, Inc. since 2006 and has been a director of The Michaels Companies, Inc. since 2013. While at Blackstone, Mr. Quella also served as a director of numerous public and private companies, including Freescale Semiconductor, Ltd. and Lionbridge Technologies Inc. within the past five years.
Mr. Quella's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his substantial experience in managing businesses; his experience in mergers and acquisitions; his familiarity with corporate finance and strategic business planning activities; and his extensive experience serving as a director for various public and private companies.
Ganesh B. Rao has served as a member of our board of directors since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. Mr. Rao is a Managing Director of THL, which he joined in 2000. Prior to joining THL, Mr. Rao worked at Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in the Mergers & Acquisitions Department and at Greenlight Capital, a hedge fund. Mr. Rao is a director of Black Knight, Ceridian, AmeriLife Group, LLC, HighTower Advisors, LLC and Auction.com. Mr. Rao is a former director of MoneyGram International, Nielsen Holdings, N.V., Prime Risk Partners, Ten-X Commercial and LifeWorks Corporation Ltd.
Mr. Rao's qualifications to serve on our board of directors include his managerial and strategic expertise working with large growth-oriented companies as a Managing Director of THL, and his experience with enhancing value at such companies, along with his expertise in corporate finance.
Michael C. Bird has served as our PresidentSales & Marketing Solutions since February 2019. In this role, he is responsible for the strategy, product development and sales efforts for our Sales & Marketing Product Portfolio. Previously, Mr. Bird served as our Executive Vice President and General Manager Global Alliances, Partnerships and Audience Solutions from January 2017 to January 2019 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sales & Marketing Solutions from December 2015 to December 2016 and Senior Vice President D&B NetProspex from January 2015 to November 2015. Mr. Bird joined Dun & Bradstreet through the 2015 acquisition of NetProspex, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from May 2013 to January 2015, President from March 2012 to April 2013 and Chief Revenue Officer from January 2010 to February 2012.
Kevin Coop has served as our Chief Commercial Officer since February 2019. In this role, Mr. Coop leads all revenue-generating functional teams, revenue-supporting operational teams, and commercial marketing efforts, including sales, sales enablement, predictive analytics and insights, marketing and sales operations, marketing content and branding, demand generation, advisory solutions and business development. Mr. Coop was previously Group Executive and President of the Data & Analytics (D&A) divisions of Black Knight from January 2014 to February 2019. In this role, Mr. Coop
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had responsibility for the management of the combined businesses of D&A across all of our segments. Prior to this role, Mr. Coop was Executive Vice President of ServiceLink Holdings, LLC ("ServiceLink"), a FNF company, where he was responsible for the management of strategy, sales, marketing, product development and business development, and was a leader in the merger of ServiceLink with LPS (which created Black Knight) from November 2013 to December 2014. Earlier, Mr. Coop was President of the Financial Services business lines for Verisk for nine years, where he held ever increasing P&L responsibility for all business lines after a successful recapitalization and sale of a technology business to Verisk in 2004. He has held executive positions with Move, now a News Corp business, and with several technology and electronic commerce software business.
Suchitra "Bobby" Gupta has served as our Chief Analytics Officer since June 2019. In this role, Dr. Gupta is responsible for leading Dun & Bradstreet's analytics team and further enhancing our growth agenda. Prior to that, Dr. Gupta was Executive Director, Head of Predictive Analytics and Business Intelligence & Infrastructure, Wealth Management Technology at Morgan Stanley from November 2017 to June 2019. In this role, he was responsible for offensive and defensive analytics projects to protect and grow the business. Prior to this role, Dr. Gupta served as the Director for the Front Office Client Trading Technology where he developed the global strategy, architecture, and technology roadmap to build systems and services to support new prime brokerage and finance business. Bobby has more than three decades of IT and analytics expertise in the financial services and investment sectors including with large financial institutions such as Barclays Capital, Lehman Brothers, Citi, and Merrill Lynch, as well as in academia and startup companies.
Gary Kotovets has served as our Chief Data Officer since January 2020. In this role, Mr. Kotovets is responsible for leading Dun & Bradstreet's global data strategy and for enterprise data governance and exploring new digital and alternative data opportunities. Prior to that, Mr. Kotovets was Global Head of Data Acquisition and Management for Bloomberg from September 2006 to January 2020. In this role, Mr. Kotovets led an international team responsible for all aspects of financial information management across all of Bloomberg's business. Prior to this role, Mr. Kotovets was Global Head of Exchanges and Custom Index Calculation Businesses. Mr. Kotovets has two decades of leadership roles with data and exchange businesses.
Andrew Hausman has served as our PresidentFinance & Risk Solutions since September 2019. In this role, Mr. Hausman is responsible for the strategy, product development, and sales efforts for our Finance Solutions product portfolio. Mr. Hausman joined Dun & Bradstreet as General Manager for Trade Credit in February 2019. Prior to joining Dun & Bradstreet, Mr. Hausman served as an Operating Partner of Motive Partners from January 2018 to January 2019. Previously, Mr. Hausman worked at Interactive Data Corporation (IDC) where he ran a variety of businesses, beginning with his role as President of BondEdge Solutions from July 2012 to January 2014, and progressing to his position as President of the company's primary business, Pricing and Reference data from January 2014 to December 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Hausman served as Executive Vice President for eight years at Reuters and Thomson Reuters where he ran the $1.1 billion Foreign Exchange and Fixed Income businesses. Mr. Hausman's formative professional years began at Bloomberg where he worked for twelve years and ran various electronic trading businesses around the world.
Thomas Rauker has served as our Chief Operations Officer since May 2019. In this role, Mr. Rauker leads our operations, including data delivery, client service teams and data quality. Mr. Rauker previously led Operations for our Sales & Marketing Solutions from August 2019 to April 2019. Prior to this role, Mr. Rauker served as our Global Senior Vice President of OperationsGlobal Alliances & Partnership and Audience Targeting from January 2017 to January 2019 and as our Market Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Operations from January 2015 to January 2017. Mr. Rauker joined Dun & Bradstreet through the 2016 acquisition of NetProspex, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer from June 2010 to January 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Rauker served as a Strategic Corporate Financial Consultant of Dow Jones from April 2008 to
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June 2010 following Dow Jones' acquisition of Generate Inc. where he served as Chief Financial Officer.
Neeraj Sahai has served as our PresidentInternational since March 2019. In this role, Mr. Sahai ensures the pursuit of growth opportunities, operating efficiency and best practices across Asia including India, the UK&I, and the Dun & Bradstreet Worldwide Network. Prior to this role, Mr. Sahai served as President of Standard & Poor's (S&P) Ratings, where he initiated the transformation of the business and improved margins by double digits in one year. Prior to S&P, Mr. Sahai led a distinguished career with Citigroup. As Business Head of the Securities & Fund Services, he tripled revenues and grew margins fivefold during his tenure. In a previous role as Chief Financial officer of Global Transaction Services, he helped develop financial reporting strategies that supported the significant growth of that franchise. As Audit & Risk Review Head of Capital Markets and Banking, he formed a highly effective group that handled some of the most sensitive and complex issues in the company's history. Mr. Sahai has previously served on the boards of a number of international financial and ratings agencies and currently serves as Chairman of Jade Lion Capital LLC.
Gil Shaked has served as our Chief Technology Officer since the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. In this role, Mr. Shaked oversees the management of technology strategy and operations, data operations, enterprise systems, applications, security, infrastructure, automation, and digital transformation. Prior to this role, Mr. Shaked served as Managing Director at Citadel from April 2017 to March 2019, where he initiated, managed, and led the sale of the Omnium Platform to Northern Trust. Prior to Citadel, Mr. Shaked was a Managing Director and divisional CIO at Morgan Stanley from March 2013 to April 2017, where he led the development and implementation of a global technology strategy with the goals of enabling business growth and reducing operational expenses and risks through innovation. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Mr. Shaked was a Managing Director at Société Générale from September 2010 to February 2013. He was a leading member of a core team that conducted the analysis and development of a plan to set up a new prime brokerage business. Prior to Société Générale, Mr. Shaked was the Chief Executive Officer of Correlix, a product and managed services firm that provided latency information to high-frequency trading shops, investment banks, and hedge funds. Gil is an investor and advisor to early stage technology startups, including Otoma, an AI based testing company, and Valerann, a smart roads development and management company.
Board of Directors
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. Contemporaneously with this offering, our board of directors will be composed of eight directors.
In connection with this offering, the members of the Investor Consortium intend to enter into a voting letter agreement. Pursuant to the letter agreement, the members of the Investor Consortium agree to vote all of their shares in all matters related to the election of directors, including to elect five individuals to our board of directors at each of the next shareholder meetings through the 2023 shareholder meeting at which such individuals are eligible for election.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that prior to the election of directors at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, our board of directors will be divided into three classes. Class I will initially consist of two directors, Class II will initially consist of three directors and Class III will initially consist of three directors. The Class I directors, whose terms will expire at the first annual meeting of our stockholders following the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, will be Messrs. Quella and Jabbour. The Class II directors, whose terms will expire at the second annual meeting of our stockholders following the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, will be Messrs. Massey, Ammerman and Rao. The Class III directors, whose terms will expire at the third annual meeting of our stockholders following the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, will be Messrs. Foley, Chu and Hagerty. Beginning
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at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director's successor shall have been elected and qualified. See "Description of Capital StockAnti-takeover Provisions."
Director Independence and Controlled Company Exemption
We intend to avail ourselves of the "controlled company" exemption under the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. Accordingly, we will not be required to have a majority of "independent directors" on our board of directors as defined under the rules of the NYSE; nor will we have a compensation committee and a corporate governance and nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors. The "controlled company" exemption does not modify the independence requirements for the audit committee, and we intend to comply with the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the NYSE, which require that our audit committee be composed of at least three members, one of whom will be independent upon the listing of our common stock, a majority of whom will be independent within 90 days of listing, and each of whom will be independent within one year of listing.
If at any time we cease to be a "controlled company" under the rules of the NYSE, our board of directors will take all action necessary to comply with the NYSE corporate governance rules, including appointing a majority of independent directors to the board of directors and establishing certain committees composed entirely of independent directors, subject to a permitted "phase-in" period.
Board Committees
Prior to the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, our board of directors will establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and corporate governance and nominating committee. Each committee will operate under a charter approved by our board of directors. Members will serve on these committees until their resignations or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Following this offering and the concurrent private placement, copies of each committee's charter will be available on our website.
Audit Committee. The primary purpose of our audit committee is to assist the board of directors' oversight of, among other things:
Upon the consummation of this offering, the audit committee will be composed of Messrs. Ammerman, Quella and Rao. Mr. Ammerman will serve as chair of the audit committee. Each of Messrs. Ammerman, Quella and Rao qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as such term has been defined by the SEC in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K. Our board of directors has affirmatively determined that Mr. Ammerman and Mr. Quella meet the definition of an "independent director" for the purposes of serving on the audit committee under applicable NYSE rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. We intend to comply with these independence requirements for all members of the audit committee within the time periods specified under such rules. The audit committee will be governed by a charter that complies with the rules of the NYSE.
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Following this offering, both our independent registered public accounting firm and management personnel will periodically meet privately with our audit committee.
Compensation Committee. The primary purpose of our compensation committee is to assist the board of directors in overseeing our management compensation policies and practices, including, among other things:
Upon the consummation of this offering, the compensation committee will be composed of Messrs. Massey, Quella and Hagerty. Mr. Massey will serve as chair of the compensation committee. The compensation committee will be governed by a charter, to be effective prior to the completion of this offering, that complies with the rules of the NYSE.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The primary purpose of our corporate governance and nominating committee is to:
Upon the consummation of this offering, the corporate governance and nominating committee will be composed of Messrs. Foley, Hagerty and Chu. Mr. Foley will serve as the chair of the corporate governance and nominating committee. The corporate governance and nominating committee will be governed by a charter that complies with the rules of the NYSE.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers serves, or in the last completed fiscal year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee performing equivalent functions) of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee. No interlocking relationship exists between any member of the compensation committee (or other committee performing equivalent functions) and any executive, member of the board of directors or member of the compensation committee (or other committee performing equivalent functions) and of any other company.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
Code of Conduct
Prior to the completion of this offering, we will amend our code of conduct that applies to all of our employees, officers, directors, agents, consultants, representatives, affiliates, subsidiaries and anyone
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who is authorized to act on our behalf. A copy of the amended code will be available on our website located at www.dnb.com. Any amendments or waivers from our code for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, to our code will be disclosed on our Internet website promptly following the date of such amendment or waiver.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Prior to the completion of this offering, our board of directors will adopt corporate governance guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE, which serve as a flexible framework within which our board of directors and its committees operate. These guidelines will cover a number of areas, including the duties and responsibilities of the board of directors, director independence, board leadership structure, executive sessions, succession planning, director nomination, qualification and election, director orientation and continuing education, annual board and committee performance evaluations and other governance guidelines for our board of directors. A copy of our corporate governance guidelines will be posted on our website located at www.dnb.com.
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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements should be read with the compensation tables and related disclosures that follow. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans and expectations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from the programs summarized in this discussion. The following discussion may also contain statements regarding corporate performance targets and goals. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context of our compensation programs and should not be understood to be statements of management's expectations or estimates of results or other guidance. We specifically caution investors not to apply these statements to other contexts.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
In this compensation discussion and analysis, we provide an overview of our approach to compensating our named executive officers in 2019, including the objectives of our compensation programs and the principles upon which our compensation programs and decisions are based. In 2019, our named executive officers were:
Prior to our initial public offering, the compensation committee of our board of directors was responsible for reviewing our executive compensation program and determining the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer as well as our other executive officers. Additionally, the compensation committee was responsible for approving grants of any profits interests awarded under our long-term incentive program for executive employees, as well as any incentives earned under our Cost Savings Achievement Plan (as defined below). In 2020, the compensation committee will be responsible for each of (i) approving corporate goals and objectives relating to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) evaluating our Chief Executive Officer's performance in light of those objectives, (iii) determining and approving our Chief Executive Officer's compensation and (iv) setting the salaries and approving the incentive compensation awards and equity compensation awards, as well as compensation policies, for our other executive officers. Although we currently do not intend to alter our compensation objectives, other than as described herein, our compensation committee intends to develop and maintain a compensation framework that is appropriate and competitive for a public company and may establish executive compensation objectives and programs that are different from those currently in place.
Our compensation program for our named executive officers is structured to drive performance, with a particular focus on long-term results, growth and profitability. We have utilized traditional elements of compensation that reflect our overall success, including base salary, annual cash incentives and equity-based incentives. Additionally, we have developed a cost savings achievement plan that rewards our executive officers based on the achievement of specified levels of cost savings achieved beginning February 8, 2019 (the "Cost Savings Achievement Plan"). We believe that our compensation programs promote our success and lead to better financial results, which, in turn, result in better returns for our stockholders.
Our Compensation Programs are Driven by Our Business Objectives
Our compensation committee believes it is important to reward our executives for strong performance in a business and industry with significant operational and regulatory challenges, and to
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incentivize them to continue to take actions to deliver strong results for our investors by expanding our client relationships, growing our client base, continuing to innovate our solutions set and pursuing new market opportunities. At the same time, our compensation committee believes it is important to disincentivize our executives from taking unnecessary risks. The compensation committee believes that our compensation programs are structured to foster these goals.
We believe that our executive compensation programs are structured in a manner to support us and to achieve our business objectives. For 2019, our executive compensation approach was designed with the following goals:
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Executive Officer consider good governance practices as they review our compensation programs and adopt policies that work for us.
We think the most effective way of accomplishing these objectives is to provide our named executive officers with enough fixed compensation in the form of base salary to disincentivize excessive risk-taking, while providing them with sufficient opportunities in the form of variable compensation that is linked to our annual and long-term strategic goals to align their interests with those of our investors. We believe it is important to deliver strong results for our investors and clients, and we believe our practice of linking compensation with corporate performance will help us to accomplish that goal.
Compensation Best Practices
We take a proactive approach to compensation governance. Our compensation committee regularly reviews our compensation programs and, when appropriate, makes adjustments that it believes are in our best interests and the best interests of our investors. As part of this process, our compensation committee considers current best practices, and makes changes in our compensation programs when the compensation committee deems it appropriate, all with the goal of continually improving our approach to executive compensation and its link to driving strong performance and value for our investors. Our compensation programs include the following notable best practices:
Principal Components of Compensation
We link a significant portion of each named executive officer's total annual compensation to performance goals that are intended to deliver measurable results. Executives are generally rewarded only when and if the pre-established performance goals are met or exceeded. We also believe that material ownership stakes for executives assist in aligning executives' interests with those of
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stockholders and strongly motivates executives to build long-term value. We structure our compensation programs to assist in creating this link.
The following chart illustrates the principal elements of our named executive officer compensation program in 2019:
Fixed Compensation | Short-Term Incentives | Long-Term Incentive |
|
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Base Salary |
Annual
Cash Incentives |
Cost Savings
Achievement Plan |
Long-Term
Equity Incentives |
Benefits | ||||
Fixed cash component with annual merit increase opportunity based on responsibilities, individual performance results and other considerations. | Annual cash award for profitability, growth and operating strength during the year. | Cash award designed to encourage cost savings related to the Take-Private Transaction. Participants earn cash incentives for annualized net expense savings from specific actions taken by management. | Equity awards to promote long-term growth and tie our executives' financial interests to those of our investors. | 401(k) plan; health insurance and limited perquisites. | ||||
Link To Performance |
||||||||
Individual performance |
|
Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted revenue and new sales |
|
Annualized cost savings |
|
Future growth in equity value |
|
|
The principal components of our executive compensation program for 2019 were base salaries, annual cash incentives under our Annual Incentive Plan, long-term equity incentive awards in the form of profits interests and awards under our Cost Savings Achievement Plan. In 2019, our compensation committee placed heavy emphasis on the at-risk, performance-based components of performance-based cash incentives and long-term equity incentives. The compensation committee determined the appropriate value of each of these components of compensation after considering each executive's level of responsibility, the individual skills, experience and potential contribution of each executive, and the ability of each executive to impact company-wide performance and create long-term value. As shown in the table below, 88% to 98% of our named executive officers' total compensation was based on performance-based incentives. Benefits comprised less than 2% of total compensation.
The compensation committee believes a significant portion of an executive officer's compensation should be allocated to compensation that effectively aligns the interests of our executives with the long-term interests of our investors. The compensation committee also believed it was extremely important for our executives to take actions during 2019 to achieve the cost savings goals following the Take-Private Transaction, while continuing to focus on strengthening our operations and driving strong financial results and growth. Consequently, for 2019, a significant majority of our named executive officers' total compensation was provided in the form of long-term equity incentives and cash incentives under our Cost Savings Achievement Plan and Annual Incentive Plan. In particular, with respect to Mr. Jabbour and Dr. Daffron, our compensation committee considered the critical role they play in our organization, especially with respect to achieving our strategic goals and long-term growth and success, and the paramount importance of retaining their services and continued focus and dedication. The relative size of Mr. Jabbour's and Dr. Daffron's performance-based incentives and profits interests awards relative to other awards, is reflective of the compensation committee's subjective assessment of
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the value they add to our organization and its success. The structure and terms of the compensation provided to Mr. Jabbour and Dr. Daffron is also reflective of the role they play within our organization, with the substantial majority being performance-based contingent upon achievement of specified performance objectives. With respect to Mr. Jabbour, his base salary was set after consideration that he receives a base salary from Black Knight in connection with his role as its Chief Executive Officer.
The following table shows the allocation of 2019 Total Compensation for our named executive officers, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table below, among the various components. The compensation committee believed this allocation to be appropriate after consideration of the factors described above.
Name
|
Salary | Bonus |
Annual
Cash Incentive |
Cost
Savings Achievement Plan |
Profits
Interests |
Benefits &
Other Compensation |
Total
Compensation |
Performance
Based Compensation |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthony M. Jabbour |
1.2 | % | 0.6 | % | 7.3 | % | 26.0 | % | 65.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 100 | % | 98.3 | % | |||||||||
Stephen C. Daffron |
3.6 | % | 0.6 | % | 11.1 | % | 29.4 | % | 55.2 | % | 0.0 | % | 100 | % | 95.7 | % | |||||||||
Bryan T. Hipsher |
6.8 | % | 1.1 | % | 13.9 | % | 50.2 | % | 26.5 | % | 1.6 | % | 100 | % | 90.6 | % | |||||||||
Joe A. Reinhardt III |
9.3 | % | 0.9 | % | 19.2 | % | 44.1 | % | 24.8 | % | 1.6 | % | 100 | % | 88.1 | % |
Base Salary
Base salaries reflect the fixed component of the compensation for an executive officer's ongoing contribution to the operating performance of his area of responsibility. We provide our named executive officers with base salaries that are intended to provide them with a level of assured, regularly paid cash compensation that is competitive and reasonable. Our named executive officers' base salaries were based on their respective employment agreements with us. Our compensation committee reviews salary levels annually as part of our performance review process, as well as in the event of promotions or other changes in our named executive officers' positions or responsibilities. When establishing base salary levels, our compensation committee considers a number of qualitative factors, including the named executive officer's experience, knowledge, skills, level of responsibility and performance.
Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentive
In 2019, we awarded annual cash incentive opportunities to each of our named executive officers under our Annual Incentive Plan. We use the Annual Incentive Plan to provide a form of at-risk, performance-based pay that is focused on achievement of critical, objectively measurable, annual financial objectives. The 2019 annual cash incentives were conditioned upon the achievement of pre-defined financial objectives, which were determined by our compensation committee. The Annual Incentive Plan plays an important role in our approach to total compensation. It motivates participants to work hard and proficiently toward improving our operating performance for a fiscal year, and it requires that we achieve defined annual financial performance goals before participants become eligible for an incentive payout. We believe that achieving our financial objectives is important to executing our business strategy, strengthening our services and solutions, improving client satisfaction and gaining new clients and delivering long term value to our stockholders. In addition, the cash incentive program helps to attract and retain a highly qualified workforce and to maintain a market competitive compensation program.
In April 2019, our compensation committee approved the 2019 fiscal year financial performance objectives and a target incentive opportunity for our named executive officers, as well as the potential incentive opportunity range for maximum and threshold performance. No annual incentive payments are payable to an executive officer if the pre-established, minimum performance levels are not met, and payments are capped at the maximum performance payout level. Each executive's target incentive
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opportunity under the Annual Incentive Plan was established by our compensation committee as described above for our executive officers as a percentage of each individual's base salary, as follows: Mr. Jabbour 200% of base salary, Dr. Daffron 150% of base salary, Mr. Hipsher 100% of base salary and Mr. Reinhardt 100% of base salary.
The amount of the annual incentives actually paid depends on the level of achievement of the pre-established goals as follows:
Threshold performance levels were established to challenge our executive officers. Maximum performance levels were established to limit annual incentive awards so as to avoid excessive compensation while encouraging executives to reach for performance beyond the target levels. An important tenet of our pay for performance philosophy is to utilize our compensation programs to motivate our executives to achieve performance levels that reach beyond what is expected of us as a company.
Target performance levels are intended to be difficult to achieve, but not unrealistic. The performance targets were based on discussions between management and our compensation committee. In setting 2019 performance metrics, our compensation committee considered the following:
The 2019 performance metrics were adjusted EBITDA, adjusted revenue and new sales weighted 60%, 25% and 15%, respectively. These performance metrics are among the most important measures in evaluating the financial performance of our business, and they can have a significant impact on long-term value creation and the investing community's expectations. These annual incentive performance goals are synchronized with our annual budget, our long-term financial plan, and our
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board of directors' expectations. In the following table, we explain how we calculate the performance measures and why we use them.
Performance Measure
|
Weight | How Calculated | Reason for Use | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adjusted EBITDA |
60 | % | Net earnings from continuing operations, with adjustments for the addition or elimination of certain income statement items including, but not limited to, (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) interest expense;(iii) income tax expense; (iv) the deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustment recorded in accordance with GAAP; (v) equity-based compensation including amounts related to payroll taxes; (vi) charges associated with significant legal and regulatory matters; (vii) exit costs, impairments, and other charges; (viii) costs associated with debt and equity offerings; (ix) acquisition related costs; and (xi) other expenses, net. | We believe adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in our industry. Management uses adjusted EBITDA as a measurement used to compare our operating performance to our peers and competitors. | |||
Adjusted revenue |
25 |
% |
GAAP revenues adjusted to exclude revenues not recorded due to the deferred purchase accounting adjustment recorded in accordance with GAAP. For annual incentive purposes, we also exclude the effect of acquisitions and divestitures. |
We believe adjusted revenue is useful to investors and management as a supplemental measure to evaluate our performance on a consistent basis. |
|||
New sales |
15 |
% |
The aggregate of (i) sales of products to new clients in 2019; and (ii) sales of products to existing clients with an incremental increase over prior year sales. |
We believe new sales is a driver of future revenue growth. It rewards management for success at selling new products to our clients and gaining new clients. We believe this performance measure is a tangible indication of our executives' immediate efforts to grow adjusted revenue and adjusted EBITDA. |
Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted revenue are non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are useful to investors in evaluating our overall financial performance. We believe these measures provide useful information about operating results and profitability, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making.
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Set forth below are the relative percentage weights of the 2019 performance metrics, the threshold, target and maximum performance levels for each performance metric and 2019 performance results. For information on the ranges of possible payments under our Annual Incentive Plan, see "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" under the column Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards.
Performance Metric
|
Weight | Threshold | Target | Maximum |
Performance
Result |
Payout
Factor |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
($ in millions)
|
($ in millions)
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
60 | % | $ | 645.0 | $ | 672.0 | $ | 705.0 | $ | 711.8 | 200 | % | |||||||
Adjusted revenue |
25 | % | $ | 1,680.0 | $ | 1,720.0 | $ | 1,745.0 | $ | 1,754.2 | 200 | % | |||||||
New sales |
15 | % | $ | 270.0 | $ | 320.0 | $ | 370.0 | $ | 314.0 | 94 | % |
For 2019, we assigned a relative percentage weight of 60% to the adjusted EBITDA performance metric, 25% to the adjusted revenue performance metric and 15% to the new sales performance metric. The percentage weight of each performance metric equates to the maximum percentage of incentive awards payable upon achieving the threshold, target or maximum performance level determined for such performance metric. The relative percentage weights for the performance metrics sum to 100%, and therefore 100% of the annual incentive awards would potentially be payable if target performance levels were achieved for all three of the 2019 performance metrics.
The table below shows each named executive officer's 2019 target incentive opportunity and the amounts actually paid under the Annual Incentive Plan.
Name
|
2019
Base Salary(1) |
2019
Annual Incentive Target(2) |
2019
Incentive Pay Target |
Actual
Performance Multiplier |
2019
Total Incentive Earned |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthony M. Jabbour |
$ | 250,000 | 200 | % | $ | 500,000 | 269.1 | % | $ | 1,345,000 | ||||||
Stephen C. Daffron |
$ | 650,000 | 150 | % | $ | 975,000 | 184.1 | % | $ | 1,794,975 | ||||||
Bryan T. Hipsher |
$ | 425,000 | 100 | % | $ | 425,000 | 184.1 | % | $ | 782,425 | ||||||
Joe A. Reinhardt III |
$ | 500,000 | 100 | % | $ | 500,000 | 184.1 | % | $ | 920,500 |
Long-Term Equity Incentives
In 2019, we used our Long-Term Incentive Plan for Executive Employees, which we refer to as the equity incentive plan, to grant long-term incentive awards in the form of profit interests. The underlying principles of our 2019 equity incentive program were to align our executives financial interests with those of our investors in order to motivate, incentivize and reward management for executing on our long-term strategy and financial goals and delivering significant financial return to our investors. Similar to a stock option, the profits interests only have value to the extent our equity value increases after issuance.
The profits interests generally vest ratably over a period of three years subject to the continued service of the awardee, and are subject to the terms and conditions of our equity incentive plan and the Star Parent Partnership Agreement.
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Our compensation committee considers several qualitative and quantitative factors when determining equity incentive award levels, and ultimately uses its judgment when determining the terms of individual awards. The factors the compensation committee considers include the following:
While our compensation committee considered each of the factors set forth above in arriving at the specific awards granted to each of our named executive officers in 2019, its determination was not formulaic; rather, our compensation committee exercised its discretion to make decisions based on its assessment of the totality of the factors, including the significant financial return that our officers returned to our stockholders. In particular, with respect to Mr. Jabbour and Dr. Daffron, the relative size of their profits interests awarded as compared to profits interest grants to others is reflective of our compensation committee's subjective assessment of the significant value they add to our organization and their ability to shape and execute on our long-term strategy and impact our long-term success. These profit interest awards only have value to the extent that our equity value increases after issuance.
On March 12, 2019, in accordance with their respective employment agreements, our compensation committee made awards of profits interests to our named executive officers in the following amounts: Mr. Jabbour 4,882.4 units; Dr. Daffron 3,661.8 units; Mr. Hipsher 610.3 units; and Mr. Reinhardt 488.2 units. In connection with this offering and assuming an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), our named executive officers will have an indirect interest in shares of our common stock held by Star Parent in the following amounts: Mr. Jabbour 3,836,362 shares; Dr. Daffron 2,877,271 shares; Mr. Hipsher 479,545 shares; and Mr. Reinhardt 383,605 shares, which in each case will have the the same vesting schedule as the units.
For information about the grant date fair values of the profits interests granted to our named executive officers in 2019, see "Summary Compensation Table." The grant date fair values reflect the potential future value of the profits interests. The actual amounts realized by our named executive officers with respect to the profits interests may be greater or less than the fair value estimates. Further details concerning the profits interests made to our named executive officers in 2019, including the number of profits interests awarded, are provided in the table and related footnotes under "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" below.
In connection with this offering our board of directors will adopt a new omnibus incentive plan as described under "Employee Benefit Plans2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan" pursuant to which an aggregate of 40,000,000 shares of our common stock will be authorized for issuance. In connection with this offering and under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we intend to grant certain directors, executive officers and other employees options to purchase an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. Such options granted to our named executives officers will vest ratably over three years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date and expire on the seventh anniversary of the grant date. See "Employee Benefit Plans2020 Omnibus Incentive PlanChange in Control" for a discussion of treatment of such awards upon an occurrence of a change in control. We expect to grant options to Mr. Jabbour, Dr. Daffron, Mr. Hipsher and Mr. Reinhardt to purchase 920,000, 920,000, 200,000 and 175,000 shares of our common stock, respectively.
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Cost Savings Achievement Plan
In April 2019, we adopted the Cost Savings Achievement Plan to grant incentive awards to our executive officers in the form of cash awards. The underlying principles of our Cost Savings Achievement Plan is to reward a small group of executives who have the greatest impact on our performance. The cost savings incentive earned will be based on the achievement of specified levels of cost savings achieved beginning February 8, 2019. Cost savings are defined as the annualized net expense savings from specific actions taken by management. The board of directors (or our compensation committee) has final authority to determine whether a specific amount will qualify as a cost savings. No incentive bonus will be earned until the annualized cost savings amount reaches $75.0 million.
The amount of the incentives actually paid depends on the level of achievement of pre-established goals. In the first quarter of 2020, 100% of the executive's target incentive will be paid based on the 2019 cost savings achieved, with 50% based on cost savings achievement achieved and 50% paid at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer and President, based upon the executive's contribution to the cost savings achievement. Beginning in the first quarter of 2020 and thereafter until the Cost Savings Achievement Plan is terminated by our compensation committee, our named executive officers will also be eligible to earn cash payments for cost savings achieved each quarter, with 50% of such targets being paid in the following quarter and the remaining 50% paid one year later at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer and President based on the executive's contribution to the cost savings achievement. The compensation committee will approve the discretionary amounts paid to Mr. Jabbour and Dr. Daffron.
Our compensation committee approved the following allocations under our Cost Savings Achievement Plan: Mr. Jabbour 16.875%; Dr. Daffron 16.875%; Mr. Hipsher 10.000%; and Mr. Reinhardt 7.500%. These allocations were selected by our compensation committee based on its judgment of each named executive officer's ability to impact the achievement of the programs' objectives. In particular, with respect to Mr. Jabbour and Dr. Daffron, their allocations are reflective of our compensation committee's subjective assessment of their critical roles within our organization, particularly in achieving the cost reduction goals of our Cost Savings Achievement Plan.
The first measurement period under the Cost Savings Achievement Plan began on February 8, 2019 and ended on March 31, 2019, with cost savings and related incentives earned calculated at the end of each calendar quarter until the compensation committee terminates the plan. No payments will be made under the Cost Savings Achievement Plan until the first quarter of 2020, at which time participants will receive payment of their incentives earned for all periods through December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, our compensation committee determined that cost savings of $203.1 million had been achieved under our Cost Savings Achievement Plan and a total of $14.5 million in cash incentives had been earned by our named executive officers thereunder. The achieved savings have been validated by a third party accounting firm.
In March 2020, our compensation committee determined to redistribute 2.0% of the incentive pool that was previously allocated to an employee who left the Company, and allocate it pro-rata among the remaining participants. As a result, Mr. Jabbour and Dr. Daffron each received an additional $101,430 (representing an additional 0.359% of the total Cost Savings Achievement Plan pool), Mr. Hipsher received an additional $60,106 (representing an additional 0.213% of the total Cost Savings Achievement Plan pool), and Mr. Reinhardt received an additional $45,080 (representing an additional 0.160% of the total Cost Savings Achievement Plan pool). Because this was a discretionary action taken by our compensation committee, we have included these amounts in the "Bonus" column of our Summary Compensation Table below.
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Benefit Plans
We provide retirement and other benefits to our U.S. employees under a number of compensation and benefit plans. Our named executive officers generally participate in the same compensation and benefit plans as our other executives and employees. In addition, our named executive officers are eligible to participate in broad-based health and welfare plans. We do not offer "defined benefit" pensions or supplemental executive retirement plans for our named executive officers.
401(k) Plan. We sponsor a defined contribution savings plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), in which all of our employees in the United States, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate. The plan contains a "cash or deferred arrangement" under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participating employees may contribute up to 50% of their eligible compensation, but not more than statutory limits, generally $19,000 in 2019.
A participant could receive the value of his vested account balance upon termination of employment. A participant is always 100% vested in his voluntary contributions. Vesting in matching contributions, if any, occurs following three years of service (or attainment of normal retirement age) based on continued employment.
Health and Welfare Benefits. We sponsor various broad-based health and welfare benefit plans for our employees. We provide all our employees, including our named executive officers, with basic life insurance and the option for additional life insurance. The taxable portion of the premiums on this additional life insurance for our named executive officers is reflected below under "Summary Compensation Table" under the column "All Other Compensation" and related footnote.
Other Benefits. We provide few perquisites to our executives that are not offered to our employees generally. In general, the perquisites provided are intended to help our executives be more productive and efficient and to protect us and the executive from certain business risks and potential threats. The compensation committee regularly reviews the perquisites provided to our executive officers. In 2019, the only perquisites provided to our executives were relocation services, including home sale assistance, temporary living arrangements and moving arrangements, provided to Mr. Hipsher in connection with his relocation from Florida to New Jersey, and reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses associated with Mr. Reinhardt commuting from Florida to New Jersey. Further detail regarding executive perquisites in 2019 can be found in the "Summary Compensation Table" under the column "All Other Compensation" and the related footnote.
Establishing Executive Compensation Levels
We operate in a highly competitive industry and compete with our peers and competitors to attract and retain highly skilled executives within that industry. To attract and retain talented executives with the leadership abilities and skills necessary for building long-term value, motivate our executives to perform at a high level and reward outstanding achievement, our executives' compensation levels are set at levels that our compensation committee believes to be competitive in our market.
In 2019, our named executive officers' base salaries and annual cash incentive target payout levels were set in accordance with the terms of their employment agreements. The employment agreements were negotiated documents between us, each executive and our new investors, and are described further under "Employment Agreements" below.
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When determining the value of the base salary and cash and equity incentives under the Annual Incentive Plan that each of our named executive officers would receive, our compensation committee considered a number of important qualitative and quantitative factors including:
Our compensation decisions are not formulaic, and the members of our compensation committee did not assign precise weights to the factors listed above. Our compensation committee utilized their individual and collective business judgment to review, assess, and approve compensation for our named executive officers.
Employment Agreements and Post-Termination Compensation and Benefits
We have entered into employment agreements with our named executive officers. These agreements provide us and the executives with certain rights and obligations following a termination of employment. We believe these agreements are necessary to protect our legitimate business interests, as well as to protect the executives in the event of certain termination events.
Role of Compensation Committee and Executive Officers
Prior to this offering, our compensation committee was responsible for:
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Our compensation committee considers the impact of tax and accounting treatments when determining executive compensation.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
Our compensation committee considers the impact of tax and accounting treatment when determining executive compensation.
Our compensation committee also considers the accounting impact when structuring and approving awards. We account for equity based payments, including profits interest awards, in accordance with ASC Topic 718, CompensationStock Compensation ("ASC Topic 718"), which governs the appropriate accounting treatment of equity based payments under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 concerning the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers.
Name and Principal Position
|
Year | Salary(1) | Bonus(2) |
Stock
Awards(3) |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation(4) |
All Other
Compensation(5) |
Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthony M. Jabbour
|
2019 | $ | 212,180 | $ | 101,430 | $ | 11,929,851 | $ | 6,112,688 | $ | 35 | $ | 18,356,184 | |||||||||
Stephen C. Daffron
|
2019 |
$ |
583,751 |
$ |
101,430 |
$ |
8,947,389 |
$ |
6,562,163 |
$ |
6,761 |
$ |
16,201,494 |
|||||||||
Bryan T. Hipsher
|
2019 |
$ |
381,683 |
$ |
60,106 |
$ |
1,491,231 |
$ |
3,607,425 |
$ |
88,161 |
$ |
5,628,606 |
|||||||||
Joe A. Reinhardt III
|
2019 |
$ |
449,039 |
$ |
45,080 |
$ |
1,192,887 |
$ |
3,039,250 |
$ |
77,446 |
$ |
4,803,702 |
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expected life of 3.4 years with a discount of 26.4% for lack of marketability resulting in a weighted average fair value of $2,443.44 per unit. See the Grants of Plan Based Awards table for details.
Name
|
Year |
401(k)
Matching Contributions |
Life
Insurance Premiums |
Relocation
Costs |
Commuting
Costs |
Total | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthony M. Jabbour
|
2019 | $ | | $ | 35 | $ | | $ | | $ | 35 | ||||||||
Stephen C. Daffron
|
2019 |
$ |
6,431 |
$ |
330 |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
6,761 |
||||||||
Bryan T. Hipsher
|
2019 |
$ |
|
$ |
45 |
$ |
88,116 |
$ |
|
$ |
88,161 |
||||||||
Joe A. Reinhardt III
|
2019 |
$ |
8,667 |
$ |
215 |
$ |
|
$ |
68,564 |
$ |
77,446 |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information concerning awards granted to the named executive officers during the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Exercise or
Base Price of Grant Unit Awards ($/Unit) |
Grant Date
Fair Value of Grant Unit Awards ($)(3) |
|||||||||||||||||
Name
|
Grant
Date |
Threshold
($) |
Target
($) |
Maximum
($) |
Number of
Profits Interests (#) |
||||||||||||||||
Anthony M. Jabbour |
3/12/2019 | | | | 4,882.40 | 2,443.44 | 11,929,851 | ||||||||||||||
|
4/8/2019(1) | 632,813 | 1,476,563 | | | | | ||||||||||||||
|
4/30/2019(2) | 250,000 | 500,000 | 1,500,000 | | | | ||||||||||||||
Stephen C. Daffron |
3/12/2019 | | | | 3,661.80 | 2,443.44 | 8,947,389 | ||||||||||||||
|
4/8/2019(1) | 632,813 | 1,476,563 | | | | | ||||||||||||||
|
4/30/2019(2) | 487,500 | 975,000 | 1,950,000 | | | | ||||||||||||||
Bryan T. Hipsher |
3/12/2019 | | | | 610.30 | 2,443.44 | 1,491,231 | ||||||||||||||
|
4/8/2019(1) | 375,000 | 875,000 | | | | | ||||||||||||||
|
4/30/2019(2) | 212,500 | 425,000 | 850,000 | | | | ||||||||||||||
Joe A. Reinhardt III |
3/12/2019 | | | | 488.20 | 2,443.44 | 1,192,887 | ||||||||||||||
|
4/8/2019(1) | 281,250 | 656,250 | | | | | ||||||||||||||
|
4/30/2019(2) | 250,000 | 500,000 | 1,000,000 | | | |
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achieved. For annualized savings over $125.0 million, each executive will receive their respective allocation of an incentive pool equal to $8.75 million plus 25% of the annualized cost savings over $125.0 million, with no cap on the incentive pool. No amounts are paid under the Cost Savings Achievement Plan if the annualized savings achieved are less than $75.0 million. Our executives' allocations of the incentive pool under the Cost Savings Achievement Plan are as follows: Mr. Jabbour 16.875%; Dr. Daffron 16.875%; Mr. Hipsher 10.000%; and Mr. Reinhardt 7.500%.
Salary and Bonus in Proportion to Total Compensation
The "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section contains a table showing the proportion of our named executive officers' salary to total compensation for 2019.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers at December 31, 2019.
Name
|
Number of
Profits Interests Awarded That Have Not Vested (#)(1)(2) |
Market Value of
Profits Interests Awarded That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthony M. Jabbour |
4,882.40 | $ | 51,151,500 | ||||
Stephen C. Daffron |
3,661.80 | $ | 38,363,620 | ||||
Bryan T. Hipsher |
610.30 | $ | 6,393,940 | ||||
Joe A. Reinhardt III |
488.20 | $ | 5,114,740 |
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Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with our named executive officers. Additional information regarding post-termination benefits provided under these employment agreements can be found under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" below.
Anthony M. Jabbour
We entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Jabbour, effective February 8, 2019, to serve as our Chief Executive Officer, with a provision for automatic annual extensions beginning on February 8, 2020 and continuing thereafter unless either party provides timely notice that the term should not be extended. The employment agreement provides that we will pay Mr. Jabbour a base salary of no less than $250,000 per year, and that Mr. Jabbour is eligible for an annual incentive bonus opportunity under the Annual Incentive Plan, with amounts payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Mr. Jabbour's target bonus is set at 200% of his base salary, with a maximum of up to 600% of his base salary. Mr. Jabbour's employment agreement also provides that, in the event we are sold during the employment term and/or outperform our financial projections in any calendar year, Mr. Jabbour shall be eligible to receive a discretionary bonus in an amount determined by the compensation committee. Mr. Jabbour is entitled to the benefits we provide to our other employees generally.
In addition, Mr. Jabbour's employment agreement provides that he is eligible to participate in our Cost Savings Achievement Plan, our equity incentive plan and any future equity incentive plans. Mr. Jabbour's profit interests awards and Cost Savings Achievement Plan allocation are described above.
Mr. Jabbour's employment agreement also provides that, if any payments or benefits to be paid to Mr. Jabbour pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Mr. Jabbour may elect for such payments to be reduced so that no such excise tax will be imposed; and that if Mr. Jabbour does not elect to have such payments so reduced, Mr. Jabbour is responsible for payment of any excise tax resulting from such payments and shall not be entitled to a gross up payment under his employment agreement.
Mr. Jabbour's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events. The details of these provisions are set forth under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" below.
Stephen C. Daffron
We entered into a three-year employment agreement with Dr. Daffron, effective November 19, 2018, to serve as our President, with a provision for automatic annual extensions beginning on February 8, 2021 and continuing thereafter unless either party provides timely notice that the term should not be extended. Under the terms of the agreement, Dr. Daffron's minimum annual base salary is $650,000 per year and Dr. Daffron is eligible for an annual incentive bonus opportunity under the Annual Incentive Plan, with amounts payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Dr. Daffron's target bonus is set at 150% of his base salary, with a maximum of up to 300% of his base salary. Dr. Daffron is entitled to the benefits we provide to our other employees generally.
In addition, Dr. Daffron's employment agreement provides that he is eligible to participate in any future equity incentive plans and any future synergy plans. Dr. Daffron's profit interests awards and Cost Savings Achievement Plan allocation are described above.
Dr. Daffron's employment agreement also provides that, if any payments or benefits to be paid to Dr. Daffron pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Dr. Daffron may elect for such payments to be reduced so that no such excise tax will be imposed; and that if Dr. Daffron does not elect to have such payments so reduced, Dr. Daffron is responsible for payment of any excise tax resulting from such payments and shall not be entitled to a gross up payment under his employment agreement.
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Dr. Daffron's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events. The details of these provisions are set forth under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" below.
Bryan T. Hipsher
We entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Hipsher, effective February 8, 2019, to serve as our Chief Financial Officer, with a provision for automatic annual extensions beginning on February 8, 2021 and continuing thereafter unless either party provides timely notice that the term should not be extended. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Hipsher's minimum annual base salary is $425,000 and Mr. Hipsher is eligible for an annual incentive bonus opportunity under the Annual Incentive Plan, with amounts payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Mr. Hipsher's target bonus is set at 100% of his base salary, with a maximum of up to 200% of his base salary. Mr. Hipsher is entitled to the benefits we provide to our other employees generally.
In addition, Mr. Hipsher's employment agreement provides that he is eligible to participate in our equity incentive plan, any future equity incentive plans and any future synergy plans. Mr. Hipsher's profit interests awards and Cost Savings Achievement Plan allocation are described above.
Mr. Hipsher's employment agreement also provides that, if any payments or benefits to be paid to Mr. Hipsher pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Mr. Hipsher may elect for such payments to be reduced so that no such excise tax will be imposed; and that if Mr. Hipsher does not elect to have such payments so reduced, Mr. Hipsher is responsible for payment of any excise tax resulting from such payments and shall not be entitled to a gross up payment under his employment agreement.
Mr. Hipsher's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events. The details of these provisions are set forth under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" below.
Joe A. Reinhardt III
We entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr. Reinhardt, effective February 8, 2019, to serve as our Chief Legal Officer, with a provision for automatic annual extensions beginning on February 8, 2021 and continuing thereafter unless either party provides timely notice that the term should not be extended. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Reinhardt's minimum annual base salary is $500,000 and Mr. Reinhardt is eligible for an annual incentive bonus opportunity under the Annual Incentive Plan, with amounts payable depending on performance relative to targeted results. Mr. Reinhardt's target bonus is set at 100% of his base salary, with a maximum of up to 200% of his base salary. Mr. Reinhardt is entitled to the benefits we provide to our other employees generally.
In addition, Mr. Reinhardt's employment agreement provides that he is eligible to participate in our equity incentive plan, any future equity incentive plans and any future synergy plans. Mr. Reinhardt's profit interests awards and Cost Savings Achievement Plan allocation are described above.
Mr. Reinhardt's employment agreement also provides that, if any payments or benefits to be paid to Mr. Reinhardt pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Mr. Reinhardt may elect for such payments to be reduced so that no such excise tax will be imposed; and that if Mr. Reinhardt does not elect to have such payments so reduced, Mr. Reinhardt is responsible for payment of any excise tax resulting from such payments and shall not be entitled to a gross up payment under his employment agreement.
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Mr. Reinhardt's employment agreement contains provisions related to the payment of benefits upon certain termination events. The details of these provisions are set forth under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" below.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
In this section, we discuss the nature and estimated value of payments and benefits we would provide to our named executive officers in the event of termination of employment (including in connection with a change in control). The amounts described in this section reflect amounts that would have been payable under (i) our plans, and (ii) where applicable with respect to the named executive officers, their employment agreements if their employment had terminated on December 31, 2019.
For the named executive officers, the types of termination situations include a voluntary termination by the executive, with or without good reason, a termination by us either for cause or not for cause and termination in the event of disability or death. The actual payments and benefits that would be provided upon a termination of employment would be based on the named executive officers' compensation and benefit levels at the time of the termination of employment and the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards would be dependent on the value of the underlying profits interests.
For each type of employment termination, the named executive officers would be entitled to benefits that are available generally to our domestic salaried employees, such as distributions under our 401(k) savings plan, certain disability benefits and accrued vacation. We have not described or provided an estimate of the value of any payments or benefits under plans or arrangements that do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of a named executive officer and that are generally available to all salaried employees.
Potential Payments under Employment Agreements
As discussed above, we have entered into employment agreements with our named executive officers. The agreements contain provisions for the payment of severance benefits following certain termination events. Below is a summary of the payments and benefits that the named executive officers would receive in connection with various employment termination scenarios.
Termination without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason
Under the terms of each employment agreement, if the executive's employment is terminated by us for any reason other than for cause (as defined in the applicable employment agreement) and not due to death or disability, or by the executive for good reason (as defined in the applicable employment agreement), subject to the executive's execution of a valid and effective release of claims in favor of the Company if requested by us, then the executive is entitled to receive:
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case of Mr. Jabbour) or, if earlier, until eligible for comparable benefits from another employer, plus a lump sum cash payment equal to the sum of eighteen monthly COBRA premium payments (36 monthly COBRA premium payments in the case of Mr. Jabbour);
Termination Due to Death or Disability
If the executive's employment terminates due to death or disability, we will pay him, or his estate:
Termination for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason
If the executive's employment is terminated by us for cause or by the executive without good reason our only obligation is the payment of any accrued obligations.
Estimated Cash Severance Payments
Our estimate of the cash severance amounts that would be provided to the named executive officers assumes that their employment terminated on December 31, 2019. The severance amounts do not include a prorated 2019 annual incentive since the named executive officers would have been paid based on their service through the end of the year and therefore would have received the amount whether or not the termination occurred.
For a termination of employment by us not for cause or a termination by the executive for good reason, the following payments would have been made under the employment agreements: Mr. Jabbour $2,375,346; Dr. Daffron $4,225,000; Mr. Hipsher $2,159,856; and Mr. Reinhardt $2,539,391. Upon a termination of the executives' employment due to death or disability, the executives would receive any accrued obligations.
Estimated Equity Values
As disclosed in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End table, each named executive officer had outstanding unvested profits interests awarded on December 31, 2019.
Profits interests granted vest ratably over a three year period beginning on the date of grant, subject to the named executive officer's continued employment with us or any subsidiary. Upon a "change in control" (as defined in the Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan), the profits interests granted will accelerate and fully vest, subject to the named executive officer's continued employment with us or our subsidiaries through the change in control. Upon an IPO, the profits interests granted
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will remain subject to the applicable vesting schedule. The administrator may, in addition, impose at the time of grant additional vesting or other restrictions as the administrator determines in its sole discretion.
The following estimates are based on an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) and gives effect to the transactions described under "Prospectus SummaryCorporate Structure." Our estimate of the value of profits interests that would vest assumes that a change of control and, as applicable, a termination of employment occurred on December 31, 2019.
The estimated value of the profits interests held by the named executive officers that would vest upon (i) a change of control (as defined in the Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan) or (ii) termination of their employment due to death or disability (or in the case of Mr. Jabbour, termination by the company without cause or by Mr. Jabbour for good reason) would be as follows: Mr. Jabbour $51,151,500; Dr. Daffron $38,363,620; Mr. Hipsher $6,393,940; and Mr. Reinhardt $5,114,740.
Employee Benefit Plans
2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
General
In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt the Dun & Bradstreet 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan"). The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is intended to provide flexibility to motivate, attract and retain the service providers who are expected to make significant contributions to our success and allow participants to share in such success.
Amendment and Termination
The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be amended or terminated by our board of directors at any time, subject to certain limitations, and, subject to limitations under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the awards granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be amended by our compensation committee at any time, provided that no such action to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan or an award may, without a participant's written consent, adversely affect in any material way any previously granted award. No amendment that would require stockholder approval under the NYSE's listing standards or to comply with securities laws may become effective without stockholder approval.
Administration of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
The 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan will be administered by our compensation committee, another committee selected by our board of directors, or our board of directors, any of which we refer to as the committee. The members of the committee are appointed from time to time by, and serve at the discretion of, the board of directors.
Shares Subject to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Awards under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be made in our common stock. The maximum number of shares of our common stock with respect to which awards may be granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is 40,000,000 shares. All of the shares will be available for grants of "full value" awards, meaning awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs).
If an award under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan is cancelled, forfeited, terminated or is settled in cash, the shares related to that award will not be treated as having been delivered under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Shares that are held back, tendered or returned to cover the exercise price or
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tax withholding obligations with respect to an award shall not be counted as having been delivered under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
For purposes of determining the number of shares available for grant as incentive stock options, only shares that are subject to an award that expires or is cancelled, forfeited or settled in cash shall be treated as not having been issued under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Repricing
Except for adjustments in connection with a merger, reorganization, consolidation, equity restructuring or other similar event or change in the corporate structure, we will not, without first obtaining stockholder approval, (i) reduce the exercise price of outstanding options or grant price of outstanding SARs, (ii) cancel options or SARs and grant substitute options or SARs with a lower exercise price or grant price, (iii) purchase outstanding underwater options or SARs from participants for cash or other securities or (iv) otherwise amend or modify any outstanding option or SAR if the amendment or modification would be treated as a "repricing" under the then applicable rules, regulations or listing requirements adopted by the NYSE.
Eligibility and Participation
Eligible participants include employees, directors and consultants of us or one of our subsidiaries, as determined by the committee. Because the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan provides for broad discretion in selecting which eligible persons will participate, and in making awards, the total number of persons who will actually participate in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the benefits that will be provided to the participants cannot be determined at this time.
Awards under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Grants under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be made in the form of stock options, SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance shares, performance units, and other cash or stock-based awards.
Types of Awards
Following is a general description of the types of awards that may be granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Terms and conditions of awards will be determined on a grant-by-grant basis by the committee, subject to limitations contained in the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Stock Options. The committee may grant incentive stock options (ISOs), nonqualified stock options (NQSOs), or a combination thereof under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The exercise price for each such award will be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant (110% of fair market value in the case of an ISO granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our stock or any subsidiary's stock).
Options will expire at such times and will have such other terms and conditions as the committee may determine at the time of grant; provided, however, that no option may be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of its grant (fifth anniversary in the case of an ISO granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our stock or any subsidiary's stock).
The exercise price of options granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be paid (i) in cash, (ii) by tendering or directing us to withhold shares in connection with the exercise of an option that, at exercise, have an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price, (iii) through broker-assisted cashless exercise, or (iv) by any other means permitted by the committee. An award of a stock option does not provide the participant with the right to receive dividend equivalents.
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Stock Appreciation Rights. SARs granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan may be in the form of freestanding SARs (SARs granted independently of any option), tandem SARs (SARs granted in connection with a related option) or a combination thereof. The grant price of a freestanding SAR will at least be equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. The grant price of a tandem SAR will be equal to the exercise price of the related option.
Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon such terms and conditions as are imposed by the committee and set forth in the SAR award agreement. Tandem SARs may be exercised only with respect to the shares of common stock for which its related options are exercisable.
Upon exercise of a SAR, a participant will receive the product of the excess of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of exercise over the grant price multiplied by the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. Payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in shares of equivalent value, or in some combination of cash and shares, as determined by the committee. An award of a SAR does not provide the participant with the right to receive dividend equivalents.
Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is an award that is non-transferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture until vesting conditions, which can be related to continued service or other conditions established by the committee, are satisfied. Holders of restricted stock may receive dividends and voting rights.
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares. RSUs and performance shares represent a right to receive a share of our common stock, an equivalent amount of cash, or a combination of shares and cash, if vesting conditions (which may include performance conditions) are satisfied. The initial value of an RSU or performance share granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan shall be at least equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date the award is granted. The committee may also award dividend equivalent payments in connection with such awards. RSUs may contain vesting conditions based on continued service or other conditions established by the committee. Performance shares may contain vesting conditions based on attainment of performance goals established by the committee in addition to service conditions.
Performance Units. Performance units are awards that entitle a participant to receive shares of common stock, an equivalent amount of cash, or a combination of shares and cash if certain performance conditions are satisfied. The amount received depends upon the value of the performance units and the number of performance units earned, each of which is determined by the committee. The committee may also award dividend equivalent payments in connection with such awards.
Other Cash and Stock-Based Awards. Other cash and stock-based awards are awards other than those described above, the terms and conditions of which are determined by the committee. These awards may include, without limitation, the payment of cash or grant of shares of our common stock based on attainment of performance goals established by the committee, the payment of shares as a bonus or in lieu of cash based on attainment of performance goals established by the committee, the payment of shares in lieu of cash under an incentive or bonus program, and the issuance of shares or share-based awards in exchange for profits interests or capital interests granted by a subsidiary.
Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents granted to participants will represent a right to receive payments equivalent to dividends with respect to a specified number of shares.
Limitation on Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. If dividends or dividend equivalents are granted with respect to any awards, the dividends or dividend equivalents shall be accumulated or reinvested and shall not be paid unless and until applicable vesting conditions are met.
Replacement Awards. Replacement awards are awards issued in assumption of or as substitution for awards granted under equity-based incentive plans sponsored or maintained by an entity with which
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we engage in a merger, acquisition or other business transaction, pursuant to which awards relating to interests in such entity are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction. Replacement awards shall have substantially the same terms and conditions as the awards they replace; provided, however, that the number of shares, the exercise price, grant price or other price of shares, any performance conditions, or the market price of underlying shares or per-share results may differ from the awards they replace to the extent such differences are determined to be appropriate and equitable by the committee, in its sole discretion. Shares delivered or deliverable with respect to replacement awards will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Performance Measures
Performance goals are established by the committee and may be chosen from among the following performance measures or such other performance measures as the committee may choose: earnings per share, economic value created, market share (actual or targeted growth), net earnings (before or after taxes), operating income, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring costs (EBITDAR), adjusted net earnings after capital charge, return on assets (actual or targeted growth), return on capital (actual or targeted growth), return on equity (actual or targeted growth), return on investment (actual or targeted growth), revenue (actual or targeted growth), cash flow, operating margin, share price, share price growth, total stockholder return, new sales total contract value, and strategic business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration goals, productivity measures, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction or employee satisfaction goals, goals relating to merger synergies, management of employment practices and employee benefits, or supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates or joint ventures. Each of these performance measures is subject to adjustment by the committee. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such performance measures may be established at such levels and on such terms as the committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods, or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.
Termination of Employment or Service
Each award agreement will set forth the participant's rights with respect to the award following termination of employment or service.
Change in Control
Except as otherwise provided in a participant's award agreement, upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined below), unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges:
Options and SARs
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Awards Not Subject to Performance-Based Vesting
Awards Subject to Performance-Based Vesting
The committee may, in its sole discretion, cancel an award without payment upon a change in control if the fair market value per share of stock subject to the award immediately prior to the change in control is less than the exercise or purchase price per share.
For purposes of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the term "change in control" is generally defined as the occurrence of any of the following events:
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Adjustments
In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, stock dividend, split-up, spin-off, stock split, reverse stock split, share combination, share exchange, extraordinary dividend, or any change in the corporate structure affecting our shares, the committee shall cause an adjustment to be made (i) in the number and kind of shares of common stock that may be delivered under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and (ii) with respect to outstanding awards, in the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding awards, the exercise price, grant price or other price of shares subject to outstanding awards, any performance conditions relating to shares, the market price of shares, or per-share results, and other terms and conditions of outstanding awards, in each case as may be determined appropriate and equitable by the committee, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.
The committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events, including, for example, events affecting us or our financial statements or changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Transferability
Awards generally will be non-transferable except upon the death of a participant, although the committee may permit a participant to transfer awards (for example, to family members or trusts for family members) subject to such conditions as the committee may establish.
Deferrals
The committee may permit a participant to defer receipt of amounts that would otherwise be provided under an award, subject to the terms and conditions of any applicable nonqualified deferred compensation plan pursuant to which such deferral is made and any other terms and conditions as the committee may prescribe.
Tax Withholding
We may deduct or withhold, or require a participant to remit to us, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, domestic or foreign taxes required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The committee may permit
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a participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have us withhold otherwise deliverable cash or shares having a fair market value not in excess of the maximum statutory amount required to be withheld, or (iii) delivering to us already-owned shares having a fair market value not in excess of the maximum statutory amount required to be withheld.
Director Compensation
Directors who are our salaried employees receive no additional compensation for services as a director or as a member of a committee of our board of directors. In March 2019, our compensation committee approved a profits interest award to Mr. Foley of 2,441.2 units. In May 2019, our compensation committee approved annual board retainers of $125,000 payable to Messrs. Ammerman, Massey and Quella, and an additional audit committee chairman retainer of $50,000 to Mr. Ammerman, which retainers are payable quarterly in arrears. We also reimburse each of our directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at board and committee meetings, as well as with any director education programs they attend relating to their service on our board of directors.
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our directors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.
Name
|
Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash ($) |
Profits Interests
Awarded ($)(1) |
Total
($) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
William P. Foley II |
| 5,964,926 | 5,964,926 | |||||||
Douglas K. Ammerman |
155,702 | | 155,702 | |||||||
Chinh E. Chu |
| | | |||||||
Thomas M. Hagerty |
| | | |||||||
Richard N. Massey |
111,216 | | 111,216 | |||||||
James A. Quella |
111,216 | | 111,216 | |||||||
Ganesh B. Rao |
| | |
In connection with this offering under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we intend to grant to each of Mr. Foley and Mr. Chu options to purchase 2,080,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. Such options will vest immediately and expire on the seventh anniversary of the grant date.
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The following table shows information as of March 31, 2020 regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock (1) assuming we had given effect to the transactions described under "Prospectus SummaryCorporate Structure" but not this offering or the concurrent private placement and (2) as adjusted to give effect to this offering and the concurrent private placement by:
Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Except as noted by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe based on the information provided to us that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 314,494,968 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and 400,549,539 shares of common stock outstanding after giving effect to this offering and the concurrent private placement, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares, or 410,412,039 shares of common stock, assuming the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full. The table does not reflect any shares of our common stock that may be purchased through the directed share program, as described under "UnderwritingDirected Share Program." Shares of common stock that can be acquired within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person for the purposes of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership of that person and any group of which that person is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership for any other person. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of capital stock held by them. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each holder listed below is 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078.
All share numbers in the table below assume an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus).
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|
Shares of common stock
beneficially owned before this offering |
Shares of common stock
beneficially owned after this offering and the concurrent private placement (assuming no exercise of the option to purchase additional shares) |
Shares of common
stock beneficially owned after this offering and the concurrent private placement (assuming full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares) |
||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name of beneficial owner
|
Number of
shares |
Percentage
of shares |
Number of
shares |
Percentage
of shares |
Number of
shares |
Percentage
of shares |
|||||||||||||
5% stockholders: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P.(1) |
104,310,834 | 33.2 | % | 104,310,834 | 26.0 | % | 104,310,834 | 25.4 | % | ||||||||||
Cannae Holdings, Inc.(2) |
67,705,808 | 21.5 | % | 77,858,093 | 19.4 | % | 77,858,093 | 19.0 | % | ||||||||||
Black Knight, Inc.(3) |
50,472,985 | 16.0 | % | 55,549,128 | 13.9 | % | 55,549,128 | 13.5 | % | ||||||||||
Star Parent, L.P.(4) |
35,766,534 | 11.4 | % | 35,766,534 | 8.9 | % | 35,766,534 | 8.7 | % | ||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(5) |
27,642,184 | 8.8 | % | 27,642,184 | 6.9 | % | 27,642,184 | 6.7 | % | ||||||||||
C/B Star Holdings, L.P.(6) |
21,644,497 | 6.9 | % | 21,644,497 | 5.4 | % | 21,644,497 | 5.3 | % | ||||||||||
Named executive officers and directors: |
|||||||||||||||||||
William P. Foley II(4)(6)(7) |
36,176,914 | 11.5 | % | 38,256,914 | 9.5 | % | 38,256,914 | 9.3 | % | ||||||||||
Anthony M. Jabbour(4)(8) |
4,172,849 | 1.3 | % | 4,172,849 | 1.0 | % | 4,172,849 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||||
Stephen C. Daffron(4)(9) |
3,146,460 | 1.0 | % | 3,146,460 | * | 3,146,460 | * | ||||||||||||
Bryan T. Hipsher(4)(10) |
479,545 | * | 479,545 | * | 479,545 | * | |||||||||||||
Joe A. Reinhardt III(4)(10) |
383,605 | * | 383,605 | * | 383,605 | * | |||||||||||||
Douglas K. Ammerman |
| | | | | | |||||||||||||
Chinh E. Chu(4)(6)(11) |
36,176,914 | 11.5 | % | 43,333,057 | 10.8 | % | 43,333,057 | 10.5 | % | ||||||||||
Thomas M. Hagerty |
| | | | | | |||||||||||||
Richard N. Massey(12) |
1,345,946 | * | 1,345,946 | * | 1,345,946 | * | |||||||||||||
James A. Quella |
942,162 | * | 942,162 | * | 942,162 | * | |||||||||||||
Ganesh B. Rao |
| | | | | | |||||||||||||
All directors & executive officers as a group (11 persons)(13) |
39,070,698 | 12.4 | % | 48,306,841 | 11.9 | % | 48,306,841 | 11.7 | % |
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Set forth below is a description of certain relationships and related person transactions between us or our subsidiaries and our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our voting securities.
Agreements and Transactions Related to the Take-Private Transaction
As a result of the completion of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, we are directly owned by Star Parent, a Delaware limited partnership, which is collectively controlled by members of the Investor Consortium.
Upon the close of the transaction, Anthony M. Jabbour was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer while continuing his role as Black Knight's Chief Executive Officer. Stephen C. Daffron, co-founder of Motive Partners, became our President. Additionally, William P. Foley II serves as our Chairman of the board of directors, while continuing his role as Chairman of the board of directors of Cannae and Black Knight's Chairman. Further, Richard N. Massey, a member of our board of directors, serves as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Cannae. Certain other key employees have dual responsibilities among the Investor Consortium.
On February 8, 2019, we entered into a services agreement with MVB Management, LLC ("MVB"), an entity affiliated with William P. Foley II and Chinh E. Chu, and THL Managers VIII, LLC ("THL Managers"), pursuant to which MVB and THL Managers provided services in connection with the Take-Private Transaction. We paid a total transaction fee in cash of $29.1 million to MVB under the agreement upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction. Under the services agreement, we must reimburse the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by MVB and THL Managers in performing the ongoing services. We have made no payments pursuant to the reimbursement provision during the period from January 1 to December 31, 2019. The reimbursement provision will terminate following this offering. We expect to pay a fee of $2.5 million to THL Managers and $2.5 million to Bilcar and $2.5 million to CC Star Holdings, LP for services provided in connection with this offering.
Pursuant to the equity commitment fee letter entered into on February 8, 2019 with THL Managers and Cannae, each committed to provide certain funding to Star Parent in connection with the Take-Private Transaction for which THL Managers and Cannae received a fee of $7.5 million and $12.0 million, respectively. These fees reduced the proceeds from capital contribution to us.
Pursuant to the Star Parent Partnership Agreement, C/B Star Holdings, L.P., an entity jointly controlled by affiliates of CC Capital and Bilcar (the "Originating Sponsors"), was granted 6,817.7428 Class B profits interests units of Star Parent, which were valued at $17.3 million. Pursuant to the Star Parent Partnership Agreement, the Originating Sponsors also received 15,867.8087 Class C-1 profits interests units of Star Parent, L.P. upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction. The units were valued at approximately $37.9 million.
Upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction, Motive Partners received $0.6 million related to due diligence consulting services, pursuant to a services agreement between Star Parent and Motive Partners.
Other Transactions
During the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, Motive Partners was retained to provide certain technology consulting services. Total cost incurred during the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 for such services was approximately $1.0 million. During the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, we entered into a five-year lease agreement with Motive Partners related to the office space for our London sales office starting August 1, 2019. Total payments over the five-year lease term aggregate to approximately $1.0 million. In December 2019, we entered into a one-year lease agreement with Motive Partners for operations in
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New York starting January 1, 2020. Total payments over the one-year lease term aggregate to approximately $0.2 million.
During the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, we paid approximately $0.1 million to Rock Creek Cattle Company, an entity affiliated with Mr. Foley, in connection with our annual corporate membership and related dues.
On January 1, 2020, we entered into a services agreement with Trasimene Capital, an entity majority-owned by Mr. Foley. Messrs. Foley and Massey serve as Senior Managing Directors of Trasimene Capital. See "Management." Pursuant to the services agreement, Trasimene Capital provides us and our subsidiaries with ongoing assistance in connection with evaluating, negotiating, documenting and closing various merger, acquisition, divesture, debt and equity financing and strategic corporate transactions. In consideration for such services, we have agreed to pay Trasimene Capital an annual fee of $120,000, which will be credited against any transaction fee earned by Trasimene Capital under the services agreement. We have agreed to pay Trasimene Capital a transaction fee in connection with any transaction in which Trasimene Capital provides services to us or our subsidiaries, such as in connection with a merger, acquisition, divestiture and debt and equity financings. In the case of a merger, acquisition or divestiture, the transaction fee will be equal to 1.0% of the transaction value. In the case of a debt or equity financing, the transaction fee will be an amount mutually agreed upon between us and Trasimene Capital. In addition, we must reimburse Trasimene Capital for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Trasimene Capital in performing such services. The initial term of the services agreement expires on January 1, 2023. The term will automatically renew for additional one-year terms thereafter unless terminated by either party within 90 days before the expiration of the initial term or additional one-year term. During the period from January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020, we incurred costs of approximately $0.4 million for transaction fees and the reimbursement of expenses to Trasimene Capital.
In connection with this offering, the Originating Sponsors have agreed to waive certain anti-dilution rights they have pursuant to the Star Parent Partnership Agreement and terminate such provision in the Star Parent Partnership Agreement following this offering. In exchange for such waiver and termination, we expect to make a payment of $30.0 million to the Originating Sponsors with a portion of the proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement. See "Use of Proceeds."
In connection with this offering and under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we intend to grant to each of Mr. Foley and Mr. Chu options to purchase 2,080,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price.
Concurrent Private Placement
Immediately subsequent to the closing of this offering, a subsidiary of Cannae, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium a subsidiary of Black Knight, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium and a subsidiary of CC Capital, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, intend to purchase from us in a private placement $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of our common stock at a price per share equal to 98.5% of the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed purchase price in the private placement of $19.70 per share, this would be 10,152,285 shares for the subsidiary of Cannae, 5,076,143 shares for the subsidiary of Black Knight and 5,076,143 shares for the subsidiary of CC Capital. We will receive the full proceeds and will not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the shares that are sold in the private placement. The sale of the shares in the private placement is contingent upon the completion of this offering. The sale of these shares to Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital will not be registered in this offering and will be subject to a market standoff agreement with us and a lock-up agreement with the underwriters for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus. The Registration Rights Agreement we expect to enter into in connection with this offering will apply to
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any shares acquired in the concurrent private placement. See "Shares Eligible for Future SaleLock-up Arrangements and Registration Rights."
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with this offering and the concurrent private placement, we expect to enter into a registration rights agreement with our Investor Consortium (the "Registration Rights Agreement"). This agreement will provide these holders (and their permitted transferees) with the right to require us, at our expense, to register shares of our common stock that they hold or hold indirectly through Star Parent. The agreement will also provide that we will pay certain expenses of these electing holders relating to such registrations and indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise under the Securities Act.
See "Executive and Director Compensation" for a description of certain arrangements with our executive officers and directors.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
Our code of conduct states that a "conflict of interest" occurs when an individual's personal or family interests interfere, or appear to interfere with our interests and our ability to make sound business decisions on behalf of the Company. We believe that a conflict exists whenever an outside interest could actually or potentially influence the judgment or actions of an individual in the conduct of our business and that conflicts of interest may arise when an employee or director, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.
Our code of conduct and conflict of interest policy provide that directors and employees must avoid conflicts or the appearance of conflicts, and that employees should avoid any outside financial interests that might conflict with our interests.
Under our code of conduct and conflict of interest policy, employees are required to report any material transaction or relationship that could result in a conflict of interest to our compliance team.
Our audit committee will be responsible for the review and approval of any potential conflict of interest transaction involving any of our directors or executive officers, director nominees, any person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of any class of our voting securities, or any family member of or related party to such persons, including any transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
In reviewing any such proposed transaction, our audit committee will be tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the commercial reasonableness of the terms, the benefit or perceived benefit, or lack thereof, to us, opportunity costs of alternate transactions, the materiality and character of the related person's direct or indirect interest and the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related person.
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DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS
New Senior Secured Credit Facilities
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction, on February 8, 2019, we entered into the Credit Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1 (the "Amended Credit Agreement"), dated as of February 10, 2020, pursuant to which the lenders party thereto agreed to provide New Senior Credit Facilities arranged by Bank of America. The New Senior Credit Facilities consist of (i) the New Term Loan Facility in the aggregate principal amount of $2,530.0 million, (ii) a $400.0 million New Revolving Facility and (iii) the New Repatriation Bridge Facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $200.0 million of which we drew down $63.0 million. Bank of America is the administrative agent under the Senior Credit Facilities.
Interest Rate and Fees
Borrowings under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest, at the Borrower's option, at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin over either:
The applicable margin for loans under the New Revolving Facility is determined in accordance with the table set forth below:
Pricing Level
|
Senior Secured
Leverage Ratio |
Eurocurrency
Rate/L/C Fee |
Base Rate | Commitment Fee | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | £ 3.20:1.00 | 3.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 0.250 | % | |||||
2 | > 3.20:1.00 and £ 3.70:1.00 | 3.25 | % | 2.25 | % | 0.375 | % | |||||
3 | > 3.70:1.00 | 3.50 | % | 2.50 | % | 0.50 | % |
provided that, on and after the consummation of this offering and the concurrent private placement, the percentages per annum set forth above shall be reduced by 0.25%.
On and after the effective date of the Amended Credit Agreement, the applicable margin to LIBOR for loans under the New Term Loan Facility, were reduced to 400 basis points.
We are also required to pay an annual administration fee to the administrative agent under the Senior Credit Facilities.
Prepayments
The New Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain customary mandatory prepayments, including with respect to excess cash flow, asset sale proceeds and proceeds from certain incurrences of indebtedness.
We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage costs with respect to LIBOR loans.
Final Maturity and Amortization
The New Term Loan Facility will mature on February 8, 2026. We are required to make annual amortization payments in respect of the New Term Loan Facility in an amount equal to 1.00% of the
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original principal amount. The New Revolving Facility will mature on February 8, 2024 and does not require amortization payments. The New Repatriation Bridge Facility matured on February 7, 2020 and did not require amortization payments.
Guarantee and Security
All of our obligations under our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities and certain hedge agreements and cash management arrangements provided by any lender party to our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities or any of its affiliates and certain other persons are unconditionally guaranteed by a parent company of Dun & Bradstreet, us (with respect to hedge agreements and cash management arrangements not entered into by us) and certain of our existing and subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect material wholly-owned U.S. restricted subsidiaries, with customary exceptions including, among other things, where providing such guarantees is not permitted by law, regulation or contract or would result in material adverse tax consequences.
Our obligations under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities are secured by (i) a perfected first-priority pledge of all the equity interests of us and each direct wholly-owned material restricted subsidiary and of each subsidiary guarantor (limited to 65% of the voting interests and 100% of the non-voting interests of certain subsidiaries) and (ii) perfected first-priority security interests in substantially all tangible and intangible personal property and material fee owned real property of us and the subsidiary guarantors (subject to certain other exclusions).
Certain Covenants, Representations and Warranties
The New Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain financial covenants and certain business covenants, that, among other things, will restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and the ability of the restricted subsidiaries to:
Our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities contains a springing financial covenant requiring compliance with a maximum ratio of first lien net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA of 6.75:1.00, which is applicable solely to the New Revolving Facility. The financial covenant will be tested on the last day of any fiscal quarter (commencing with the first full fiscal quarter after the closing date of the merger) only if the aggregate principal amount of borrowings under the New Revolving Facility (including swingline loans) exceeds 35% of the total amount of commitments under the New Revolving Facility on such day.
Our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities also limits a parent company of Dun & Bradstreet's activities to being a passive holding company and also contains certain customary affirmative covenants
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and events of default for facilities of this type, including relating to a change of control. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities are entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities and all actions permitted to be taken by secured creditors.
As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
New Senior Secured Notes
On February 8, 2019, we issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Senior Secured Notes. The New Senior Secured Notes have a maturity date of August 15, 2026, pay interest semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year and are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each current and future domestic restricted subsidiary that is an obligor under our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
The New Senior Secured Notes may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, on specified redemption dates and at the redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the New Senior Secured Notes. We may be required to make an offer to purchase the New Senior Secured Notes upon the sale of certain assets and upon a change of control. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding New Senior Secured Notes was $700.0 million.
New Senior Unsecured Notes
On February 8, 2019, we issued $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Senior Unsecured Notes. The New Senior Unsecured Notes have a maturity date of February 15, 2027, pay interest semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year and are guaranteed by each current and future domestic restricted subsidiary that is an obligor under our New Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The related guarantees are not secured by any collateral.
The New Senior Unsecured Notes may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, on specified redemption dates and at the redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the New Senior Unsecured Notes. We may be required to make an offer to purchase the New Senior Unsecured Notes upon the sale of certain assets and upon a change of control. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding New Senior Unsecured Notes was $750.0 million.
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The following is a description of (i) the material terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws as they will be in effect upon the consummation of this offering and the concurrent private placement and (ii) certain applicable provisions of Delaware law. We refer you to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, copies of which will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Authorized Capitalization
Following this offering and the concurrent private placement, our authorized capital stock shall consist of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Following the consummation of this offering and the concurrent private placement, 400,549,539 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock shall be issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are entitled to the rights set forth below.
Voting Rights
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes entitled to be cast. Our stockholders will not have cumulative voting rights. Except as otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or as required by law, all matters to be voted on by our stockholders other than matters relating to the election and removal of directors must be approved by a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter.
Dividend Rights
Holders of common stock will share equally in any dividend declared by our board of directors, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding preferred stock.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of our affairs, holders of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of liabilities. If we have any preferred stock outstanding at such time, holders of the preferred stock may be entitled to distribution and/or liquidation preferences. In either such case, we must pay the applicable distribution to the holders of our preferred stock before we may pay distributions to the holders of our common stock.
Other Rights
Our stockholders have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for additional shares. All holders of our common stock are entitled to share equally on a share-for-share basis in any assets available for distribution to common stockholders upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. All outstanding shares are, and all shares offered by this prospectus will be, when sold, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Registration Rights Agreement
Concurrent with the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement, we expect to enter into a registration rights agreement with our Investor Consortium. This agreement will provide these holders, and their permitted transferees, "demand" registrations, which will require us to register
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shares of our common stock under the Securities Act, held by our Investor Consortium and, if requested, to maintain a shelf registration statement effective with respect to such shares. Each of the members of our Investor Consortium that is a party to the Registration Rights Agreement will also be entitled to customary "piggyback" registration rights and entitled to participate on a pro rata basis in any registration of our common stock under the Securities Act that we may undertake. The Registration Rights Agreement will also provide that we will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify our Investor Consortium against certain liabilities which may arise under the Securities Act.
Anti-takeover Provisions
Upon the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will contain provisions that may delay, defer or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in control of us or change in our management. We expect that these provisions, which are summarized below, will discourage coercive takeover practices or inadequate takeover bids. These provisions will be designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors, which we believe may result in an improvement of the terms of any such acquisition in favor of our stockholders. However, they will also give our board of directors the power to discourage transactions that some stockholders may favor, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Accordingly, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our common stock.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences and limitations thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, specification of par value, liquidation preferences and to fix the number of shares constituting any such series, without further vote or action by our stockholders. Any preferred stock so issued may rank senior to our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or both. In addition, any such shares of preferred stock may have class or series voting rights. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company without further action by the stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. Our board of directors has not authorized the issuance of any shares of preferred stock and we have no agreements or plans for the issuance of any shares of preferred stock.
Classified Board of Directors and Related Provisions
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, prior to the election of directors at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, our board of directors will be divided into three classes, with one class being elected at each annual meeting of stockholders with termination staggered according to class. Beginning at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director's successor shall have been elected and qualified. This initial classified board provision will prevent a third party who acquires control of a majority of our outstanding voting stock from obtaining control of our board of directors until the second annual stockholders meeting following the date the acquiror obtains the controlling interest.
The number of directors constituting our board of directors is determined from time to time by our board of directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that, subject to any rights of any preferred stock then outstanding, any director may be removed from office at any time but only for cause so long as the board of directors is classified and only by the affirmative
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vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, considered for this purpose as one class. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that any vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy that results from an increase in the number of directors or a vacancy may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office or by an affirmative vote of the sole remaining director. This provision, in conjunction with the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizing our board of directors to fill vacancies on the board of directors, will prevent stockholders from removing incumbent directors without cause and filling the resulting vacancies with their own nominees.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, at any time when the Investor Consortium beneficially owns, in the aggregate, more than 50% of the voting power of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by stockholders holding not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. At any time the Investor Consortium beneficially owns, in the aggregate, less than 50% of the voting power of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, so long as our board of directors is classified, subject to the rights of any holders of preferred stock to act by written consent instead of a meeting, stockholder action may be taken only at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken by written consent instead of a meeting. Failure to satisfy any of the requirements for a stockholder meeting could delay, prevent or invalidate stockholder action.
Special Meetings of Stockholders and Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals
Our amended and restated bylaws will provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only upon the request of a majority of our board of directors or upon the request of the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer. Our amended and restated bylaws will prohibit the conduct of any business at a special meeting other than as specified in the notice for such meeting. These provisions may have the effect of deferring, delaying or discouraging hostile takeovers or changes in control or management of our company.
Our amended and restated bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of our board of directors or a committee of our board. In order for any matter to be "properly brought" before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with the advance notice requirements of directors, which may be filled only by a vote of a majority of directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, and not by the stockholders. Our amended and restated bylaws will allow the presiding officer at a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings, which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer's own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.
Choice of Forum
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought
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on our behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty or other wrongdoing by any of our directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders to us or our stockholders, (iii) action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or our amended and restated bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any action as to which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware within ten (10) days following such determination), in which case the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any such claims. The federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action asserting a claim arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. In any case, stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies' certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and consented to this choice of forum provision.
Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws and Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws will provide that, subject to the affirmative vote of the holders of any series of preferred stock required by law, the provisions (i) of our amended and restated bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed if approved by a majority of the board of directors then in office or approved by holders of common stock, and (ii) of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be adopted, amended or repealed as provided by the DGCL.
Section 203 of the DGCL
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which relate to business combinations with interested stockholders, do not apply to us. Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination transaction with an interested stockholder (a stockholder who owns more than 15% of our common stock) for a period of three years after the interested stockholder became such unless the transaction fits within an applicable exemption, such as the board of directors' approval of the business combination or the transaction that resulted in such stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions will apply even if the business combination could be considered beneficial by some stockholders. Although we have elected to opt out of the statute's provisions, we could elect to be subject to Section 203 in the future.
Corporate Opportunities
To address situations in which officers or directors have conflicting duties to affiliated corporations, Section 122(17) of the DGCL allows a corporation to renounce, in its certificate of incorporation or by action of its board of directors, any interest or expectancy of the corporation in specified classes or
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categories of business opportunities. As such, and in order to address potential conflicts of interest between us and any member of the Investor Consortium, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions regulating and defining, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the conduct of our affairs as they may involve any member of the Investor Consortium and the officers and directors of any member of the Investor Consortium.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, subject to any written agreement to the contrary, no member of the Investor Consortium will have a duty to refrain from engaging in the same or similar activities or lines of business that we engage in, and, except as set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, no member of the Investor Consortium and no such member's officers and directors will be liable to us or our stockholders for any breach of any fiduciary duty due to any such activities of any member of the Investor Consortium.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that we may from time to time be or become a party to and perform, and may cause or permit any subsidiary to be or become a party to and perform, one or more agreements (or modifications or supplements to pre-existing agreements) with any member of the Investor Consortium. With limited exceptions, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no such agreement, nor the performance thereof in accordance with its terms by us, any of our subsidiaries, or any member of the Investor Consortium shall be considered contrary to any fiduciary duty to us or our stockholders of any director or officer of ours who is also a director, officer or employee of any member of the Investor Consortium. With limited exceptions, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no director or officer of ours who is also a director, officer or employee of any member of the Investor Consortium shall have or be under any fiduciary duty to us or our stockholders to refrain from acting on behalf of us or any of our subsidiaries or on behalf of any member of the Investor Consortium in respect of any such agreement or performing any such agreement in accordance with its terms.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will further provide that if one of our directors or officers who is also a director or officer of any member of the Investor Consortium acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for any member of the Investor Consortium or us, the director or officer will have satisfied his or her fiduciary duty to us and our stockholders with respect to that corporate opportunity if he or she acts in a manner consistent with the following policy:
Notwithstanding these provisions, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not prohibit us from pursuing any corporate opportunity of which we become aware.
These provisions that will be in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will no longer be effective on the date that none of our directors or officers are also directors or officers of any member of the Investor Consortium.
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If our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not include provisions setting forth the circumstances under which opportunities will belong to us and regulating the conduct of our directors and officers in situations where their duties to us and any member of the Investor Consortium, the actions of our directors and officers in each such situation would be subject to the fact-specific analysis of the corporate opportunity doctrine as articulated under Delaware law. Under Delaware law, a director of a corporation may take a corporate opportunity, or divert it to another corporation in which that director has an interest, if (i) the opportunity is presented to the director or officer in his or her individual capacity, (ii) the opportunity is not essential to the corporation, (iii) the corporation holds no interest or expectancy in the opportunity and (iv) the director or officer has not wrongfully employed the resources of the corporation in pursing or exploiting the opportunity. Based on Section 122(17) of the DGCL, we do not believe the corporate opportunity guidelines will be set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation conflict with Delaware law. If, however, a conflict were to arise between the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law, Delaware law would control.
Listing
We have applied to have our common stock listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DNB."
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that sales may occur, could materially adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock at such time and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.
Sale of Restricted Securities
Upon consummation of this offering and the concurrent private placement, we will have 400,549,539 shares of our common stock outstanding (or 410,412,039 shares, if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). Of these shares, all shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without further restriction or registration under the Securities Act, except that any shares purchased by our affiliates may generally only be sold in compliance with Rule 144, which is described below. Of the remaining outstanding shares, all of the shares will be deemed "restricted securities" under the Securities Act.
Lock-Up Arrangements and Registration Rights
In connection with this offering, we, each of our directors, executive officers and certain other stockholders, will enter into lock-up agreements that restrict the sale of our securities for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. may, in their sole discretion, release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time. See "Underwriting"
In addition, following the expiration of the lock-up period, certain stockholders will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require us to register the sale of their shares of our common stock under federal securities laws. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsRegistration Rights Agreement." If these stockholders exercise this right, our other existing stockholders may require us to register their registrable securities.
Following this offering and the concurrent private placement and assuming an initial public offering price of $20.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), Star Parent will hold 314,494,968 shares of our common stock. Limited partners of Star Parent will be able to have their respective units in Star Parent redeemed in exchange for a number of shares of common stock in proportion to the number of units such limited partner holds in Star Parent at the time of such redemption.
Following the lock-up periods described above, all of the shares of our common stock that are restricted securities or are held by our affiliates as of the date of this prospectus will be eligible for sale in the public market in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Rule 144
The shares of our common stock sold in this offering will generally be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any shares of our common stock held by an "affiliate" of ours may not be resold publicly except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption under Rule 144 or otherwise. Rule 144 permits our common stock that has been acquired by a person who is an affiliate of ours, or has been an affiliate of ours within the past three months, to be sold into the market in an amount that does not exceed, during any three-month period, the greater of:
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Such sales are also subject to specific manner of sale provisions, a six-month holding period requirement, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.
Rule 144 also provides that a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has for at least six months beneficially owned shares of our common stock that are restricted securities, will be entitled to freely sell such shares of our common stock subject only to the availability of current public information regarding us. A person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned for at least one year shares of our common stock that are restricted securities, will be entitled to freely sell such shares of our common stock under Rule 144 without regard to the current public information requirements of Rule 144.
Rule 701
Rule 701 generally allows a stockholder who purchased shares of our capital stock pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of our company during the immediately preceding 90 days to sell these shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits affiliates of our company to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until 90 days after the date of this prospectus before selling those shares pursuant to Rule 701.
Additional Registration Statements
We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of our common stock to be issued or reserved for issuance under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Such registration statement is expected to be filed soon after the date of this prospectus and will automatically become effective upon filing with the SEC. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market, subject to applicable vesting restrictions, the lock-up restrictions described above and other limitations that may apply under applicable law or policy.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering. This discussion does not provide a complete analysis of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations relating thereto. This description is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, and interpretations of the foregoing, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is limited to non-U.S. holders who hold shares of our common stock as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). Moreover, this discussion is for general information only and does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of a non-U.S. holder's particular circumstances, nor does it discuss special tax provisions, which may apply to a non-U.S. holder if a non-U.S. holder is subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, such as for certain financial institutions or financial services entities, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, tax-qualified retirement plans, "qualified foreign pension funds" (and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds), dealers in securities or currencies, entities that are treated as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and partners or beneficial owners therein), foreign branches, "controlled foreign corporations," "passive foreign investment companies," former U.S. citizens or long-term residents, corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, persons deemed to sell common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, persons that hold common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, or other integrated investment and persons that hold our preferred stock. In addition, this summary does not address the alternative minimum tax, any state, local or non-U.S. taxes or any other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws.
Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of our common stock, as well as the application of any other U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. tax laws and income tax treaties. As used in this section, a "non-U.S. holder" is a beneficial owner of our common stock (other than a partnership or any other entity treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
If you are an individual, you are a resident alien if you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (e.g., a green card holder) and you may, in many cases, be deemed to be a resident alien, as opposed to a nonresident alien, by virtue of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the relevant calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period
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ending in and including the relevant calendar year, subject to certain exceptions. For these purposes, all the days present in the United States in the relevant year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year are counted. Resident aliens are subject to U.S. federal income tax as if they are U.S. citizens. Such an individual is urged to consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of our common stock.
If a partnership or other entity treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a beneficial owner of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership or an owner of the other pass-through entity will depend upon the status of the partner or owner and the activities of the partnership or other pass-through entity. Any partnership, partner in such a partnership or owner of another pass-through entity holding shares of our common stock should consult its own tax advisor as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to it.
INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF OTHER U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATIES.
Distributions on Common Stock
Although we do not currently anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future (as discussed in the section titled "Dividend Policy"), if we pay distributions on shares of our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that is first applied against and reduces, but not below zero, a non-U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock. See "Dispositions of Common Stock."
Subject to the discussion below regarding effectively connected income, any dividend paid to a non-U.S. holder on our common stock will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate of the gross amount of the dividend. The withholding tax might not apply, however, or might apply at a reduced rate, under the terms of an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. holder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding its entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty. Generally, in order for us or our paying agent to withhold tax at a lower treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must certify its entitlement to treaty benefits. A non-U.S. holder generally can meet this certification requirement by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form or documentation), as applicable, to us or our paying agent. If the non-U.S. holder holds our common stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the non-U.S. holder's behalf, the non-U.S. holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to such agent. Even if our current and accumulated earnings and profits are less than the amount of the distribution, the applicable withholding agent may elect to treat the entire distribution as a dividend for U.S. federal withholding tax purposes. A non-U.S. holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment (or, in certain cases involving individual holders, a fixed base) maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States, are generally exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To obtain this exemption, a non-U.S. holder must provide us
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with a valid IRS Form W-8ECI properly certifying such exemption. Such effectively connected dividends, although not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax (provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied), are taxed at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. persons, net of certain deductions and credits. In addition to a non-U.S. holder being subject to taxation at the regular graduated rates on effectively connected dividends as described above, such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items, received by corporate non-U.S. holders may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
The foregoing discussion is subject to the discussions below under "Backup Withholding and Information Reporting" and "Other Withholding Taxes."
Dispositions of Common Stock
Subject to the discussions below on backup withholding and other withholding tax requirements, gain realized by a non-U.S. holder on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless:
Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its "United States real property interests" equals 50% or more of the sum of the fair market value of (a) its worldwide real property interests and (b) its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. The tax relating to dispositions of stock in a USRPHC does not apply to a non-U.S. holder whose holdings, actual and constructive, amount to 5% or less of our common stock at all times during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of our common stock and the non-U.S. holder's holding period for our common stock, provided that our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market. No assurance can be provided that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market at all times for purposes of the rules described above. Although there can be no assurances in this regard, we believe we have not been and are not currently a USRPHC and do not anticipate being a USRPHC in the future. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisor about the consequences that could result if we are, or become, a USRPHC.
If any gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by a non-U.S. holder (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment (or, in certain cases involving individuals, a fixed base) maintained by such non-U.S. holder in the United States), then the gain generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same graduated rates applicable to U.S. persons, net of certain deductions and credits. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation, under certain
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circumstances, that portion of its earnings and profits that is effectively connected with its U.S. trade or business, subject to certain adjustments, generally would also be subject to a "branch profits tax." The branch profits tax rate is generally 30%, although an applicable income tax treaty might provide for a lower rate.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Any dividends or other distributions that are paid to a non-U.S. holder must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. Copies of these information returns also may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established under the provisions of various treaties or agreements for the exchange of information. Dividends paid on our common stock and the gross proceeds from a taxable disposition of our common stock may be subject to additional information reporting and may also be subject to U.S. federal backup withholding if such non-U.S. holder fails to comply with applicable U.S. information reporting and certification requirements. Provision of an IRS Form W-8 appropriate to the non-U.S. holder's circumstances will generally satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid the additional information reporting and backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts so withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded by the IRS or credited against the non-U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Other Withholding Taxes
Provisions commonly referred to as "FATCA" impose a withholding tax (separate and apart from, but without duplication of, the withholding tax described above) at a rate of 30% on payments of U.S.-source dividends (including our dividends) paid to "foreign financial institutions" (which is broadly defined for this purpose and in general includes investment vehicles) and certain other non-U.S. entities unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied, or an exemption applies. Withholding imposed by FATCA may also apply to gross proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of U.S. corporate stock (including our common stock); although, under proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, no withholding would apply to such gross proceeds. The preamble to the proposed U.S. Treasury regulations specifies that taxpayers (including withholding agents) are permitted to rely on the proposed U.S. Treasury regulations pending finalization. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable non-U.S. country may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. If FATCA withholding is imposed, a beneficial owner that is not a foreign financial institution generally will be entitled to a refund of any amounts withheld by filing a U.S. federal income tax return containing the required information (which may entail a significant administrative burden). Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the effects of FATCA on their investment in our common stock.
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. IT IS NOT TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS AND INCOME TAX TREATIES.
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We and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares of common stock being offered. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of shares indicated in the following table. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. are the representatives of the underwriters.
Underwriters
|
Number of Shares | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
||||
BofA Securities, Inc. |
||||
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
||||
Barclays Capital Inc. |
||||
Citigroup Global Capital Markets Inc. |
||||
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC |
||||
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. |
||||
Jefferies LLC |
||||
RBC Capital Markets, LLC |
||||
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
||||
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
||||
BMO Capital Markets Corp. |
||||
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. |
||||
TD Securities (USA) LLC |
||||
William Blair & Company, L.L.C |
||||
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. |
||||
Stephens Inc. |
||||
Academy Securities, Inc. |
||||
Loop Capital Markets LLC |
||||
Total |
65,750,000 |
The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised.
The underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional 9,862,500 shares from us to cover sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than the total number set forth in the table above. They may exercise that option for 30 days after the date of this prospectus. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.
The following tables show the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by us. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase 9,862,500 additional shares.
Paid by us
|
No Exercise | Full Exercise | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per Share |
$ | $ | |||||
Total |
$ | $ |
Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $ per share from the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part.
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During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of the final prospectus (the "Lock-Up Period"), we have agreed not to (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with or confidentially submit to the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any securities of the Company that are substantially similar to shares of our common stock, including but not limited to any options or warrants to purchase shares of our stock or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, stock or any such substantially similar securities, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, other than (A) the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering, (B) the shares of our common stock to be issued in connection with the private placement transaction as disclosed herein, (C) any shares of stock issued by the us upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for stock, which securities are outstanding on the date hereof, (D) the grant of equity incentives pursuant to plans in effect as of the consummation of this offering, (E) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 (or amendment thereto) and (F) the issuance of shares of our common stock as consideration in acquisitions up to a maximum of 5% of the outstanding stock as of the consummation of this offering, provided that each person to whom such shares are issued executed a lock-up agreement, unless we obtain the prior written consent of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc.
Our officers, directors, and holders of substantially all of our common stock have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc., we and they will not, during the Lock-Up Period (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock of the Company, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of common stock of the Company, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of common stock of the Company, (ii) engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement or (iii) otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in or cause any action or activity described in clause (i) or (ii) above. The restrictions described above are subject to certain exceptions for transfers, including customary exceptions related to open market transactions, in connection with gifts or transfers to immediate family members or to any trust, upon a redemption of units in Star Parent, L.P. in exchange for common stock, the establishment of Rule 10b5-1 plans, the grant or issuance by the Company pursuant to any employee benefit plans and pursuant to any third-party tender offer, merger or similar transaction. In the event that, during the Lock-Up Period, Goldman Sachs and Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. release or waive, in full or in part, any prohibition set forth in the lock-up agreement for any person or entity that beneficially owns 1% of the total outstanding shares of common stock, subject to certain exceptions (a "Triggering Release"), at the time of such Triggering Release, the Investor Consortium and their affiliates shall be entitled to concurrent releases of common stock on a pro rata basis. The lock-up agreement entered into by the Investor Consortium permits the pledge, hypothecation, or other grant and any related transfer of such shares in connection with a margin loan; provided, that the amount subject to such pledge, hypothecation or other grant of security interests shall be limited, in the aggregate, to 25% of such parties' security ownership measured as of the consummation of this offering. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Concurrent Private Placement" for discussions of certain transfer restrictions.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the shares. The initial public offering price has been negotiated among the representatives and us. Among the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price of the shares, in addition to prevailing market conditions, will be our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects of us, an
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assessment of our management and the consideration of the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.
Directed Share Program
At our request, an affiliate of BofA Securities, Inc., a participating underwriter, has reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to 5% of the shares offered by this prospectus for sale to our directors, officers and selected senior managers and any shares purchased by our directors, officers or selected senior managers pursuant to our directed share program will be subject to the lock-up agreements described above. If these persons purchase reserved shares it will reduce the number of shares available for sale to the general public. Any reserved shares that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares offered by this prospectus.
We have applied to have our common stock listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DNB."
Price Stabilization and Short Positions
In connection with this offering and the concurrent private placement, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering and the concurrent private placement, and a short position represents the amount of such sales that have not been covered by subsequent purchases. A "covered short position" is a short position that is not greater than the amount of additional shares for which the underwriters' option described above may be exercised. The underwriters may cover any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to cover the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase additional shares pursuant to the option described above. "Naked" short sales are any short sales that create a short position greater than the amount of additional shares for which the option described above may be exercised. The underwriters must cover any such naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering and the concurrent private placement. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the our common stock, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of this offering and the concurrent private placement, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $14.5 million. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in an amount up to $35,000.
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We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In addition, certain of the underwriters or their respective affiliates are, and from time to time may be, our clients.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of the issuer (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with the issuer. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area and United Kingdom
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (each a "Relevant State"), no common shares (the "Shares") have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation), except that offers of Shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
provided that no such offer of Shares shall require the company or any representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any Shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Shares, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
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Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
Each Underwriter has represented and agreed that:
Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors (as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario)), and are permitted clients (as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations). Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment hereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong
The shares have not been will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (a) to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under
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Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
Singapore SFA Product ClassificationIn connection with Section 309B of the SFA and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 (the "CMP Regulations 2018"), unless otherwise specified before an offer of shares of our common stock, we have determined, and hereby notify, all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that shares of our common stock are "prescribed capital markets products" (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).
Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan
The shares have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the shares nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any "resident" of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange ("SIX") or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing
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prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or this offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document, nor any other offering or marketing material relating to this offering, the Company or the shares, have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.
Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority ("DFSA"). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission ("ASIC"), in relation to this offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the "Corporations Act"), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the "Exempt Investors") who are "sophisticated investors" (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), "professional investors" (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under this offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
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Immediately subsequent to the closing of this offering, a subsidiary of Cannae, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, a subsidiary of Black Knight, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, and a subsidiary of CC Capital, one of the existing members of the Investor Consortium, intend to purchase from us in a private placement $200.0 million, $100.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of our common stock at a price per share equal to 98.5% of the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed purchase price in the private placement of $19.70 per share, this would be 10,152,285 shares for the subsidiary of Cannae, 5,076,143 shares for the subsidiary of Black Knight and 5,076,143 shares for the subsidiary of CC Capital. We will receive the full proceeds and will not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the shares that are sold in the private placement. The sale of the shares in the private placement is contingent upon the completion of this offering. The sale of these shares to Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital will not be registered in this offering and will be subject to a market standoff agreement with us and a lock-up agreement with the underwriters for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus. The Registration Rights Agreement we expect to enter into in connection with this offering will apply to any shares acquired by Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital in the concurrent private placement. See "Certain Relationships and Related Party TransactionsConcurrent Private Placement," "Registration Rights Agreement" and "Shares Eligible for Future SaleLock-up Arrangements and Registration Rights."
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York, has passed upon the validity of the common stock offered hereby on behalf of us. Certain legal matters will be passed upon on behalf of the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.
The consolidated financial statements of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2019 (Successor) and for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor period) and of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor period), have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report refers to the acquisition of the Predecessor in a business combination accounted for using the acquisition method and the consolidated financial information after the acquisition being presented on a different cost basis than that for the periods before the acquisition and, therefore, not being comparable.
The financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
On August 12, 2019, the audit committee of the board of directors dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), effective as of August 13, 2019, and retained KPMG LLP ("KPMG") as our independent registered public accounting firm on September 5, 2019.
PwC's reports on the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
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We had no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to its satisfaction, would have caused PwC to make reference in connection with its opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement during its audits for each of the two fiscal years prior to its dismissal or the subsequent interim period through August 13, 2019. During the two most recent fiscal years preceding PwC's dismissal, and the subsequent interim period through August 13, 2019, there were no "reportable events" as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
We have provided PwC with a copy of the foregoing disclosure and have requested that PwC furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether PwC agrees with the above statements and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of the letter from PwC, dated June 9, 2020, is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
During the two years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the subsequent interim period through August 13, 2019, neither we, nor anyone acting on our behalf, consulted with KPMG on matters that involved the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our audited financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to us by KPMG that KPMG concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue or any other matter that was the subject of a disagreement as that term is used in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K or a reportable event as that term is used in Item 304(a)(1)(v) and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. For purposes of this section, the term registration statement means the original registration statement and any and all amendments including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus, filed as part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules thereto as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about us and our common stock, you should refer to the registration statement, including the exhibits. This prospectus summarizes provisions that we consider material of certain contracts and other documents to which we refer you. Because the summaries may not contain all of the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of those documents. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports and other information regarding issuers, like us, that file with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
Following this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the website of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.dnb.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and is not considered part of, this prospectus. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase our common stock.
We have not authorized anyone to give you any information or to make any representations about us or the transactions we discuss in this prospectus other than those contained in this prospectus. If you are given any information or representations about these matters that is not discussed in this prospectus, you must not rely on that information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities anywhere or to anyone where or to whom we are not permitted to offer or sell securities under applicable law.
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F-1
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions except per share data)
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||
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|
Three Months
Ended March 31, 2020(1) |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019(1) |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019(1) |
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Revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses |
138.9 | 64.3 | 56.7 | |||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
125.9 | 213.7 | 122.4 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
134.3 | 80.5 | 11.1 | |||||||||
Restructuring charge |
4.5 | 18.5 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating costs |
403.6 | 377.0 | 190.3 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) |
(8.3 | ) | (202.9 | ) | (11.6 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income |
0.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
(83.0 | ) | (49.1 | ) | (5.5 | ) | ||||||
Other income (expense)net |
90.0 | 4.2 | (86.0 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income (expense)net |
7.3 | (43.8 | ) | (91.2 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates |
(1.0 | ) | (246.7 | ) | (102.8 | ) | ||||||
Less: provision (benefit) for income taxes |
(74.3 | ) | (37.0 | ) | (27.5 | ) | ||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
0.6 | 0.1 | 0.5 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
73.9 | (209.6 | ) | (74.8 | ) | |||||||
Less: net (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.8 | ) | ||||||
Less: Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(32.0 | ) | (17.9 | ) | | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock: |
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Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/ The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 0.13 | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | ||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock: |
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Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/ The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 0.13 | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | ||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding-basic |
314.5 | 314.5 | 37.2 | |||||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding-diluted |
314.5 | 314.5 | 37.2 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes: |
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Net income (loss) |
73.9 | (209.6 | ) | (74.8 | ) | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax(2) |
(1.6 | ) | (0.7 | ) | 5.9 | |||||||
Defined benefit pension plans: |
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Prior service credit (cost), net of tax expense (benefit)(3) |
(0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
Net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax expense (benefit)(4) |
| | 65.5 | |||||||||
Derivative financial instrument, net of tax expense (benefit)(5) |
(0.9 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.1 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
(2.6 | ) | (1.1 | ) | 71.2 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
71.3 | (210.7 | ) | (3.6 | ) | |||||||
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(0.5 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (1.0 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 70.8 | $ | (211.2 | ) | $ | (4.6 | ) | ||||
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-2
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except share data and per share data)
|
March 31,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
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Assets |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 167.6 | $ | 98.6 | |||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $8.4 at March 31, 2020 and $7.3 at December 31, 2019 (Note 3) |
256.2 | 269.3 | |||||
Other receivables |
9.2 | 10.0 | |||||
Prepaid taxes |
96.6 | 4.0 | |||||
Other prepaids |
36.3 | 31.4 | |||||
Other current assets |
4.2 | 4.6 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total current assets |
570.1 | 417.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Non-current assets |
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Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $9.8 at March 31, 2020 and $7.5 at December 31, 2019 |
27.8 | 29.4 | |||||
Computer software, net of accumulated amortization of $68.7 at March 31, 2020 and $52.9 at December 31, 2019 (Note 14) |
381.1 | 379.8 | |||||
Goodwill (Note 14 and 15) |
2,850.8 | 2,840.1 | |||||
Deferred income tax |
12.6 | 12.6 | |||||
Other intangibles (Note 14 and 15) |
5,143.4 | 5,251.4 | |||||
Deferred costs (Note 3) |
54.0 | 47.0 | |||||
Other non-current assets |
132.6 | 134.6 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total non-current assets |
8,602.3 | 8,694.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total assets |
$ | 9,172.4 | $ | 9,112.8 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
$ | 50.5 | $ | 55.0 | |||
Accrued payroll |
48.5 | 137.1 | |||||
Short-term pension and postretirement benefits |
0.8 | 0.8 | |||||
Accrued income tax |
24.9 | 7.8 | |||||
Short-term debt (Note 5) |
25.3 | 81.9 | |||||
Make-whole derivative liability |
102.6 | 172.4 | |||||
Other accrued and current liabilities (Note 6) |
119.1 | 167.3 | |||||
Deferred revenue (Note 3) |
556.0 | 467.5 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities |
927.7 | 1,089.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Long-term pension and postretirement benefits (Note 9) |
196.3 | 206.6 | |||||
Long-term debt (Note 5) |
4,023.9 | 3,818.9 | |||||
Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits |
16.9 | 16.8 | |||||
Deferred income tax |
1,220.3 | 1,233.5 | |||||
Other non-current liabilities (Note 6) |
135.0 | 137.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities |
6,520.1 | 6,503.3 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7 and 16) |
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Cumulative Preferred Series A Stock $0.001 par value per share, 1,050,000 shares authorized and issued at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; Liquidation Preference of $1,067.9 at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 |
1,032.8 | 1,031.8 | |||||
Equity |
|||||||
Successor Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, authorized2,000,000,000 shares; issued314,494,968 shares |
| | |||||
Capital surplus |
2,087.6 | 2,116.9 | |||||
Accumulated deficit |
(500.0 | ) | (573.5 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(26.2 | ) | (23.5 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total stockholder equity |
1,561.4 | 1,519.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Non-controlling interest |
58.1 | 57.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total equity |
1,619.5 | 1,577.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and stockholder equity |
$ | 9,172.4 | $ | 9,112.8 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholder Equity (Deficit) (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
|
Common
Stock ($0.01 Par Value) |
Capital
Surplus |
(Accumulated
Deficit) Retained Earnings |
Treasury
Stock |
Cumulative
Translation Adjustment |
Defined
Benefit Postretirement Plans |
Cash
Flow Hedging Derivative |
Total
Stockholder equity (deficit) |
Non-
Controlling Interest |
Total
Equity (Deficit) |
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Predecessor: |
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For the Period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
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Balance, December 31, 2018 |
$ | 0.8 | $ | 332.8 | $ | 3,325.0 | $ | (3,310.3 | ) | $ | (235.5 | ) | $ | (818.3 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (705.8 | ) | $ | 15.9 | $ | (689.9 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
| | (75.6 | ) | | | | | (75.6 | ) | 0.8 | (74.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Payment to non-controlling interest |
| | | | | | | | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based plans |
| 11.7 | | | | | | 11.7 | | 11.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension adjustments, net of tax expense of $22.2 |
| | | | | 65.4 | | 65.4 | | 65.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax expense of less than $0.1 |
| | | | 5.7 | | | 5.7 | 0.2 | 5.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit of $0.1 |
| | | | | | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, February 7, 2019 |
$ | 0.8 | $ | 344.5 | $ | 3,249.4 | $ | (3,310.3 | ) | $ | (229.8 | ) | $ | (752.9 | ) | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | (698.7 | ) | $ | 16.8 | $ | (681.9 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Common
Stock |
Capital
Surplus |
(Accumulated
Deficit) Retained Earnings |
Treasury
Stock |
Cumulative
Translation Adjustment |
Defined
Benefit Postretirement Plans |
Cash
Flow Hedging Derivative |
Total
Stockholder Equity (Deficit) |
Non-
Controlling Interest |
Total
Equity (Deficit) |
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Successor: |
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For the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 |
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|
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Balance, January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | | $ | (13.5 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (13.5 | ) | $ | | $ | (13.5 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
| | (210.0 | ) | | | | | (210.0 | ) | 0.4 | (209.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Take-Private Transaction |
| 2,048.4 | | | | | | 2,048.4 | 16.8 | 2,065.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based plans |
| 55.8 | | | | | | 55.8 | | 55.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax expense of $1.1 |
| | | | (0.8 | ) | | | (0.8 | ) | 0.1 | (0.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit of $0.1 |
| | | | | | (0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, March 31, 2019 |
$ | | $ | 2,104.2 | $ | (223.5 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.8 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | 1,879.5 | $ | 17.3 | $ | 1,896.8 | ||||||||
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Three months ended March 31, 2020 |
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Balance, January 1, 2020 |
| 2,116.9 | (573.5 | ) | | (6.6 | ) | (15.8 | ) | (1.1 | ) | 1,519.9 | 57.8 | 1,577.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
| | 73.5 | | | | | 73.5 | 0.4 | 73.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
AccretionSeries A Preferred Stock |
| (1.0 | ) | | | | | | (1.0 | ) | | (1.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based plans |
| 3.7 | | | | | | 3.7 | | 3.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension adjustments, net of tax benefit of less than $0.1 |
| | | | | (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax benefit of $0.2 |
| | | | (1.7 | ) | | | (1.7 | ) | 0.1 | (1.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit of $0.3 |
| | | | | | (0.9 | ) | (0.9 | ) | | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Preferred dividend (1) |
| (32.0 | ) | | | | | | (32.0 | ) | | (32.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Payment to non-controlling interest |
| | | | | | | | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, March 31, 2020 |
$ | | $ | 2,087.6 | $ | (500.0 | ) | $ | | $ | (8.3 | ) | $ | (15.9 | ) | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | 1,561.4 | $ | 58.1 | $ | 1,619.5 | |||||||
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
F-5
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 1Basis of Presentation
The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (formerly Star Intermediate I, Inc.) and its subsidiaries ("we," "us," "our" or the "Company") were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). They should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which appear in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for interim periods do not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements and are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any subsequent period. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of the unaudited consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included.
The Take-Private Transaction
On August 8, 2018, a consortium of investors formed a Delaware limited partnership, Star Parent, L.P. ("Parent") and Star Merger Sub, Inc. ("Merger Sub"), and subsequently formed subsidiaries including Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., Star Intermediate II, LLC and Star Intermediate III, LLC. Also on August 8, 2018, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Parent and Merger Sub. On February 8, 2019, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Dun & Bradstreet with Dun & Bradstreet continuing as the surviving corporation. The transaction is referred to as the "Take-Private Transaction." Parent and its subsidiaries, including Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. are collectively controlled by Bilcar, LLC ("Bilcar"), Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL"), Cannae Holdings, Inc. ("Cannae Holdings"), Black Knight, Inc. ("Black Knight") and CC Capital Partners LLC ("CC Capital"), collectively the "Investor Consortium."
F-6
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 1Basis of Presentation (Continued)
The diagram below depicts the legal entity structure after the consummation of the Take-Private Transaction:
The completion of the Take-Private Transaction resulted in the following:
F-7
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 1Basis of Presentation (Continued)
repatriation bridge facility in an aggregate amount of $63.0 million. Also on February 8, 2019, Merger Sub issued $700.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% senior secured notes (the "New Senior Secured Notes") and $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027 (the "New Senior Unsecured Notes"). See Note 5 for further discussion.
As a result of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the merger was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations" ("ASC 805"), and Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. was determined to be the accounting acquirer. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and information are presented on a Successor and Predecessor basis. References to Predecessor refer to the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the closing of the Take-Private Transaction. References to Successor refer to the consolidated financial position of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and the results of operations and cash flows of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries for period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020. During the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. had no significant operations and limited assets and had only incurred transaction related expenses prior to the Take-Private Transaction. The Successor period includes the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial position of Dun & Bradstreet and its subsidiaries on and after February 8, 2019. The Predecessor and Successor consolidated financial information presented herein is not comparable primarily due to the impacts of the Take-Private Transaction including the application of acquisition accounting in the Successor financial statements as of February 8, 2019, as further described in Note 12, of which the most significant impacts are (i) the increased amortization expense for intangible assets, (ii) additional interest expense associated with debt financing arrangements entered into in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, (iii) higher non-recurring transaction costs and the pension settlement charge attributable to the Take-Private Transaction and (iv) a shorter Successor period for our International operations.
Since the Take-Private Transaction, management has made changes to transform our business. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed the composition of our reportable segments, the classification of revenue by solution set and our measure of segment profit (from operating income to adjusted EBITDA (see Note 15 for further discussion of adjusted EBITDA)) in the information that we provide to our chief operating decision makers (CODMs) to better align with how they assess performance and allocate resources. Latin America Worldwide Network, which was previously included in the Americas reportable segment, is currently included in the International segment. Accordingly,
F-8
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 1Basis of Presentation (Continued)
prior period results have been recast to conform to the current presentation of segments, revenue by solution, and the measure of segment profit. These changes do not impact our consolidated results.
We manage our business and report our financial results through the following two segments:
Except as described below, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect results of the subsidiaries outside of North America for the three-month period ended February 28 in order to facilitate the timely reporting of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial results and unaudited condensed consolidated financial position. For the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 (Successor), the results of subsidiaries outside of North America are reflected for the period from February 8, 2019 through February 28, 2019. For the period from January 1 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), the results of subsidiaries outside of North America are reflected for the period from December 1, 2018 to January 7, 2019.
As a result of the lag reporting in the International segment, we excluded the revenue and expenses for the period of January 8, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (the "International Lag Adjustment"), in connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019.
Note 2Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We consider the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") and applicable authoritative guidance. The ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, "Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract: Disclosures for Implementation Costs Incurred for Internal-Use Software and Cloud Computing Arrangementsa consensus of the EITF." The standard aligns the accounting for costs incurred to implement a cloud computing arrangement that is a service arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Costs incurred during the planning and post implementation stages are typically expensed, while costs incurred during the development stage are typically capitalized. The capitalized implementation costs are to be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement including renewal options to the extent those options are expected to be utilized. This update also requires the capitalized implementation costs to be presented in the consolidated financial statements consistent with the presentation of the ongoing fees and payments associated with the cloud arrangement. We adopted this update as of January 1, 2020 and applied its amendments
F-9
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 2Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)
prospectively to implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. This update did not have a material effect on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." The standard changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to what they do today, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. Entities will have to disclose significantly more information, including information they use to track credit quality by year of origination for most financing receivables. The guidance requires entities to apply the amendments through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach). For public business entities the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We have adopted this update on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The amendments in this Update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this authoritative guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Topic 715-20): Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans." The standard amends ASC 715, "CompensationRetirement Benefits," to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The amendments are to be applied retrospectively. The standard is effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this authoritative guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 3Revenue
The total amount of the transaction price for our revenue contracts allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 31, 2020 is as follows:
|
Rest of
2020 |
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Future revenue |
$ | 884.5 | $ | 534.1 | $ | 261.0 | $ | 107.6 | $ | 51.7 | $ | 223.0 | $ | 2,061.9 |
F-10
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 3Revenue (Continued)
The table of future revenue does not include any amount of variable consideration that is a sales or usage-based royalty in exchange for distinct data licenses or that is allocated to a distinct service period within a single performance obligation that is a series of distinct service periods.
Contract Balances
|
At
March 31, 2020 |
At
December 31, 2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accounts receivable, net |
$ | 256.2 | $ | 269.3 | |||
Short-term contract assets |
$ | 0.9 | $ | 1.0 | |||
Long-term contract assets |
$ | 1.8 | $ | 2.8 | |||
Short-term deferred revenue |
$ | 556.0 | $ | 467.5 | |||
Long-term deferred revenue |
$ | 8.3 | $ | 7.8 |
The increase in deferred revenue of $89.0 million from December 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020 was primarily due to cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, largely offset by approximately $250.2 million of revenues recognized that were included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2019 and the purchase accounting fair value adjustment as a result of our Take-Private Transaction in February 2019. The change in short-term and long-term contract assets was not significant.
Assets Recognized for the Costs to Obtain a Contract
Commission assets, net of accumulated amortization included in deferred costs, were $54.0 million and $47.0 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
The amortization of commission assets is as follows:
Period
|
Amortization | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor) |
$ | 3.2 | ||
Period from January 1 to March 31, 2019 (Successor) |
$ | 0.1 | ||
Period from January 1 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) |
$ | 3.2 |
Note 4Restructuring Charge
We incurred restructuring charges (which generally consist of employee severance and termination costs, and contract terminations). These charges were incurred as a result of eliminating, consolidating, standardizing and/or automating our business functions.
We recorded a restructuring charge of $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor). This charge consists of:
F-11
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 4Restructuring Charge (Continued)
We recorded a restructuring charge of $18.5 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 (Successor) and $0.1 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor). These charges consist of:
The following tables set forth the restructuring reserves and utilization for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor), for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 (Successor) and for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor):
|
Severance
and Termination |
Contract
Termination and Other Exit Costs |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Successor: |
||||||||||
Balance remaining as of December 31, 2019 |
$ | 6.3 | $ | 4.8 | $ | 11.1 | ||||
Charge taken during first quarter 2020 |
2.0 | | 2.0 | |||||||
Payments made during first quarter 2020 |
(4.8 | ) | (1.4 | ) | (6.2 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance remaining as of March 31, 2020 |
$ | 3.5 | $ | 3.4 | $ | 6.9 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
Severance
and Termination |
Contract
Termination and Other Exit Costs |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
||||||||||
Balance remaining as of December 31, 2018 |
$ | 4.7 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 7.6 | ||||
Charge taken from January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
0.1 | | 0.1 | |||||||
Payments made through February 7, 2019 |
(1.6 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (2.1 | ) | ||||
Reclassification related to leases pursuant to the adoption of Topic 842 |
| (2.4 | ) | (2.4 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance remaining as of February 7, 2019 |
$ | 3.2 | $ | | $ | 3.2 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Successor: |
||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Impact of purchase accounting |
3.2 | | 3.2 | |||||||
Charge taken during the first quarter 2019 |
17.1 | 1.4 | 18.5 | |||||||
Payments made during first quarter 2019 |
(4.0 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (4.7 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance remaining as of March 31, 2019 |
$ | 16.3 | $ | 0.7 | $ | 17.0 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
F-12
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 5Notes Payable and Indebtedness
Successor Debt
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the Company entered into a credit agreement governing the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The New Senior Secured Credit Facilities provide for (i) the New Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2,530 million, (ii) the New Revolving Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million and (iii) a 364-day repatriation bridge facility in an aggregate amount of $63 million (the "New Repatriation Bridge Facility"). The closing of the New Senior Secured Credit facility was conditional on the redemption of the previously existing debt. Also on February 8, 2019, Merger Sub, which was merged into Dun & Bradstreet upon the closing of the Take-Private Transaction, issued $700 million in aggregate principal amount of the New Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and $750 million in aggregate principal amount of the New Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027. Together with the equity contributions from the investors, the proceeds from these financing transactions were used to (i) finance and consummate the Take-Private Transaction and other transactions, including to fund nonqualified pension and deferred compensation plan obligations (ii) repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under the Company's then-existing senior secured credit facilities, (iii) fund the redemption and discharge of all of the Company's then-existing senior notes and (iv) pay related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with these transactions.
Our borrowings are summarized in the following table:
F-13
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 5Notes Payable and Indebtedness (Continued)
certain indebtedness and make investments, loans and advances. We were in compliance with these non-financial covenants at March 31, 2020.
New Senior Secured Credit Facilities
Borrowings under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin over a LIBOR rate for the interest period relevant to such borrowing, subject to interest rate floors, and they are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets.
Other details of the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
F-14
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 5Notes Payable and Indebtedness (Continued)
New Senior Notes
Debt issuance costs of $17.9 million and $31.6 million related to the 6.875% New Senior Secured Notes and the 10.250% New Senior Unsecured Notes, respectively, were recorded as a reduction of the carrying amount of the notes and will be amortized over the respective contractual term of the notes. The New Senior Secured Notes and the New Senior Unsecured Notes may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, following specified events and on specified redemption dates and at the redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the New Senior Secured Notes and the New Unsecured Secured Notes.
The scheduled maturities and interest payments for our total debt outstanding as of March 31, 2020 are as follows:
|
Rest of
2020 |
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Principal |
$ | 19.0 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 225.3 | $ | 3,859.8 | $ | 4,180.0 | ||||||||
Interest |
163.7 | 258.9 | 257.6 | 256.4 | 247.1 | 420.8 | 1,604.5 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Debt |
$ | 182.7 | $ | 284.2 | $ | 282.9 | $ | 281.7 | $ | 472.4 | $ | 4,280.6 | $ | 5,784.5 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retired Predecessor Debt
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction, we repaid in full all outstanding indebtedness under the Predecessor Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility and funded the redemption and discharge of the Predecessor senior notes, inclusive of a make-whole payment of $25.1 million, which was considered in our determination of the acquisition date fair value of the Predecessor senior notes as part of purchase accounting. Total unamortized debt issuance costs and discount of $6.6 million related to the Predecessor Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility were allocated zero value as part of purchase accounting. The weighted average interest rate associated with the outstanding balances related to the Predecessor Revolving Credit Facility prior to retirement as of February 7, 2019 was 3.66%. The interest rate associated with the outstanding balances related to the Predecessor Term Loan Facility prior to retirement as of February 7, 2019 was 4.00%.
A short-term obligation that will be refinanced with successive short-term obligations may be classified as non-current as long as the cumulative period covered by the financing agreement is uninterrupted and extends beyond one year. Accordingly, the outstanding balances associated with the revolving credit facility were classified as "Long-Term Debt" as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, excluding outstanding borrowings that were subsequently repaid utilizing operating funds.
Other
We were contingently liable under open standby letters of credit and bank guarantees issued by our banks in favor of third parties totaling $0.9 million at March 31, 2020 and $1.0 million at December 31, 2019.
On April 20, 2018, we entered into three-year interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million in year 1, $214 million in year 2 and $129 million in year 3. The objective of the swaps is to mitigate the variation of future cash flows from changes in the floating interest rates on our existing debt. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements.
F-15
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 6Other Liabilities
Other Accrued and Current Liabilities:
|
March 31,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Restructuring accruals |
$ | 6.9 | $ | 11.1 | |||
Operating expenses accruals |
49.3 | 58.7 | |||||
Accrued interest expense(1) |
17.8 | 49.3 | |||||
Short term lease liability |
23.8 | 22.4 | |||||
Other accrued liabilities |
21.3 | 25.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 119.1 | $ | 167.3 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Other Non-Current Liabilities:
|
March 31,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deferred revenuelong term |
$ | 8.3 | $ | 7.8 | |||
U.S. tax liability associated with the 2017 Act |
55.0 | 55.0 | |||||
Long term lease liability |
68.3 | 71.2 | |||||
Other |
3.4 | 3.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 135.0 | $ | 137.7 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Note 7Contingencies
Other than when specifically stated below to the contrary, we believe our estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of established reserves, for our legal proceedings was not material at March 31, 2020. In addition, from time to time, we may be involved in additional matters, which could become material and for which we may also establish reserve amounts, as discussed below.
Ellis v. Dun and Bradstreet, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
On December 6, 2018, the Company was served with a complaint, captioned Dr. Jonathan C. Ellis v. Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (the "Complaint"). The Complaint alleges that in or about April 2018, the Dun & Bradstreet report on Doheny Endosurgical Center, which is owned by the plaintiff, was updated to incorrectly include a reference to a Dr. Jonathon Ellis, who was charged with criminal activity relating to a minor. The Complaint contains two causes of action, libel per se and false light invasion of privacy, and seeks compensatory and punitive damages. Dun & Bradstreet filed its Answer to the Complaint on January 17, 2019, and a motion to strike the complaint under California's anti-SLAPP statute, Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 425.16 on February 27, 2019. After the parties conducted discovery limited to the issues raised by the motion and finalized briefing on the motion, the Court held a hearing on October 2, 2019, ordered the parties to provide supplemental briefing, and on November 20, 2019, entered an order denying the anti-SLAPP motion. Dun & Bradstreet filed a notice
F-16
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 7Contingencies (Continued)
of interlocutory appeal of the decision on December 4, 2019, and the opening appeal brief is presently due on June 22, 2020. The case will be mediated before a Ninth Circuit mediator assigned to the case; however, the mediation date is not determined. Based on settlement discussions, a reserve has been accrued by the Company for this matter in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of such reserve is not material to the Company's financial statements. Because of the pending appeal and because the parties have engaged in only limited discovery on discrete issues, we do not have sufficient information upon which to determine that any additional loss in connection with this matter is probable, reasonably possible or estimable.
Other Matters
In addition, in the normal course of business, and including without limitation, our merger and acquisition activities, strategic relationships and financing transactions, the Company indemnifies other parties, including customers, lessors and parties to other transactions with the Company, with respect to certain matters. We have agreed to hold the other parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants, or arising out of other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. The Company has also entered into indemnity obligations with its officers and directors.
Additionally, in certain circumstances, the Company issues guarantee letters on behalf of our wholly-owned subsidiaries for specific situations. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by Dun & Bradstreet under these agreements have not had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Note 8Income Taxes
In response to liquidity issues that businesses are facing as a result of the recent novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") global pandemic, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 by the U.S. government. The CARES Act provides for a five-year carryback of U.S. federal net operating losses generated in tax years beginning in 2018, 2019, or 2020. As a result of the application of the CARES Act, our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was positively impacted by a net benefit of $55.6 million. In addition, the CARES Act temporarily increases the deductible interest expense limitation for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor) was 7430%, reflecting a tax benefit of $74.3 million on a pre-tax loss of $1.0 million, compared to 15.0% for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 (Successor), reflecting a tax benefit of $37.0 million on a pre-tax loss of $246.7 million, and 26.7% for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), reflecting a tax benefit of $27.5 million on a pre-tax loss of $102.8 million. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor) was positively impacted by the enactment of the CARES Act which allows for the carryback of U.S. federal net operating losses arising in 2018, 2019 or 2020 to each of the five preceding years for which the corporate tax rate for certain years was 35% (periods prior to 2018), as compared to the current 21% rate. In addition, the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was positively impacted by the gain
F-17
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 8Income Taxes (Continued)
associated with the fair value adjustment related to the Series A Preferred Stock make-whole derivative liability, which is not taxable. The effective tax rates for both the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 (Successor) and the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) were negatively impacted by non-deductible transactions costs incurred as part of the Take-Private Transaction, partially offset by the excess tax benefit related to the acceleration of the vesting of equity-based awards in connection with the Take-Private Transaction for the period January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor).
Note 9Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Net Periodic Pension Cost
The following table sets forth the components of the net periodic cost (income) associated with our pension plans and our postretirement benefit obligations:
|
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | Period from January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from January 1 to February 7, 2019 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | Period from January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from January 1 to February 7, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
Components of net periodic cost (income): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 0.4 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.3 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||
Interest cost |
10.5 | 7.3 | 6.8 | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(21.9 | ) | (12.9 | ) | (10.6 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) |
| | | (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Recognized actuarial loss (gain) |
| | 4.0 | | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net periodic cost (income) |
$ | (11.0 | ) | $ | (5.4 | ) | $ | 0.5 | $ | (0.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.2 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction, a change in control was triggered for a portion of our U.S. Non-Qualified Plans upon the shareholder approval of the transaction on November 7, 2018 and a settlement payment of $190.5 million was made in January 2019. For the remainder of the U.S. Non-Qualified Plans, a change in control was triggered upon the close of the transaction on February 8, 2019 and a settlement payment of $105.9 million was made in March 2019, effectively settling our U.S. Non-Qualified Plan obligation. As a result, we recorded a settlement charge of $85.8 million in the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor).
Also in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, we have remeasured our global pension and postretirement plans on February 8, 2019 to recognize as part of the transaction an asset or a liability representing the funded status of each of the plans. The unrecognized actuarial losses or gains were set to zero as of February 8, 2019 as a result of purchase accounting.
Note 10Financial Instruments
We employ established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates and foreign currencies. We use foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge certain
F-18
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 10Financial Instruments (Continued)
short-term foreign currency denominated loans and third-party and intercompany transactions. We may also use foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge our net investments in our foreign subsidiaries. In addition, we may use interest rate derivatives to hedge a portion of the interest rate exposure on our outstanding debt or in anticipation of a future debt issuance, as discussed under "Interest Rate Risk Management" below.
We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. If a hedging instrument ceases to qualify as a hedge in accordance with hedge accounting guidelines, any subsequent gains and losses are recognized currently in income. Collateral is generally not required for these types of instruments.
By their nature, all such instruments involve risk, including the credit risk of non-performance by counterparties. However, at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there was no significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance of the counterparties to these financial instruments. We control our exposure to credit risk through monitoring procedures.
Our trade receivables do not represent a significant concentration of credit risk at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, because we sell to a large number of clients in different geographical locations and industries.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Our objective in managing our exposure to interest rates is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings, cash flows and financial position, and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we maintain a practice that floating-rate debt be managed within a minimum and maximum range of our total debt exposure. To manage our exposure and limit volatility, we may use fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and/or interest rate swaps. We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet.
We use interest rate swaps to manage the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings. Under the swap agreements, we make monthly payments based on the fixed interest rate and receive monthly payments based on the floating rate. The objective of the swaps is to mitigate the variation of future cash flows from changes in the floating interest rates on our existing debt. For further detail of our debt, see Note 5. The swaps are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of the hedging instruments are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and reclassified to earnings in the same line item associated with the hedged item when the hedged item impacts earnings.
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
Our objective in managing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce the volatility caused by foreign exchange rate changes on the earnings, cash flows and financial position of our international operations. From time to time, we follow a practice of hedging certain balance sheet positions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries. In addition, we are subject to foreign exchange risk associated with our international earnings and net investments in our foreign subsidiaries. We may use short-term, foreign exchange forward and, from time to time, option contracts to execute our hedging strategies. Typically,
F-19
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 10Financial Instruments (Continued)
these contracts have maturities of 12 months or less. These contracts are denominated primarily in the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Singapore dollar and the Hong Kong dollar. The gains and losses on the forward contracts associated with our balance sheet positions are recorded in "Other Income (Expense)Net" in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and are essentially offset by the losses and gains on the underlying foreign currency transactions. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments under authoritative guidance.
In prior years, to decrease earnings volatility, we hedged substantially all balance sheet positions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries with short-term, foreign exchange forward contracts. Beginning in the third quarter of 2019, certain balance sheet positions are no longer being hedged in order to reduce the volatility of cash flows required to settle these forward contracts. The underlying transactions and the corresponding foreign exchange forward contracts are marked to market at the end of each quarter and the fair value impacts are reflected within the consolidated financial statements.
As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the notional amounts of our foreign exchange contracts were $122.1 million and $152.0 million, respectively. The notional amount of the interest rate swap was $214.0 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
F-20
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 10Financial Instruments (Continued)
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|
Balance
Sheet Location |
Fair
Value |
Balance
Sheet Location |
Fair
Value |
Balance
Sheet Location |
Fair
Value |
Balance
Sheet Location |
Fair
Value |
|||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
Other Current
Assets |
$ | | Other Current Assets | $ | | Other Accrued & Current Liabilities | $ | 3.2 | Other Accrued & Current Liabilities | $ | 1.9 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |
$ | | $ | | $ | 3.2 | $ | 1.9 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Make-whole derivative liability |
Other Current Assets | $ | | Other Current Assets | $ | | Make-whole derivative liability | $ | 102.6 | Make-whole derivative liability | $ | 172.4 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts |
Other Current Assets |
1.2 |
Other Current Assets |
1.6 |
Other Accrued & Current Liabilities |
0.6 |
Other Accrued & Current Liabilities |
2.6 |
|||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |
$ | 1.2 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 103.2 | $ | 175.0 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Derivatives |
$ | 1.2 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 106.4 | $ | 176.9 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivatives in
Cash Flow Hedging Relationships |
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative |
|
Location of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income |
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income |
|
Location of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative |
Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest Contracts | $ | (1.3 | ) | $ | (0.7 | ) | $ | | Interest Expense | $ | (0.5 | ) | $ | | $ | | Interest Expense | $ | (0.5 | ) | $ | | $ | |
F-21
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 10Financial Instruments (Continued)
Derivatives Not Designated as
Hedging Instruments |
Location of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives |
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivatives |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||
|
|
Three Months
Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||
Make-whole derivative liability |
Non-Operating Income (Expenses)Net | $ | 69.8 | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts |
Non-Operating Income (Expenses)Net | $ | | $ | 1.6 | $ | 1.8 |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our financial assets and liabilities that are reflected in the consolidated financial statements include derivative financial instruments, cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings.
The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at March 31, 2020 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level I) |
Significant Other
Observable Inputs (Level II) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level III) |
Balance at
March 31, 2020 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: |
|||||||||||||
Cash equivalents(1) |
$ | 76.6 | $ | | $ | | $ | 76.6 | |||||
Other current assets: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 1.2 | $ | | $ | 1.2 | |||||
Liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Other accrued and current liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 0.6 | $ | | $ | 0.6 | |||||
Swap arrangements(3) |
$ | | $ | 3.2 | $ | | $ | 3.2 | |||||
Make-whole derivative liability(4) |
$ | | $ | | $ | 102.6 | $ | 102.6 |
F-22
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 10Financial Instruments (Continued)
The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2019 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level I) |
Significant Other
Observable Inputs (Level II) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level III) |
Balance at
December 31, 2019 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: |
|||||||||||||
Cash equivalents(1) |
$ | 4.1 | $ | | $ | | $ | 4.1 | |||||
Other current assets: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 1.6 | $ | | $ | 1.6 | |||||
Liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Other accrued and current liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 2.6 | $ | | $ | 2.6 | |||||
Swap arrangements(3) |
$ | | $ | 1.9 | $ | | $ | 1.9 | |||||
Make-whole derivative liability(4) |
$ | | $ | | $ | 172.4 | $ | 172.4 |
There were no transfers between Levels I and II or transfers in or transfers out of Level III in the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 (Successor), and the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor).
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables and accounts payable approximated carrying value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair values of other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures, determined based on valuation models using discounted cash flow methodologies with
F-23
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 10Financial Instruments (Continued)
market data inputs from globally recognized data providers and third-party quotes from major financial institutions (categorized as Level II in the fair value hierarchy), are as follows:
|
Balance at | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||
|
Carrying
Amount |
Fair
Value |
Carrying
Amount |
Fair
Value |
|||||||||
Short-term and Long-term Debt(1) |
$ | 1,407.5 | $ | 1,541.5 | $ | 1,469.1 | $ | 1,811.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
New Revolving Facility |
$ | 200.0 | $ | 191.1 | $ | | $ | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
New Term Loan Facility(2) |
$ | 2,441.7 | $ | 2,384.2 | $ | 2,431.7 | $ | 2,456.3 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by GAAP. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges and for acquisition accounting in accordance with the guidance in ASC 805 "Business Combinations."
F-24
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 11Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"):
|
Foreign
Currency Translation Adjustments |
Defined
Benefit Pension Plans |
Derivative
Financial Instruments |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2018 |
$ | (235.5 | ) | $ | (818.3 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (1,054.1 | ) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |
5.7 | 62.6 | (0.1 | ) | 68.2 | ||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
| 2.8 | | 2.8 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, February 7, 2019 |
$ | (229.8 | ) | $ | (752.9 | ) | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | (983.1 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Successor: |
|||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |
(0.8 | ) | | (0.4 | ) | (1.2 | ) | ||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
| | | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, March 31, 2019 |
$ | (0.8 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | (1.2 | ) | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 1, 2020 |
$ | (6.6 | ) | $ | (15.8 | ) | $ | (1.1 | ) | $ | (23.5 | ) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |
(1.7 | ) | | (0.9 | ) | (2.6 | ) | ||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
| (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, March 31, 2020 |
$ | (8.3 | ) | $ | (15.9 | ) | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (26.2 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-25
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 11Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Continued)
The following table summarizes the reclassifications out of AOCI:
Details About Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components |
Affected Line Item in the
Statement Where Net Income (Loss) is Presented |
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||
|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||
Defined Benefit Pension Plans: |
||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service costs |
Other Income (Expense)Net | $ | (0.1 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.1 | ) | |||||
Amortization of actuarial gain/loss |
Other Income (Expense)Net | | | 3.9 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total before tax |
(0.1 | ) | | 3.8 | ||||||||||
Tax benefit (expense) |
| | (1.0 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total after tax |
(0.1 | ) | | 2.8 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax |
$ | (0.1 | ) | $ | | $ | 2.8 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note 12Take-Private Transaction
On August 8, 2018, Dun & Bradstreet entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Parent and Merger Sub. On February 8, 2019, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Dun & Bradstreet with Dun & Bradstreet continuing as the surviving corporation. Investors of Merger Sub believe that Dun & Bradstreet's strong market position and financial performance can be further reinforced by executing additional growth initiatives and implementing cost saving initiatives.
The Take-Private Transaction was funded through $3,076.8 million of cash from the issuance of common and preferred shares, as well as $4,043.0 million borrowings from notes issuance and Credit Facilities (see Note 5 for further discussion). The net proceeds were used to (i) finance the consummation of the Take-Private Transaction, (ii) repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under Dun & Bradstreet's then-existing credit facilities, (iii) fund the redemption of all Dun & Bradstreet's then-existing senior notes and (iv) pay related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with these transactions.
Upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction, each share of common stock of Dun & Bradstreet, formerly publicly-traded under the symbol of "DNB", par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Take-Private Transaction (other than shares owned by Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any other direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent or the Company), were cancelled and converted into the right to receive $145.00 in cash, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes. In addition, each then-outstanding stock option and
F-26
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 12Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
restricted stock units of Dun & Bradstreet, whether vested or unvested, was cancelled and converted into the right to receive $145.00 in cash, less applicable exercise price, without interest.
On February 8, 2019, as required by the related change in control provision in the following agreements, the Company repaid in full the outstanding borrowings under the then-existing Revolving Five-Year Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement, both dated as of June 19, 2018. In addition, on February 8, 2019, notices of full redemption with respect to the Company's (i) 4.00% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, and (ii) 4.37% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "2022 Notes" and, together with the 2020 Notes, the "Existing Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, were delivered to the respective holders thereof, notifying those holders of the redemption of the entire outstanding aggregate principal amount of each series of Existing Notes on March 10, 2019.
The merger was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, and the Company was determined to be the accounting acquirer.
The Take-Private Transaction was valued at $6,068.7 million of which $5,431.2 million was paid to acquire Dun & Bradstreet's common stock, including stock options and restricted stock units, based on $145.00 per share and $637.5 million was paid to extinguish the then-existing debt on and following the Take-Private Transaction closing date. Assets and liabilities were recorded at the estimated fair value at the Take-Private Transaction closing date.
Transaction costs incurred by the Predecessor of $52.0 million were included in Selling and Administrative Expenses of Predecessor's results of operations for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019. Transaction costs of $147.4 million incurred by Merger Sub were included in Selling and Administrative Expenses of Successor's results of operations for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. Successor's accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2018 includes approximately $13 million related to Merger Sub's transaction costs incurred in 2018.
F-27
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 12Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting purchase allocation:
|
Weighted
Average Amortization Period (years) |
Initial
Purchase Price Allocation |
Measurement
Period Adjustments |
Purchase
Price Allocation at December 31, 2019 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash |
$ | 117.7 | $ | | $ | 117.7 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
267.8 | (1.7 | ) | 266.1 | ||||||||
Other current assets |
46.8 | (0.4 | ) | 46.4 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets |
432.3 | (2.1 | ) | 430.2 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets: |
||||||||||||
Customer relationships |
16.9 | 2,589.0 | (200.5 | ) | 2,388.5 | |||||||
Partnership agreements |
14.3 | | 230.3 | 230.3 | ||||||||
Computer software |
7.8 | 376.0 | | 376.0 | ||||||||
Database |
17 | 1,769.0 | (47.0 | ) | 1,722.0 | |||||||
Trademark |
Indefinite | 1,200.8 | 75.0 | 1,275.8 | ||||||||
Goodwill |
2,797.6 | (10.0 | ) | 2,787.6 | ||||||||
Property, plant & equipment |
30.3 | | 30.3 | |||||||||
Right of use asset |
103.9 | 7.4 | 111.3 | |||||||||
Other |
34.4 | (0.1 | ) | 34.3 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets acquired |
$ | 9,333.3 | $ | 53.0 | $ | 9,386.3 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable |
$ | 74.2 | $ | | $ | 74.2 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
398.4 | (0.6 | ) | 397.8 | ||||||||
Accrued liabilities |
240.1 | (2.3 | ) | 237.8 | ||||||||
Short-term pension and other accrued benefits |
106.0 | | 106.0 | |||||||||
Other current liabilities |
41.1 | 4.7 | 45.8 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities |
859.8 | 1.8 | 861.6 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term pension and postretirement obligations |
213.6 | 7.4 | 221.0 | |||||||||
Deferred tax liability |
1,388.3 | (7.7 | ) | 1,380.6 | ||||||||
Long-term debt |
625.1 | | 625.1 | |||||||||
Other liabilities |
161.0 | 8.0 | 169.0 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities assumed |
3,247.8 | 9.5 | 3,257.3 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-controlling interest |
16.8 | 43.5 | 60.3 | |||||||||
Less: debt repayment |
637.5 | | 637.5 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amounts paid to equity holders |
$ | 5,431.2 | $ | | $ | 5,431.2 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fair value of the customer relationships and partnership agreements intangible assets were determined by applying the income approach through a discounted cash flow analysis, specifically a multi-period excess earnings method. The valuation was based on the present value of the net earnings attributable to the measured assets.
F-28
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 12Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
The computer software intangible asset represents our data supply and service platform to deliver customer services and solutions. The fair value of this intangible asset was determined by the cost replacement approach.
Trademark intangible asset represents our Dun & Bradstreet brand. Database represents our global proprietary market-leading database. We applied the income approach to value trademark and database intangible assets, specifically, a relief from royalty method. The valuation was based on the present value of the net earnings attributable to the measured asset.
The fair value of the deferred revenue was determined based on estimated direct costs to fulfill the related obligations, plus a reasonable profit margin based on selected peer companies' margins as a benchmark.
The fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities were subject to change within the one-year measurement period. We obtained information to determine the fair values of the net assets acquired at the acquisition date during the measurement period. Since the initial valuation reflected in our financial results as of March 31, 2019, we have allocated goodwill and intangible assets between our North America and International segments, as well as among reporting units based on their respective projected cash flows. In addition, we recorded adjustments to the deferred tax liability reflecting the allocation of intangible assets between segments. The above measurement period adjustments to the preliminary valuation of assets and liabilities resulted in a net reduction of goodwill of $10.0 million during 2019. We have completed the purchase accounting process as of December 31, 2019.
The value of the goodwill is primarily related to the expected cost savings and growth opportunity associated with product development. The intangible assets, with useful lives from 8 to 17 years, are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of 16.5 years. The customer relationship and database intangible assets are amortized using an accelerating method. Computer software and partnership agreements intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line method. The amortization methods reflect the timing of the benefits derived from each of the intangible assets.
The goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.
F-29
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 12Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The following pro forma statement of operations data presents the combined results of the Company and its acquisition of Dun & Bradstreet, assuming the acquisition completed on February 8, 2019 had occurred on January 1, 2018.
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2019 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Reported revenue (Successor) |
$ | 174.1 | ||
Dun & Bradstreet pre-acquisition revenue |
178.7 | |||
Deferred revenue fair value adjustment |
21.5 | |||
| | | | |
Pro forma revenue |
$ | 374.3 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Reported net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor) |
$ | (227.9 | ) | |
Dun & Bradstreet pre-acquisition net income (loss) |
(75.6 | ) | ||
Pro forma adjustmentsnet of income tax(1): |
||||
Deferred revenue fair value adjustment |
16.7 | |||
Incremental amortization of intangibles |
(30.4 | ) | ||
Amortization of deferred commissions |
(1.3 | ) | ||
Transaction costs |
154.9 | |||
Pension expense adjustment |
69.5 | |||
Equity-based compensation adjustment |
8.1 | |||
Incremental interest expense and facility cost adjustment |
(21.9 | ) | ||
Preferred dividend adjustment |
(14.6 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor) |
$ | (122.5 | ) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Note 13Acquisitions
2020 Acquisitions
On January 7, 2020 we acquired a 100% equity interest in Orb Intelligence ("Orb") for a purchase price of $11.5 million. Orb Intelligence offers a high quality, global database of information, with a focus on building a digital view of businesses' presence.
On March 11, 2020, we acquired coAction.com for a purchase price of $9.6 million, of which $4.8 million was paid upon the close of the transaction and the remaining $4.8 million will be paid in six months from the date of the acquisition. coAction.com is a leader in revenue cycle management in the Order-to-Cash process, serving mid to large size companies across multiple industries.
The acquisitions were accounted for in accordance with ASC 805 "Business Combinations," as purchase transactions, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities were recorded at their estimated fair values at the respective dates of the acquisitions. Transaction costs of
F-30
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 13Acquisitions (Continued)
$0.2 million were included in Selling and Administrative Expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2020. We have included the financial results of the acquired companies in our consolidated financial statements since their respective acquisition dates, and the results from each of these companies were not individually or in the aggregate material to our consolidated financial statements.
The table below reflects the aggregate purchase price related to the acquisitions and the resulting purchase allocation:
The fair value of the customer relationships intangible assets was determined by applying the income approach through a discounted cash flow analysis, specifically a multi-period excess earnings method. The valuation was based on the present value of the net earnings attributable to the measured assets.
The fair value of the technology intangible assets was determined by applying the income approach; specifically, a relief from royalty method.
We believe that the information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. But, if facts and circumstances arise that necessitate change, we will adjust the associated fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. We expect to further analyze certain assumptions applied to the valuation models and the calculation of deferred income tax. We expect to complete the purchase accounting process as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the respective acquisition dates.
The value of the goodwill is primarily related to the acquired businesses' capability associated with product development, which provides opportunity to expand our products and services offerings as well as cost synergy generated from the combined business. The intangible assets are amortized using a
F-31
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 13Acquisitions (Continued)
straight-line method. The amortization method reflects the timing of the benefits derived from each of the intangible assets.
The goodwill acquired is partially deductible for tax purposes.
2019 AcquisitionLattice Engines, Inc. ("Lattice")
On July 1, 2019, the Company acquired a 100% ownership interest in Lattice. Lattice is an artificial intelligence powered customer data platform, enabling business-to-business ("B2B") organizations to scale their account-based marketing and sales programs across every channel. The results of Lattice have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. We have finalized the purchase allocation as of March 31, 2020 and there were no changes compared to the amounts recorded as of December 31, 2019.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The following pro forma statements of operations data presents the combined results of the Company and Lattice, assuming that the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2018.
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||
Reported revenue |
$ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | |||||
Lattice revenuepre-acquisition revenue |
4.1 | 2.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total pro forma revenue |
$ | 178.2 | $ | 181.6 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Reported net income (loss) attributable to Dun &Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ |
(227.9 |
) |
$ |
(75.6 |
) |
|||
Pro forma adjustmentsnet of tax effect |
|||||||||
Pre-acquisition net loss |
(1.3 | ) | (1.0 | ) | |||||
Intangible amortizationnet of tax benefits |
(0.5 | ) | (0.4 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (229.7 | ) | $ | (77.0 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
F-32
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 14Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Computer Software and Goodwill:
|
Computer
Software |
Goodwill | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
|||||||
December 31, 2018 |
$ | 133.8 | $ | 770.8 | |||
Additions at cost(1) |
5.0 | | |||||
Amortization |
(6.8 | ) | | ||||
Other(3) |
0.1 | 2.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
February 8, 2019 |
$ | 132.1 | $ | 773.5 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Successor: |
|||||||
January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | | |||
Acquisitions(2) |
376.0 | 2,797.6 | |||||
Additions at cost(1) |
4.2 | | |||||
Amortization |
(8.6 | ) | | ||||
Other(3) |
0.4 | | |||||
| | | | | | | |
March 31, 2019 |
$ | 372.0 | $ | 2,797.6 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
January 1, 2020 |
$ | 379.8 | $ | 2,840.1 | |||
Acquisition(4) |
| 10.7 | |||||
Additions at cost(1) |
17.4 | | |||||
Amortization |
(15.9 | ) | | ||||
Write-off |
(0.2 | ) | | ||||
| | | | | | | |
March 31, 2020 |
$ | 381.1 | $ | 2,850.8 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-33
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 14Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Continued)
Other Intangibles:
|
Customer
Relationships |
Database
and Other |
Other
Indefinite- Lived Intangibles |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
|||||||||||||
December 31, 2018 |
$ | 75.7 | $ | 50.0 | $ | 158.4 | $ | 284.1 | |||||
Additions |
| 0.1 | | 0.1 | |||||||||
Amortization |
(1.7 | ) | (1.5 | ) | | (3.2 | ) | ||||||
Other(3) |
0.1 | | | 0.1 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February 7, 2019 |
$ | 74.1 | $ | 48.6 | $ | 158.4 | $ | 281.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Successor: |
|||||||||||||
January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Acquisition(2) |
2,589.0 | 1,769.0 | 1,200.8 | 5,558.8 | |||||||||
Amortization |
(42.0 | ) | (28.7 | ) | | (70.7 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2019 |
$ | 2,547.0 | $ | 1,740.3 | $ | 1,200.8 | $ | 5,488.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
January 1, 2020 |
$ | 2,162.1 | $ | 1,813.5 | $ | 1,275.8 | $ | 5,251.4 | |||||
Acquisition(4) |
2.4 | 6.8 | | 9.2 | |||||||||
Additions at cost |
| 0.1 | | 0.1 | |||||||||
Amortization |
(65.1 | ) | (51.0 | ) | | (116.1 | ) | ||||||
Other(3) |
(0.2 | ) | (1.0 | ) | | (1.2 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2020 |
$ | 2,099.2 | $ | 1,768.4 | $ | 1,275.8 | $ | 5,143.4 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note 15Segment Information
Since the Take-Private Transaction, management has made changes to transform our business. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed the composition of our reportable segments, the classification of revenue by solution set and our measure of segment profit (from operating income to adjusted EBITDA) in the information that we provide to our CODMs to better align with how they assess performance and allocate resources. Latin America Worldwide Network, which was previously included in the Americas reportable segment, is currently included in the International segment. Accordingly, prior period results have been recast to conform to the current presentation of segments, revenue by solution set, and the measure of segment profit. These changes do not impact our consolidated results.
F-34
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 15Segment Information (Continued)
Our segment disclosure is intended to provide the users of our consolidated financial statements with a view of the business that is consistent with management of the Company.
We manage our business and report our financial results through the following two segments:
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) excluding the following items:(i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) interest expense and income; (iii) income tax benefit or provision; (iv) other expenses or income; (v) equity in net income of affiliates; (vi) net income attributable to non-controlling interests; (vii) dividends allocated to preferred stockholders; (viii) revenue and expense adjustments to include results for the period from January 8 to February 7, 2019, for the Predecessor related to the International Lag Adjustment; (ix) deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustment; (x) other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting (e.g. commission asset amortization); (xi) equity-based compensation; (xii) restructuring charges; (xiii) merger and acquisition-related operating costs; (xiv) transition costs primarily consisting of non-recurring incentive expenses associated with our synergy program; (xv) legal reserve and costs associated with significant legal and regulatory matters; and (xvi) asset impairment. Our client solution sets are Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing. Inter-segment sales are immaterial, and no single client accounted for 10% or more of our total revenue.
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 341.5 | $ | 181.2 | $ | 148.2 | ||||||
International |
71.2 | 15.0 | 56.4 | |||||||||
Corporate and other(1) |
(17.4 | ) | (22.1 | ) | (25.9 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated Total |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-35
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 15Segment Information (Continued)
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 143.8 | $ | 71.3 | $ | 55.3 | ||||||
International |
23.2 | 2.9 | 20.3 | |||||||||
Corporate and other |
(33.5 | ) | (33.6 | ) | (9.3 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total |
$ | 133.5 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 66.3 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(134.3 | ) | (80.5 | ) | (11.1 | ) | ||||||
Interest expensenet |
(82.7 | ) | (48.0 | ) | (5.2 | ) | ||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(32.0 | ) | (17.9 | ) | | |||||||
Benefit for income taxesnet |
74.3 | 37.0 | 27.5 | |||||||||
Other income (expense)net |
90.0 | 4.2 | (86.0 | ) | ||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
0.6 | 0.1 | 0.5 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest |
(0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.8 | ) | ||||||
Lag adjustment |
| | (2.7 | ) | ||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
5.0 | 4.1 | | |||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
(3.8 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (11.7 | ) | ||||||
Restructuring charges |
(4.5 | ) | (18.5 | ) | (0.1 | ) | ||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
(2.5 | ) | (147.4 | ) | (52.0 | ) | ||||||
Transition costs |
(1.6 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||
Legal reserve associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
| 0.3 | | |||||||||
Asset impairment |
(0.1 | ) | | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 41.5 | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-36
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 15Segment Information (Continued)
F-37
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 15Segment Information (Continued)
Supplemental Geographic and Customer Solution Set Information:
|
March 31,
2020 |
December 31,
2019 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: |
|||||||
North America(2) |
$ | 8,540.8 | $ | 8,480.1 | |||
International |
631.6 | 632.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Consolidated total |
$ | 9,172.4 | $ | 9,112.8 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Goodwill: |
|||||||
North America |
$ | 2,745.3 | $ | 2,734.6 | |||
International |
105.5 | 105.5 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Consolidated total(3) |
$ | 2,850.8 | $ | 2,840.1 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Other intangibles: |
|||||||
North America |
$ | 4,853.3 | $ | 4,953.0 | |||
International |
290.1 | 298.4 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Consolidated total(4) |
$ | 5,143.4 | $ | 5,251.4 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Other long-lived assets: |
|||||||
North America |
$ | 508.8 | $ | 500.9 | |||
International |
86.7 | 89.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Consolidated total(5) |
$ | 595.5 | $ | 590.8 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total long-lived assets |
$ | 8,589.7 | $ | 8,682.3 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-38
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 15Segment Information (Continued)
Customer Solution Set Revenue
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
Period from
January 1 to March 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||||
North America(1): |
||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 193.0 | $ | 101.9 | $ | 80.4 | ||||||
Sales & Marketing |
148.5 | 79.3 | 67.8 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total North America |
$ | 341.5 | $ | 181.2 | $ | 148.2 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
International: |
||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 57.5 | $ | 11.8 | $ | 43.4 | ||||||
Sales & Marketing |
13.7 | 3.2 | 13.0 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total International |
$ | 71.2 | $ | 15.0 | $ | 56.4 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate and Other: |
||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | (9.8 | ) | $ | (13.4 | ) | $ | (19.2 | ) | |||
Sales & Marketing |
(7.6 | ) | (8.7 | ) | (6.7 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total corporate and Other |
$ | (17.4 | ) | $ | (22.1 | ) | $ | (25.9 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenue: |
||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 240.7 | $ | 100.3 | $ | 104.6 | ||||||
Sales & Marketing |
154.6 | 73.8 | 74.1 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Revenue |
$ | 395.3 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 178.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note 16Related Parties
The following sets forth certain transactions and agreements in which the Company and our affiliates, executive officers and certain directors are involved.
As a result of the completion of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the Company is directly owned by Parent, which is collectively controlled by entities affiliated with members of the Investor Consortium.
Upon the close of the transaction, Anthony Jabbour was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company while continuing his role as Black Knight's Chief Executive Officer. Stephen Daffron, co-founder of Motive Partners, became our President and Chief Operating Officer. Additionally, William P. Foley II serves as Chairman of the Company's board of directors, while continuing his role as Chairman of the board of directors of Cannae Holdings and Black Knight's Chairman. Further, Richard N. Massey, a member of the Company's board of directors, serves as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of Cannae Holdings. Certain other key employees have dual responsibilities among the Investor Consortium.
On February 8, 2019, the Company entered into a services agreement with MVB Management, LLC ("MVB"), an entity affiliated with William P. Foley II and Chinh E. Chu, and THL
F-39
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 16Related Parties (Continued)
Managers VIII, LLC ("THL Managers"), pursuant to which MVB and THL Managers provided services in connection with the Take-Private Transaction. The Company paid a total fee of $29.1 million to MVB under the agreement upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction, which we included as "Selling and Administrative Expenses" in the Successor's statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. Under the services agreement, the Company must reimburse the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by MVB and THL Managers in performing the ongoing services. The Company has made no payments pursuant to the reimbursement provision during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019.
Pursuant to the equity commitment fee letter entered into on February 8, 2019 with THL Managers and Cannae Holdings, each committed to provide certain funding to Parent in connection with the Take-Private Transaction for which THL Managers and Cannae Holdings received a fee of $7.5 million and $12.0 million, respectively. These fees reduced the proceeds from capital contribution to the Company.
Pursuant to the Parent L.P. Agreement, an entity jointly controlled by affiliates of CC Capital and Bilcar (the "Originating Sponsors") was granted 6,817.7428 Class B profits interest units of Parent, which were valued at $17.3 million and were included as "Selling and Administrative Expenses" in the Successor's statement of operations for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. Pursuant to the Parent L.P. Agreement, the Originating Sponsors also received 15,867.8087 Class C profits interest units of Parent upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction. The units were valued at approximately $37.9 million.
Upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction, Motive Partners received $0.6 million related to due diligence consulting services pursuant to a services agreement between Parent and Motive Partners.
During the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, Motive Partners was retained to provide certain technology consulting services. Total cost incurred during the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 for such services was immaterial. In August 2019, the Company entered into a five-year lease agreement with Motive Partners related to the office space for the Company's London sales office starting August 1, 2019. Total payments over the five-year lease term aggregate to approximately $1.0 million. This lease was terminated in June 2020 with a termination fee of $0.1 million. In December 2019, the Company entered into a one-year lease agreement with Motive Partners for operations in New York starting January 1, 2020. Total payments over the one-year lease term aggregate to approximately $0.2 million.
In the normal course of business, we reimburse affiliates for certain travel costs incurred by Dun & Bradstreet executives and board members. The amounts included in Selling & Administrative Expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $0.4 million.
On January 1, 2020, the Company entered into a three-year service agreement with Trasimene Capital Management, LLC (the "Advisor"), an entity affiliated with Cannae Holdings. The agreement is subject to renewal. Pursuant to the agreement, the Advisor provides the Company strategic advisory services, in exchange for transaction fees that are calculated based on 1% of the value of each transaction for which the Advisor performs services. Under the service agreement, the Company is also obligated to reimburse the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Advisor. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 we incurred $0.4 million of services.
F-40
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts except per share amounts in millions)
Note 17Preferred Stock
The Company classified its Cumulative Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") as mezzanine equity because the instrument contains a redemption feature which is contingent upon certain events, the occurrence of which is not solely within the control of the Company.
We have bifurcated embedded derivatives and assess fair value each reporting date. Beginning in November 2019, and continuing as of March 31, 2020, we determined that there was a more than remote likelihood that the Series A Preferred Stock would become redeemable before November 8, 2021. The fair value at each period is estimated using the with and without method and based on management's estimate of probability of the triggering event associated with the make-whole derivative liability. The adjustment to the fair value each period is recorded within "Other income (expense)net." The fair value varies at each measurement date dependent on the inputs to the valuation model. The primary inputs include the probability and estimated timing of triggering events and market interest rates. As of March 31, 2020, we determined the fair value of the make-whole provision to be $102.6 million, reflected as "Make-whole derivative liability" within the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, the maximum amount that may be paid under the make-whole provision is approximately $241 million assuming a triggering event occurring on April 1, 2020. We also recorded accretion of $1.0 million to the mezzanine equity using the interest method.
On March 4, 2020, the board of directors of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. declared a cash dividend to all holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of record at the close of business on March 31, 2020. The dividend amount was $30.51 per share in an aggregate amount of $32.0 million, which was paid in March 2020.
Note 18Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events that occurred after March 31, 2020 up to June 24, 2020.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and through June 24, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, management continued to monitor the development of the pandemic and its impact on our operations. While our productivity and financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have not been impacted materially by the pandemic, any unforeseen business deterioration, contract cancellations or terminations, or market pressures, could cause our revenue, earnings and cash flows to decline below our current projections and could result in a material impact. The ultimate impact will be difficult to predict, and depends on, among many factors, the duration of the pandemic and its ultimate impact to our customers, vendors, and the financial markets.
On May 14, 2020, the Board of Directors of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. declared a preferred stock dividend associated with its cumulative Series A Preferred Stock to all holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of record at the close of business on June 15, 2020. The dividend amount was $30.51 per share in an aggregate amount equal to $32.0 million, which is expected to be paid on June 26, 2020.
On June 23, 2020, we increased our authorized common stock to 2,000,000,000 and our authorized preferred stock to 25,000,000 and effected a 314,494.968 for 1 stock split of our common stock. All of the common share and per share information in the consolidated financial statements for the Successor periods has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the increase in authorized common stock and stock split.
F-41
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To
the Stockholder and Board of Directors
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (formerly Star Intermediate I, Inc.) and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), stockholder equity (deficit), and cash flows of the Company for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor period) and of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and subsidiaries (Predecessor) for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor period), and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the Successor period, and the results of the Predecessor's operations and the Predecessor's cash flows for the Predecessor period, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
New Basis of Accounting
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective February 8, 2019, the Predecessor was acquired in a business combination accounted for using the acquisition method. As a result of the acquisition, the consolidated financial information for the period after the acquisition is presented on a different cost basis than that for the periods before the acquisition and, therefore, is not comparable.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company and the Predecessor in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2019.
Short
Hills, New Jersey
March 25, 2020, except for the increases in authorized common and preferred stock and the common stock split described in Note 21 as to which the date is June 24, 2020
F-42
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company" or "Predecessor") as of December 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), of stockholder equity (deficit) and of cash flows, for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for revenue from contracts with customers in 2018.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
April 1, 2019, except for the change in composition of reportable segments and the change in classification of revenues by customer solution set discussed in Note 1 and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is March 16, 2020
F-43
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor |
|
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses |
448.5 | 56.7 | 563.4 | 573.3 | |||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
651.2 | 122.4 | 610.0 | 672.4 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
482.4 | 11.1 | 88.7 | 79.7 | |||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
51.8 | 0.1 | 25.4 | 32.1 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating costs |
1,633.9 | 190.3 | 1,287.5 | 1,357.5 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) |
(220.0 | ) | (11.6 | ) | 428.9 | 385.0 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income |
2.4 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 1.6 | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
(303.5 | ) | (5.5 | ) | (54.4 | ) | (59.7 | ) | |||||||
Other income (expense)net |
(154.8 | ) | (86.0 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (4.2 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income (expense)net |
(455.9 | ) | (91.2 | ) | (55.8 | ) | (62.3 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates |
(675.9 | ) | (102.8 | ) | 373.1 | 322.7 | |||||||||
Less: (benefit) provision for income taxes |
(118.2 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 81.6 | 179.7 | |||||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
4.2 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 2.8 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations |
(553.5 | ) | (74.8 | ) | 294.3 | 145.8 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: net income attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(6.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (4.1 | ) | |||||||
Less: dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(114.0 | ) | | | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from disposal of discontinued operations, no tax impact |
| | | (0.8 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations, no tax impact |
| | | (0.8 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/ The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 140.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock: |
|||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.76 | $ | 3.84 | |||||
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations |
| | | (0.02 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/ The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.76 | $ | 3.82 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock: |
|||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.72 | $ | 3.81 | |||||
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations |
| | | (0.02 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/ The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (2.14 | ) | $ | (2.04 | ) | $ | 7.72 | $ | 3.79 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding-basic |
314.5 | 37.2 | 37.1 | 36.9 | |||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding-diluted |
314.5 | 37.2 | 37.3 | 37.2 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes: |
|||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (553.5 | ) | $ | (74.8 | ) | $ | 294.3 | $ | 145.8 | |||||
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations |
| | | (0.8 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
$ | (553.5 | ) | $ | (74.8 | ) | $ | 294.3 | 145.0 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax(2) |
(9.9 | ) | 5.9 | (18.2 | ) | 48.9 | |||||||||
Defined benefit pension plans: |
|||||||||||||||
Prior service costs, net of tax(3) |
2.2 | | 4.5 | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Net actuarial gain, net of tax(4) |
(18.0 | ) | 65.4 | (24.1 | ) | 35.6 | |||||||||
Derivative financial instrument, net of tax(5) |
(1.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.3 | ) | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
(26.8 | ) | 71.2 | (38.1 | ) | 84.1 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
(580.3 | ) | (3.6 | ) | 256.2 | 229.1 | |||||||||
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest |
(3.2 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (5.4 | ) | (5.0 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (583.5 | ) | $ | (4.6 | ) | $ | 250.8 | $ | 224.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-44
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in millions, except share data and per share data)
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 98.6 | $ | 90.2 | |||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7.3 at December 31, 2019 (Successor) and $14.1 at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) (Note 3) |
269.3 | 270.8 | |||||||
Other receivables |
10.0 | 8.7 | |||||||
Prepaid taxes |
4.0 | 2.6 | |||||||
Other prepaids |
31.4 | 35.6 | |||||||
Other current assets |
4.6 | 3.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets |
417.9 | 411.3 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Non-current assets |
|||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $7.5 at December 31, 2019 (Successor) and $67.1 at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) (Note 15) |
29.4 | 31.2 | |||||||
Computer software, net of accumulated amortization of $52.9 at December 31, 2019 (Successor) and $378.8 at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) (Note 15 and Note 16) |
379.8 | 133.8 | |||||||
Goodwill (Note 15 and Note 16) |
2,840.1 | 770.8 | |||||||
Deferred income tax |
12.6 | 42.7 | |||||||
Other intangibles (Note 15 and Note 16) |
5,251.4 | 284.1 | |||||||
Deferred costs (Note 3) |
47.0 | 104.1 | |||||||
Other non-current assets |
134.6 | 42.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total non-current assets |
8,694.9 | 1,409.6 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total assets |
$ | 9,112.8 | $ | 1,820.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities |
|||||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 55.0 | $ | 36.3 | |||||
Accrued payroll |
137.1 | 81.1 | |||||||
Short-term pension and postretirement benefits |
0.8 | 220.9 | |||||||
Accrued income tax |
7.8 | 13.7 | |||||||
Short-term debt (Note 5) |
81.9 | 17.0 | |||||||
Make-whole derivative liability (Note 20) |
172.4 | | |||||||
Other accrued and current liabilities (Note 15) |
167.3 | 103.3 | |||||||
Deferred revenue (Note 3) |
467.5 | 529.1 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities |
1,089.8 | 1,001.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Long-term pension and postretirement benefits (Note 10) |
206.6 | 283.9 | |||||||
Long-term debt (Note 5) |
3,818.9 | 1,119.6 | |||||||
Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits |
16.8 | 5.4 | |||||||
Deferred income tax (Note 13 and Note 14) |
1,233.5 | 4.6 | |||||||
Other non-current liabilities (Note 15) |
137.7 | 95.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities |
6,503.3 | 2,510.8 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18 and Note 17) |
|||||||||
Series A Preferred Stock $0.001 par value per share, 1,050,000 shares authorized and issued at December 31, 2019; liquidation preference of $1,067.9 at December 31, 2019 (Note 20) |
1,031.8 | | |||||||
Equity |
|||||||||
Stockholder equity (deficit) |
|||||||||
Predecessor Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized500,000 shares; outstandingnone |
| | |||||||
Predecessor Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized9,500,000 shares; outstandingnone |
| | |||||||
Predecessor Series Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized10,000,000 shares; outstandingnone |
| | |||||||
Predecessor Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized200,000,000 shares; issued81,945,520 shares |
| 0.8 | |||||||
Successor Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, authorized2,000,000,000 shares; issued314,494,968 shares |
| | |||||||
Capital surplus |
2,116.9 | 332.8 | |||||||
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings |
(573.5 | ) | 3,325.0 | ||||||
Predecessor Treasury Stock, at cost, 44,786,639 shares at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) |
| (3,310.3 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(23.5 | ) | (1,054.1 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total stockholder equity (deficit) |
1,519.9 | (705.8 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Non-controlling interest |
57.8 | 15.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total equity (deficit) |
1,577.7 | (689.9 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equity (deficit) |
$ | 9,112.8 | $ | 1,820.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-45
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in millions)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-46
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder Equity (Deficit)
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)
|
Common
Stock ($0.01 Par Value) |
Capital
Surplus |
(Accumulated
Deficit) Retained Earnings |
Treasury
Stock |
Cumulative
Translation Adjustment |
Defined
Benefit Postretirement Plans |
Cash Flow
Hedging Derivative |
Total
Stockholder Equity (Deficit) |
Non-
Controlling Interest |
Total
Equity (Deficit) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2017 |
$ |
0.8 |
$ |
317.6 |
$ |
2,959.6 |
$ |
(3,330.4 |
) |
$ |
(266.2 |
) |
$ |
(683.4 |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
(1,002.0 |
) |
$ |
14.2 |
$ |
(987.8 |
) |
||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income |
| | 140.9 | | | | | 140.9 | 4.1 | 145.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Payment to non-controlling interest |
| | | | | | | (3.1 | ) | (3.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based plans |
| 14.4 | | 10.9 | | | | 25.3 | | 25.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension adjustments, net of tax expense of $15.1 |
| | | | | 35.2 | | 35.2 | | 35.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other pension related adjustment |
150.5 | (150.5 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividend declared |
| | (74.7 | ) | | | | | (74.7 | ) | | (74.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Change in cumulative translation adjustment |
| | | | 48.0 | | | 48.0 | 0.9 | 48.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2017 |
$ |
0.8 |
$ |
332.0 |
$ |
3,176.3 |
$ |
(3,319.5 |
) |
$ |
(218.2 |
) |
$ |
(798.7 |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
(827.3 |
) |
$ |
16.1 |
$ |
(811.2 |
) |
||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income |
| | 288.1 | | | | | 288.1 | 6.2 | 294.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Payment to non-controlling interest |
| | | | | | | (5.5 | ) | (5.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based plans |
| 6.8 | | 9.2 | | | | 10.0 | | 4.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension adjustments, net of tax benefit of $5.5 |
| | | | | (19.6 | ) | | 19.6 | | 19.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dividend declared |
| | (58.3 | ) | | | | | (58.3 | ) | | (58.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative adjustment for topic 606, net of tax benefit of $25.7 |
| | (81.1 | ) | | | | | (81.1 | ) | | (81.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax benefit of $2.6 |
| | | | 17.3 | | | (17.3 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (18.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments |
| | | | | | (0.3 | ) | (0.3 | ) | | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2018 |
$ | 0.8 | $ | 332.8 | $ | 3,325.0 | $ | (3,310.3 | ) | $ | (235.5 | ) | $ | (818.3 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (705.8 | ) | $ | 15.9 | $ | (689.9 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the Period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2018 |
$ | 0.8 | $ | 332.8 | $ | 3,325.0 | $ | (3,310.3 | ) | $ | (235.5 | ) | $ | (818.3 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (705.8 | ) | $ | 15.9 | $ | (689.9 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
| | (75.6 | ) | | | | | (75.6 | ) | 0.8 | (74.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Payment to non-controlling interest |
| | | | | | | | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based plans |
| 11.7 | | | | | | 11.7 | | 11.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension adjustments, net of tax expense of $22.2 |
| | | | | 65.4 | | 65.4 | | 65.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax expense of less than $0.1 |
| | | | 5.7 | | | 5.7 | 0.2 | 5.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit of $0.1 |
| | | | | | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, February 7, 2019 |
$ | 0.8 | $ | 344.5 | $ | 3,249.4 | $ | (3,310.3 | ) | $ | (229.8 | ) | $ | (752.9 | ) | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | (698.7 | ) | $ | 16.8 | $ | (681.9 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-47
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder Equity (Deficit) (Continued)
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)
|
Common
Stock |
Capital
Surplus |
(Accumulated
Deficit) Retained Earnings |
Treasury
Stock |
Cumulative
Translation Adjustment |
Defined Benefit
Postretirement Plans |
Cash Flow
Hedging Derivative |
Total
Stockholder Equity (Deficit) |
Non-
Controlling Interest |
Total
Equity (Deficit) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Successor: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the period from January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2019 |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(13.5 |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
(13.5 |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
(13.5 |
) |
||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
| | (560.0 | ) | | | | | (560.0 | ) | 6.5 | (553.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Take-Private Transaction |
| 2,048.4 | | | | | | 2,048.4 | 60.3 | 2,108.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Capital contribution |
| 100.0 | | | | | | 100.0 | | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation plans |
| 68.0 | | | | | | 68.0 | | 68.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred dividend(2) |
| (96.1 | ) | | | | | | (96.1 | ) | | (96.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
AccretionSeries A Preferred Stock |
(3.4 | ) | (3.4 | ) | (3.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension adjustments, net of tax benefit of $5.4 |
(15.8 | ) | (15.8 | ) | (15.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Payment to non-controlling interest |
| | | | | | | | (5.7 | ) | (5.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Change in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax benefit of $1.8 |
| | | | (6.6 | ) | | | (6.6 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (9.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax benefit of $0.4 |
| | | | | | (1.1 | ) | (1.1 | ) | | (1.1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2019 |
$ | | $ | 2,116.9 | $ | (573.5 | ) | $ | | $ | (6.6 | ) | $ | (15.8 | ) | $ | (1.1 | ) | $ | 1,519.9 | $ | 57.8 | $ | 1,577.7 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-48
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in
millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business. Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. through its operating company The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation ("Dun & Bradstreet" or "D&B") helps companies around the world improve their business performance. A global leader in business to business data and analytics, we glean insight from data to enable our clients to connect with the prospects, suppliers, clients and partners that matter most. Since 1841, companies of every size rely on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. We transform data into valuable business insights which are the foundation of our global solutions that clients rely on to make mission critical business decisions.
Dun & Bradstreet provides solution sets that meet a diverse set of clients' needs globally. Clients use Finance & Risk solutions to mitigate credit, compliance and supplier risk, increase cash flow and drive increased profitability. Our Sales & Marketing solutions help clients better use data to grow sales, digitally engage with clients and prospects, improve marketing effectiveness and also offer data management capabilities that provide effective and cost efficient marketing solutions to increase revenue from new and existing clients.
Basis of Presentation. The accompanying financial statements of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (formerly Star Intermediate I, Inc.) and its subsidiaries ("we" or "us" or "our" or the "Company") were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period reported. As discussed throughout this Note 1, we base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: valuation allowances for receivables and deferred income tax assets; tax liabilities related to our undistributed foreign earnings associated with the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("2017 Act"); liabilities for potential tax exposure and potential litigation claims and settlements; assets and obligations related to employee benefits; allocation of the purchase price in acquisition accounting; impairment assessment for goodwill and other intangible assets; long-term asset recoverability and estimated useful life; stock-based compensation; revenue deferrals; and restructuring charges. We review estimates and assumptions periodically and reflect the changes in the consolidated financial statements in the period in which we determine any changes to be necessary. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts, as well as those of our subsidiaries and investments in which we have a controlling interest. Investments in companies over which we have significant influence but not a controlling interest are recorded under the equity method of accounting. When events and circumstances warrant, equity investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting are evaluated for impairment. An impairment charge is recorded whenever a decline in value of an equity investment below its carrying amount is determined to be other-than temporary. We elect to account for investments over which we do not have significant influence at cost adjusted for impairment or other changes resulting from observable market data. Market values associated with these investments are not readily available. Our cost investments were not material as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
F-49
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The Take-Private Transaction
On August 8, 2018, a consortium of investors formed a Delaware limited partnership, Star Parent, L.P. ("Parent") and Star Merger Sub, Inc ("Merger Sub"), and subsequently formed subsidiaries including Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., Star Intermediate II, LLC and Star Intermediate III, LLC. Also on August 8, 2018, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Parent and Merger Sub. On February 8, 2019, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Dun & Bradstreet with Dun & Bradstreet continuing as the surviving corporation. The transaction is referred to as the "Take-Private Transaction." Parent and its subsidiaries, including Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. are collectively controlled by Bilcar, LLC ("Bilcar"), Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL"), Cannae Holdings, Inc. ("Cannae Holdings"), Black Knight, Inc. ("Black Knight") and CC Capital Partners LLC ("CC Capital"), collectively the "Investor Consortium."
The diagram below depicts the legal entity structure after the consummation of the Take-Private Transaction:
F-50
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The completion of the Take-Private Transaction resulted in the following:
As a result of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the merger was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations" ("ASC 805"), and Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. was determined to be the accounting acquiror. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and information are presented on a Successor and Predecessor basis. References to Predecessor refer to the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its subsidiaries prior to the closing of the Take-Private Transaction. References to Successor refer to the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. During the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. had no significant operations and limited assets and had only incurred transaction related expenses prior to the Take-Private Transaction. The Successor period includes the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial position of Dun & Bradstreet and its subsidiaries on and after February 8, 2019. The Predecessor and Successor consolidated financial information presented herein is not comparable primarily due to the impacts of the Take-Private Transaction including the application of acquisition accounting in the Successor financial statements as of February 8, 2019, as further described in Note 13, of which the most
F-51
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
significant impacts are (i) the increased amortization expense for intangible assets, (ii) additional interest expense associated with debt financing arrangements entered into in connection with the Take-Private Transaction, (iii) higher non-recurring transaction costs and the pension settlement charge attributable to the Take-Private Transaction and (iv) a shorter Successor period for our International operations.
Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
We have reclassified certain Predecessor presentation to conform to the Successor presentation. Since the Take-Private Transaction, management has made changes to transform our business. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed the composition of our reportable segments, the classification of revenue by solution set and our measure of segment profit (from operating income to adjusted EBITDA) in the information that we provide to our chief operating decision makers (CODMs) to better align with how they assess performance and allocate resources. Latin America Worldwide Network, which was previously included in the Americas reportable segment, is currently included in the International segment. Accordingly, prior period results have been recast to conform to the current presentation of segments, revenue by solution, and the measure of segment profit. These changes do not impact our consolidated results.
We manage our business and report our financial results through the following two segments:
The consolidated financial statements reflect results of the subsidiaries outside of North America for the twelve-month period ended November 30 in order to facilitate the timely reporting of the consolidated financial results and consolidated financial position. For the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the results of subsidiaries outside of North America are reflected for the period from February 8, 2019 to November 30, 2019. For the period from January 1 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), the results of subsidiaries outside of North America are reflected for the period from December 1, 2018 to January 7, 2019. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), the results of subsidiaries outside of North America are reflected for the periods from December 1, 2017 and 2016 to November 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
As a result of the lag reporting in the International segment, we excluded the revenue and expenses for the period of January 8, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (the "International Lag Adjustment"), in connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019.
Where appropriate, we have reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.
F-52
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
Post Adoption of Topic 606
On January 1, 2018, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2014-09 (Topic 606)Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU No. 2014-09" or "Topic 606"), which provides guidance for revenue recognition that superseded the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition ("Topic 605") and most industry specific guidance. Under ASU 2014-09, revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted ASU 2014-09 under the modified retrospective approach, applying the amendments to prospective reporting periods. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the historic accounting under Topic 605.
Revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services by following a five-step process, (1) identify the contract with a client, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price, and (5) recognized revenue when or as we satisfy a performance obligation.
We generate revenue from licensing our data and providing related data services to our clients. Our data is integrated into our hosted or on-premise software applications. Data is also delivered directly into client third-party applications (or our on-premise applications) using our application programming interfaces ("API") or as computer files. Some of our data and reports can be purchased through our websites individually or in packages.
Most of our revenue comes from clients we contract with directly. We also license data, trademarks and related technology and support services to our Worldwide Network partners for exclusive distribution of our products to clients in their territories. We also license our data to our alliance partners who use the data to enhance their own products or enable it to be seamlessly delivered to their customers.
Revenue is net of any sales or indirect taxes collected from clients, which are subsequently remitted to government authorities.
Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognition
All our clients license our data and/or software applications. The license term is generally a minimum of 12 months and non-cancelable. If the client can benefit from the license only in conjunction with a related service, the license is not distinct and is combined with the other services as a single performance obligation.
We recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring promised licenses and or services underlying the performance obligation to the client. Some of our performance
F-53
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
obligations are satisfied over time as the product is transferred to the client. Performance obligations which are not satisfied over time are satisfied at a point in time.
Determining whether the products and services in a contract are distinct and identifying the performance obligations requires judgment. When we assess contracts with clients we determine if the data we promise to transfer to the client is individually distinct or is combined with other licenses or services which together form a distinct product or service and a performance obligation. We also consider if we promise to transfer a specific quantity of data or provide unlimited access to data.
We determined that when clients can purchase a specified quantity of data based on their selection criteria and data layout, each data record is distinct and a performance obligation, satisfied on delivery. If we promise to update the initial data set at specified intervals, each update is a performance obligation, which we satisfy when the update data is delivered.
When we provide clients continuous access to the latest data using our API-based and online products, the client can consume and benefit from this content daily as we provide access to the data. We determined that for this type of offering our overall promise is a service of daily access to data which represents a single performance obligation satisfied over time. We recognize revenue ratably for this type of performance obligation.
Clients can purchase unlimited access to data in many of our products for the non-cancelable contract term. These contracts are priced based on their anticipated usage volume of the product and we have the right to increase the transaction price in the following contract year if usage in the current contract year exceeds certain prescribed limits. The limits are set at a level that the client is unlikely to exceed so in general, we fully constrain any variable consideration until it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. For these contracts the performance obligation is satisfied over time as we provide continuous access to the data. We recognize revenue ratably over the contract term.
For products sold under our annual and monthly discount plans the client receives a discount based on the amount they commit to spend annually, or the actual amount spent at the end of each monthly billing cycle. Each report or data packet purchased is a separate performance obligation which is satisfied when the report or data packet is delivered. The client can also purchase a monitoring service on the report or data packet which is a performance obligation satisfied over time because the client benefits from the service as we monitor the data and provide alerts when the data changes. We recognize revenue ratably over the monitoring period.
In some contracts, including annual discount plans, the client commits to spend a fixed amount on the products. Breakage occurs if the client does not exercise all their purchasing rights under the contract. We recognize breakage at the end of the contract when the likelihood of the client exercising their remaining rights becomes remote.
Many of our contracts provide the client an option to purchase additional products. If the option provides the client a discount which is incremental to discounts typically given for those products, the contract provides the client a material right that it would not receive without entering into the contract. An amount of the transaction price is allocated to the material right performance obligation and is recognized when the client exercises the option or when the option expires.
F-54
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
We have long-term contracts with our Worldwide Network partners. These contracts are typically for an initial term of up to 10 years and automatically renew for further terms unless notice is given before the end of the initial or renewal term. We grant each Partner the exclusive right to sell our products in the countries that constitute their territory. We provide them access to data, use of our brand and technology and other services and support necessary for them to sell our products and services in their territory. We determined this arrangement is a series of distinct services and represents a single performance obligation satisfied over time. These contracts contain multiple streams of consideration, some of which are fixed and some are variable. These variable amounts are allocated to the specific service period during which the sales or usage occurred if the variable amount is commensurate with the benefit to the client of the additional service and is consistent with our customary pricing practices. Otherwise the variable amount is accounted for as a change in the transaction price for the contract. We recognize revenue ratably for this performance obligation.
We license our data to our alliance partners. Most contracts specify the number of licensed records or data sets to be delivered. If the licenses are distinct, we satisfy them on delivery of the data. Contract consideration is often a sales or usage-based royalty, sometimes accompanied by a guaranteed minimum amount. Any fixed consideration is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the data. We apply the variable consideration exception for license revenue in the form of royalties when the license is the sole or predominant item to which the royalty relates. Royalty revenue is recognized when the later of the following events have occurred: (1) the subsequent sale or usage occurs or (2) the performance obligation to which some or all the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied).
Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations
Our contracts with clients often include promises to transfer multiple performance obligations. For these contracts we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation in the contract on a relative standalone selling price basis. The standalone selling price is the price at which we would sell the promised service separately to a client. We use the observable price based on prices in contracts with similar clients in similar circumstances.
We allocate variable consideration to a performance obligation or a distinct product if the terms of the variable payment relate specifically to our efforts to satisfy the performance obligation or transfer the distinct product and the allocation is consistent with the allocation objective. If these conditions are not met or the transaction price changes for other reasons after contract inception, we allocate the change on the same basis as at contract inception.
Contract Combinations and Modifications
Many of our clients have multiple contracts for various products. Contracts entered into at or near the same time with the same client are combined into a single contract when they are negotiated together with a single commercial objective or the contracts are related in other ways.
Contract modifications are accounted for as a separate contract if additional products are distinct and the transaction price increases by an amount that reflects the standalone selling prices of the additional products. Otherwise, we generally account for the modifications as if they were the termination of the existing contracts and creation of new contracts if the remaining products are distinct from the products transferred before the modification. The new transaction price is the unrecognized revenue from the existing contracts plus the new consideration. This amount is allocated to the remaining performance obligations based on the relative standalone selling prices.
F-55
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Pre-Adoption of Topic 606
Prior to January 1, 2018, revenue was recognized based on Topic 605, when the following four conditions were met:
If at the outset of an arrangement, we determined that collectability was not reasonably assured, revenue was deferred until the earlier of when collectability became probable or the receipt of payment. If there was uncertainty as to the client's acceptance of our deliverables, revenue was not recognized until the earlier of receipt of client acceptance or expiration of the acceptance period. If at the outset of an arrangement, we determined that the arrangement fee was not fixed or determinable, revenue was deferred until the arrangement fee became fixed or determinable, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria had been met.
Our Finance & Risk solutions were generally sold under fixed price subscription contracts that allowed clients unlimited access to risk information. Revenue on this type of contract was recognized ratably over the term of the contract.
Finance & Risk information was also sold using monthly or annual contracts that allowed clients to purchase our risk information up to the contract amount based on an agreed price list. Once the contract amount was fully used, additional risk information could be purchased at per-item prices, which in some cases were different than those in the original contract. Revenue on these contracts was recognized on a per-item basis as information was purchased and delivered to the client. If clients did not use the full amount of their contract and forfeited the unused portion, we recognized the forfeited amount as revenue at contract expiration.
Where a data file of risk information is sold with periodic updates to that information, a portion of the revenue related to the updates was deferred as a liability on the balance sheet and recognized as the updates were delivered, usually on a quarterly or monthly basis over the term of the contract.
Revenue related to solutions, such as monitoring, was recognized ratably over the period of performance.
Sales & Marketing solutions that provide continuous access to our marketing information and business reference databases in some cases included access or hosting fees which were sold on a subscription basis. Revenue was recognized ratably over the term of the contract, which was typically one year.
Where a data file of marketing information was sold, we recognized revenue upon delivery of the marketing data file to the client. If the contract provided for periodic updates to that marketing data file, the portion of the revenue related to updates was deferred as a liability on the balance sheet and recognized as the updates were delivered, usually on a quarterly or monthly basis over the term of the contract.
F-56
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Sales of software that were considered to be more than incidental were recognized in revenue when a noncancelable license agreement had been signed and the software had been shipped and installed, if required.
Revenue from consulting and training services, which also included certain technology services as part of our Worldwide Network arrangements, was recognized as the services were performed.
Multiple Element Arrangements
We have certain solution offerings that were sold as multiple element arrangements. The deliverables included access to our business information database, information data files, periodic data refreshes, software and services. We evaluated each deliverable in an arrangement to determine whether it represented a separate unit of accounting. Most product and service deliverables qualified as separate units of accounting and were sold stand-alone or in various combinations across our markets. A deliverable constituted a separate unit of accounting when it had stand-alone value and there were no client-negotiated refunds or return rights for the delivered items. If the arrangement included a client-negotiated refund or return right relative to the delivered items, and the delivery and performance of the undelivered item was considered probable and substantially in our control, the delivered item constituted a separate unit of accounting.
If the deliverable or a group of deliverables met the separation criteria, the total arrangement consideration was allocated to each unit of accounting based on its relative selling price. The amount of arrangement consideration that was allocated to a delivered unit of accounting was limited to the amount that was not contingent upon the delivery of another unit of accounting.
We used a hierarchy to determine the selling price to be used for allocating revenue to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices ("VSOE"); (ii) third-party evidence of selling price ("TPE"); and (iii) best estimated selling prices ("BESP") of each element. We determined the selling price for each deliverable using VSOE, if it existed, TPE if VSOE did not exist, or BESP if neither VSOE nor TPE existed. Revenue allocated to each element was then recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria were met for each element.
We determined VSOE of a deliverable by monitoring the price at which we sold the deliverable on a stand-alone basis to third parties or from the stated renewal rate for the elements contained in the initial arrangement. In certain instances, we were not able to establish VSOE for all deliverables in an arrangement with multiple elements. This was due to us infrequently selling each element separately, not pricing products or services within a reasonable range, or only having a limited sales history. Where we were unable to establish VSOE, we used the price at which we or a third party sold a similar product to similarly situated clients on a stand-alone basis. Generally, our offerings contained a level of differentiation such that comparable pricing of solutions with similar functionality or delivery could not be obtained. Furthermore, we were rarely able to reliably determine what competitors' selling prices for similar products were on a stand-alone basis. Therefore, we typically were not able to determine TPE of selling price.
When we were unable to establish selling prices by using VSOE or TPE, we established the BESP in our allocation of arrangement consideration. The objective of BESP was to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the solution were sold on a stand-alone basis. The determination of
F-57
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
BESP was based on our review of available data points and consideration of factors such as but not limited to pricing practices, our growth strategy, geographies and customer segment and market conditions. The determination of BESP was made through consultation with and formal approval of our management, taking into consideration our go-to-market strategy.
We regularly reviewed VSOE and had a review process for TPE and BESP and maintained internal controls over the establishment and updates of these estimates.
Deferred revenue consisted of amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized on sales of our information solutions and generally related to deferral of subscription revenue and also included the amount of deferred revenue related to updates to data files. Deferred revenue was included in current liabilities in the balance sheet and was subsequently recognized as revenue within a year of the balance sheet date in accordance with our revenue recognition policies.
We recorded revenue on a net basis for those sales where we acted as an agent in the transaction.
Sales Cancellations. In determining sales cancellation allowances, we analyzed historical trends, client-specific factors and current economic trends. Based on this information, we recorded an allowance as a reduction of revenue as appropriate.
Restructuring Charges. Restructuring charges have been recorded in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 712-10, "Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits," or "ASC 712-10," and/or ASC 420-10, "Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations," or "ASC 420-10," as appropriate.
Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 201602, "Leases (Topic 842)," and as a result, terminated contracts that meet the lease definition are no longer accounted for under ASC 420-10. Terminated lease obligations are accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. We have reclassified liabilities associated with terminated lease obligations to long-term and short-term lease liabilities (see Note 19 for further discussion). Certain termination costs and obligations that do not meet the lease criteria continue to be accounted for in accordance with ASC 420-10. Right of use assets are assessed for impairment in accordance to Topic 360.
We record severance costs provided under an ongoing benefit arrangement once they are both probable and estimable in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10.
We account for one-time termination benefits, contract terminations and/or, prior to 2019, costs to terminate lease obligations less assumed sublease income in accordance with ASC 420-10, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with restructuring activities. Under ASC 420-10, we establish a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity, including severance and prior to 2019 lease termination obligations, and other related costs, when the liability is incurred, rather than at the date that we commit to an exit plan. We reassess the expected cost to complete the exit or disposal activities at the end of each reporting period and adjust our remaining estimated liabilities, if necessary.
The determination of when we accrue for severance costs and which standard applies depends on whether the termination benefits are provided under an ongoing arrangement as described in ASC 712-10 or under a one-time benefit arrangement as defined by ASC 420-10. Inherent in the estimation of the costs related to the restructuring activities are assessments related to the most likely
F-58
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
expected outcome of the significant actions to accomplish the exit activities. In determining the charges related to the restructuring activities, we have to make estimates related to the expenses associated with the restructuring activities. These estimates may vary significantly from actual costs depending, in part, upon factors that may be beyond our control. We will continue to review the status of our restructuring obligations on a quarterly basis and, if appropriate, record changes to these obligations in current operations based on management's most current estimates.
Leases. In accordance with ASC 842, at the inception of a contract, we assess whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract contains a lease if it conveys to us the right to control the use of property, plant and equipment (an identified asset). We control the identified asset if we have a right to substantially all the economic benefits from use of the asset and the right to direct its use for a period of time.
Most of our leases expire over the next ten years, with the majority expiring within three years. Leases may include options to early terminate the lease or renew at the end of the initial term. Generally, these lease terms do not affect the term of the lease because we are not reasonably certain that we will exercise our option.
We primarily use the incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments because the implicit rate is generally not available to a lessee. We determine the incremental borrowing rate using an applicable reference rate (LIBOR or LIBOR equivalent or local currency swap rates) considering both currency and lease term, combined with our estimated borrowing spread for secured borrowings.
We recognize operating lease expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease payments may be fixed or variable. Only lease payments that are fixed, in-substance fixed or depend on a rate or index are included in determining the lease liability. Variable lease payments include payments made to the lessor for taxes, insurance and maintenance of the leased asset and are recognized as operating expenses as incurred.
We apply certain practical expedients allowed by Topic 842. Lease payments for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not included in right of use assets or operating lease liabilities. Instead they are recognized as short term lease operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term. We have also elected not to separate lease and non-lease components for our office leases. We separate the lease components from the non-lease components using the relative standalone selling prices of each component for all our other leased asset classes. We estimate the standalone selling prices using observable prices, and if they are not available, we estimate the price. Non-lease components include maintenance and other services provided in the contract related to the leased asset. Non-lease components are recognized in accordance with other applicable accounting policies. See Note 19.
Prior to the adoption of ASC 842, we expensed the net fixed payments of operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term as required under the prior lease accounting standard ASC 840. Under the prior lease accounting standard, lease assets and liabilities were not required to be recognized.
F-59
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Employee Benefit Plans. We provide various defined benefit plans to our employees as well as health care benefits to our retired employees. We use actuarial assumptions to calculate pension and benefit costs as well as pension assets and liabilities included in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 10.
Legal Contingencies. We are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business for which we believe we have adequate reserves, and such reserves are not material to the consolidated financial statements. In addition, from time to time we may be involved in additional matters which could become material and for which we may also establish reserve amounts as discussed in Note 8. We record a liability when management believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. For such matters where management believes a liability is not probable but is reasonably possible, a liability is not recorded; instead, an estimate of loss or range of loss, if material individually or in the aggregate, is disclosed if reasonably estimable, or a statement will be made that an estimate of loss cannot be made. As additional information becomes available, we adjust our assessment and estimates of such liabilities accordingly.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all investments purchased with an initial term from the date of purchase by the Company to maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These instruments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.
Accounts Receivable Trade and Contract Assets. As of January 1, 2018, in connection with the adoption of Topic 606, we classify the right to consideration in exchange for products or services transferred to a client as either a receivable or a contract asset. A receivable is a right to consideration that is unconditional. Receivables include amounts billed and currently due from clients.
A contract asset is a right to consideration that is conditional upon factors other than the passage of time. Contract assets include unbilled amounts typically resulting from sale of long-term contracts when the revenue exceeds the amount billed to the client, and the right to payment is not subject to the passage of time. Amounts may not exceed their net realizable value.
An allowance for contract assets, if needed, and uncollectible trade receivables is estimated based on a combination of write-off history, aging analysis and any specific, known troubled accounts.
Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, except for property, plant and equipment that have been impaired for which the carrying amount is reduced to the estimated fair value at the impairment date. Property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Buildings are depreciated over a period of 40 years. Equipment, including furniture, is depreciated over a period of three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Property, plant and equipment depreciation and amortization expense for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor) was $8.2 million, $1.1 million, $10.9 million and $12.2 million, respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Computer Software. We develop various computer software applications for internal use including systems which support our databases and common business services and processes (back-end systems), our financial and administrative systems (back-office systems) and systems which we use to deliver our information solutions to clients (client-facing systems).
We expense costs as incurred during the preliminary development stage which includes conceptual formulation and review of alternatives. Once that stage is complete, we begin the application development stage which includes design, coding and testing. Direct internal and external costs incurred during this stage are capitalized. Capitalization of costs ceases when the software is ready for its intended use and all substantial testing is completed. Upgrades and enhancements which provide added functionality are accounted for in the same manner. Maintenance costs incurred solely to extend the life of the software are expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs for internal-use software in the normal course of business are amortized over the estimated lives which range from three to eight years.
We periodically reassess the estimated useful lives of our computer software considering our overall technology strategy, the effects of obsolescence, technology, competition and other economic factors on the useful life of these assets.
Internal-use software is tested for impairment along with other long-lived assets (See Impairment of Long-Lived Assets).
The computer software amortization expense for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor) was $48.4 million, $6.8 million, $44.9 million and $34.6 million, respectively.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of assets and liabilities of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not subject to regular periodic amortization. Instead, the carrying amount of goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at December 31, and between annual tests if events or circumstances warrant such a test.
We assess recoverability of goodwill at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a component of an operating segment which is a business and for which discrete financial information is available and reviewed by a segment manager. At December 31, 2019, our reporting units are Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing within the North America segment, and United Kingdom, Greater China, India and Worldwide Network partnerships within the International segment.
In accordance with ASU No. 2017-04, IntangiblesGoodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment, we record goodwill impairment charges if a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value. The impairment charge is also limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. An impairment charge, if any, is recorded as an operating expense in the period that the impairment is identified.
For the purpose of the goodwill impairment test, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an initial qualitative assessment identifies that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an additional quantitative evaluation is performed. Alternatively, we may elect to proceed directly to the quantitative goodwill impairment test.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
For qualitative goodwill impairment test, we analyze actual and projected reporting unit growth trends for revenue and profits, as well as historical performance. We also assess critical factors that may have an impact to the reporting units, including macroeconomic conditions, market-related exposures, regulatory environment, cost factors, changes in the carrying amount of net assets, any plans to dispose of all or part of the reporting unit, and other reporting unit specific factors such as changes in key personnel, strategy, clients or competition.
For quantitative goodwill impairment test, we determine the fair value of our reporting units based on the market approach and also in certain instances using the income approach to further validate our results. Under the market approach, we estimate the fair value based on comparable company market multiples of current year Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") for each individual reporting unit. We use judgment in identifying the relevant comparable company market multiples (e.g. recent divestitures/acquisitions, facts and circumstances surrounding the market, dominance, growth rate, etc.). For the income approach, we use the discounted cash flow method ("DCF") to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit. The projected cash flows are based on management's most recent view of the long-term outlook for the reporting unit. Factors specific to each reporting unit could include revenue growth, profit margins, terminal value, capital expenditures projections, assumed tax rates, discount rates and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management.
For 2019, we performed the qualitative test for each of our reporting units and the results of our tests indicated that it was not more likely than not that the goodwill in any reporting unit was impaired. We performed quantitative goodwill impairment tests during 2018 and 2017, which also resulted in no impairment.
Indefinite-lived intangibles, other than goodwill, are also assessed annually for impairment at December 31, or, under certain circumstances which indicate there may be an impairment. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. The estimated fair value is determined by utilizing the expected present value of the future cash flows of the assets. We perform both qualitative and quantitative impairment tests to compare the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying value. We perform a qualitative impairment test based on macroeconomic and market conditions, industry considerations, overall performance and other relevant factors. We perform a quantitative impairment test primarily using an income approach based on projected cash flows.
No impairment charges were recognized related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor).
Other intangibles, which primarily include client relationships, database and technology related assets resulting from the Take Private Transaction and acquisitions, are being amortized over one to 17 years based on their estimated useful life. The client relationship and database intangible assets are amortized using an accelerated method. Other intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line method. Intangible assets with definite lives are tested for recoverability along with other long-lived assets, whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. See "Impairment of Long-Lived Assets" below.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Other intangibles amortization expense for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor) was $425.7 million, $3.2 million, $32.9 million and $32.9 million, respectively.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment right of use assets, internal-use software and other intangible assets held for use, are tested for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset group that includes these assets is not recoverable. An asset group is the lowest level for which its cash flows are independent of the cash flows of other asset groups. The carrying value of an asset group is considered unrecoverable if the carrying value exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. The impairment loss is measured by the difference between the carrying value of the asset group and its fair value. We generally estimate the fair value of an asset group using an income approach or quoted market price, whichever is applicable.
Income Taxes and Tax Contingencies. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and many foreign jurisdictions. In determining our consolidated provision for income taxes for financial statement purposes, we must make certain estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments affect the determination of the recoverability of certain deferred tax assets and the calculation of certain tax liabilities, which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense and net operating losses.
In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent years and our forecast of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, we develop assumptions, including the amount of future pre-tax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.
We currently have recorded valuation allowances that we will maintain until it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be realized. Our income tax expense recorded in the future may be reduced to the extent of decreases in our valuation allowances. The realization of our remaining deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on future taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction. Any reduction in future taxable income may require that we record an additional valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. An increase in a valuation allowance could result in additional income tax expense in such period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings. Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management records the effect of a tax rate or law change on our deferred tax assets and liabilities in the period of enactment. Future tax rate or law changes could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In connection with the enactment of the 2017 Act, we estimated the associated tax effects and recorded a provisional tax charge of $80.7 million in our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017 in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" and Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 118 ("SAB No. 118"). In addition, we
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
adopted ASU No. 2018-02 at December 31, 2017. Accordingly, we elected to reclassify $150.5 million related to the income tax effect of the 2017 Act on our U.S. pension and retirement plans from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") to retained earnings. In accordance with our accounting policy, we release income tax effects from AOCI once the reason the tax effects were established cease to exist. During 2018 we continued to assess and finalized the tax impact of the 2017 Act as of December 31, 2018. We recorded an incremental charge of $14.2 million in our consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, related to the tax liability on the undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries. We have also made an accounting policy election to provide for tax expense related to the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") in the period when the tax is incurred. See Note 9.
Foreign Currency Translation. For all operations outside the United States where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated using the end-of-year exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated using monthly average exchange rates. For those countries where the local currency is the functional currency, translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of stockholder equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in earnings in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. We recorded foreign currency transaction losses of $15.8 million, $0.8 million, $2.2 million and $4.6 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor), respectively.
Earnings Per Share ("EPS") of Common Stock. Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of common shares potentially issuable in connection with awards outstanding under our stock incentive plans (i.e., restricted stock units, stock options and contingently issuable shares) for the period. Contingently issuable shares are shares whose issuance is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions other than just service. Our performance-based restricted stock units were deemed to be contingently issuable shares. In the case of a net loss, the dilutive effect of the awards outstanding under our then-existing stock incentive plans are not included in the computation of the diluted loss per share as the effect of including these shares in the calculation would be anti-dilutive. The dilutive effect of awards outstanding under the stock incentive plans reflected in diluted earnings per share was calculated under the treasury stock method. The weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share excludes the effect of outstanding common shares potentially issuable totaling 3,331 shares and 22,882 shares at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These potentially issuable common shares were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.
We assessed if any of our share-based payment transactions were deemed participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation when computing EPS under the two-class method. The two-class method requires earnings to be allocated between common stockholders and holders of participating securities. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are considered to be a separate class of common
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
stock and should be included in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. Based on a review of our stock-based awards, we had determined that none of our stock-based awards are deemed participating securities.
Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the award's vesting period. The compensation expense of our current stock-based compensation programs is calculated by estimating the fair value of each profits interest unit on the date of grant. We determine the grant date fair value using the Black Scholes valuation model. Subsequent to the Take-Private Transaction, our stock was not publicly traded. We do not have a history of market prices for our common stock. Thus, estimating grant date fair value requires us to make assumptions including stock price, expected time to liquidity, expected volatility and discount for lack of marketability. The fair value of the underlying shares was determined contemporaneously with the grants.
For our 2019 grants, we determined stock price per unit equal to the closing price of our Class A equity unit price on February 8, 2019, also the closing date of the Take-Private Transaction. Approximately 94% of the units issued in 2019 were granted in February and March 2019 and almost all of the rest were granted by June 2019. As these grant dates were shortly after the Take-Private Transaction and there were no indications that the value of our Company changed, we believe the Take-Private Transaction date price approximates our fair value on each of the grant dates.
For the expected time to liquidity assumption, management estimated, on the valuation date, the expected change of control or liquidity event was approximately three and half years. The estimate was based on available facts and circumstances on the valuation date, such as our performance and outlook, investors' strategy and need for liquidity, market conditions, and our financing needs, among other things.
Since our stock is not traded publicly, to quantify the appropriate illiquidity or lack of marketability discount inherent in the profits interest units, the protective put method is used. The lack of marketability discount is estimated as the value (or cost) of an at-the-money put option with the same expected holding period as the profits interest units, divided by the stock value.
For the expected volatility assumption, we utilized the observable data of a group of similar public companies ("peer group") to develop our volatility assumption. The expected volatility of our stock was determined based on the range of the measure of the implied volatility and the historical volatility for our peer group of companies, re-levered to reflect our capital structure and debt, for a period which is commensurate with the expected holding period of the units. Based on this analysis, our weighted average volatility rate was 43.9% for the 2019 grants.
We recognize forfeitures and the corresponding reductions in expense as they occur.
Our stock-based compensation programs are described more fully in Note 6.
Financial Instruments. From time to time we use financial instruments, including foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign exchange option contracts and interest rate derivatives, to manage our exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The use of these financial instruments modifies our exposure to these risks in order to minimize the potential negative impact and/or to reduce the volatility that these risks may have on our financial results.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
We may use foreign exchange forward and foreign exchange option contracts to hedge certain non-functional currency denominated intercompany and third-party transactions. In addition, foreign exchange forward and foreign exchange option contracts may be used to hedge certain of our foreign net investments. From time to time, we may use interest rate swap contracts to hedge our long-term fixed-rate debt and/or our short-term variable-rate debt.
We recognize all such financial instruments on the balance sheet at their fair values, as either assets or liabilities, with an offset to earnings or other comprehensive earnings, depending on whether the derivative is designated as part of an effective hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction. During 2018, we early adopted ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)." If a derivative instrument meets hedge accounting criteria as prescribed in the guidance, it is designated as one of the following on the date it is entered into:
Cash Flow HedgeA hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset, liability or a forecasted transaction. For qualifying cash flow hedges, the changes in fair value of hedging instruments are reported as Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("OCI") and are reclassified to earnings in the same line item associated with the hedged item when the hedged item impacts earnings.
Fair Value HedgeA hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment. For qualifying fair value hedges, the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk and the change in the fair value of the hedge instrument is recognized in earnings and presented in the same income statement line item.
We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items for a derivative to qualify as a hedge at inception and throughout the hedged period, and we have documented policies for managing our exposures. Derivative financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting must maintain a specified level of effectiveness between the hedge instrument and the item being hedged. The hedge accounting effectiveness is monitored on an ongoing basis, and if considered ineffective, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. See Note 11.
Fair Value Measurements. We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value, including purchase accounting applied to assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination and long-lived assets that are written down to fair value when they are impaired. Upon the completion of an acquisition, we identify the acquired assets and liabilities, including intangible assets and estimate their fair values. We define fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (in either case an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized based on a three-level hierarchy. This hierarchy
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level Input
|
Input Definition | |
---|---|---|
Level I | Observable inputs utilizing quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date. | |
Level II |
|
Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level I that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date. |
Level III |
|
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring management's best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. |
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. In the absence of active markets for the identical assets or liabilities, such measurements involve developing assumptions based on market observable data and, in the absence of such data, internal information that is consistent with what market participants would use in a hypothetical transaction that occurs at the measurement date. The determination of fair value often involves judgments about assumptions such as determining an appropriate discount rate that factors in both risk and liquidity premiums, identifying the similarities and differences in market transactions, weighting those differences accordingly and then making the appropriate adjustments to those market transactions to reflect the risks specific to our assets and liabilities being valued. Fair value measurements also require us to project our future cash flows based on our business plans and outlook which can be significantly impacted by our future growth opportunities, general market and geographic sentiment. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein may not necessarily be indicative of amounts we could realize in a current market sale.
Note 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We consider the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") and applicable authoritative guidance. The ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, "CompensationStock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The standard expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The adoption of this authoritative guidance in the first quareter of 2019 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." ASU No. 2016-02 and its related amendments (the new lease standard or Topic 842) requires lessees to recognize all operating leases as right of use assets and lease liabilities on their balance sheet. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of unpaid lease payments payable over the lease term including renewal periods that the lessee is reasonably certain to renew. The right of use asset is initially equal to the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid at or before the lease commencement date or lease incentives received and deferred rent liability. The standard also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases.
On January 1, 2019, we adopted the new lease standard using the effective date transition method which allows us to report comparative periods in accordance with prior lease guidance. We have adopted the package of transition practical expedients which allows us to not reassess our existing lease classifications, initial direct costs, and whether or not an existing contract contains a lease. The lease liability for existing leases at the transition date was measured using the unpaid minimum rental payments.
We recognized $91.9 million and $112.9 million of existing operating leases as right of use assets and lease liabilities, respectively, effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of the new lease standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated statement of operations and cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740)." The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this authoritative guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, "Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract: Disclosures for Implementation Costs Incurred for Internal-Use Software and Cloud Computing Arrangementsa consensus of the EITF." The standard aligns the accounting for costs incurred to implement a cloud computing arrangement that is a service arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Entities are permitted to apply either a retrospective or prospective transition approach to adopt the guidance. When prospective transition is chosen, entities must apply the transition requirements to any eligible costs incurred after adoption. The guidance may be early adopted in any annual or interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The standard is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt this update as of January 1, 2020 and apply the amendments in this update prospectively to implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. We do not expect the adoption of this update to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Topic 715-20): Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans." The standard amends ASC 715, "CompensationRetirement Benefits," to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The amendments are to be applied retrospectively. The standard is effective for public business entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this authoritative guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." The standard changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to what they do today, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. Entities will have to disclose significantly more information, including information they use to track credit quality by year of origination for most financing receivables. The standard is effective for public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance requires entities to apply the amendments through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach).
In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, "Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842)Effective Dates." This ASU extends and simplifies how effective dates are staggered between larger public companies and all other entities. The mandatory effective date, for Credit Losses in this update, for public business entities that meet the definition of an SEC filer is fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.
Note 3. Revenue
The total amount of the transaction price for our revenue contracts allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of December 31, 2019 is as follows:
|
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Future revenue |
$ | 1,095.4 | $ | 435.2 | $ | 207.6 | $ | 86.2 | $ | 45.5 | $ | 226.9 | $ | 2,096.8 |
The table of future revenue does not include any amount of variable consideration that is a sales or usage-based royalty in exchange for distinct data licenses or that is allocated to a distinct service period within a single performance obligation that is a series of distinct service periods.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 3. Revenue (Continued)
Contract Balances
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
At December 31,
2019 |
At December 31,
2018 |
At January 1,
2018 |
|||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
$ | 269.3 | $ | 270.8 | $ | 277.9 | ||||||
Short-term contract assets |
$ | 1.0 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 3.3 | ||||||
Long-term contract assets |
$ | 2.8 | $ | 2.6 | $ | 2.2 | ||||||
Short-term deferred revenue |
$ | 467.5 | $ | 529.1 | $ | 539.2 | ||||||
Long-term deferred revenue |
$ | 7.8 | $ | 7.3 | $ | 6.2 |
The decrease in deferred revenue of $61.1 million from December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) to December 31, 2019 (Successor) was primarily due to approximately $529 million of revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), and the purchase accounting fair value adjustment as a result of our Take-Private Transaction in February 2019, largely offset by cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations. The change in short-term and long-term contract assets was not significant.
The decrease in deferred revenues of $9.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) was primarily due to approximately $473 million of revenue recognized that were included at January 1, 2018, largely offset by cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations. The change in short-term and long-term contract assets was not significant.
Assets Recognized for the Costs to Obtain a Contract
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction in February 2019, we recorded an adjustment of $106.4 million as part of purchase accounting for the commission asset to reflect its fair value of zero as of February 8, 2019. Commission assets, net of accumulated amortization included in deferred costs, were $47.0 million and $104.1 million as of December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), respectively.
The amortization of commission assets is as follows:
Period
|
Amortization | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Period from January 1 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) |
$ | 4.7 | ||
Period from January 1 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) |
$ | 3.2 | ||
Twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) |
$ | 26.9 |
Effect of the adoption of ASC 606
On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new revenue standard and applied it to all contracts using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 3. Revenue (Continued)
periods (Topic 605). The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 due to the adoption of the new revenue standard was as follows:
|
Balance at
December 31, 2017 |
Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) |
Balance at
January 1, 2018 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets |
||||||||||
Accounts receivable(1)(3) |
$ | 596.8 | $ | (318.9 | ) | $ | 277.9 | |||
Other current assets(2) |
$ | 1.6 | $ | 3.3 | $ | 4.9 | ||||
Deferred income tax(4) |
$ | 57.1 | $ | 25.8 | $ | 82.9 | ||||
Deferred costs(5) |
$ | | $ | 74.4 | $ | 74.4 | ||||
Other non-current assets(2) |
$ | 60.8 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 63.0 | ||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||
Accounts payable(3) |
$ | 37.4 | $ | 12.1 | $ | 49.5 | ||||
Short-term deferred revenue(1)(6)(7) |
$ | 684.4 | $ | (145.2 | ) | $ | 539.2 | |||
Other non-current liabilities(1) |
$ | 100.7 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 102.0 | ||||
Equity |
||||||||||
Retained earnings(4)(5)(6)(7) |
$ | 3,176.3 | $ | (81.4 | ) | $ | 3,094.9 |
The adjustments relate to the following items:
F-71
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 3. Revenue (Continued)
None of the adjustments described above affected net cash provided from operating, investing or financing activities.
The impact of the adoption of the new revenue standard on our consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:
|
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Income Statement
|
As
Reported |
Without
Adoption of Topic 606 |
Effect of
Change Higher (Lower) |
|||||||
Revenue |
$ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,747.5 | $ | (31.1 | ) | |||
Selling and administrative expenses |
$ | 613.0 | $ | 646.1 | $ | (33.1 | ) | |||
Operating income |
$ | 428.9 | $ | 426.9 | $ | 2.0 | ||||
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates |
$ | 373.1 | $ | 371.1 | $ | 2.0 | ||||
Less: provision for income taxes |
$ | 81.6 | $ | 80.4 | $ | 1.2 | ||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | 294.3 | $ | 293.5 | $ | 0.8 | ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet |
$ | 288.1 | $ | 287.3 | $ | 0.8 | ||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock |
$ | 7.76 | $ | 7.74 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock |
$ | 7.72 | $ | 7.69 | $ | 0.03 |
F-72
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 3. Revenue (Continued)
|
At December 31, 2018 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance Sheet
|
As
Reported |
Without
Adoption of Topic 606 |
Effect of
Change Higher (Lower) |
|||||||
Assets |
||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
$ | 270.8 | $ | 657.1 | $ | (386.3 | ) | |||
Other current assets |
$ | 3.4 | $ | 2.2 | $ | 1.2 | ||||
Deferred income tax |
$ | 42.7 | $ | 65.9 | $ | (23.2 | ) | |||
Deferred costs |
$ | 104.1 | $ | | $ | 104.1 | ||||
Other non-current assets |
$ | 42.9 | $ | 40.3 | $ | 2.6 | ||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 36.3 | $ | 29.2 | $ | 7.1 | ||||
Accrued income taxes |
$ | 13.7 | $ | 62.3 | $ | (48.6 | ) | |||
Short-term deferred revenue |
$ | 529.1 | $ | 712.5 | $ | (183.4 | ) | |||
Other non-current liabilities |
$ | 100.5 | $ | 97.2 | $ | 3.3 | ||||
Equity |
||||||||||
Retained earnings |
$ | 3,325.0 | $ | 3,405.2 | $ | (80.2 | ) |
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash Flows
|
As
Reported |
Without
Adoption of Topic 606 |
Effect of
Change Higher (Lower) |
|||||||
Net income from continuing operations |
$ | 294.3 | $ | 293.5 | $ | 0.8 | ||||
Changes in deferred income taxes, net |
$ | 46.2 | $ | 3.0 | $ | 43.2 | ||||
Changes in accrued income taxes, net |
$ | (24.8 | ) | $ | 17.4 | $ | (42.2 | ) | ||
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable |
$ | 9.5 | $ | (59.7 | ) | $ | 69.2 | |||
(Increase) decrease in other current assets |
$ | 0.3 | $ | 0.6 | $ | (0.3 | ) | |||
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue |
$ | (15.1 | ) | $ | 33.0 | $ | (48.1 | ) | ||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable |
$ | (12.6 | ) | $ | (7.4 | ) | $ | (5.2 | ) | |
(Increase) decrease in other long-term assets |
$ | (13.5 | ) | $ | 4.2 | $ | (17.7 | ) | ||
Net increase (decrease) in long-term liabilities |
$ | (55.8 | ) | $ | (56.1 | ) | $ | 0.3 | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 325.4 | $ | 325.4 | $ | |
None of the adjustments described above affected net cash from operating, investing or financing activities.
Note 4. Restructuring Charge
We incurred restructuring charges (which generally consist of employee severance and termination costs, contract terminations and/or, prior to 2019, costs to terminate lease obligations less assumed sublease income). These charges were incurred as a result of eliminating, consolidating, standardizing and/or automating our business functions.
F-73
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 4. Restructuring Charge (Continued)
Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," and as a result, terminated contracts that meet the lease definition are no longer accounted for under ASC 420-10. Terminated lease obligations are accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. We have reclassified liabilities associated with terminated lease obligations to long-term and short-term lease liabilities (see Note 19 for further discussion). Certain termination costs and obligations that do not meet the lease criteria continue to be accounted for in accordance with ASC 420-10. Right of use assets are assessed for impairment in accordance to Topic 360.
We recorded a restructuring charge of $0.1 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and $51.8 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor). These charges consist of:
We recorded a restructuring charge of $25.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor). This charge consists of:
We recorded a restructuring charge of $32.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor). This charge consists of:
F-74
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 4. Restructuring Charge (Continued)
The following tables set forth the restructuring reserves and utilization for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor):
|
Severance
and Termination |
Contract
Termination, and Other Exit Costs |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Restructuring Charges: |
||||||||||
Predecessor: |
||||||||||
Balance remaining as of December 31, 2018 |
$ | 4.7 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 7.6 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Charge taken from January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
0.1 | | 0.1 | |||||||
Payments made through February 7, 2019 |
(1.6 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (2.1 | ) | ||||
Reclassification related to leases pursuant to the adoption of Topic 842 |
| (2.4 | ) | (2.4 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance remaining as of February 7, 2019 |
$ | 3.2 | $ | | $ | 3.2 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Successor: |
||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Impact of purchase accounting |
3.2 | | 3.2 | |||||||
Charge taken during 2019 |
36.6 | 12.2 | 48.8 | |||||||
Payments and other adjustments made during 2019 |
(33.5 | ) | (7.4 | ) | (40.9 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance remaining as of December 31, 2019 |
$ | 6.3 | $ | 4.8 | $ | 11.1 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
Severance
and Termination |
Contract
Termination, Lease Termination and Other Exit Costs |
Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Restructuring Charges: |
||||||||||
Predecessor: |
||||||||||
Balance remaining as of January 1, 2017 |
$ | 8.3 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 10.0 | ||||
Charge taken during 2017 |
26.0 | 6.1 | 32.1 | |||||||
Payments made during 2017 |
(21.6 | ) | (4.3 | ) | (25.9 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance remaining as of December 31, 2017 |
$ | 12.7 | $ | 3.5 | $ | 16.2 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Charge taken during 2018 |
22.3 | 3.1 | 25.4 | |||||||
Payments made during 2018 |
(30.3 | ) | (3.7 | ) | (34.0 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance remaining as of December 31, 2018 |
$ | 4.7 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 7.6 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
F-75
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 5. Notes Payable and Indebtedness
Successor Debt
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the Company entered into a credit agreement governing its New Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The New Senior Secured Credit Facilities provide for (i) the New Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2,530.0 million, (ii) the New Revolving Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million and (iii) the New Repatriation Bridge Facility in an aggregate amount of $63.0 million. The closing of the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities was conditioned on the redemption of the Predecessor debt. Also on February 8, 2019, Merger Sub, which was merged into Dun & Bradstreet upon the closing of the Take-Private Transaction, issued $700.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the New Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the New Senior Unsecured Notes due 2027. Together with the equity contributions from the investors, the proceeds from these financing transactions were used to (i) finance and consummate the Take-Private Transaction and other transactions, including to fund nonqualified pension and deferred compensation plan obligations (ii) repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under the Company's then-existing senior secured credit facilities, (iii) fund the redemption and discharge of all of the Company's then-existing senior notes and (iv) pay related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with these transactions.
F-76
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 5. Notes Payable and Indebtedness (Continued)
Our borrowings are summarized in the following table:
|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
December 31, 2019 | At December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Debt
Issuance Costs and Discount* |
|
|
Debt
Issuance Costs and Discount* |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Maturity |
Principal
Amount |
Carrying
Value |
|
Principal
Amount |
Carrying
Value |
|||||||||||||||||
Debt Maturing Within One Year: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
New Repatriation Bridge Facility(1) |
February 7, 2020 | $ | 63.0 | $ | 0.1 | $ | 62.9 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
New Term Loan Facility(1) |
19.0 | | 19.0 | | | | |||||||||||||||||
2018 Term Loan Facility(4) |
Retired | | | | 15.0 | | 15.0 | ||||||||||||||||
2018 Revolving Credit Facility(4) |
Retired | | | | 2.0 | | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total short-term debt |
$ | 82.0 | $ | 0.1 | $ | 81.9 | $ | 17.0 | $ | | $ | 17.0 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt Maturing After One Year: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
New Term Loan Facility(1) |
February 8, 2026 | $ | 2,511.0 | $ | 98.3 | $ | 2,412.7 | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
New Revolving Facility(1)(2) |
February 8, 2024 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
6.875% New Senior Secured Notes(1) |
August 15, 2026 | 700.0 | 15.8 | 684.2 | | | | ||||||||||||||||
10.250% New Senior Unsecured Notes(1) |
February 15, 2027 | 750.0 | 28.0 | 722.0 | | | | ||||||||||||||||
4.37% Senior Notes(3) |
Retired | | | | 300.0 | 2.1 | 297.9 | ||||||||||||||||
4.00% Senior Notes(3) |
Retired | | | | 300.0 | 1.2 | 298.8 | ||||||||||||||||
2018 Term Loan Facility(4) |
Retired | | | | 277.5 | 0.6 | 276.9 | ||||||||||||||||
2018 Revolving Credit Facility(4) |
Retired | | | | 246.0 | | 246.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total long-term debt |
$ | 3,961.0 | $ | 142.1 | $ | 3,818.9 | $ | 1,123.5 | $ | 3.9 | $ | 1,119.6 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt |
$ | 4,043.0 | $ | 142.2 | $ | 3,900.8 | $ | 1,140.5 | $ | 3.9 | $ | 1,136.6 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-77
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 5. Notes Payable and Indebtedness (Continued)
New Revolving Facility on the last day of any fiscal quarter, commencing June 30, 2019. The financial covenant did not apply at December 31, 2019.
New Senior Secured Credit Facilities
Borrowings under the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin over a LIBOR rate, subject to interest rate floors, and they are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets.
Other details of the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
F-78
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 5. Notes Payable and Indebtedness (Continued)
The outstanding balance of the New Repatriation Bridge Facility was fully repaid in February 2020.
New Senior Notes
Debt issuance costs of $17.9 million and $31.6 million related to the 6.875% senior secured notes and the 10.250% senior unsecured notes, respectively, were recorded as a reduction of the carrying amount of the notes and will be amortized over the respective contractual term of the notes.
The scheduled maturities and interest payments for our total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2019, reflecting the interest rate amendment above, are as follows:
|
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Principal |
$ | 82.0 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 25.3 | $ | 3,859.8 | $ | 4,043.0 | ||||||||
Interest |
273.6 | 269.2 | 267.7 | 266.2 | 264.8 | 441.3 | 1,782.8 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Debt |
$ | 355.6 | $ | 294.5 | $ | 293.0 | $ | 291.5 | $ | 290.1 | $ | 4,301.1 | $ | 5,825.8 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retired Predecessor Debt
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction, we repaid in full all outstanding indebtedness under the Predecessor Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility and funded the redemption and discharge of the Predecessor senior notes, inclusive of a make-whole payment of $25.1 million, which was considered in our determination of the acquisition-date fair value of the Predecessor senior notes as part of purchase accounting. The transactions were accounted for as a debt extinguishment in accordance with ASC 470-50, "DebtModifications and Extinguishments." The payoff of the Predecessor debt was a condition of the closing of Successor debt financing. Total unamortized debt issuance costs and discount of $6.6 million related to the Predecessor Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility were allocated zero value as part of the purchase accounting. The weighted average interest rate associated with the outstanding balances related to the Predecessor Revolving Credit Facility prior to retirement as of February 7, 2019 was 3.66% and as of December 31, 2018 was 3.72%. The interest rate associated with the outstanding balances related to the Predecessor Term Loan Facility prior to retirement as of February 7, 2019 was 4.00% and as of December 31, 2018 was 4.01%.
In accordance with ASC 470, "Debt," a short-term obligation that will be refinanced with successive short-term obligations may be classified as non-current as long as the cumulative period covered by the financing agreement is uninterrupted and extends beyond one year. Accordingly, the outstanding balances associated with the revolving credit facility were classified as "Long-Term Debt" as of December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), excluding outstanding borrowings that were subsequently repaid utilizing operating funds.
Other
We were contingently liable under open standby letters of credit and bank guarantees issued by our banks in favor of third parties totaling $1.0 million at December 31, 2019 (Successor) and $2.8 million at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor).
F-79
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 5. Notes Payable and Indebtedness (Continued)
Interest paid for all outstanding debt totaled $232.4 million, $2.4 million, $53.8 million and $58.5 million during the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 through February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor), respectively.
On April 20, 2018, we entered into three-year interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $300 million in year 1, $214 million in year 2 and $129 million in year 3. The objective of the swaps is to mitigate the variation of future cash flows from changes in the floating interest rates on our existing debt. We had an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $214 million at December 31, 2019. See Note 11.
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation
The following table sets forth the components of our stock-based compensation:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense: |
|||||||||||||||
Incentive Units (Successor) |
$ | 11.7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
Restricted Stock Unit Programs ("RSU") (Predecessor) |
N/A | $ | 11.7 | $ | 9.6 | $ | 19.0 | ||||||||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") (Predecessor) |
N/A | | 1.2 | 1.5 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Expense |
$ | 11.7 | $ | 11.7 | $ | 10.8 | $ | 20.5 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Expected tax benefit(a): |
|||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock Unit Programs (Predecessor) |
N/A | $ | | $ | 2.3 | $ | 7.2 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Expected Tax Benefit (Predecessor) |
N/A | $ | | $ | 2.3 | $ | 7.2 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In connection with the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, all outstanding stock options and restricted stock units, whether vested or unvested, were cancelled and converted into the right to receive $145 in cash per share, less any applicable exercise price. As a result, an expense of $10.4 million was included in the Predecessor's net earnings for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 in connection with the acceleration of the vesting of the outstanding grants.
F-80
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
Subsequent to the closing of the transaction, the Star Parent, L.P.'s long-term incentive plans are authorized to issue up to 19,629.25045 Class C incentive units ("profits interest") or phantom units to eligible key employees, directors and consultants of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. At December 31, 2019 (Successor), 18,443.42000 incentive units and 249.10000 phantom units were issued and outstanding. As of December 31, 2019, a total of 936.73045 units were available for future grant under the long-term incentive plans. These units vest ratably over a three-year period and once vested are not subject to expiration. The terms of these units provide the opportunity for the grantees to participate in the future value of Dun & Bradstreet in excess of its grant date fair value, but only to the extent that the required payments to the other classes of units have been met. We account for these units in accordance with ASC 718, "CompensationStock Compensation" and ASU No. 2018-07. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the three-year vesting period. In addition, we will only recognize forfeitures and the corresponding reductions in expense as they occur. We recognized stock-based compensation expense of $11.7 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor).
In addition, the Company issued 6,817.74280 Class B units and 15,867.80780 Class C units to certain investors, which vested immediately. We recognized an expense of $56.3 million related to these incentive units during the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor).
The following table sets forth the profits interest units granted subsequent to the Take-Private Transaction during the 2019 Successor period:
Units Granted During Quarter Ended
|
Number of
Units Granted |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price |
Weighted
Average Fair Value of Underlying Share |
Weighted
Average Fair Value Per Unit |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 31, 2019 |
32,987.0078 | $ | 10,329.70 | $ | 10,000.00 | $ | 2,449.59 | ||||||
June 30, 2019 |
1,726.5100 | $ | 10,329.70 | $ | 10,000.00 | $ | 2,366.59 | ||||||
September 30, 2019 |
74.7300 | $ | 10,329.70 | $ | 10,000.00 | $ | 2,198.20 | ||||||
December 31, 2019 |
198.0500 | $ | 10,329.70 | $ | 10,000.00 | $ | 2,140.61 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
34,986.2978 | $ | 2,443.21 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fair value of the underlying shares was determined contemporaneously with the grants.
We determined that the incentive units are equity-classified awards and the compensation expense for these units is calculated by estimating the fair value of each unit at the date of grant. The fair value of each incentive unit was calculated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company's stock is not currently publicly traded. We do not have a history of market prices for our common stock. Thus, estimating grant date fair value requires us to make assumptions including stock price, expected time to liquidity, expected volatility and discount for lack of
F-81
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
marketability, etc. The weighted average assumptions used to estimate fair value for grants made under the Successor equity-based award program are summarized as follows:
|
Class B
Units |
Class C
Units |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expected stock price volatility |
43.9 | % | 43.9 | % | |||
Risk-free interest rate |
2.43 | % | 2.40 | % | |||
Time to liquidity (in years) |
3.5 | 3.4 | |||||
Expected dividend yield |
| | |||||
Fair Value of units |
$ | 3,480 | $ | 3,332 | |||
Discount for lack of marketability |
27 | % | 28 | % | |||
Adjusted fair value of units |
$ | 2,540 | $ | 2,443 |
We have determined that the phantom units are liability-classified awards and the initial compensation expense is calculated based on the same grant date fair value applied to the incentive units. In future periods, we will reassess the fair value of the phantom units and adjust expense accordingly. The amount associated with these phantom grants was immaterial at December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2019, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested profits interest is $33.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.2 years.
Predecessor Programs
Under our Predecessor's stock incentive plans certain employees and non-employee directors received stock-based awards, such as, but not limited to, restricted stock units, restricted stock and stock options. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, a total of 3,426,707 shares and 3,310,326 shares of our common stock, respectively, were available for future grants under our stock incentive plans. We also had an ESPP that allowed all eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount. See further discussion below included in "Employee Stock Purchase Plan."
Restricted Stock Units
Our Predecessor's restricted stock unit programs include both performance-based awards and service-based awards. The performance-based awards had either a market condition or a performance condition. All awards generally contained a service-based condition. The compensation expense for our performance-based awards was recognized on a graded-vesting basis over the requisite service period. The expense for the performance-based awards with market conditions was recognized regardless of whether the market condition was satisfied, provided that the requisite service had been met. The expense for the performance-based awards with performance conditions was initially recognized assuming that the target level of performance would be achieved. Each reporting period we assessed the probability of achieving the performance targets and if necessary adjusted the compensation expense based on this assessment. Final compensation expense recognized would ultimately depend on the actual number of shares earned against the performance condition as well as fulfillment of the
F-82
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
requisite service condition. The expense for the awards earned based solely on the fulfillment of the service-based condition was recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods.
Performance-based Restricted Stock Units
Prior to 2019, certain employees were granted target awards for restricted stock units that provided for payouts ranging from 0% to 200% of the target awards based on performance against one of the following:
These performance-based Restricted Stock Units were not entitled to received dividend equivalents.
For awards based on the Company's stock price appreciation, we have calculated the fair value on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model, as these awards contained a market condition. The following table sets forth the weighted average assumptions:
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expected stock price volatility |
24 | % | 25 | % | |||
Expected dividend yield |
1.7 | % | 1.7 | % | |||
Expected term (in years) |
3.0 | 3.0 | |||||
Risk-free interest rate |
2.33 | % | 1.55 | % | |||
Fair value of RSUs granted |
$ | 141.44 | $ | 101.58 |
Expected stock price volatility was based on a blend of historical volatility and, when available, implied volatility. The expected dividend yield assumption was determined by dividing our most recent quarterly dividend payment by the average of the stock price from the three months preceding the grant date. The result was then annualized and compounded. Expected term was based on the period from the date of grant through the end of the performance evaluation period. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
For awards based on the Company's three-year TSR performance relative to Standard & Poor's 500 companies, we have calculated the fair value on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation
F-83
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
model, as these awards contained a market condition. The following table sets forth the weighted average assumptions:
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expected stock price volatility |
25 | % | 25 | % | |||
Expected dividend yield |
1.7 | % | 1.7 | % | |||
Expected term (in years) |
2.8 | 2.8 | |||||
Risk-free interest rate |
2.32 | % | 1.52 | % | |||
Fair value of RSUs granted |
$ | 171.93 | $ | 86.76 |
Expected stock price volatility was based on historical volatility. The expected dividend yield assumption was determined by dividing the most recent quarterly dividend payment by the average of the stock price from the three months preceding the grant date. The result was then annualized and compounded. Expected term was based on the period from the date of grant through the end of the performance evaluation period. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
For the awards based on the Company's three-year revenue compounded annual growth rate, as these awards contained a performance condition, the fair value was calculated by using the average of the high and low prices of our common stock on the date of grant.
Prior to 2014, certain employees were provided an annual opportunity to receive an award of restricted stock units after the conclusion of the performance year. As these awards were based on the same internal performance goals used in the annual cash incentive plan, they were considered to have a performance condition and the fair value was calculated by using the average of the high and low prices of our common stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock units earned from the restricted stock opportunity were entitled to dividend equivalents, payable only if and when the underlying restricted stock unit vests.
F-84
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
Changes in our nonvested performance-based restricted stock units for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 are summarized as follows:
|
Shares |
Weighted
Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share |
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance-based Restricted Stock Units: |
|||||||||||||
Nonvested Shares at December 31, 2018 |
143,236 |
$ |
122.11 |
1.3 |
$ |
20.4 |
|||||||
Granted |
| $ | | ||||||||||
Adjustment For Shares Earned Against Target(1) |
5,727 | N/A | |||||||||||
Vested |
| | |||||||||||
Forfeited |
(869 | ) | $ | 129.33 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nonvested Shares at February 7, 2019(2) |
148,094 | $ | 122.07 | $ | 21.5 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested performance-based restricted stock units at February 7, 2019 was $5.7 million. This expense was accelerated and recognized at the time of the Take-Private Transaction. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the performance-based restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $143.63 and $99.87, respectively.
Service-based Restricted Stock Units
Prior to 2019, the Company issued grants of restricted stock units to certain employees. These grants generally vested over a three to five-year period on a graded vesting basis. In addition, our non-employee directors received grants of restricted stock units as part of their annual equity retainer. These grants normally vested about one year from date of grant.
For the service-based restricted stock units, the fair value was calculated by using the average of the high and low prices of our common stock on the date of grant. The service-based restricted stock units were entitled to dividend equivalents, payable only if and when the underlying restricted stock units vest.
F-85
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
Changes in our nonvested service-based restricted stock units for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 are summarized as follows:
|
Shares |
Weighted
Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share |
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Service-based Restricted Stock Units: |
|||||||||||||
Nonvested Shares at December 31, 2018 |
122,757 |
$ |
111.74 |
1.1 |
$ |
17.5 |
|||||||
Granted |
| N/A | |||||||||||
Vested |
(1,253 | ) | $ | 117.91 | |||||||||
DERs |
4,692 | N/A | |||||||||||
Forfeited |
(869 | ) | $ | 121.65 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Nonvested Shares at February 7, 2019(1) |
125,327 | $ | 112.86 | 1.0 | $ | 18.2 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested service-based restricted stock units at February 7, 2019 was $4.6 million. This expense was recognized at the time of the Take-Private Transaction. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the service-based restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $123.54 and $109.27, respectively.
The total fair value of all restricted stock units vesting during the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $39.8 million, $19.8 million and $18.2 million, respectively. The expected tax benefit associated with the tax deduction from the vesting of restricted stock units totaled $9.5 million, $4.8 million and $6.8 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019, and the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Stock Option Programs
As of December 31, 2017, all of the outstanding stock options were vested and exercisable. Our stock options generally expired ten years from the date of grant.
The fair value of each stock option award was calculated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model that used the following assumptions:
An expected stock price volatility that was derived from the historical volatility of our common stock. An expected dividend yield that was determined by dividing the anticipated annual dividend payment by the stock price on the date of grant. The expected term was derived by using a midpoint scenario which combined our historical exercise data with hypothetical exercise data for our unexercised stock options. The risk-free interest rate corresponded to the expected term and was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
F-86
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
Changes in stock options for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 are summarized as follows:
|
Shares |
Weighted
Average Exercise Price Per Share |
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stock Options: |
|||||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2018 |
55,174 | $ | 84.15 | 3.2 | $ | 3.2 | |||||||
Granted |
| $ | | ||||||||||
Exercised |
| $ | | ||||||||||
Forfeited or expired |
| $ | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at February 7, 2019 |
55,174 | $ | 84.15 | 3.1 | $ | 3.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at February 7, 2019(1) |
55,174 | $ | 84.15 | 3.1 | $ | 3.4 |
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2018 were originally granted during the years 2008 through 2015 and were exercisable over periods ending no later than 2025. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, stock options for 55,174 shares and 68,354 shares of our common stock, respectively, were exercisable.
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of Dun & Bradstreet stock options for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $0.7 million. The expected tax benefit associated with the tax deduction from the exercise of stock options totaled $0.1million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no unrecognized compensation expense as all of our outstanding stock options were fully vested.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Under the Predecessor ESPP, employees could acquire shares of our common stock at semi-annual intervals at a 15% discount and subject to certain limitations set forth in the 2015 ESPP. The purchase price was 85% of the lower of the average of the high and low prices or our Predecessor's common stock (i) on the first trading day of the offering period or (ii) on the purchase date. Under the 2015 ESPP, we sold 53,785 shares and 60,373 shares to employees for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
F-87
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 6. Stock Based Compensation (Continued)
Expense for ESPP was based on the fair value of the first day of the offering period which was calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model that used the weighted average assumptions in the following table:
|
2018 | 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expected stock price volatility |
22 | % | 28 | % | |||
Expected dividend yield |
1.8 | % | 1.8 | % | |||
Expected term (in years) |
0.5 | 0.5 | |||||
Risk-free interest rate |
1.96 | % | 1.21 | % | |||
Fair value of options granted |
$ | 24.25 | $ | 25.08 |
Expected stock price volatility assumption was derived from the historical volatility of our Predecessor's common stock. The expected dividend yield assumption was determined by dividing the anticipated annual dividend payment by the stock price on the date of grant. The expected term assumption was equal to the six-month offering period. The risk-free interest rate assumption corresponded to the expected term assumption of the option and was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Cash received from employees participating in the ESPP for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $5.3 million.
Note 7. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Our quarterly financial statements are prepared on the same basis as the audited annual financial statements, and include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of our results of operations for these periods.
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
March 31, | June 30, | September 30, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
|
Predecessor |
|
Successor | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
2019 |
||||||||||||||||||
Revenue(1) |
$ | 178.7 | $ | 174.1 | $ | 398.9 | $ | 408.2 | $ | 432.7 | ||||||||
Operating loss(2) |
$ | (11.6 | ) | $ | (202.9 | ) | $ | (9.1 | ) | $ | (1.0 | ) | $ | (7.0 | ) | |||
Net loss from continuing operations(3) |
$ | (74.8 | ) | $ | (209.6 | ) | $ | (60.5 | ) | $ | (55.3 | ) | $ | (228.1 | ) | |||
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest |
$ | (0.8 | ) | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | (1.5 | ) | $ | (1.4 | ) | $ | (3.2 | ) | |||
Net loss attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (75.6 | ) | $ | (227.9 | ) | $ | (94.0 | ) | $ | (88.8 | ) | $ | (263.3 | ) |
F-88
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 7. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Continued)
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
For the Three Months Ended |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
March 31, | June 30, | September 30, | December 31, | Full Year | ||||||||||||
2018 |
|||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 408.9 | $ | 446.2 | $ | 414.5 | $ | 446.8 | $ | 1,716.4 | |||||||
Operating income |
$ | 85.4 | $ | 118.8 | $ | 89.4 | $ | 135.3 | $ | 428.9 | |||||||
Net income from continuing operations |
$ | 58.3 | $ | 99.8 | $ | 57.4 | $ | 78.8 | $ | 294.3 | |||||||
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest |
$ | (1.7 | ) | $ | (1.7 | ) | $ | (1.5 | ) | $ | (1.3 | ) | $ | (6.2 | ) | ||
Net income attributable to The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 56.6 | $ | 98.1 | $ | 55.9 | $ | 77.5 | $ | 288.1 |
Note 8. Contingencies
Other than when specifically stated below to the contrary, we believe our estimate of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses, in excess of established reserves was not material at December 31, 2019 (Successor). In addition, from time to time, we may be involved in additional matters, which could become material and for which we may also establish reserve amounts, as discussed below.
Ellis v. Dun and Bradstreet, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
On December 6, 2018, Dun & Bradstreet was served with a complaint, captioned Dr. Jonathan C. Ellis v. Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (the "Complaint"). The Complaint alleges that on or about April 2018, the Dun & Bradstreet report on Doheny Endosurgical Center, which is owned by the plaintiff, was updated to incorrectly include a reference to a Dr. Jonathon Ellis, who was charged with criminal activity relating to a minor. The Complaint contains two causes of action, libel per se and false light invasion of privacy, and seeks compensatory and punitive damages. Dun & Bradstreet filed its Answer to the Complaint on January 17, 2019 and a motion to strike the complaint under California's anti-SLAPP statute, Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 425.16 on February 27, 2019. After the parties conducted discovery limited to the issues raised by the motion and finalized briefing on the motion, the Court held a hearing on October 2, 2019, ordered the parties to provide supplemental briefing, and on
F-89
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 8. Contingencies (Continued)
November 20, 2019, entered an order denying the anti-SLAPP motion. Dun & Bradstreet filed a notice of interlocutory appeal of the decision on December 4, 2019, and the opening appeal brief is presently due on April 6, 2020. In accordance with ASC 450 Contingencies and based on settlement discussions, a reserve has been accrued by the Company for this matter in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of such reserve is not material to the Company's financial statements. Because of the pending appeal and because the parties have engaged in only limited discovery on discrete issues, we do not have sufficient information upon which to determine that any additional loss in connection with this matter is probable, reasonably possible or estimable.
Other Matters
In addition, in the normal course of business, and including without limitation, our merger and acquisition activities, strategic relationships and financing transactions, the Company indemnifies other parties, including clients, lessors and parties to other transactions with the Company, with respect to certain matters. We have agreed to hold the other parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants, or arising out of other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. The Company has also entered into indemnity obligations with its officers and directors.
Additionally, in certain circumstances, the Company issues guarantee letters on behalf of our wholly-owned subsidiaries for specific situations. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by Dun & Bradstreet under these agreements have not had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Note 9. Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, the 2017 Act was signed into law. The 2017 Act contains several key provisions that have significant effects to our financial statements, such as a permanent reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate to 21%, imposing a one-time mandatory tax ("Toll Charge") on deemed repatriation related to accumulated undistributed foreign earnings through December 31, 2017. In accordance with ASC 740, the tax effect associated with the enactment of the 2017 Act is required to be reflected in the financial statements in the period in which the law was enacted. The SEC also issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 to provide guidance to account for the income tax effects resulting from the enactment of the 2017 Act. As of December 31, 2017, we were able to determine the tax effect related to the remeasurement of deferred taxes, but we had not finalized the accounting for the Toll Charge. We recorded a total provisional charge of $80.7 million in our consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. This charge included $55.4 million primarily related to the estimated tax liability imposed by the 2017 Act on the undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries and $25.3 million related to the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets as a result of the reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. During 2018, we continued to assess the impact of the 2017 Act during the measurement period and as of December 31, 2018, we have finalized the accounting for the tax impact in our financial statements. Pursuant to the guidance, we recorded an incremental charge of $14.2 million in our consolidated
F-90
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 9. Income Taxes (Continued)
financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, related to the tax liability on the undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries. Effective January 1, 2018, we became subject to various provisions of the 2017 Act including computations related to GILTI, Foreign Derived Intangible Income ("FDII"), Base Erosion and AntiAbuse Tax ("BEAT") and IRC Section 163(j) interest limitation (Interest Limitation). We have made an accounting policy election to provide for tax expense related to the GILTI in the period when the tax is incurred.
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes consisted of:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | (811.5 | ) | $ | (131.7 | ) | $ | 229.8 | $ | 201.2 | |||||
Non-U.S. |
135.6 | 28.9 | 143.3 | 121.5 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates |
$ | (675.9 | ) | $ | (102.8 | ) | $ | 373.1 | $ | 322.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The provision for income taxes consisted of:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
Current tax provision: |
|||||||||||||||
U.S. Federal |
$ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (11.1 | ) | $ | (5.7 | ) | $ | 92.7 | ||||
State and local |
1.6 | (3.4 | ) | 1.0 | 8.3 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. |
15.8 | 4.8 | 23.5 | 33.8 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current tax provision |
$ | 17.1 | $ | (9.7 | ) | $ | 18.8 | $ | 134.8 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax position: |
|||||||||||||||
U.S. Federal |
$ | (109.8 | ) | $ | (14.8 | ) | $ | 54.2 | $ | 47.6 | |||||
State and local |
(23.5 | ) | (3.0 | ) | 9.8 | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||
Non-U.S. |
(2.0 | ) | | (1.2 | ) | (2.4 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total deferred tax provision |
$ | (135.3 | ) | $ | (17.8 | ) | $ | 62.8 | $ | 44.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes |
$ | (118.2 | ) | $ | (27.5 | ) | $ | 81.6 | $ | 179.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-91
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 9. Income Taxes (Continued)
The following table summarizes the significant differences between the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and our effective tax rate for financial statement purposes:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
Statutory tax rate |
21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | 35.0 | % | |||||||
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal tax benefits |
3.4 | 7.0 | 2.9 | 2.1 | |||||||||||
Nondeductible charges(1) |
(3.7 | ) | (1.4 | ) | 0.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of make-whole derivative liability(2) |
(5.4 | ) | |||||||||||||
U.S. taxes on foreign income |
(0.4 | ) | (0.2 | ) | 0.8 | 4.8 | |||||||||
Non-U.S. taxes |
1.5 | 1.2 | (1.1 | ) | (6.1 | ) | |||||||||
Legacy transaction costs |
| 6.8 | |||||||||||||
Valuation allowance(3) |
4.0 | | (0.1 | ) | 0.3 | ||||||||||
Interest |
(0.1 | ) | | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||
Tax credits and deductions |
1.7 | 0.5 | (2.7 | ) | (7.5 | ) | |||||||||
Tax impact of earnings repatriation(4) |
| | 3.8 | 17.2 | |||||||||||
Tax contingencies related to uncertain tax positions |
(0.4 | ) | (8.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | 0.3 | ||||||||
Deferred taxtax rate change(5) |
| | | 7.8 | |||||||||||
Impact of tax accounting method change(6) |
| | (3.6 | ) | | ||||||||||
GILTI tax |
(4.4 | ) | | | | ||||||||||
Other |
0.3 | | 0.3 | | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Effective tax rate |
17.5 | % | 26.7 | % | 21.9 | % | 55.7 | % | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-92
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 9. Income Taxes (Continued)
provisional charge in 2017 and measurement period adjustments in 2018 to finalize the calculation consistent with the guidance in SAB 118.
Income taxes paid were $29.9 million, $3.3 million, $57.4 million and $91.8 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively. Income taxes refunded were less than $0.5 million, $0.1 million, $2.3 million and $0.7 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively.
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:
|
December 31, | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
Deferred tax assets: |
|||||||
Operating losses |
$ | 68.4 | $ | 28.5 | |||
Interest expense carryforward |
65.6 | | |||||
Restructuring costs |
3.9 | 1.8 | |||||
Bad debts |
3.9 | 4.4 | |||||
Accrued expenses |
21.0 | 12.6 | |||||
Capital loss and credit carryforwards |
8.2 | 10.5 | |||||
Foreign exchange |
2.4 | | |||||
Pension and postretirement benefits |
49.9 | 126.3 | |||||
ASC 842Lease liability |
17.1 | | |||||
Other |
5.0 | 3.5 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total deferred tax assets |
$ | 245.4 | 187.6 | ||||
Valuation allowance |
(33.1 | ) | (34.4 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax assets |
$ | 212.3 | $ | 153.2 | |||
| | | | | | | |
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|||||||
Intangibles |
$ | (1,408.3 | ) | $ | (111.1 | ) | |
Fixed assets |
| (1.3 | ) | ||||
Foreign exchange |
| (2.4 | ) | ||||
Deferred revenue |
(4.1 | ) | | ||||
ASC 842ROU asset |
(20.5 | ) | | ||||
Other |
(0.3 | ) | (0.3 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Total deferred tax liabilities |
$ | (1,433.2 | ) | $ | (115.1 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets |
$ | (1,220.9 | ) | $ | 38.1 | ||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-93
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 9. Income Taxes (Continued)
As a result of the enactment of the 2017 Act, we no longer assert indefinite reinvestment for any historical unrepatriated earnings through December 31, 2017. We intend to reinvest indefinitely all earnings from our China and India subsidiaries earned after December 31, 2017 and therefore have not provided for deferred income and foreign withholding taxes related to these jurisdictions.
We have federal, state and local, and primarily foreign tax loss carryforwards, the tax effect of which was $68.4 million as of December 31, 2019. Of the $68.4 million, $27.6 million have an indefinite carry-forward period with the remainder of $40.8 million expiring at various times between 2020 and 2039. Additionally, we have non-U.S. capital loss carryforwards. The associated tax effect was $8.7 million and $9.7 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), respectively.
We have established valuation allowances against certain U.S. state and non-U.S. net operating losses and capital loss carryforwards in the amounts of $32.8 million and $33.8 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), respectively, because in our opinion, certain U.S. state and non-U.S. net operating losses and capital loss carryforwards are more likely than not to expire before we can utilize them.
We or one of our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal, and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In the U.S. federal jurisdiction, we are no longer subject to examination by the IRS for years prior to 2016. In state and local jurisdictions, with a few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2016. In foreign jurisdictions, with a few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2014.
F-94
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 9. Income Taxes (Continued)
The following is a reconciliation of the gross unrecognized tax benefits:
Predecessor: |
||||
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2017 |
$ | 7.0 | ||
Additions for prior years' tax positions |
1.1 | |||
Additions for current year's tax positions |
0.6 | |||
Settlements with taxing authority |
(0.1 | ) | ||
Reduction in prior years' tax positions |
(0.2 | ) | ||
Reduction due to expired statute of limitations(1) |
(0.7 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2017 |
7.7 | |||
Additions for prior years' tax positions |
1.7 | |||
Additions for current year's tax positions |
0.9 | |||
Settlements with taxing authority |
(1.8 | ) | ||
Reduction in prior years' tax positions |
| |||
Reduction due to expired statute of limitations(2) |
(3.1 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 |
$ | 5.4 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Additions for prior years' tax positions |
| |||
Additions for current year's tax positions |
8.9 | |||
Settlements with taxing authority |
| |||
Reduction in prior years' tax positions |
| |||
Reduction due to expired statute of limitations |
| |||
| | | | |
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of February 7, 2019 |
$ | 14.3 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Successor: |
|
|||
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2019 |
$ | | ||
Impact of purchase accounting |
14.3 | |||
Additions for prior years' tax positions |
| |||
Additions for current year's tax positions |
5.3 | |||
Settlements with taxing authority |
(1.6 | ) | ||
Reduction in prior years' tax positions |
(0.1 | ) | ||
Reduction due to expired statute of limitations |
(0.8 | ) | ||
| | | | |
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2019 |
$ | 17.1 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits of the $17.1 million that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is $16.5 million, net of tax benefits.
We recognize accrued interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes line in the consolidated statement of operations. The total amount of interest expense, net of tax benefits, recognized for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor) was $0.3 million, $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The total amount of accrued interest as of December 31, 2019 (Successor) and 2018 (Predecessor) was $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
F-95
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Through June 30, 2007, Dun & Bradstreet offered coverage to substantially all of our U.S. based employees under a defined benefit plan called The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation Retirement Account ("U.S. Qualified Plan"). Prior to that time, the U.S. Qualified Plan covered active and retired employees. The benefits to be paid upon retirement were based on a percentage of the employee's annual compensation. The percentage of compensation allocated annually to a retirement account ranged from 3% to 12.5% based on age and years of service. Amounts allocated under the U.S. Qualified Plan also receive interest credits based on the 30-year Treasury rate or equivalent rate published by the Internal Revenue Service. Pension costs are determined actuarially and are funded in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.
Effective June 30, 2007, Dun & Bradstreet amended the U.S. Qualified Plan. Any pension benefit that had been accrued through such date under the plan was "frozen" at its then current value and no additional benefits, other than interest on such amounts, will accrue under the U.S. Qualified Plan. Our employees in certain of our international operations are also provided with retirement benefits through defined benefit plans, representing the remaining balance of our pension obligations.
Prior to February 7, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet also maintained supplemental and excess plans in the United States ("U.S. Non-Qualified Plans") to provide additional retirement benefits to certain key employees of the Company. These plans were unfunded, pay-as-you-go plans. In connection with the Take-Private Transaction, a change in control was triggered for a portion of the U.S. Non-Qualified Plans upon Dun & Bradstreet stockholder approval of the Take-Private Transaction on November 7, 2018 and a settlement payment of $190.5 million was made in January 2019. For the remainder of the U.S. Non-Qualified Plans, a change in control was triggered upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019 and a settlement payment of $105.9 million was made in March 2019, effectively settling our U.S. Non-Qualified Plan obligation.
Prior to January 1, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet also provided various health care benefits for eligible retirees. Postretirement benefit costs and obligations are determined actuarially. Dun & Bradstreet made multiple plan amendments since 2014 and as a result, effective January 1, 2019, the pre-65 health plan was terminated and the post-65 health plan is closed to new participants. In addition, Dun & Bradstreet closed its retiree life insurance plan to new participants, effective January 1, 2019.
Certain of our non-U.S. based employees receive postretirement benefits through government-sponsored or administered programs.
We use an annual measurement date of December 31 for our U.S. and Canada plans and November 30 for all other non-U.S. plans.
F-96
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets
The following table sets forth the changes in our benefit obligations and plan assets for our pension and postretirement plans. The table also presents the line items in the consolidated balance sheet where the related assets and liabilities are recorded:
|
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Change in Benefit Obligation: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefit obligation at the beginning of the period |
$ | | $ | (1,897.2 | ) | $ | (2,035.6 | ) | $ | | $ | (5.3 | ) | $ | (15.6 | ) | |||||||
Take-Private Transactionassumed benefit obligation |
(1,790.8 | ) | | | (5.6 | ) | | | |||||||||||||||
Service cost |
(1.4 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (3.7 | ) | | | (0.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
Interest cost |
(46.7 | ) | (6.8 | ) | (57.2 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
Benefits paid |
187.6 | 198.9 | 108.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||
Plan amendment |
| | | 3.0 | | 8.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Plan participant contributions |
(0.2 | ) | | (0.2 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | (0.6 | ) | |||||||||||||
Actuarial (loss) gain |
(23.8 | ) | (55.1 | ) | (17.4 | ) | 0.2 | (0.3 | ) | 0.3 | |||||||||||||
Assumption change |
(87.4 | ) | (25.4 | ) | 90.6 | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 0.8 | |||||||||||||
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates |
0.3 | (4.9 | ) | 18.0 | | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Benefit obligation at the end of the period |
$ | (1,762.4 | ) | $ | (1,790.8 | ) | $ | (1,897.2 | ) | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (5.6 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in Plan Assets: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value of Plan Assets at the beginning of the period |
$ | | $ | 1,413.1 | $ | 1,572.0 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||
Take-Private Transactionacquired plan assets |
1,477.3 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Actual return on plan assets |
169.5 | 67.3 | (53.5 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Employer contributions |
113.5 | 191.0 | 21.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Plan participant contributions |
0.2 | | 0.2 | 0.1 | | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Benefits paid |
(187.6 | ) | (198.9 | ) | (108.3 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (1.9 | ) | |||||||||||
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates |
| 4.8 | (18.3 | ) | | | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the period |
$ | 1,572.9 | $ | 1,477.3 | $ | 1,413.1 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net funded status of plan |
$ | (189.5 | ) | $ | (313.5 | ) | $ | (484.1 | ) | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (5.6 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-97
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
|
Pension Plans |
Postretirement Benefit
Obligations |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets: |
|||||||||||||||||
Prepaid pension costs |
$ | 9.9 | $ | 8.4 | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
Short-term pension and postretirement benefits |
(0.3 | ) | (220.1 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.8 | ) | |||||||||
Long-term pension and postretirement benefits |
(199.1 | ) | (272.4 | ) | (1.6 | ) | (4.5 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net amount recognized |
$ | (189.5 | ) | $ | (484.1 | ) | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (5.3 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated benefit obligation |
$ | 1,755.8 | $ | 1,891.3 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of: |
|||||||||||||||||
Actuarial loss (gain) |
$ | 24.3 | $ | 1,109.7 | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | (11.4 | ) | |||||||
Prior service cost (credit) |
| 8.1 | (3.1 | ) | (8.5 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total amount recognizedpretax |
$ | 24.3 | $ | 1,117.8 | $ | (3.3 | ) | $ | (19.9 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), our pension plans had aggregate actuarial losses and prior service credit of $24.3 million and $1,109.7 million, respectively, that have not yet been included in the net periodic benefit cost. These losses and gains represent the cumulative effect of demographic, investment experience and plan amendment, as well as assumption changes that have been made in measuring the plans' liabilities. In connection with the Take-Private Transaction, we have remeasured our global pension and postretirement plans on February 8, 2019 in accordance with the guidance within ASC 805 and ASC 715 to recognize as part of the Take-Private Transaction an asset or a liability representing the funded status of each of the plans. The unrecognized actuarial losses or gains and unrecognized prior service credits were set to zero as of February 8, 2019 as a result of purchase accounting.
The actuarial gain or loss, to the extent it exceeds the greater of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or market-related value of plan assets, will be amortized into expense each year on a straight-line and plan-by-plan basis, over the remaining expected future working lifetime of active participants or the average remaining life expectancy of the participants if all or almost all of the plan participants are inactive. Currently, the amortization periods range from seven to 22 years for the U.S. pension and postretirement plans and seven to 31 years for the non-U.S. plans. For our U.S. Qualified Plan and for certain of our non-U.S. plans, the amortization periods are the average life expectancy of all plan participants. This is as a result of almost all plan participants being deemed inactive.
F-98
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
Underfunded or Unfunded Accumulated Benefit Obligations
At December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), our underfunded or unfunded accumulated benefit obligation and the related projected benefit obligation were as follows:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accumulated benefit obligation |
$ | 1,437.9 | $ | 1,619.7 | |||
Fair value of plan assets |
1,240.0 | 1,128.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Unfunded accumulated benefit obligation |
$ | 197.9 | $ | 491.6 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Projected benefit obligation |
$ | 1,439.5 | $ | 1,620.7 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The underfunded or unfunded accumulated benefit obligations at December 31, 2019 consisted of $190.4 million and $7.5 million related to our U.S. Qualified Plan and non-U.S. defined benefit plans, respectively.
The underfunded or unfunded accumulated benefit obligations at December 31, 2018 consisted of $485.2 million and $6.4 million related to our U.S. plans (including Qualified and Non-Qualified Plans) and non-U.S. defined benefit plans, respectively.
Net Periodic Pension Cost
The following table sets forth the components of the net periodic cost (income) associated with our pension plans and our postretirement benefit obligations:
|
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Components of net periodic cost (income): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 1.4 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 3.7 | $ | 2.8 | $ | | $ | | $ | 0.5 | $ | 0.6 | |||||||||||||
Interest cost |
46.7 | 6.8 | 57.2 | 57.9 | 0.1 | | 0.3 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(82.7 | ) | (10.6 | ) | (96.4 | ) | (94.3 | ) | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) |
| | 0.2 | 0.2 | | (0.1 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Recognized actuarial loss (gain) |
| 4.0 | 42.5 | 40.2 | | (0.1 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (1.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net periodic cost (income) |
$ | (34.6 | ) | $ | 0.5 | $ | 7.2 | $ | 6.8 | $ | 0.1 | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | (1.0 | ) | $ | (1.5 | ) | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
We recorded settlement charges of $85.8 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) to settle a portion of our U.S. Non-Qualified plans triggered by the stockholder approval of the Take-Private Transaction. We also incurred settlement charges of $0.4 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively, related to our non-U.S. plans.
F-99
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
The following table sets forth other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in Other Comprehensive Income:
|
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Actuarial (loss) gain arising during the period, before tax (benefit) expense of $(6.1) for the period from February 8 to December 31, 2019 and $(15.7) in 2018(1) |
$ | (24.3 | ) | $ | | $ | (71.7 | ) | $ | 0.2 | $ | | $ | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||
Prior service credit (cost) arising during the period, before tax (benefit) expense of $0.9 for the period from February 8 to December 31, 2019 and $1.2 in 2018(1) |
$ | | $ | | $ | (4.0 | ) | $ | 3.1 | $ | | $ | 9.8 | ||||||||||
Less: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain, before tax (benefit) expense of $22.2 for the period from January 1 to February 7, 2019, and $9.0 in 2018(2) |
$ | | $ | (87.7 | ) | $ | (42.5 | ) | $ | | $ | 0.1 | $ | 1.5 | |||||||||
Amortization of prior service (cost) creditno tax impact |
$ | | $ | | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | | $ | 0.1 | $ | 0.3 |
We apply the long-term expected rate of return assumption to the market-related value of assets to calculate the expected return on plan assets, which is a major component of our annual net periodic pension expense. The market-related value of assets recognizes short-term fluctuations in the fair value of assets over a period of five years, using a straight-line amortization basis. The methodology has been utilized to reduce the effect of short-term market fluctuations on the net periodic pension cost. Since the market-related value of assets recognizes gains or losses over a five-year period, the future value of assets will be impacted as previously deferred gains or losses are amortized.
F-100
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
Assumptions
The following table sets forth the significant weighted-average assumptions we used to determine the projected benefit obligation and the periodic benefit cost:
|
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Discount rate for determining projected benefit obligation at December 31 |
2.79 | % | 3.57 | % | 3.86 | % | 3.25 | % | 2.35 | % | 3.64 | % | 3.88 | % | 3.04 | % | |||||||||||||
Discount rate in effect for determining service cost |
3.11 | % | 3.16 | % | 2.99 | % | 3.22 | % | N/A | N/A | 3.15 | % | 3.53 | % | |||||||||||||||
Discount rate in effect for determining interest cost |
3.29 | % | 3.51 | % | 2.90 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.25 | % | 3.52 | % | 2.85 | % | 2.68 | % | |||||||||||||
Weighted average expected long-term return on plan assets |
6.72 | % | 6.56 | % | 6.72 | % | 6.75 | % | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase for determining projected benefit obligation at December 31 |
3.00 | % | 3.00 | % | 2.99 | % | 4.37 | % | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase for determining net pension cost |
3.07 | % | 3.04 | % | 6.10 | % | 6.32 | % | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The expected long-term rate of return assumption was 7.00% for each of 2019, 2018 and 2017 for the U.S. Qualified Plan, our principal pension plan. This assumption is based on the plan's target asset allocation. The expected long-term rate of return assumption reflects long-term capital market return forecasts for the asset classes employed, assumed excess returns from active management within each asset class, the portion of plan assets that are actively managed, and periodic rebalancing back to target allocations. Current market factors such as inflation and interest rates are evaluated before the long-term capital market assumptions are determined. In addition, peer data and historical returns are reviewed to check for reasonableness. Although we review our expected long-term rate of return assumption annually, our plan performance in any one particular year does not, by itself, significantly influence our evaluation. Our assumption is generally not revised unless there is a fundamental change in one of the factors upon which it is based, such as the target asset allocation or long-term capital market return forecasts.
We use discount rates to measure the present value of pension plan obligations and postretirement health care obligations at year-end, as well as, to calculate next year's pension income or cost. It is derived by using a yield curve approach which matches projected plan benefit payment streams with bond portfolios reflecting actual liability duration unique to the plans. The rate is adjusted at each remeasurement date, based on the factors noted above. We measure service and interest costs by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve to the plans' liability cash flows ("Spot Rate Approach"). We believe the approach provides a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and their corresponding spot rates on the yield curve.
For the mortality assumption we used PRI-2012 mortality table ("PRI-2012") and RP-2014 mortality table ("RP-2014") for our U.S. plans at December 31, 2019 and 2018, together with mortality improvement projection scales MP-2019 and MP-2018, respectively. The adoption of the updated
F-101
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
mortality table and improvement projection scales resulted in a reduction of the projected benefit obligations for the U.S. plans of approximately $43 million and $4 million, respectively.
Plan Assets (U.S. Qualified Plan and Non-U.S. Pension Plans)
The investment objective for our principal plan, the U.S. Qualified Plan, is to achieve over the investment horizon a long-term total return, which at least matches our expected long-term rate of return assumption while maintaining a prudent level of portfolio risk. We emphasize long-term growth of principal while avoiding excessive risk so as to use plan asset returns to help finance pension obligations, thus improving our plan's funded status. We predominantly invest in assets that can be sold readily and efficiently to ensure our ability to reasonably meet expected cash flow requirements.
We define our primary risk concern to be the plan's funded status volatility and to a lesser extent total plan return volatility. Understanding that risk is present in all types of assets and investment styles, we acknowledge that some risk is necessary to produce long-term investment results that are sufficient to meet the plan's objectives. However, we monitor and ensure that the investment strategies we employ make reasonable efforts to maximize returns while controlling for risk parameters.
Investment risk is also controlled through diversification among multiple asset classes, managers, investment styles and periodic rebalancing toward asset allocation targets. Risk is further controlled at the investment strategy level by requiring underlying managers to follow formal written investment guidelines which enumerate eligible securities, maximum portfolio concentration limits, excess return and tracking error targets as well as other relevant portfolio constraints. Investment results and risk are measured and monitored on an ongoing basis and quarterly investment reviews are conducted.
The plan assets are primarily invested in funds offered and managed by Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting. The units of the funds are offered under the Aon Hewitt Group Trust (the "Group Trust"). The units do not trade on any national exchange and are not otherwise publicly available. The units of the funds are valued daily, using the Net Asset Value ("NAV") based on the fair value of each fund's underlying investments.
Our plan assets are currently invested mainly in funds overseen by our delegated manager using manager of manager funds which are a combination of both active and passive (indexed) investment strategies. The plan's return seeking assets include equity securities that are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, including emerging market equities, in order to further reduce risk at the total plan level. Additional diversification in return seeking assets is achieved by using multi-asset credit, real estate and hedge fund of funds strategies.
A portion of the plan assets are invested in a liability hedging portfolio to reduce funded status volatility and reduce overall risk for the plan. The portfolio uses manager of manager funds that are diversified principally among securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate debt obligations and dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. by non-U.S. banks and corporations.
We have formally identified the primary objective for each asset class within our plan. U.S. equities are held for their long-term capital appreciation and dividend income, which is expected to exceed the rate of inflation. Non-U.S. equities are held for their long-term capital appreciation, as well as
F-102
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
diversification relative to U.S. equities and other asset classes. Multi-asset credit, real estate and hedge fund of funds further diversifies the return-seeking assets with reduced correlation due to different return expectations and flows. These diversifying asset classes also provide a hedge against unexpected inflation. Liability hedging assets are held to reduce overall plan volatility and as a source of current income. Additionally, they are designed to provide a hedge relative to the interest rate sensitivity of the plan's liabilities. Cash is held only to meet liquidity requirements.
Investment Valuation
Our pension plan assets are measured at fair value in accordance with ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures." ASC 820 defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value under current accounting pronouncements. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for further detail on fair value measurement.
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such investments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
A financial instrument's level or categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Aon Hewitt Group Trust Funds
The units of the funds are valued daily, using the NAV based on the fair value of each fund's underlying investments.
Short-Term Investment Funds (STIF)
These investments include cash, bank notes, corporate notes, government bills and various short-term debt instruments. The investment objective is to provide safety of principal and daily liquidity by investing in high quality money market instruments. They are valued at the NAV. The short-term funds are classified as Level II assets as they may be redeemed at NAV daily.
F-103
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
The Venture Capital Fund
The fund is structured as a conventional, private venture capital firm. The fund will target investments that are in early-stage technology companies. The fund expects to invest in seed stage development companies, principally in the software and technology-enabled businesses sector. The U.S. Qualified Plan has an additional unfunded commitment of $0.9 million and $1.5 million to the Venture Capital Funds at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. They are valued at the NAV.
There were no transfers among the levels of the fair value hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The preceding methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2019 (Successor):
Asset Category
|
Quoted
Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level I) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level II) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level III) |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Short-term investment funds |
$ | | $ | 16.1 | $ | | $ | 16.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | | $ | 16.1 | $ | | $ | 16.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other investments measured at net asset value(a) |
|||||||||||||
Aon Hewitt Trust Funds: |
|||||||||||||
Equity funds |
$ | 708.0 | |||||||||||
Fixed income funds |
435.6 | ||||||||||||
Real estate funds |
76.1 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Aon Hewitt Trust Funds measured at net asset value |
1,219.7 | ||||||||||||
Venture Capital Funds measured at net asset value |
3.9 | ||||||||||||
Other Non-U.S. commingled equity and fixed income |
333.2 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other investments measured at net asset value |
$ | 1,556.8 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investments at fair value |
$ | 1,572.9 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-104
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2018 (Predecessor):
Asset Category
|
Quoted
Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level I) |
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level II) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level III) |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Short-term investment funds |
| 17.5 | | 17.5 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | | $ | 17.5 | $ | | $ | 17.5 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other investments measured at net asset value(a) |
|||||||||||||
Aon Hewitt Trust Funds: |
|||||||||||||
Equity funds |
$ | 380.6 | |||||||||||
Fixed income funds |
655.5 | ||||||||||||
Real estate funds |
71.7 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Aon Hewitt Trust Funds measured at net asset value |
1,107.8 | ||||||||||||
Venture Capital Funds measured at net asset value |
2.4 | ||||||||||||
Other non-U.S. commingled equity and fixed income |
285.4 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other investments measured at net asset value |
$ | 1,395.6 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investments at fair value |
$ | 1,413.1 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allocations
We employ a total return investment approach in which a mix of equity, debt and alternative (e.g., real estate) investments is used to achieve a competitive long-term rate of return on plan assets at a prudent level of risk. Our weighted average plan target asset allocation is 56% return-seeking assets (range of 50% to 70%) and 44% liability-hedging assets (range of 30% to 50%).
The following table sets forth the weighted average asset allocations and target asset allocations by asset category, as of the measurement dates of the plans:
|
Asset
Allocations |
Target Asset
Allocations |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Return-seeking assets |
59 | % | 56 | % | 56 | % | 57 | % | |||||||||
Liability-hedging assets |
41 | % | 44 | 44 | % | 43 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-105
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
Contributions and Benefit Payments
We expect to contribute approximately $5 million to our non-U.S. pension plans and $0.5 million to our postretirement benefit plan in 2020. We did not make contributions in 2019 and do not expect to make any required contributions to the U.S. Qualified Plan in 2020 for the 2019 plan year based on the minimum funding requirements as defined in the Pension Protection Act of 2006 as amended. Final funding requirements for 2019 will be determined based on our January 2020 funding actuarial valuation.
The following table summarizes expected benefit payments from our pension plans and postretirement plans through 2028. Actual benefit payments may differ from expected benefit payments. These amounts are net of expected plan participant contributions:
|
Pension
Plans |
Postretirement
Benefits Plan |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 |
$ | 92.8 | $ | 0.5 | |||
2021 |
$ | 95.0 | $ | 0.2 | |||
2022 |
$ | 96.6 | $ | 0.2 | |||
2023 |
$ | 97.8 | $ | 0.2 | |||
2024 |
$ | 98.9 | $ | 0.2 | |||
2025 - 2029 |
$ | 501.5 | $ | 0.7 |
Health Care Benefits
The following table presents healthcare trend assumptions used to determine the year end benefit obligation:
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical(1) |
5.3 | % | 5.3 | % | |||
Prescription drug(1) |
8.0 | % | 9.0 | % |
Assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
|
1% Point | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Increase | Decrease | |||||
Benefit obligations at end of year |
$ | 0.3 | $ | (0.3 | ) | ||
Service cost plus interest cost |
$ | | $ | |
401(k) Plan
We have a 401(k) Plan covering substantially all U.S. employees that provides for employee salary deferral contribution and employer contributions. Employees may contribute up to 50% of their pay on a pre-tax basis subject to IRS limitations. In addition, employees with age 50 or older are allowed to
F-106
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 10. Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Continued)
contribute additional pre-tax "catch-up" contributions. In addition, the Company matches up to 50% of seven percent (7%) of a team member's eligible compensation, subject to certain 401(k) Plan limitations.
We had expense associated with our 401(k) Plan of $9.4 million, $1.2 million, $11.0 million and $11.6 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively.
Note 11. Financial Instruments
We employ established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates and foreign currencies. We use foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge certain short-term foreign currency denominated loans and third-party and intercompany transactions. We may also use foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge our net investments in our foreign subsidiaries. In addition, we may use interest rate derivatives to hedge a portion of the interest rate exposure on our outstanding debt or in anticipation of a future debt issuance, as discussed under "Interest Rate Risk Management" below.
We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. If a hedging instrument ceases to qualify as a hedge in accordance with hedge accounting guidelines, any subsequent gains and losses are recognized currently in income. Collateral is generally not required for these types of instruments.
By their nature, all such instruments involve risk, including the credit risk of non-performance by counterparties. However, at December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), there was no significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance of the counterparties to these financial instruments. We control our exposure to credit risk through monitoring procedures.
Our trade receivables do not represent a significant concentration of credit risk at December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), because we sell to a large number of clients in different geographical locations and industries.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Our objective in managing our exposure to interest rates is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings, cash flows and financial position, and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, we maintain a practice that floating-rate debt be managed within a minimum and maximum range of our total debt exposure. To manage our exposure and limit volatility, we may use fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and/or interest rate swaps. We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet.
We may use interest rate swaps to manage the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings. Under the swap agreements, we make monthly payments based on the fixed interest rate and receive monthly payments based on the floating rate. The objective of the swaps is to mitigate the variation of future cash flows from changes in the floating interest rates on our existing debt. For further detail of our debt, see Note 5. The swaps are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. Changes in the
F-107
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 11. Financial Instruments (Continued)
fair value of the hedging instruments are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and reclassified to earnings in the same line item associated with the hedged item when the hedged item impacts earnings.
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
Our objective in managing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce the volatility caused by foreign exchange rate changes on the earnings, cash flows and financial position of our international operations. From time to time, we follow a practice of hedging certain balance sheet positions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries. In addition, we are subject to foreign exchange risk associated with our international earnings and net investments in our foreign subsidiaries. We may use short-term, foreign exchange forward and, from time to time, option contracts to execute our hedging strategies. Typically, these contracts have maturities of 12 months or less. These contracts are denominated primarily in the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar and the Hong Kong dollar. The gains and losses on the forward contracts associated with our balance sheet positions are recorded in "Other Income (Expense)Net" in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and are essentially offset by the losses and gains on the underlying foreign currency transactions. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments under authoritative guidance.
In prior years, to decrease earnings volatility, we hedged substantially all balance sheet positions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries with short-term, foreign exchange forward contracts. Beginning in the third quarter of 2019, certain balance sheet positions are no longer being hedged in order to reduce the volatility of cash flows required to settle these forward contracts. In addition, we may use foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain net investment positions. The underlying transactions and the corresponding foreign exchange forward contracts are marked to market at the end of each quarter and the fair value impacts are reflected within the consolidated financial statements.
As of December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), the notional amounts of our foreign exchange contracts were $152.0 million and $182.2 million, respectively. Realized gains and losses associated with these contracts were $16.5 million and $24.4 million, respectively, for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2019 (Successor); $17.0 million and $24.0 million, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor); and $22.1 million and $15.5 million, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Predecessor). Unrealized gains and losses associated with these contracts were $1.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019 (Predecessor); $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018 (Prededessor); and $1.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2017 (Predecessor).
F-108
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 11. Financial Instruments (Continued)
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
|
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2019
(Successor) |
December 31, 2018
(Predecessor) |
December 31, 2019
(Successor) |
December 31, 2018
(Predecessor) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Balance Sheet
Location |
Fair Value |
Balance Sheet
Location |
Fair Value |
Balance Sheet
Location |
Fair Value |
Balance Sheet
Location |
Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
Other Current Assets | $ | | Other Current Assets | $ | | Other Accrued & Current Liabilities | $ | 1.9 | Other Accrued & Current Liabilities | $ | 0.4 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments |
$ | | $ | | $ | 1.9 | $ | 0.4 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Make-whole provision |
Other Current Assets | $ | | Other Current Assets | $ | | Make-whole derivative liability | $ | 172.4 | Make-whole derivative liability | $ | - | |||||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts |
Other Current Assets | $ | 1.6 | Other Current Assets | $ | 0.9 | Other Accrued & Current Liabilities | $ | 2.6 | Other Accrued & Current Liabilities | $ | 0.5 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |
$ | 1.6 | $ | 0.9 | $ | 175.0 | $ | 0.5 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total derivatives |
$ | 1.6 | $ | 0.9 | $ | 176.9 | $ | 0.9 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
|
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI Into Income |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Interest Expense |
$ | (0.7 | ) | $ | | $ | (0.9 | ) | $ | |
F-109
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 11. Financial Instruments (Continued)
|
|
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||||||
|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
|
Location of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income on Derivatives |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts |
Non-Operating Income (Expense)Net | $ | (11.1 | ) | $ | 1.8 | $ | (6.0 | ) | $ | 6.0 | ||||||
Make-whole derivative liability |
Non-Operating Income (Expense)Net | $ | (172.4 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our financial assets and liabilities that are reflected in the consolidated financial statements include derivative financial instruments, cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings. Fair value for derivative financial instruments is determined utilizing observable market data.
We have a process for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, we use quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information including market interest rate curves and referenced credit spreads.
In addition to utilizing external valuations, we conduct our own internal assessment of the reasonableness of the external valuations by utilizing a variety of valuation techniques including Black-Scholes option pricing and discounted cash flow models that are consistently applied. Inputs to these models include observable market data, such as yield curves, and foreign exchange rates where applicable. Our assessments are designed to identify prices that do not accurately reflect the current market environment, those that have changed significantly from prior valuations and other anomalies that may indicate that a price may not be accurate. We also follow established routines for reviewing and reconfirming valuations with the pricing provider, if deemed appropriate. In addition, the pricing provider has an established challenge process in place for all valuations, which facilitates identification and resolution of potentially erroneous prices. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and our own creditworthiness and constraints on liquidity. For inactive markets that do not have observable pricing or sufficient trading volumes, or for positions that are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management's best estimate will be used.
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while we believe our valuation
F-110
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 11. Financial Instruments (Continued)
methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.
The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2019 (Successor) for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level I) |
Significant Other
Observable Inputs (Level II) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level III) |
Balance at
December 31, 2019 (Successor) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: |
|||||||||||||
Cash equivalents(1) |
$ | 4.1 | $ | | $ | | $ | 4.1 | |||||
Other current assets: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 1.6 | $ | | $ | 1.6 | |||||
Liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Other accrued and current liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 2.6 | $ | | $ | 2.6 | |||||
Swap arrangements(3) |
$ | | $ | 1.9 | $ | | $ | 1.9 | |||||
Make-whole derivative liability(4) |
$ | | $ | | $ | 172.4 | $ | 172.4 |
The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level I) |
Significant Other
Observable Inputs (Level II) |
Significant
Unobservable Inputs (Level III) |
Balance at
December 31, 2019 (Successor) |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: |
|||||||||||||
Cash equivalents(1) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Other current assets: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 0.9 | $ | | $ | 0.9 | |||||
Liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Other accrued and current liabilities: |
|||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forwards(2) |
$ | | $ | 0.5 | $ | | $ | 0.5 | |||||
Swap arrangements(3) |
$ | | $ | 0.4 | $ | | $ | 0.4 |
F-111
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 11. Financial Instruments (Continued)
There were no transfers between Levels I and II or transfers in or transfers out of Level III in the fair value hierarchy for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Predecessor).
At December 31, 2019 (Successor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables and accounts payable approximated carrying value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair values of other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures, determined based on valuation models using discounted cash flow methodologies with market data inputs from globally recognized data providers and third-party quotes from major financial institutions (categorized as Level II in the fair value hierarchy), are as follows:
|
Balance at | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31, 2019 (Successor) | December 31, 2018 (Predecessor) | |||||||||||
|
Carrying
Amount (Asset) Liability |
Fair Value
(Asset) Liability |
Carrying
Amount (Asset) Liability |
Fair Value
(Asset) Liability |
|||||||||
Short-term and long-term debt |
$ | 1,469.1 | $ | 1,811.8 | $ | 596.7 | $ | 604.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revolving credit facility |
$ | | $ | | $ | 248.0 | $ | 242.2 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Term loan facility |
$ | 2,431.7 | $ | 2,456.3 | $ | 291.9 | $ | 289.3 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by GAAP. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges and for acquisition accounting in accordance with the guidance in ASC 805.
During the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), we recorded total impairment charges of $3.4 million related to the leasehold improvement assets associated with restructuring activities. We determined the fair value of the asset based on Level III inputs. The impairment charge was included in "Selling & Administrative Expenses" for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor).
F-112
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCI"):
|
Foreign
Currency Translation Adjustments |
Defined
Benefit Pension Plans |
Derivative
Financial Instruments |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2017 |
$ | (218.2 | ) | $ | (798.7 | ) | $ | | $ | (1,016.9 | ) | ||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |
(17.3 | ) | (51.3 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (68.9 | ) | |||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
| 31.7 | | 31.7 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2018 |
$ | (235.5 | ) | $ | (818.3 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (1,054.1 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2018 |
$ | (235.5 | ) | $ | (818.3 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (1,054.1 | ) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |
5.7 | 62.6 | (0.1 | ) | 68.2 | ||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
| 2.8 | | 2.8 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, February 7, 2019 |
$ | (229.8 | ) | $ | (752.9 | ) | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | (983.1 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Successor: |
|||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications |
(6.6 | ) | (15.8 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (23.5 | ) | |||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
| | | | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2019 |
$ | (6.6 | ) | $ | (15.8 | ) | $ | (1.1 | ) | $ | (23.5 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-113
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Continued)
The following table summarizes the reclassifications out of AOCI:
|
|
Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Successor |
|
|
Predecessor |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
|||||||||||
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components
|
Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit Pension Plans: |
|||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service costs |
Other Income (Expense)Net | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (0.6 | ) | |||||||
Amortization of actuarial gain/loss |
Other Income (Expense)Net | | 3.8 | 40.9 | 38.5 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total before tax |
| 3.8 | 40.9 | 37.9 | |||||||||||||
Tax (expense) or benefit |
| (1.0 | ) | (9.2 | ) | (11.4 | ) | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total after tax |
| 2.8 | 31.7 | 26.5 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other pension-related adjustment(1) |
Retained Earnings | | | | (150.5 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax |
$ | | $ | 2.8 | $ | 31.7 | $ | (124.0 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note 13. Take-Private Transaction
On August 8, 2018, Dun & Bradstreet entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Parent and Merger Sub. On February 8, 2019, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Dun & Bradstreet with Dun & Bradstreet continuing as the surviving corporation. Investors of Merger Sub believe that Dun & Bradstreet's strong market position and financial performance can be further reinforced by executing additional growth initiatives and implementing cost saving initiatives.
The Take-Private Transaction was funded through $3,076.8 million of cash from the issuance of common and preferred shares, as well as $4,043.0 million borrowings from notes issuance and Credit Facilities (see Note 5 for further discussion). The net proceeds were used to (i) finance the consummation of the Take-Private Transaction, (ii) repay in full all outstanding indebtedness under Dun & Bradstreet's then-existing credit facilities, (iii) fund the redemption of all Dun & Bradstreet's then-existing senior notes and (iv) pay related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with these transactions.
F-114
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 13. Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
Upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction, each share of common stock of Dun & Bradstreet, formerly publicly-traded under the symbol of "DNB", par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Take-Private Transaction (other than shares owned by Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any other direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent or the Company), were cancelled and converted into the right to receive $145.00 in cash, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes. In addition, each then-outstanding stock option and restricted stock units of Dun & Bradstreet, whether vested or unvested, was cancelled and converted into the right to receive $145.00 in cash, less applicable exercise price, without interest.
On February 8, 2019, as required by the related change in control provision in the following agreements, the Company repaid in full the outstanding borrowings under the then-existing Revolving Five-Year Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement, both dated as of June 19, 2018. In addition, on February 8, 2019, notices of full redemption with respect to the Company's (i) 4.00% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, and (ii) 4.37% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "2022 Notes" and, together with the 2020 Notes, the "Existing Notes"), in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, were delivered to the respective holders thereof, notifying those holders of the redemption of the entire outstanding aggregate principal amount of each series of Existing Notes on March 10, 2019.
The merger was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, and the Company was determined to be the accounting acquiror.
The Take-Private Transaction was valued at $6,068.7 million of which $5,431.2 million was paid to acquire Dun & Bradstreet's common stock, including stock options and restricted stock units, based on $145.00 per share and $637.5 million was paid to extinguish the then-existing debt on and following the Take-Private Transaction closing date. Assets and liabilities were recorded at the estimated fair value at the Take-Private Transaction closing date.
Transaction costs incurred by the Predecessor of $52.0 million were included in Selling and Administrative Expenses of Predecessor's results of operations for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019. Transaction costs of $147.4 million incurred by Merger Sub were included in Selling and Administrative Expenses of Successor's results of operations. Successor's accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2018 include approximately $13 million related to Merger Sub's transaction costs incurred in 2018.
F-115
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 13. Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting purchase allocation:
|
Weighted
Average Amortization Period (years) |
Initial Purchase
Price Allocation |
Measurement
Period Adjustments |
Purchase Price
Allocation at December 31, 2019 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash |
$ | 117.7 | $ | | $ | 117.7 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
267.8 | (1.7 | ) | 266.1 | ||||||||
Other current assets |
46.8 | (0.4 | ) | 46.4 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets |
432.3 | (2.1 | ) | 430.2 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets: |
||||||||||||
Client relationships |
16.9 | 2,589.0 | (200.5 | ) | 2,388.5 | |||||||
Partnership agreements |
14.3 | | 230.3 | 230.3 | ||||||||
Computer software |
7.8 | 376.0 | | 376.0 | ||||||||
Database |
17 | 1,769.0 | (47.0 | ) | 1,722.0 | |||||||
Trademark |
1,200.8 | 75.0 | 1,275.8 | |||||||||
Goodwill |
2,797.6 | (10.0 | ) | 2,787.6 | ||||||||
Property, plant & equipment |
30.3 | | 30.3 | |||||||||
Right of use asset |
103.9 | 7.4 | 111.3 | |||||||||
Other |
34.4 | (0.1 | ) | 34.3 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets acquired |
$ | 9,333.3 | $ | 53.0 | $ | 9,386.3 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable |
$ | 74.2 | $ | | $ | 74.2 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
398.4 | (0.6 | ) | 397.8 | ||||||||
Accrued liabilities |
240.1 | (2.3 | ) | 237.8 | ||||||||
Short-term pension and other accrued benefits |
106.0 | | 106.0 | |||||||||
Other current liabilities |
41.1 | 4.7 | 45.8 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities |
859.8 | 1.8 | 861.6 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term pension and postretirement obligations |
213.6 | 7.4 | 221.0 | |||||||||
Deferred tax liability |
1,388.3 | (7.7 | ) | 1,380.6 | ||||||||
Long-term debt |
625.1 | | 625.1 | |||||||||
Other liabilities |
161.0 | 8.0 | 169.0 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities assumed |
3,247.8 | 9.5 | 3,257.3 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-controlling interest |
16.8 | 43.5 | 60.3 | |||||||||
Less: debt repayment |
637.5 | | 637.5 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amounts paid to equity holders |
$ | 5,431.2 | $ | | $ | 5,431.2 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fair value of the client relationships and partnership agreements intangible assets were determined by applying the income approach through a discounted cash flow analysis, specifically a
F-116
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 13. Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
multi-period excess earnings method. The valuation was based on the present value of the net earnings attributable to the measured assets.
The computer software intangible asset represents our data supply and service platform to deliver client services and solutions. The fair value of this intangible asset was determined by the cost replacement approach.
Trademark intangible asset represents our Dun & Bradstreet brand. Database represents our global proprietary market leading database. We applied the income approach to value trademark and database intangible assets, specifically, a relief from royalty method. The valuation was based on the present value of the net earnings attributable to the measured asset.
The fair value of the deferred revenue was determined based on estimated direct costs to fulfill the related obligations, plus a reasonable profit margin based on selected peer companies' margins as a benchmark.
The fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities were subject to change within the one-year measurement period. We obtained information to determine the fair values of the net assets acquired at the acquisition date during the measurement period. Since the initial valuation reflected in our financial results as of March 31, 2019, we have allocated goodwill and intangible assets between our North America and International segments, as well as among reporting units based on their respective projected cash flows. In addition, we recorded adjustments to the deferred tax liability reflecting the allocation of intangible assets between segments. The above measurement period adjustments to the preliminary valuation of assets and liabilities resulted in a net reduction of goodwill of $10.0 million during 2019. We have completed the purchase accounting process as of December 31, 2019.
The value of the goodwill is primarily related to the expected cost savings and growth opportunity associated with product development. The intangible assets, with useful lives from 8 to 17 years, are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of 16.5 years. The client relationship and database intangible assets are amortized using an accelerating method. Computer software and partnership agreements intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line method. The amortization methods reflect the timing of the benefits derived from each of the intangible assets.
The goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.
F-117
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 13. Take-Private Transaction (Continued)
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The following pro forma statement of operations data presents the combined results of the Company and its acquisition of Dun & Bradstreet, assuming that the acquisition completed on February 8, 2019 had occurred on January 1, 2018.
|
2019 | 2018 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reported revenue (Successor) |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | | |||
Dun & Bradstreet preacquisition revenue |
178.7 | 1,716.4 | |||||
Deferred revenue fair value adjustment |
134.3 | (152.2 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | |
Pro forma revenue |
$ | 1,726.9 | $ | 1,564.2 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Reported net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (749.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | ||
Pro forma adjustmentsnet of income tax(1): |
|||||||
Deferred revenue fair value adjustment |
104.4 | (118.3 | ) | ||||
Incremental amortization of intangibles |
(15.5 | ) | (350.7 | ) | |||
Amortization of deferred commissions |
(2.0 | ) | 16.9 | ||||
Transaction costs |
154.9 | (114.5 | ) | ||||
Pension expense adjustment |
69.5 | 38.9 | |||||
Equity-based compensation adjustment |
8.1 | | |||||
Incremental interest expense and facility cost adjustment |
(21.9 | ) | (215.4 | ) | |||
Preferred dividends adjustment |
(21.8 | ) | (128.7 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Pro forma net loss attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (473.9 | ) | $ | (583.7 | ) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Note 14. Acquisitions
Lattice Engines, Inc. ("Lattice")
On July 1, 2019, the Company acquired a 100% ownership interest in Lattice. Lattice is an artificial intelligence powered customer data platform, enabling business-to-business ("B2B") organizations to scale their account-based marketing and sales programs across every channel. The results of Lattice have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. In connection with the acquisition of Lattice, the Company received capital funding of $100 million from Parent's partners.
The acquisition was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805. The acquisition was valued at $127 million. Transaction costs of $0.6 million were included in Selling and Administrative Expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period from
F-118
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 14. Acquisitions (Continued)
January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor). The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity were recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition.
The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting purchase allocation:
|
Amortization
Life (years) |
Initial Purchase
Price Allocation |
Measurement
Period Adjustments |
Preliminary
Purchase Price Allocation at December 31, 2019 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash |
$ | 0.1 | $ | | $ | 0.1 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
1.9 | | 1.9 | |||||||||
Other |
0.7 | | 0.7 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets |
2.7 | | 2.7 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intangible assets: |
||||||||||||
Client relationships |
11 | 25.1 | (10.6 | ) | 14.5 | |||||||
Technology |
14 | 48.0 | (0.6 | ) | 47.4 | |||||||
Goodwill |
43.0 | 12.2 | 55.2 | |||||||||
Deferred tax asset |
18.4 | (0.9 | ) | 17.5 | ||||||||
Other assets |
0.7 | (0.2 | ) | 0.5 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets acquired |
$ | 137.9 | $ | (0.1 | ) | $ | 137.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred revenue |
$ | 6.5 | $ | | $ | 6.5 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
4.4 | (0.1 | ) | 4.3 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities assumed |
10.9 | (0.1 | ) | 10.8 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total purchase price |
$ | 127.0 | $ | | $ | 127.0 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fair value of the client relationships intangible assets was determined by applying the income approach through a discounted cash flow analysis, specifically a multi-period excess earnings method. The valuation was based on the present value of the net earnings attributable to the measured asset.
The technology intangible asset represents Lattice's premier client data platform to deliver client services and solutions. The fair value of this intangible asset was determined by applying the income approach; specifically, a relief from royalty method.
The fair value of the deferred revenue was determined based on estimated direct costs to fulfill the related obligations, plus a reasonable profit margin based on selected peer companies' margins as a benchmark.
We believe that the information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. But, if facts and circumstances arise that necessitate change, we will adjust the associated fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. We expect to further analyze certain assumptions applied to the valuation models and the calculation of deferred income tax. We expect to complete the
F-119
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 14. Acquisitions (Continued)
purchase accounting process as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.
The value of the goodwill is primarily related to Lattice's capability associated with product development which provides potential growth opportunity in the Sales & Marketing space as well as cost synergy generated from the combined business. The intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line method. The amortization method reflects the timing of the benefits derived from each of the intangible assets.
The goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The following pro forma statements of operations data presents the combined results of the Company and Lattice, assuming that the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2018.
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
||||||||
Reported revenue(1) |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | ||||||
Lattice revenuepre-acquisition revenue |
11.1 | 2.9 | 25.1 | |||||||||
Add: deferred revenue adjustment |
2.4 | | (4.8 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total pro forma revenue |
$ | 1,427.4 | $ | 181.6 | $ | 1,736.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reported net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor)(2) |
$ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | ||||
Pro forma adjustmentsnet of tax effect |
||||||||||||
Pre-acquisition net loss |
(19.7 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (13.1 | ) | ||||||
Intangible amortizationnet of tax benefits |
(1.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (3.6 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue adjustmentnet of tax benefits |
1.8 | | (3.6 | ) | ||||||||
Transaction costsnet of tax benefits |
0.4 | | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (692.9 | ) | $ | (77.0 | ) | $ | 267.4 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-120
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 14. Acquisitions (Continued)
Avention, Inc. ("Avention")
On January 9, 2017, the Company acquired a 100% equity interest in Avention. Avention is a Massachusetts-based company that provides organizations with a deeper understanding of company, contact and market data, delivered through a robust technology platform. The results of Avention have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.
The acquisition was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805. The acquisition was valued at $150 million, net of cash acquired. Transaction costs of $4.1 million were included in Selling and Administrative Expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity were recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition.
The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting purchase allocation:
|
Amortization
Life (years) |
Initial Purchase
Price Allocation at March 31, 2017 |
Measurement
Period Adjustments |
Final Purchase Price
Allocation at December 31, 2017 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash |
$ | 4.2 | $ | | $ | 4.2 | ||||||
Accounts Receivable |
13.6 | | 13.6 | |||||||||
Other Current Assets |
2.3 | | 2.3 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Current Assets |
$ | 20.1 | $ | | $ | 20.1 | ||||||
Intangible Assets: |
||||||||||||
Customer Relationships |
10 to 12 | 31.2 | (0.3 | ) | 30.9 | |||||||
Technology |
6 | 15.8 | (1.4 | ) | 14.4 | |||||||
Backlog |
2 | 5.8 | 0.7 | 6.5 | ||||||||
Goodwill |
Indefinite | 112.8 | 3.9 | 116.7 | ||||||||
Other |
5.3 | | 5.3 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets Acquired |
$ | 191.0 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 193.9 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred Revenue |
$ |
23.3 |
$ |
(1.0 |
) |
$ |
22.3 |
|||||
Deferred Tax Liability |
7.7 | 3.9 | 11.6 | |||||||||
Other Liabilities |
5.8 | | 5.8 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities Assumed |
$ | 36.8 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 39.7 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Purchase Price |
154.2 |
|
154.2 |
|||||||||
Less: |
||||||||||||
Cash Acquired |
(4.2 | ) | | (4.2 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Cash Consideration |
$ | 150.0 | $ | | $ | 150.0 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fair value of the client relationships and backlog intangible assets were determined by applying the income approach through a discounted cash flow analysis, specifically a multi-period excess earnings method. The valuation was based on the present value of the net earnings, or after-tax cash flows attributable to the measured assets.
F-121
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 14. Acquisitions (Continued)
The technology intangible asset represents Avention's data service platform to deliver customer services and solutions. The fair value of this intangible asset was determined by applying the income approach; specifically, a relief-from-royalty method.
The fair value of the deferred revenue was determined based on estimated direct costs to fulfill the related obligations, plus a reasonable profit margin based on selected peer companies' margins as a benchmark.
The preliminary fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities were subject to change within the one-year measurement period. We obtained information to determine the fair values of the net assets acquired at the acquisition date during the measurement period. Since the initial valuation reflected in our financial results as of March 31, 2017, we have allocated goodwill and intangible assets between our North America and International segments based on their respective projected cash flows. In addition, we recorded adjustments to the deferred tax liability reflecting the allocation of intangible assets between segments as well as applying a revised tax rate. The above measurement period adjustments to the preliminary valuation of assets and liabilities resulted in a net increase of goodwill of $3.9 million.
Goodwill of $83.9 million and $32.8 million was assigned to our North America and International segment, respectively, at December 31, 2017 (Predecessor). The value of the goodwill is primarily related to Avention's capability associated with product development which provides potential growth opportunities in the Sales Acceleration space. In addition, we expect cost synergies as a result of the acquisition. The intangible assets, with useful lives from 2 to 12 years, are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of 8.6 years utilizing a straight-line method, which approximates the timing of the benefits derived. The intangibles have been recorded within Other Intangibles in our consolidated balance sheet since the date of acquisition.
The goodwill acquired is not deductible for tax purposes.
F-122
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 14. Acquisitions (Continued)
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma statements of operations data presents the combined results of the Company and Avention, assuming that the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2016.
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
2017 | |||
Reported GAAP revenue(1) |
$ | 1,742.5 | ||
Add: Avention pre-acquisition revenue |
| |||
Add: deferred revenue fair value adjustment |
8.0 | |||
| | | | |
Total pro forma revenue |
$ | 1,750.5 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Reported GAAP net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings Inc (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor)(2) |
$ | 140.9 | ||
Pro forma adjustmentsnet of income tax: |
||||
Pre-acquisition net loss |
| |||
Deferred revenue fair value adjustment |
5.5 | |||
Intangible amortizationnet of tax |
| |||
Acquisition-related costs |
2.8 | |||
| | | | |
Pro Forma net income attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings Inc (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | 149.2 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
F-123
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 15. Supplemental Financial Data
Other Accrued and Current Liabilities:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Restructuring accruals |
$ | 11.1 | $ | 7.6 | |||||
Operating expenses accruals |
58.7 | 64.3 | |||||||
Accrued interest expense(1) |
49.3 | 2.0 | |||||||
Short term lease liability |
22.4 | | |||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
25.8 | 29.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 167.3 | $ | 103.3 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other Non-Current Liabilities:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Deferred revenuelong term |
$ | 7.8 | $ | 7.3 | |||||
Deferred compensation |
0.3 | 8.2 | |||||||
U.S. tax liability associated with the 2017 Act |
55.0 | 60.4 | |||||||
Deferred rent(2) |
| 19.6 | |||||||
Long term lease liability |
71.2 | | |||||||
Other |
3.4 | 0.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 137.7 | $ | 95.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
F-124
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 15. Supplemental Financial Data (Continued)
Property, Plant and EquipmentNet:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Buildings |
$ | | $ | 1.0 | |||||
Furniture |
22.4 | 57.3 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
|
22.4 | 58.3 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
4.4 | 43.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
|
18.0 | 14.9 | |||||||
Leasehold improvements, less: |
|||||||||
Accumulated amortization of $3.1 and $23.7 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively |
11.4 | 16.3 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipmentNet |
$ | 29.4 | $ | 31.2 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The following table presents Other Income (Expense)Net:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
Non-operating pension income (expense)(3) |
$ | 35.9 | $ | (85.7 | ) | $ | (2.4 | ) | $ | (2.1 | ) | ||||
Change in fair value of make-whole derivative liabilitySee Note 20 |
(172.4 | ) | | | | ||||||||||
Miscellaneous other income (expense)net(4) |
(18.3 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (2.1 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense)net |
$ | (154.8 | ) | $ | (86.0 | ) | $ | (3.3 | ) | $ | (4.2 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-125
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 15. Supplemental Financial Data (Continued)
Computer Software and Goodwill:
|
Computer
Software |
Goodwill | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
|||||||
January 1, 2018 |
$ | 132.1 | $ | 779.6 | |||
Additions at cost(5) |
50.7 | | |||||
Amortization |
(44.9 | ) | | ||||
Other(7) |
(4.1 | ) | (8.8 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
December 31, 2018 |
133.8 | 770.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Additions at cost(5) |
5.0 | | |||||
Amortization |
(6.8 | ) | | ||||
Other(7) |
0.1 | 2.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
February 7, 2019 |
$ | 132.1 | $ | 773.5 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Successor: |
|||||||
January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | | |||
Acquisition(6) |
376.0 | 2842.8 | |||||
Additions at cost(5) |
56.4 | | |||||
Amortization |
(48.4 | ) | | ||||
Other(7) |
(4.2 | ) | (2.7 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
December 31, 2019 |
$ | 379.8 | $ | 2,840.1 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
F-126
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 15. Supplemental Financial Data (Continued)
Other Intangibles:
|
Client
Relationships |
Database
and Other |
Other
Indefinite-Lived Intangibles |
Total | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Predecessor: |
|||||||||||||
January 1, 2018 |
$ | 91.6 | $ | 66.9 | $ | 158.4 | $ | 316.9 | |||||
Additions |
| 0.8 | | 0.8 | |||||||||
Amortization |
(15.1 | ) | (17.8 | ) | | (32.9 | ) | ||||||
Write-offs |
| | | | |||||||||
Other |
(0.8 | ) | 0.1 | | (0.7 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2018(8) |
75.7 | 50.0 | 158.4 | 284.1 | |||||||||
Additions at cost |
| 0.1 | | 0.1 | |||||||||
Amortization |
(1.7 | ) | (1.5 | ) | | (3.2 | ) | ||||||
Other(9) |
0.1 | | | 0.1 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February 7, 2019(8) |
$ | 74.1 | $ | 48.6 | $ | 158.4 | $ | 281.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Successor: |
|||||||||||||
January 1, 2019 |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Acquisition(10) |
2,403.0 | 1,999.7 | 1,275.8 | 5,678.5 | |||||||||
Additions at cost |
| 0.6 | | 0.6 | |||||||||
Amortization |
(239.5 | ) | (186.3 | ) | | (425.8 | ) | ||||||
Other(9) |
(1.4 | ) | (0.5 | ) | | (1.9 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2019(8) |
$ | 2,162.1 | $ | 1,813.5 | $ | 1,275.8 | $ | 5,251.4 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Database and OtherNet of accumulated amortization of $186.3 million, $121.4 million, and $119.8 million as of December 31, 2019 (Successor), February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and December 31, 2018 (Predecessor), respectively.
F-127
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 15. Supplemental Financial Data (Continued)
The table below sets forth the future amortization as of December 31, 2019 associated with computer software and intangible assets recognized as a result of the Take-Private Transaction and the acquisition of Lattice:
|
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer Software |
$ | 53.5 | $ | 53.5 | $ | 46.8 | $ | 46.1 | $ | 40.4 | $ | 87.9 | $ | 328.2 | ||||||||
Client Relationship |
255.0 | 238.9 | 222.9 | 206.9 | 190.9 | 1,047.5 | 2,162.1 | |||||||||||||||
Database |
200.9 | 189.7 | 178.4 | 167.2 | 155.9 | 921.4 | 1,813.5 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 509.4 | $ | 482.1 | $ | 448.1 | $ | 420.2 | $ | 387.2 | $ | 2,056.8 | $ | 4,303.8 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
Predecessor: |
||||
January 1, 2017 |
$ | 23.6 | ||
Additions charged to costs and expenses |
4.7 | |||
Write-offs |
(7.7 | ) | ||
Recoveries |
2.9 | |||
Divestitures |
| |||
Other |
0.7 | |||
| | | | |
December 31, 2017 |
24.2 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Additions charged to costs and expenses |
6.7 | |||
Write-offs |
(9.1 | ) | ||
Recoveries |
2.7 | |||
Divestitures |
| |||
Other(11) |
(10.4 | ) | ||
| | | | |
December 31, 2018 |
14.1 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Additions charged to costs and expenses |
0.7 | |||
Write-offs |
(0.6 | ) | ||
Recoveries |
0.2 | |||
Other |
0.2 | |||
| | | | |
February 7, 2019 |
$ | 14.6 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Successor: |
||||
January 1, 2019 |
$ | | ||
Additions charged to costs and expenses |
5.2 | |||
Recoveries |
2.3 | |||
Other |
(0.2 | ) | ||
| | | | |
December 31, 2019 |
$ | 7.3 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
F-128
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 15. Supplemental Financial Data (Continued)
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance:
Predecessor: |
||||
January 1, 2017 |
$ | 33.2 | ||
Additions charged (credited) to costs and expenses |
0.9 | |||
Additions charged (credited) due to foreign currency fluctuations |
3.5 | |||
Additions charged (credited) to other accounts |
1.5 | |||
| | | | |
December 31, 2017 |
39.1 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Additions charged (credited) to costs and expenses |
(2.8 | ) | ||
Additions charged (credited) due to foreign currency fluctuations |
(1.9 | ) | ||
Additions charged (credited) to other accounts |
| |||
| | | | |
December 31, 2018 |
34.4 | |||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Additions charged (credited) to costs and expenses |
| |||
Additions charged (credited) due to foreign currency fluctuations |
| |||
Additions charged (credited) to other accounts |
| |||
| | | | |
February 7, 2019 |
$ | 34.4 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Successor: |
||||
January 1, 2019 |
$ | | ||
Additions charged (credited) to costs and expenses |
(27.2 | ) | ||
Additions charged (credited) due to foreign currency fluctuations |
(0.5 | ) | ||
Acquisition |
60.8 | |||
| | | | |
December 31, 2019 |
$ | 33.1 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Note 16. Segment Information
Since the Take-Private Transaction, management has made changes to transform our business. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed the composition of our reportable segments, the classification of revenue by solution set and our measure of segment profit (from operating income to adjusted EBITDA) in the information that we provide to our chief operating decision makers (CODMs) to better align with how they assess performance and allocate resources. Latin America Worldwide Network, which was previously included in the Americas reportable segment, is currently included in the International segment. Accordingly, prior period results have been recast to conform to the current presentation of segments, revenue by solution set, and the measure of segment profit. These changes do not impact our consolidated results.
Our segment disclosure is intended to provide the users of our consolidated financial statements with a view of the business that is consistent with management of the Company.
We manage our business and report our financial results through the following two segments:
F-129
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 16. Segment Information (Continued)
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) excluding the following items: (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) interest expense and income; (iii) income tax benefit or provision; (iv) other expenses or income; (v) equity in net income of affiliates; (vi) net income attributable to non-controlling interests; (vii) dividends allocated to preferred stockholders; (viii) revenue and expense adjustments to include results for the period from January 8 to February 7, 2019, for the Predecessor related to the lag adjustment; (ix) deferred revenue purchase accounting adjustment; (x) other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting (e.g. commission asset amortization); (xi) equity-based compensation; (xii) restructuring charges; (xiii) merger and acquisition-related operating costs; (xiv) transition costs primarily consisting of non-recurring incentive expenses associated with our synergy program; (xv) legal reserve and costs associated with significant legal and regulatory matters; and (xvi) asset impairment. Our client solution sets are Finance & Risk and Sales & Marketing. Inter-segment sales are immaterial, and no single client accounted for 10% or more of our total revenue.
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
Revenue: |
|||||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 1,316.5 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 1,420.6 | $ | 1,444.0 | |||||||
International |
236.3 | 56.4 | 295.8 | 306.4 | |||||||||||
Corporate and other(1) |
(138.9 | ) | (25.9 | ) | | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-130
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 16. Segment Information (Continued)
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA: |
|||||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 634.6 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 575.9 | $ | 525.5 | |||||||
International |
78.2 | 20.3 | 91.2 | 102.0 | |||||||||||
Corporate and other |
(210.7 | ) | (9.3 | ) | (98.5 | ) | (102.9 | ) | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total |
$ | 502.1 | $ | 66.3 | $ | 568.6 | $ | 524.6 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(482.4 | ) | (11.1 | ) | (88.7 | ) | (79.7 | ) | |||||||
Interest expensenet |
(301.1 | ) | (5.2 | ) | (52.5 | ) | (58.1 | ) | |||||||
(Benefit) provision for income taxnet |
118.2 | 27.5 | (81.6 | ) | (179.7 | ) | |||||||||
Other income (expense)net |
(154.8 | ) | (86.0 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (4.2 | ) | |||||||
Equity in net income of affiliates |
4.2 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 2.8 | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest |
(6.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (4.1 | ) | |||||||
Dividends allocated to preferred stockholders |
(114.0 | ) | | | | ||||||||||
International lag adjustment |
| (2.7 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Other incremental or reduced expenses from the application of purchase accounting |
20.7 | | | | |||||||||||
Equity-based compensation |
(11.7 | ) | (11.7 | ) | (10.8 | ) | (20.5 | ) | |||||||
Restructuring charges |
(51.8 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (25.4 | ) | (32.1 | ) | |||||||
Merger and acquisition-related operating costs |
(156.0 | ) | (52.0 | ) | (11.6 | ) | (15.0 | ) | |||||||
Transition costs |
(37.7 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.3 | ) | | ||||||||
Legal reserve associated with significant legal and regulatory matters |
0.2 | | (2.9 | ) | 7.7 | ||||||||||
Asset impairment |
(3.4 | ) | | | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (Successor)/The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) |
$ | (674.0 | ) | $ | (75.6 | ) | $ | 288.1 | $ | 141.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-131
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 16. Segment Information (Continued)
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization: |
|||||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 34.8 | $ | 5.8 | $ | 41.3 | $ | 34.1 | |||||||
International |
5.9 | 1.5 | 8.5 | 8.1 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total segments |
40.7 | 7.3 | 49.8 | 42.2 | |||||||||||
Corporate and other(2) |
441.7 | 3.8 | 38.9 | 37.5 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total |
$ | 482.4 | $ | 11.1 | $ | 88.7 | $ | 79.7 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures: |
|||||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 9.6 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 6.0 | |||||||
International |
1.9 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.8 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total segments |
11.5 | 0.3 | 4.3 | 6.8 | |||||||||||
Corporate and other |
1.0 | (0.1 | ) | 0.8 | 1.6 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total |
$ | 12.5 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 8.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Additions to computer software and other intangibles: |
|||||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 48.0 | $ | 4.3 | $ | 39.5 | $ | 34.6 | |||||||
International |
6.4 | 0.8 | 4.9 | 6.2 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total segments |
54.4 | 5.1 | 44.4 | 40.8 | |||||||||||
Corporate and other |
2.0 | | 8.7 | 12.9 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total |
$ | 56.4 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 53.1 | $ | 53.7 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Assets: |
|||||||||
North America |
$ | 8,378.4 | $ | 1,386.3 | |||||
International |
632.7 | 332.1 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total segments |
9,011.1 | 1,718.4 | |||||||
Corporate and Other |
101.7 | 102.5 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total(3) |
$ | 9,112.8 | $ | 1,820.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
F-132
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 16. Segment Information (Continued)
Supplemental Geographic and Client Solution Set Information:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||
|
December 31,
2019 |
|
December 31,
2018 |
||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Goodwill: |
|||||||||
North America (U.S. and Canada) |
$ | 2,734.6 | $ | 633.9 | |||||
International |
105.5 | 136.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total(3) |
$ | 2,840.1 | $ | 770.8 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other intangibles: |
|||||||||
North America (U.S. and Canada) |
$ | 4,953.0 | $ | 274.2 | |||||
International |
298.4 | 9.9 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total(3) |
$ | 5,251.4 | $ | 284.1 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other long-lived assets: |
|||||||||
North America (U.S. and Canada)(4) |
$ | 500.9 | $ | 262.7 | |||||
International |
89.9 | 49.3 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total(3) |
$ | 590.8 | $ | 312.0 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total long-lived assets |
$ | 8,682.3 | $ | 1,366.9 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
F-133
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 16. Segment Information (Continued)
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2018 |
Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2017 |
||||||||||
Client Solution Set Revenue: |
|||||||||||||||
North America: |
|||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 728.2 | $ | 80.4 | $ | 792.6 | $ | 828.4 | |||||||
Sales & Marketing |
588.3 | 67.8 | 628.0 | 615.6 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total North America(5) |
$ | 1,316.5 | $ | 148.2 | $ | 1,420.6 | $ | 1,444.0 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International: |
|||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 191.3 | $ | 43.4 | $ | 233.6 | $ | 246.0 | |||||||
Sales & Marketing |
45.0 | 13.0 | 62.2 | 60.4 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total International |
$ | 236.3 | $ | 56.4 | $ | 295.8 | $ | 306.4 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate and other: |
|||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | (82.9 | ) | $ | (19.2 | ) | $ | | $ | | |||||
Sales & Marketing |
(56.0 | ) | (6.7 | ) | | (7.9 | ) | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total corporate and other |
$ | (138.9 | ) | $ | (25.9 | ) | $ | | $ | (7.9 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue: |
|||||||||||||||
Finance & Risk |
$ | 836.6 | $ | 104.6 | $ | 1,026.2 | $ | 1,074.4 | |||||||
Sales & Marketing |
577.3 | 74.1 | 690.2 | 668.1 | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue |
$ | 1,413.9 | $ | 178.7 | $ | 1,716.4 | $ | 1,742.5 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Note 17. Related Parties
The following sets forth certain transactions and agreements in which the Company and our affiliates, executive officers and certain directors are involved.
As a result of the completion of the Take-Private Transaction on February 8, 2019, the Company is directly owned by Parent, which is collectively controlled by entities affiliated with members of the Investor Consortium.
Upon the close of the transaction, Anthony Jabbour was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company while continuing his role as Black Knight's Chief Executive Officer. Stephen Daffron, co-founder of Motive Partners, became our President and Chief Operating Officer. Additionally, William P. Foley II serves as Chairman of the Company's board of directors, while continuing his role as Chairman of the board of directors of Cannae and Black Knight's Chairman. Further, Richard N. Massey, a member of the Company's board of directors, serves as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of Cannae. Certain other key employees have dual responsibilities among the Investor Consortium.
F-134
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 17. Related Parties (Continued)
On February 8, 2019, the Company entered into a services agreement with MVB Management, LLC ("MVB"), an entity affiliated with William P. Foley II and Chinh E. Chu, and THL Managers VIII, LLC ("THL Managers"), pursuant to which MVB and THL Managers provided services in connection with the Take-Private Transaction. The Company paid a total fee of $29.1 million to MVB under the agreement upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction, which we included as "Selling and Administrative Expenses" in the Successor's statement of operations for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Under the services agreement, the Company must reimburse the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by MVB and THL Managers in performing the ongoing services. The Company has made no payments pursuant to the reimbursement provision during the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
Pursuant to the equity commitment fee letter entered into on February 8, 2019 with THL Managers and Cannae, each committed to provide certain funding to Parent in connection with the Take-Private Transaction for which THL Managers and Cannae received a fee of $7.5 million and $12.0 million, respectively. These fees reduced the proceeds from capital contribution to the Company.
Pursuant to the Parent L.P. Agreement, an entity jointly controlled by affiliates of CC Capital and Bilcar (the "Originating Sponsors") was granted 6,817.7428 Class B profits interest units of Parent, which were valued at $17.3 million and were included as "Selling and Administrative Expenses" in the Successor's statement of operations for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Pursuant to the Parent L.P. Agreement, the Originating Sponsors also received 15,867.8087 Class C profits interest units of Parent upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction. The units were valued at approximately $37.9 million. See further discussion in Note 6.
Upon the close of the Take-Private Transaction, Motive Partners received $0.6 million related to due diligence consulting services pursuant to a services agreement between Parent and Motive Partners.
During the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, Motive Partners was retained to provide certain technology consulting services. Total cost incurred during the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 for such services was approximately $1.0 million. During the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, the Company entered into a five-year lease agreement with Motive Partners related to the office space for the Company's London sales office starting August 1, 2019. Total payments over the five-year lease term aggregate to approximately $1.0 million. In December 2019, the Company entered into a one-year lease agreement with Motive Partners for operations in New York starting January 1, 2020. Total payments over the one-year lease term aggregate to approximately $0.2 million.
In the normal course of business, we reimburse affiliates for certain travel costs incurred by Dun & Bradstreet executives and board members. The amounts included in Selling & Administrative Expenses for the Successor period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 were $0.6 million.
Note 18. Contractual Obligations
Detailed below are our most significant contractual obligations.
F-135
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 18. Contractual Obligations (Continued)
Acxiom Corporation and Ensono, L.P.
We currently outsource certain of our product and technology capabilities in North America and our fulfillment processes in Europe to Acxiom in order to increase the speed, data processing and matching capabilities for our global sales and marketing clients. Effective January 1, 2020, the agreement was modified and extended through December 31, 2020. Together with other fulfillment contracts the aggregate minimum obligation is approximately $10 million.
Effective July 1, 2019, the Company amended and extended its previous service agreement with Ensono L.P. ("Ensono") through June 30, 2024. Pursuant to the agreement, Ensono will provide information technology and data processing services, including additional services and services previously provided. The agreement is non-cancellable before July 1, 2022. We can terminate the agreement starting July 1, 2022 with a fee as defined in the agreement. At December 31, 2019, total payments to Ensono over the remaining term of the above contract, excluding the lease components accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, will aggregate to approximately $167 million.
We incurred costs of approximately $56 million, $6 million, $60 million and $66 million under all of these outsourcing agreements for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively. At December 31, 2019, total payments to Acxiom and Ensono, L.P. over the remaining terms of all contracts will aggregate to approximately $177 million.
Cognizant Technology Solutions
Effective February 2018, we entered into a new three-year agreement with Cognizant Technology Solutions ("CTS") to consolidate the majority of the existing service agreements in which CTS provides technology support to develop applications for our products and solutions. We can terminate the agreement at any time with six months' prior written notice and a $4.5 million termination fee. Concurrently, a separate three-year agreement dated June 1, 2015, in which CTS provides global maintenance and support for our daily applications and systems, was extended to May 31, 2020.
We incurred costs of approximately $35 million, $4 million, $37 million and $20 million under all of these agreements for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively. At December 31, 2019, total payments over the remaining terms of the above agreements will aggregate to approximately $26 million.
Convergys Customer Management Group (Now owned by Concentrix)
We currently have outsourcing agreements with Convergys Customer Management Group ("CCMG") through December 2022 related to our customer contact center solution. The primary scope of the agreement includes the following services for our North America business: (i) Outbound Customer Service, which principally involves the collection, compilation and verification of information contained in our databases; and (ii)Data Update Service, which principally involves the bulk or discrete updates to the critical data elements about companies in our databases. Previously, CCMG also
F-136
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 18. Contractual Obligations (Continued)
provided services related to the Inbound Customer Services function, which as terminated in March 2017.
We incurred costs of approximately $4 million, $1 million, $9 million and $13 million under all these agreements the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively.
Worldwide Network Partnership Agreements
We entered into commercial service agreements with our third-party Worldwide Network Partners with various terms ranging from 5 to 15 years. Under these agreements we commit to purchase data and services from our partners in order to serve our global clients.
We incurred costs of approximately $23 million, $3 million, $22 million and $21 million under all of these agreements for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor) and the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively. At December 31, 2019, total payments to our Worldwide Network partners over the remaining terms of all agreements aggregate to approximately $210 million.
The following table quantifies our future contractual obligations as discussed above, as well as other contractual obligations, as of December 31, 2019:
Contractual Obligations
|
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commitments to Outsourcers and Other Purchase Obligations |
$ | 183.8 | $ | 116.8 | $ | 89.2 | $ | 30.1 | $ | 23.3 | $ | 90.9 | $ | 534.1 |
The table above excludes pension obligations for which funding requirements are uncertain, excludes long-term contingent liabilities and excludes unrecognized tax benefits. Our obligations with respect to pension and postretirement medical benefit plans are described in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. Our contingent liabilities with respect to legal matters are discussed in Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements. Our obligations with respect to senior notes, term loan and credit facilities are discussed in Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements. Our obligations with respect to unrecognized tax benefits are discussed in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements. Our obligations with respect to leases are discussed in Note 19.
Note 19. Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Topic 842.
We recognized $91.9 million and $112.9 million of existing operating leases as right of use assets and lease liabilities effective January 1, 2019.
F-137
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 19. Leases (Continued)
The right of use assets and lease liabilities included in our balance sheet are as follows:
|
December 31,
2019 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Right of use assets included in other non-current assets |
$ | 87.9 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Short-term operating lease liabilities included in other accrued and current liabilities |
22.4 | |||
Long-term operating lease liabilities included in other non-current liabilities |
71.2 | |||
| | | | |
Total operating lease liabilities |
$ | 93.6 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The operating lease cost, supplemental cash flow and other information, and maturity analysis for leases is as follows:
|
Successor |
|
Predecessor | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Period from
January 1 to December 31, 2019 |
|
Period from
January 1 to February 7, 2019 |
||||||
Operating lease costs |
$ | 24.6 | $ | 2.8 | |||||
Variable lease costs |
3.9 | 1.0 | |||||||
Short-term lease costs |
0.2 | | |||||||
Sublease income |
(0.7 | ) | (0.1 | ) | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
Total lease costs |
$ | 28.0 | $ | 3.7 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for operating leases is included in operating cash flows and was $23.7 million and $5.9 million for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) and for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor), respectively.
Rent expense under operating leases (cancelable and non-cancelable) were $32.9 million and $33.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (Predecessor), respectively.
F-138
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 19. Leases (Continued)
The maturity analysis for operating lease liabilities is as follows:
|
December 31,
2019 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 |
$ | 27.2 | ||
2021 |
25.0 | |||
2022 |
20.9 | |||
2023 |
11.7 | |||
2024 |
7.1 | |||
Thereafter |
16.2 | |||
| | | | |
Undiscounted cash flows |
108.1 | |||
Less imputed interest |
14.5 | |||
| | | | |
Total operating lease liabilities |
$ | 93.6 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other supplemental information on remaining lease term and discount rate is as follows:
|
December 31,
2019 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) |
5.0 | |||
Weighted average discount rate |
5.9 | % |
As previously disclosed in our 2018 financial statements and under the previous standard (Topic 840), our future payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2018:
|
At December 31,
2018 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 |
$ | 34.5 | ||
2020 |
31.7 | |||
2021 |
28.5 | |||
2022 |
22.1 | |||
2023 |
14.2 | |||
Thereafter |
28.2 | |||
| | | | |
Total |
$ | 159.2 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Note 20. Preferred Stock
In connection with the Privatization Transaction on February 8, 2019, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. issued 1,050,000 shares of Cumulative Series A Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") for $1,028.4 million, net of issuance discount of $21.6 million. Together with other financing sources, the net proceeds were used to consummate the Take-Private Transaction.
The Certificate of Designations of the Cumulative Series A Preferred Stock (the "Certificate of Designations") sets forth the terms, rights, powers, and preferences, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Preferred Stock.
F-139
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 20. Preferred Stock (Continued)
Liquidation Preference: Each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference equal to the sum of (a) the Stated Value ($1,000.00 per share) plus (b) all accrued, accumulated and unpaid dividends.
Ranking: The Series A Preferred Stock (inclusive of unpaid dividends) has a ranking senior and in priority of payment to all other capital stock in any liquidation or winding up of the Company, and so long as any share of Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, no dividends or distributions on, or purchases or redemptions of other Capital Stock shall be made, paid or declared with certain exception as defined in the Certificate of Designations.
Dividends: The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to cumulative dividend at (a) 12% per annum from February 7, 2019 to February 7, 2027; (b) 13% per annum from February 8, 2027 to February 8, 2028; and (c) 14% per annum from and after February 8, 2028. Unpaid dividends are accumulated and compounded quarterly regardless of whether they are declared.
Redemption: The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable upon the occurrence of a material event as defined in the Certificate of Designations (e.g., a change in control event, a qualified IPO or an insolvency event, etc.) at applicable price depending on when the redemption event occurs as described below:
In addition, according to the provision under the Preferred Investors Rights Agreement, holders of Series A Preferred Stock have the right to compel a qualified initial public offering or a sale of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. after February 8, 2029.
The Company classified the Series A Preferred Stock as mezzanine equity because the instrument contains a redemption feature which is contingent upon certain events, the occurrence of which is not solely within the control of the Company.
We have bifurcated embedded derivatives and assess fair value each reporting date. Beginning in November 2019, we determined that there was a more than remote likelihood that the Series A
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts, except share and per share data, in millions)
Note 20. Preferred Stock (Continued)
Preferred Stock would become redeemable before November 8, 2021. As a result we determined the fair value of the make-whole provision to be $172.4 million at December 31, 2019, which was included in the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor) and reflected as "Make-whole derivative liability" within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019. The fair value was estimated using the with and without method and based on management's estimate of probability of the triggering event associated with the make-whole derivative liability. We also recorded accretion of $3.4 million to the mezzanine equity using interest method.
On May 31, 2019, July 30, 2019 and December 16, 2019, the board of directors of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. declared a cash dividend to all holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of record at the close of business on May 31, 2019, September 16, 2019 and December 16, 2019, respectively. The May 31, 2019 dividend amount was $30.51 per share in an aggregate amount of $32.0 million, which was paid in June and July 2019. The September 16, 2019 and December 16, 2019 dividend amount was $30.51 per share, in an aggregate amount of $32.1 million and $32.0 million, respectively, which was paid in September 2019 and December 2019, respectively.
Note 21. Subsequent Events
On January 7, 2020 we acquired a 100% equity interest in Orb Intelligence for a purchase price of $11.0 million, net of cash acquired. Orb Intelligence offers a high quality, global database of information, with a focus on building a digital view of businesses' presence. We will account for the acquisition in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations" in the first quarter of 2020.
On March 11, 2020, we acquired coAction.com for a purchase price of $9.6 million. coAction.com is a leader in revenue cycle management in the order-to-cash process, serving mid to large size companies across multiple industries. The results of coAction.com, which will not be material, will be included in our North America segment from the date of the acquisition.
On June 23, 2020, we increased our authorized common stock to 2,000,000,000 and our authorized preferred stock to 25,000,000 and effected a 314,494.968 for 1 stock split of our common stock. All of the common share and per share information in the consolidated financial statements for the Successor periods has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the increase in authorized common stock and stock split.
The Company has evaluated subsequent events that occurred after December 31, 2019 up to June 24, 2020.
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65,750,000 Shares
Common Stock
Prospectus
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | BofA Securities | |
J.P. Morgan |
|
Barclays |
Citigroup | Credit Suisse | HSBC | Jefferies | RBC Capital Markets | Wells Fargo Securities |
Deutsche Bank Securities | BMO Capital Markets | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | TD Securities |
Raymond James | Stephens Inc. | William Blair | Academy Securities | Loop Capital Markets |
Until , 2020 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade in shares of these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART IIINFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth all costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discount, paid or payable by us in connection with the sale of the common stock being registered. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the listing fee for the NYSE.
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Amount Paid or
to be Paid |
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SEC registration fee |
$ | 206,105 | ||
FINRA filing fee |
$ | 225,500 | ||
NYSE Listing fee |
$ | 270,000 | ||
Blue sky qualification fees and expenses |
$ | 5,000 | ||
Printing and engraving expenses |
$ | 275,000 | ||
Legal fees and expenses |
$ | 4,565,000 | ||
Accounting fees and expenses |
$ | 1,400,000 | ||
Advisory Services |
$ | 7,500,000 | ||
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses |
$ | 10,000 | ||
Miscellaneous expenses |
$ | 43,395 | ||
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Total |
$ | 14,500,000 | ||
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Item 14. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
The Registrant is governed by the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL. Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who was or is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was or is an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the corporation's best interest and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that such person's conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any person, including an officer or director, who was or is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or contemplated action or suit by or in the right of such corporation, under the same conditions, except that such indemnification is limited to expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person, and except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if such person is adjudged to be liable to such corporation. Where an officer or director of a corporation is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation must indemnify that person against the expenses (including attorneys' fees) which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith.
The Registrant's amended and restated bylaws will authorize the indemnification of its officers and directors, consistent with Section 145 of the DGCL, as amended.
Reference is made to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, which enables a corporation in its original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director for violations of the director's fiduciary duty, except (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
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involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful payments of dividends of unlawful stock purchase or redemptions or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
The Registrant expects to maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (i) to its directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (ii) to the Registrant with respect to indemnification payments that it may make to such directors and officers.
The proposed form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement provides for indemnification to the Registrant's directors and officers by the underwriters against certain liabilities.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The following sets forth information regarding all unregistered securities sold by the Registrant in transactions that were exempt from the requirements of the Securities Act in the last three years:
On September 18, 2018, the Registrant issued 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. in consideration of a contribution from Star Parent, L.P. of $10.00.
The shares of common stock in the transaction listed above were issued in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as the sale of such securities did not involve a public offering. The recipient of the securities in this transaction represented its intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates issued in these transactions. The recipient had adequate access, through its relationships with the Registrant, to information about the Registrant.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits:
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Short Hills, New Jersey, on June 26, 2020.
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Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. | |||||
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By: |
/s/ JOE A. REINHARDT III
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Name: | Joe A. Reinhardt III | ||||
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Title: | Chief Legal Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 26, 2020.
Signature
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Anthony M. Jabbour |
Chief Executive Officer and Director
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* Bryan T. Hipsher |
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Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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* Anthony Pietrontone |
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Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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* William P. Foley II |
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Chairman of the Board |
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* Douglas K. Ammerman |
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Director |
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* Chinh E. Chu |
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Director |
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* Thomas M. Hagerty |
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Director |
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* Richard N. Massey |
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Director |
Signature
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James A. Quella |
Director | |||||
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* Ganesh B. Rao |
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Director |
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*By: |
/s/ JOE A. REINHARDT III
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Name: | Joe A. Reinhardt III | |||||
Title: | Attorney-in-fact |
Execution Version
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Common Stock, Par Value $0.0001 Per Share
Underwriting Agreement
[ · ], 2020
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
200 West Street,
New York, New York 10282
BofA Securities, Inc.
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
As representatives (the Representatives) of the several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated in this agreement (this Agreement), to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the Underwriters) an aggregate of [ · ] shares (the Firm Shares) and, at the election of the Underwriters, up to [ · ] additional shares (the Optional Shares) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (Stock), of the Company (the Firm Shares and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to Section 2 hereof being collectively called the Shares).
The Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, (an affiliate of BofA Securities, Inc., a participating Underwriter, hereafter referred to as Merrill Lynch) agree that up to 5% of the Firm Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters (the Reserved Securities) shall be reserved for sale by the Merrill Lynch to certain persons designated by the Company (the Invitees), as part of the distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Company has solely determined, without any direct or indirect participation by the Underwriters or Merrill Lynch, the Invitees who will
purchase Reserved Securities (including the amount to be purchased by such persons) sold by Merrill Lynch. To the extent that such Reserved Securities are not orally confirmed for purchase by Invitees by 11:59 PM. (New York City time) on the first business day after the date of this Agreement, such Reserved Securities may be offered to the public as part of the public offering contemplated hereby.
1. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:
(a) A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239050) (the Initial Registration Statement) in respect of the Shares has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission); the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to you, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement), filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), which became effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act is hereinafter called a Preliminary Prospectus; the various parts of the Initial Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including all exhibits thereto and including the information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective, each as amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes effective, are hereinafter collectively called the Registration Statement; the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Shares that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined in Section 1(c) hereof) is hereinafter called the Pricing Prospectus; such final prospectus, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, is hereinafter called the Prospectus; and any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Rule 163B under the Act is hereinafter called a Testing-the-Waters Communication; and any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act is hereinafter called a Written Testing-the-Waters Communication and any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433 under the Act relating to the Shares is hereinafter called an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus);
(b) (A) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and (B) each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information (as defined in Section 9(b) of this Agreement);
(c) For the purposes of this Agreement, the Applicable Time is [ · ] [a./p.]m. (Eastern time) on the date of this Agreement. The Pricing Prospectus, as supplemented by the information listed on Schedule II(c) hereto, taken together (collectively, the Pricing Disclosure Package), as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of each Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4(a) of this Agreement) will not, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each Written Testing-the-Waters Communication does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of each Time of Delivery will not, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information;
(d) [Reserved]
(e) (i) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will, when they become effective, and as of each Time of Delivery, conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to each part of the Registration Statement, and as of each Time of Delivery, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and (ii) the Pricing Prospectus conforms, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Prospectus will, when they are filed with the Commission, and as of each Time of Delivery, conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, and as of each Time of Delivery, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the representation and warranty in (i) and (ii) shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information;
(f) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus, (i) sustained any loss or interference with its business that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree or (ii) entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of
business) that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, in each case otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there has not been (x) any change in the capital stock (other than as a result of (i) the exercise, if any, of stock options or the award, if any, of stock options or restricted stock in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Companys equity plans that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, (ii) the issuance, if any, of stock upon conversion of Company securities as described in the Pricing Prospectus or (iii) and other than as described in the Pricing Prospectus and Prospectus) or any material change in long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (y) any Material Adverse Effect (as defined below); as used in this Agreement, Material Adverse Effect shall mean any material adverse change or effect, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change or effect, in or affecting (i) the business, properties, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus, or (ii) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, or to consummate the transactions contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;
(g) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple (in the case of real property) to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Pricing Prospectus or such as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries has been (i) duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with power and authority (corporate and other) to conduct its business as described in the Pricing Prospectus, and (ii) duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, except, in the case of this clause (ii), where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Each significant subsidiary of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission) has been listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement;
(i) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus under the heading Capitalization in the Actual column, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description of the Stock contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and (except, in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors qualifying shares) are owned directly or indirectly by the
Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, except for such liens or encumbrances described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;
(j) The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable and will conform to the description of the Stock contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights;
(k) The issue and sale of the Shares and the compliance by the Company with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Pricing Prospectus will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, (A) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries is subject, (B) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other applicable organizational document) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (C) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries or any of their properties, except, in the case of clauses (A) and (C) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been obtained under the Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), the approval by FINRA of the underwriting terms and arrangements and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required by the New York Stock Exchange (the Exchange) or under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, and such as have been obtained under the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United States in which the Reserved Securities were offered;
(l) Neither the Company nor any of its significant subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other applicable organizational document), (ii) in violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries or any of their properties, or (iii) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), for such defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(m) The statements set forth in the Pricing Prospectus under the caption Description of Capital Stock, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Stock, and under the caption Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects;
(n) Other than as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Companys knowledge, any officer or director of the Company, is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Companys knowledge, any officer or director of the Company, is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or such officer or director), would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the Companys knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or others;
(o) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof, will not be an investment company, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act);
(p) At the time of filing the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Act) of the Shares, and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an ineligible issuer, as defined under Rule 405 under the Act;
(q) KPMG LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are each an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;
(r) The Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that (i) has been designed to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act, (ii) has been designed by the Companys principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or under their 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 and (iii) is sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting;
(s) Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus, there has been no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting;
(t) The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act; such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the Companys principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities; and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective;
(u) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;
(v) None of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, controlled affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) made, offered, promised or authorized any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense (or taken any act in furtherance thereof); (ii) made, offered, promised or authorized any direct or indirect unlawful payment; or (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law;
(w) The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with the requirements of applicable anti-money laundering laws, including, but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended by the USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the anti-money laundering laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business (collectively, the Money Laundering Laws) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened;
(x) None of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or controlled affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Government, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC), or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a specially designated national or blocked person, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury, the United Nations Security Council, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea region of Ukraine), and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject or the target of Sanctions or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions;
(y) The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries at the dates indicated and
the statement of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus under the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus regarding non-GAAP financial measures (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Act, to the extent applicable;
(z) The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate rights to all material patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, Intellectual Property) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written notice of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property which could render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(aa) (i) To the knowledge of the Company, there has been no material security breach or incident, unauthorized access or disclosure, or other compromise of or relating to the Company or its subsidiaries information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data and databases (including the data and information of their respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third-party data maintained, processed or stored by the Company and its subsidiaries, and any such data processed or stored by third parties on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries), equipment or technology (collectively, IT Systems and Data); (ii) neither the Company nor its subsidiaries have been notified of, and each of them have no knowledge of any event or condition that could result in, any security breach or incident, unauthorized access or disclosure or other compromise to their IT Systems and Data; and (iii) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented appropriate controls, policies, procedures, and technological safeguards to maintain and protect the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of their IT Systems and Data reasonably consistent with industry standards and practices, or as required by applicable regulatory standards. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except in each case as would
not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(bb) Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes, after reasonable inquiry, to be reliable and accurate in all material respects and, to the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources;
(cc) The Company and its subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company believes are adequate to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its subsidiaries will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions at a reasonable cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(dd) Other than any taxes the payment of which by the Company or its applicable subsidiary is subject of a good faith dispute by the Company or its applicable subsidiary and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Company or its applicable subsidiary, the Company and its subsidiaries have paid all material federal, state, local and foreign taxes and filed all material tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date hereof; and except as otherwise disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus, there is no tax deficiency that has been, or could reasonably be expected to be asserted against, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ee) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any subsidiarys principal vendors, customers or contractors, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ff) There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Companys directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), including Section 402 related to loans, to the extent compliance is required as of the date of the Agreement; and
(gg) [Reserved];
(hh) [Reserved];
(ii) In connection with any offer and sale of Reserved Securities outside the United States, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the same is distributed. The Company has not offered, or caused Merrill Lynch to offer, Reserved Securities to any person with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any of its affiliates to alter the customers or suppliers level or type of business with any such
entity or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any of its affiliates, or their respective businesses or products.
2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price per share of $[ · ], the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and (b) in the event and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2 (provided that the purchase price per Optional Share shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Optional Shares), that portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have been exercised (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares which such Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the denominator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares that all of the Underwriters are entitled to purchase hereunder.
The Company hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to purchase at their election up to [ · ] Optional Shares, at the purchase price per share set forth in the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of covering sales of shares in excess of the number of Firm Shares, provided that the purchase price per Optional Share shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Optional Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be exercised only by written notice from you to the Company, given within a period of 30 calendar days after the date of this Agreement, setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by you but in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or, unless you and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.
3. Upon the authorization by you of the release of the Firm Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus.
4. (a) The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in definitive or book-entry form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours prior notice to the Company shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives, through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (DTC), for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal (same-day) funds to the account specified by the Company to the Representatives at least forty-eight hours in advance. The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on [ · ], 2020 or such other time and date as the Representatives and the
Company may agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York time, on the date specified by the Representatives in the written notice given by the Representatives of the Underwriters election to purchase such Optional Shares, or such other time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein called the First Time of Delivery, such time and date for delivery of the Optional Shares, if not the First Time of Delivery, is herein called the Second Time of Delivery, and each such time and date for delivery is herein called a Time of Delivery.
(b) The documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by or on behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 8 hereof, including the cross receipt for the Shares and any additional documents requested by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 8(j) hereof, will be delivered at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (the Closing Location), and the Shares will be delivered through DTC, all at such Time of Delivery. A meeting will be held at the Closing Location at [ · ] p.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next preceding such Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will be available for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this Section 4, New York Business Day shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
5. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters:
(a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by you and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the Commissions close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under the Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus prior to the last Time of Delivery which shall be disapproved by you promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and to furnish you with copies thereof; to file promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or other prospectus in respect of the Shares, of the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or other prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;
(b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may reasonably request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as you may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares, provided that in connection therewith
the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation (where not otherwise required) or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction (where not otherwise required);
(c) Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and from time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with written and electronic copies of the Prospectus in New York City in such quantities as you may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) is required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months after the time of issue of the Prospectus in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, to notify you and upon your request to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many written and electronic copies as you may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) in connection with sales of any of the Shares at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon your request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many written and electronic copies as you may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;
(d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than sixteen months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158); provided that the Company will be deemed to have furnished such statement to its securityholders to the extent it is filed on the Commissions Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system;
(e)(1) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the Lock-Up Period), not to (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with or confidentially submit to the Commission a registration statement under the Act relating to, any securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but not limited to any options or warrants to purchase shares of Stock or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Stock or any such substantially similar securities, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled
by delivery of Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc.s prior written consent, other than (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (B) the shares of Stock to be issued in connection with the private placement transaction as disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus, (C) any shares of Stock issued by the Company upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Stock, which securities are outstanding on the date hereof, (D) the grant of equity incentives pursuant to plans in effect as of the Closing Date, (E) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 (or amendment thereto) and (F) the issuance of shares of Stock as consideration in acquisitions up to a maximum of 10% of the outstanding Stock as of the Closing Date, provided, that any such recipient that receives securities of the Company pursuant to this paragraph (e)(1) shall execute and deliver to Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc., on or prior to receipt of such Company securities, a lock-up agreement substantially to the effect set forth in Schedule III.
(e)(2) If Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc., in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 8(i) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Annex II hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver;
(g) During a period of three years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, to furnish to you copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to stockholders, and to deliver to you as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed (such financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its stockholders generally or to the Commission), unless otherwise publicly available;
(h) To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Pricing Prospectus under the caption Use of Proceeds;
(i) To use its best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the Shares on the Exchange;
(j) To file with the Commission such information on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K as may be required by Rule 463 under the Act;
(k) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 3a(c) of the Commissions Informal and Other Procedures (17 CFR 202.3a); and
(l) Upon request of any Underwriter, to furnish, or cause to be furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the Companys trademarks, servicemarks and corporate logo for use on the website, if any, operated by such Underwriter for the purpose of facilitating the on-line offering of the Shares (the License); provided, however, that the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above, is granted without any fee and may not be assigned or transferred.
6. (a) The Company represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 405 under the Act; each Underwriter represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a free writing prospectus required to be filed with the Commission; any such free writing prospectus the use of which has been consented to by the Company and the Representatives is listed on Schedule II(a) or Schedule II(c) hereto;
(b) The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending; and the Company represents that it has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions under Rule 433 under the Act to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic road show;
(c) The Company agrees that if at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication any event occurred or occurs as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, the Company will give prompt notice thereof to the Representatives and, if requested by the Representatives, will prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or other document which will correct such conflict, statement or omission;
(d) The Company represents and agrees that (i) it has not engaged in, or authorized any other person to engage in, any Testing-the-Waters Communications, other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the prior consent of the Representatives with entities that the Company reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the Act or institutions that are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Act; and (ii) it has not distributed, or authorized any other person to distribute, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, other than those distributed with the prior consent of the Representatives that are listed on Schedule II(d) hereto; and the Company reconfirms that the Underwriters have been authorized to act on its behalf in engaging in Testing-the-Waters Communications;
(e) Each Underwriter represents and agrees that any Testing-the-Waters Communications undertaken by it were with entities that such Underwriter reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the Act or institutions that are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Act; and
(f) The Company hereby agrees that it will ensure that the Reserved Securities will be restricted as required by FINRA or the FINRA rules from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation for a period of three months following the date of this Agreement. Merrill Lynch will notify the Company as to which persons will need to be so restricted. Should the Company release, or seek to release, from such restrictions any of the Reserved Securities, the Company agrees to reimburse Merrill Lynch for any reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, legal expenses) they incur in connection with such release.
7. The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Companys counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing, reproduction and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky survey up to an aggregate of $5,000; (iii) all fees and expenses in connection with listing the Shares on the Exchange; (iv) the filing fees incident to, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, any required review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Shares (provided that the reimbursement obligation of such fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters shall not, in the aggregate, exceed $30,000); (v) the cost of preparing stock certificates; (vi) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar; (vii) all costs and expenses of Merrill Lynch, including fees and reimbursements of counsel for Merrill Lynch, in connection with matters related to the Reserved Securities which are designated by the Company for sale to Invitees; (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section; and (ix) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any roadshow presentation to potential investors. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 9 and 12 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.
8. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, as to the Shares to be delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the Applicable Time and such Time of Delivery, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions:
(a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; all material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by
Rule 433; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Act, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; no stop order suspending or preventing the use of the Pricing Prospectus, Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to your reasonable satisfaction;
(b) Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to you such written opinion and negative assurance letter, dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance satisfactory to you, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters;
(c) Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to you their written opinion and negative assurance letter, dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex III;
(d) On the date of the Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of this Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement and also at each Time of Delivery, each of KPMG LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall have furnished to you a letter or letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect set forth in Annex I hereto (the executed copy of the letter delivered prior to the execution of this Agreement is attached as Annex I(a) hereto and a draft of the form of letter to be delivered on the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement and as of each Time of Delivery is attached as Annex I(b) hereto);
(e) (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Pricing Prospectus, there shall not have been any change in the capital stock (other than as a result of (i) the exercise, if any, of stock options or the award , if any, of stock options or restricted stock in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Companys equity plans that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, (ii) the issuance, if any, of stock upon conversion of Company securities as described in the Pricing Prospectus or (iii) and other than as described in the Pricing Prospectus and Prospectus) or any material change in long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change or effect, or any development involving a prospective change or effect, in or affecting (x) the business, properties, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, or (y) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, or to consummate the transactions contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause
(i) or (ii), is in your judgment so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;
(f) On or after the Applicable Time (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Companys debt securities or preferred stock by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Companys debt securities;
(g) On or after the Applicable Time there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the Exchange; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Companys securities on the Exchange; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New York State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or (v) the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of any such event specified in clause (iv) or (v) in your judgment makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;
(h) The Shares to be sold at such Time of Delivery shall have been duly listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the Exchange;
(i) The Company shall have obtained and delivered to the Underwriters executed copies of an agreement from each person or entity listed on Schedule III, substantially to the effect set forth in Section 5(e) hereof in form and substance satisfactory to you;
(j) The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement; and
(k) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you at such Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to you as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this Section and as to such other matters as you may reasonably request.
9. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any roadshow as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Act (a roadshow), or any issuer information filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.
(b) In connection with the offer and sale of the Reserved Securities, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Merrill Lynch, its Affiliates and selling agents and each person, if any, who controls Merrill Lynch within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending, investigating or settling any such action or claim), as incurred, (i) arising out of the violation of any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Reserved Securities have been offered, (ii) arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Invitees in connection with the offering of the Reserved Securities or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iii) caused by the failure of any Invitee to pay for and accept delivery of Reserved Securities which have been orally confirmed for purchase by any Invitee by 11:59 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of the Agreement or (iv) related to, or arising out of or in connection with, the offering of the Reserved Securities.
(c) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any roadshow or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any roadshow or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information; and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such
expenses are incurred. As used in this Agreement with respect to an Underwriter and an applicable document, Underwriter Information shall mean the written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein; it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the third and fourth paragraph under the caption Underwriting, and the information contained in the first through third paragraphs under the caption UnderwritingPrice Stabilization and Short Positions.
(d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (c) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (c) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) or in connection with any violation of the nature referred to in Section 9(b) hereof, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or any violation of the nature referred to in Section 9(b) hereof. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (e) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (e). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters obligations in this subsection (e) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
(f) The obligations of the Company under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each employee, officer and director of each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act and each broker-dealer or other affiliate of any Underwriter; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.
10. (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery, you may in your discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties to purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter you do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further
period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on such terms. In the event that, within the respective prescribed periods, you notify the Company that you have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company notifies you that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, you or the Company shall have the right to postpone such Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in your opinion may thereby be made necessary. The term Underwriter as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Shares.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Time of Delivery, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Optional Shares) shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in Section 7 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 9 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
11. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company, or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
12. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof; but, if for any other reason, any Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein or the Underwriters decline to purchase the
Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through you for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by you, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof.
13. In all dealings hereunder, you shall act on behalf of each of the Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by you jointly or by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or BofA Securities, Inc. on behalf of you as the representatives.
All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to you as the representatives in care of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282-2198, Attention: Registration Department; and BofA Securities Inc., One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, attention of Syndicate Department (facsimile: (646) 855-3073), with a copy to ECM Legal (facsimile: (212) 230-8730); and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Chief Legal Officer; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters Questionnaire, or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by you upon request; provided, however, that notices under subsection 5(e) shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to you as the representatives at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282-2198, Attention: Control Room or BofA Securities, Inc., One Bryant Park, New York, NY 10036, Facsimile: (646) 855-3073, Attention: Syndicate Department with a copy to: Facsimile: (212) 230-8730 Attention: ECM Legal. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.
In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.
14. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent provided in Sections 9 and 11 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.
15. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, the term business day shall mean any day when the Commissions office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.
16. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement is an arms-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement and (iv) the Company has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, or any of them, has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
17. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
18. This Agreement and any transaction contemplated by this Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related thereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflict of laws that would results in the application of any other law than the laws of the State of New York. The Company agrees that any suit or proceeding arising in respect of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated by this Agreement will be tried exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if that court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in any state court located in The City and County of New York and the Company agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of, and to venue in, such courts.
19. The Company and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
20. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
21. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company is authorized to disclose to any persons the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment and tax structure of the potential transaction and all materials of any kind (including tax opinions and other tax analyses) provided to the Company relating to that treatment and structure, without the Underwriters imposing any limitation of any kind. However, any information relating to the tax treatment and tax structure shall remain confidential (and the foregoing sentence shall not apply) to the extent necessary to enable any person to comply with securities laws. For this purpose, tax structure is limited to any facts that may be relevant to that treatment.
22. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of
this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
BHC Act Affiliate has the meaning assigned to the term affiliate in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
Covered Entity means any of the following:
(i) a covered entity as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a covered bank as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a covered FSI as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
Default Right has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
U.S. Special Resolution Regime means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us six counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof.
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Very truly yours, |
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Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
Accepted as of the date hereof: |
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Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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BofA Securities, Inc. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Barclays Capital Inc. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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On behalf of each of the Underwriters |
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[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriter |
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Total
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Number of
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Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC |
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BofA Securities, Inc. |
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J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
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Barclays Capital Inc. |
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Citigroup Global Capital Markets Inc. |
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Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC |
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HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. |
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Jefferies LLC |
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RBC Capital Markets, LLC |
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
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BMO Capital Markets Corp. |
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SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. |
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TD Securities (USA) LLC |
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William Blair & Company, L.L.C. |
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Raymond James & Associates, Inc. |
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Stephens Inc. |
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Academy Securities, Inc. |
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Loop Capital Markets LLC |
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Total |
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SCHEDULE II
(a) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses not included in the Pricing Disclosure Package:
Electronic roadshow dated [ · ].
(b) Additional Documents Incorporated by Reference:
[None]
(c) Information other than the Pricing Prospectus that comprise the Pricing Disclosure Package:
The initial public offering price per share for the Shares is $[ · ].
The number of Shares purchased by the Underwriters is [ · ].
(d) Written Testing-the-Waters Communications:
SCHEDULE III
[Form of Lock-Up Agreement]
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
Lock-Up Agreement
June , 2020
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
BofA Securities, Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Barclays Capital Inc.
c/o Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
c/o BofA Securities, Inc.
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036
c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
c/o Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Re: Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. - Lock-Up Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned understands that Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (Goldman Sachs), BofA Securities, Inc. (BofA), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc., as representatives (the Representatives), propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement on behalf of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I to such agreement (collectively, the Underwriters), with Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), providing for a public offering (the Public Offering) of common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 (the Common Stock), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
In consideration of the agreement by the Underwriters to offer and sell the shares of Common Stock in the Public Offering (the Shares), and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned
agrees that during the period beginning from the date of this Lock-Up Agreement and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date set forth on the final prospectus used to sell the Shares (the Lock-Up Period), the undersigned shall not, and shall not cause or direct any of its affiliates to, (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of Common Stock of the Company (such options, warrants or other securities, collectively, Derivative Instruments), including without limitation any such shares or Derivative Instruments now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned (including holding as a custodian) or with respect to which the undersigned has beneficial ownership within the rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition (whether by the undersigned or someone other than the undersigned), or transfer of any of the economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any shares of Common Stock of the Company or Derivative Instruments, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in or cause any action or activity described in clause (i) above or transaction or arrangement described in clause (ii) above. The undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned is not, and has not caused or directed any of its affiliates to be or become, currently a party to any agreement or arrangement that provides for, is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in any transfer during the Lock-Up Period not permitted by this Lock-Up Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the undersigned agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any issuer-directed or other Shares the undersigned may purchase in the offering.
If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) Goldman Sachs and BofA agree that, at least three (3) business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, Goldman Sachs and BofA will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (ii) the Company has agreed or will agree in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by Goldman Sachs and BofA hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer the undersigneds shares of Common Stock or Derivative Instruments:
(i) upon a redemption of units in Star Parent, L.P. (the Partnership) in exchange for Common Stock pursuant to the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, provided that any Common Stock exchanged therefor is subject to the lock-up restrictions set forth herein;
(ii) acquired in the Public Offering or in open market transactions after the completion of the Public Offering, provided that no filing by any party under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) is required to be made or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period as a result of such transfer;
(iii) as a bona fide gift or gifts that does not involve a disposition for value (other than with respect to any such gift for which the donor receives (a) equity interest of such donee or (b) such donees interests in the donor), provided that (x) the donee or donees thereof agree to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein and (y) no filing by any party to such transfer under the Exchange Act shall be required or voluntarily made as a result of such bona fide gift (other than a Form 5 or Schedule 13G required by applicable law or regulation);
(iv) to any member or members of the undersigneds immediate family or to any trust or limited family partnership for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, provided that (a) the transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, (b) the transfer does not involve a disposition for value (other than with respect to any such transfer for which the transferor receives (1) equity interest of such transferee or (2) such transferees interests in the transferor), (c) no filing by any party to such transfer under the Exchange Act (other than a Form 5 or Schedule 13G required by applicable law or regulation) or other public announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership shall be required or voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period as a result of such transfer, and (d) if any public reports or filings (including filings under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act) not prohibited by clause (c) of this paragraph are required to be made during the Lock-Up Period (1) the undersigned shall provide Goldman Sachs and BofA prior written notice informing them of such report or filing and (2) such report or filing shall disclose the nature of the transfer and that such transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein;
(v) as a distribution or transfer to general partners, limited partners, members, stockholders or affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of the undersigned or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, investment fund or other entity which controls or manages or is controlled or managed by the undersigned or to entities under common control or management with the undersigned and/or immediate family member of the undersigned, provided that (a) each transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein, (b) no filing by any party under the Exchange Act (other than a Form 5 or Schedule 13G required by applicable law or regulation) or other public announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership shall be required or voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period as a result of such transfer, and (c) if any public reports or filings (including filings under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act) not prohibited by clause (c) of this paragraph is required to be made during the
Lock-Up Period (1) the undersigned shall provide Goldman Sachs and BofA prior written notice informing them of such report or filing and (2) such report or filing shall disclose the nature of the transfer and that such transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein;
(vi) by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession, provided that (a) each transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein and (b) any filing under the Exchange Act, or any announcement by the Company or the undersigned relating to such transfer, shall disclose the nature of the transfer and that such transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein;
(vii) if such transfer occurs pursuant to statutes governing the effects of a qualified domestic order or divorce settlement, provided that any filing under the Exchange Act, or any announcement by the Company or the undersigned relating to such transfer, shall briefly note the applicable circumstances that cause this clause to apply and explain that the filing or announcement relates solely to transfers or distributions falling within this clause;
(viii) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (iii) through (vii) above, provided that (a) the transferee agree to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein and (b) the undersigned complies with the applicable requirements of clauses (iii) through (vii) above with respect to public reports or filings under the Exchange Act;
(ix) as a result of the operation of law or pursuant to an order of a court or regulatory agency or to comply with any regulations related to the undersigneds ownership of the shares of Common Stock of the Company or Derivative instruments;
(x) to the Company or an affiliated entity pursuant to any contractual arrangement that provides for the forfeiture of the undersigneds securities in connection with the termination of the undersigneds employment or other service relationship with the Company or an affiliated entity or the undersigneds failure to meet certain conditions set out upon receipt of such securities;
(xi) to the Company or an affiliated entity as the result of a conversion, exercise or exchange of any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock pursuant to any employee benefit plans described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case, at the time of effectiveness, as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), provided that (a) any shares of Common Stock received upon such conversion, exercise or exchange shall be subject to the restrictions set forth herein and (b) if required, any public report or filing under the Exchange Act, to the extent permitted under such rules and regulations, shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that such report or filing relates to the conversion, exercise or exchange of any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock pursuant to an employee benefit plan;
(xii) to the Company or an affiliated entity as a forfeiture to satisfy tax withholding requirements pursuant to any employee benefit plans described in the Registration
Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case, at the time of effectiveness, as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), provided that, if required, any public report or filing under the Exchange Act, to the extent permitted under such rules and regulations, shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that such report or filing relates to a forfeiture to satisfy tax withholding requirements pursuant to existing employee benefit plans;
(xiii) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer for all or substantially all of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction involving a change of control (as defined below) of the Company; provided, that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the undersigneds securities shall remain subject to the restrictions set forth herein;
[(xiv) pursuant to any pledge, hypothecation or other granting of a security interest in shares of Common Stock or Derivative Instruments to one or more lending institutions as collateral or security for or in connection with any margin loan or other loans, advances or extensions of credit entered by the undersigned or any of its affiliates or any refinancing thereof and any subsequent transfers of such shares of such securities pursuant to any foreclosures in connection therewith; provided that the amount of the undersigneds Common Stock and Derivative Instruments subject to any pledges, hypothecations or other grants of security interests pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited, in the aggregate, to 25% of the undersigneds Common Stock and Derivative Instruments measured as of completion of the Public Offering (1)];
(xv) pursuant to a transfer of shares of Common Stock and/or Derivative Instruments to charitable organization transferees or recipients (including any direct or indirect member or partner of the undersigned that receives such shares of Common Stock or Derivative Instruments pursuant to a distribution in-kind to such member or partner and is subject to restrictions requiring such shares of Common Stock and/or Derivative Instruments to be transferred only to charitable organizations pursuant to clause (iii) above) in an aggregate amount, together with any such transfers pursuant to any substantially similar lock-up agreement with the Representatives, not to exceed 1.00% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately following the Public Offering, provided, that no public reports or filings shall be required or voluntarily made regarding such transfer (other than a Form 5 required by applicable law or regulation, which shall disclose the nature of the transfer and that such transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth herein) during the Lock-Up Period; or
(xvi) with the prior written consent of Goldman Sachs and BofA on behalf of the Underwriters.
For purposes of this Lock-Up Agreement, immediate family shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin. For the purposes of clause (xiii) above, change of control shall mean the consummation of any
(1) To be included in lock-up agreements of entities.
bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, purchase, consolidation or other similar transaction the result of which is that any person (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), or group of persons, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the voting stock of the Company (or of the surviving entity).
In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Lock-Up Agreement shall not restrict the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Common Stock; provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of shares of Common Stock during the Lock-up Period and (ii) none of the Company, the undersigned or any other party shall effect any public filing, report or other public announcement regarding the establishment of the trading plan.
[In the event that, during the Lock-Up Period, Goldman Sachs and BofA release or waive, in full or in part, any prohibition set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement in respect of securities held by any Significant Holder (as defined below) (a Triggering Release), the same percentage of securities of the undersigned subject to this Agreement as the percentage of securities being released in the Triggering Release represents with respect to the securities held directly or indirectly by such Significant Holder (calculated as a percentage of the total outstanding securities subject to this Agreement held directly or indirectly by such Significant Holder) at the time of the request of the Triggering Release shall be automatically and concurrently released from this Lock-Up Agreement to the same extent. For the purposes of the foregoing, a Significant Holder shall mean any person or entity that beneficially owns 1% or more of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock at the time of such Triggering Release. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this paragraph will not apply (1) if the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not involving a disposition for value and the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Lock-Up Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of transfer, (2) if the release or waiver is effected in connection with an underwritten public offering that is wholly or partially a secondary offering of Common Stock (an Underwritten Sale) conducted in compliance with the registration rights agreement, to be entered into in connection with the Public Offering, among the Company and the other parties thereto, such early release shall only apply with respect to the undersigneds participation in such Underwritten Sale or (3) if the release or waiver is granted to a Significant Holder in an amount, individually or in the aggregate with any prior releases or waivers, of no more than 1% of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock at the time of such release or waiver. Goldman Sachs and BofA shall notify the undersigned within two business days of the occurrence of a Triggering Release.(2)]
The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Companys transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigneds shares of Common Stock of the Company except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
If (1) the Registration Statement related to the Public Offering is withdrawn, (2) if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Shares to be sold
(2) To be included in lock-up agreements of entities and their affiliates.
thereunder, (3) Goldman Sachs and BofA on behalf of the Underwriters advise the Company, or the Company advises Goldman Sachs and BofA, in writing, prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that they have determined not to proceed with the Public Offering, or (4) the Public Offering has not been consummated on or before September 30, 2020, then the undersigned shall be released from all obligations hereunder.
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters are relying upon this Lock-Up Agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this Lock-Up Agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigneds heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns. This agreement may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com or www.echosign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
This Lock-Up Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Lock-Up Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflict of laws principles that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
ANNEX I
[Reserved]
ANNEX II
[Form of Press Release]
[Company]
[Date]
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (the Company) announced today that Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc., the lead book-running managers in the Companys recent public sale of shares of common stock, are [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to shares of the Companys common stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on , 20 , and the shares may be sold on or after such date.
This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
ANNEX III
Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
(Under Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
June 23, 2020
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (the Corporation), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the DGCL), does hereby certify as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
2. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as amended, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation) was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 7, 2019.
3. An amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of the Corporation from Star Intermediate 1, Inc. to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 12, 2020.
4. The board of directors of the Corporation, acting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 141 and 242 of the DGCL, adopted resolutions to amend Article FOURTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation so that first paragraph of Article FOURTH is amended so that, as amended, the first paragraph of Article FOURTH shall be and read as follows:
FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is two billion and twenty-five million shares (2,025,000,000) comprised of (a) two billion (2,000,000,000) shares of common stock having a par value of $0.0001 per share (Common Stock) and (b) twenty-five million (25,000,000) shares of one or more series of preferred stock having a par value of $0.001 per share (Preferred Stock).
Immediately upon the Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect the Stock Split (as defined below) becoming effective pursuant to the DGCL (such
time, theStock Split Effective Time), each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Split Effective Time (including treasury shares, if any) shall automatically, without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of such Common Stock, be reclassified as and shall become 314,494.968 shares of validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Common Stock (the Stock Split). No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the Stock Split. If, upon aggregating all of the Common Stock held by a holder of Common Stock immediately following the Stock Split, a holder of Common Stock would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock, the Corporation shall pay to each such holder, in lieu of issuing a fraction of a share of Common Stock, an amount equal to the fair value of such fraction of a share of Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. Any stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Stock Split Effective Time, evidenced or otherwise represented shares of Common Stock shall, from and after the Stock Split Effective Time, without further action by any holder of shares of Common Stock, be deemed for all purposes to evidence ownership of, and to represent the whole number of shares of Common Stock into which the Common Stock represented by such certificate was reclassified and the foregoing shall be appropriately reflected in the Corporations stock record books. If, at any time after the Stock Split Effective Time, a stock certificate issued prior to the Stock Split Effective Time and formerly representing shares of Common Stock is presented to the Corporation for transfer, exchange or reissuance, such stock certificate shall be cancelled and exchanged for stock certificates evidencing or otherwise representing the whole number of shares of Common Stock deemed evidenced and represented by such stock certificate pursuant to this Article FOURTH.
5. The foregoing Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was submitted to the sole stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter and was approved by the required vote of such stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228 and 242 of the DGCL.
6. The foregoing Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was adopted in accordance with Sections 228 of the DGCL.
7. This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, and the amendment contemplated hereby, shall
become effective immediately upon being duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, for the purpose of amending the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation pursuant to the DGCL, does hereby declare and certify that this is the act and deed of the Corporation and the facts stated herein are true, and accordingly has hereunto signed this Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation this 23rd day of June, 2020.
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Colleen E. Haley |
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Name: |
Colleen E. Haley |
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Title: |
Corporate Secretary |
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[CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.]
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Corporation), does hereby certify as follows:
First: The Corporations original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 18, 2018.
Second: A Certificate of Amendment changing the Corporations name to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. was filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware on March 12, 2020.
Third: A Certificate of Amendment increasing the number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue to two billion and twenty-five million (2,025,000,000) shares was filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware on June 23, 2020.
Fourth: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Fifth: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends, restates and integrates the provisions of the Corporations Certificate of Incorporation.
Sixth: The text of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation (the Corporation) is Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED AGENT
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporations registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may now or hereafter be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL).
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 4.1. Upon this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as the same may be further amended and/or restated from time to time, this Certificate of Incorporation) becoming effective pursuant to the DGCL, each issued and outstanding share of the Corporations existing common stock, par value $0.01 per share shall automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof be canceled and shall cease to exist.
Section 4.2. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is two billion and twenty-five million (2,025,000,000), consisting of (a) two billion (2,000,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (Common Stock), and (b) twenty-five million (25,000,000) shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (Preferred Stock).
Section 4.3. (a) Except as otherwise expressly required by law or provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to any voting rights provided to holders of Preferred Stock at any time outstanding, the holders of any outstanding shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters with respect to which stockholders are entitled to vote under applicable law, this Certificate of Incorporation or the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation adopted on the date hereof (as amended form time to time) (the Bylaws), or upon which a vote of stockholders is otherwise duly called for by the Corporation. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each holder of record of shares of Common Stock on the relevant record date shall be entitled to cast one vote in person or by proxy for each share of Common Stock outstanding in such holders name on the stock transfer records of the Corporation.
(b) Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the board of directors of the Company (the Board of Directors) in its discretion shall determine.
(c) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled, the holders of all outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder.
Section 4.4. Shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, each of which class or series shall have such distinctive designation and title as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors prior to the issuance of any shares thereof. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized to fix the designation and title for each such
class or series of Preferred Stock, to fix the voting powers, whether full or limited, or no voting powers, and such powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and to fix the number of shares constituting such class or series (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding), in each case as shall be stated in such resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series of Preferred Stock as may be adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors prior to the issuance of any shares thereof pursuant to the authority hereby expressly vested in it.
ARTICLE V
DIRECTORS
Section 5.1. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, consisting of not less than one (1) nor more than fourteen (14) members with the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Prior to the election of directors at the Corporations 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock as set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation, shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. The term of the initial Class I directors shall terminate on the date of the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders; the term of the initial Class II directors shall terminate on the date of the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and the term of the initial Class III directors shall terminate on the date of the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Beginning at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at that meeting (or such directors successors) shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders; at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the directors whose terms expire at that meeting (or such directors successors) shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the 2023 annual meeting of the stockholders; and at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders and each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter, all directors shall be elected to hold office for a one-year term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such directors successor shall have been elected and qualified.
Section 5.2. For so long as the Board of Directors is classified, if the number of directors on the Board of Directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. A director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify for office, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office.
Section 5.3. Subject to the terms of any one or more series or classes of Preferred Stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors, however resulting, may be filled only by an affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by an affirmative
vote of the sole remaining director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for a term that shall expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders.
Section 5.4. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation, or the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Certificate of Incorporation applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.
ARTICLE VI
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES
Section 6.1. In anticipation of the possibility (a) that the officers and/or directors of the Corporation may also serve as officers and/or directors of Bilcar (as defined below), THL (as defined below), Cannae (as defined below), Black Knight (as defined below) or CC Capital (as defined below) (each of Bilcar, THL, Cannae, Black Knight and CC Capital, an Investor and together, the Investors) and (b) that the Corporation on one hand, and each Investor on the other hand, may engage in the same or similar activities or lines of business and have an interest in the same corporate opportunities, and in recognition of the benefits to be derived by the Corporation through its continued contractual, corporate and business relations with each Investor, the provisions of this Article VI are set forth to regulate, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation as they relate to the Investors and their respective officers and directors, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its officers, directors and stockholders in connection therewith.
Section 6.2. (a) Except as may be otherwise provided in a written agreement between the Corporation on one hand, and the Investors, or any one of them, on the other hand, the Investors shall have no duty to refrain from engaging in the same or similar activities or lines of business as the Corporation, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, neither the Investors nor any officer or director thereof (except in the event of any violation of Section 6.3 hereof, to the extent such violation would create liability under applicable law) shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of any such activities of the Investors.
(b) The Corporation may from time to time be or become a party to and perform, and may cause or permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to be or become a party to and perform, one or more agreements (or modifications or supplements to pre-existing agreements) with each Investor. Subject to Section 6.3 hereof, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no such agreement, nor the performance thereof in accordance with its terms by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or an Investor, shall be considered contrary to any fiduciary duty to the Corporation or to its stockholders of any director or officer of the Corporation who is also a director, officer or employee of an Investor. Subject to Section 6.3 hereof, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no director or officer of the Corporation who is also a director, officer or employee of an Investor shall have or
be under any fiduciary duty to the Corporation or its stockholders to refrain from acting on behalf of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or an Investor in respect of any such agreement or performing any such agreement in accordance with its terms.
Section 6.3. In the event that a director or officer of the Corporation who is also a director or officer of an Investor acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity of both the Corporation on one hand, and an Investor on the other hand, such director or officer of the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have fully satisfied and fulfilled the fiduciary duty of such director or officer to the Corporation and its stockholders with respect to such corporate opportunity, if such director or officer acts in a manner consistent with the following policy:
(a) a corporate opportunity offered to any person who is an officer of the Corporation, and who is also a director but not an officer of an Investor, shall belong to the Corporation, unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person in a capacity other than such persons capacity as an officer of the Corporation, in which case it shall not belong to the Corporation;
(b) a corporate opportunity offered to any person who is a director but not an officer of the Corporation, and who is also a director or officer of an Investor, shall belong to the Corporation only if such opportunity is expressly offered to such person in such persons capacity as a director of the Corporation; and
(c) a corporate opportunity offered to any person who is an officer of both the Corporation on one hand, and an Investor on the other hand, shall belong to the Corporation only if such opportunity is expressly offered to such person in such persons capacity as an officer of the Corporation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not be prohibited from pursuing any corporate opportunity of which the Corporation becomes aware.
Section 6.4. Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article VI.
Section 6.5. (a) For purposes of this Article VI, a director of any company who is the chair of the board of directors of that company shall not be deemed to be an officer of the company solely by reason of holding such position.
(b) The term Corporation shall mean, for purposes of this Article VI, the Corporation and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities in which the Corporation beneficially owns (directly or indirectly) fifty percent or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar voting interests. The term Bilcar shall mean, for purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, Bilcar, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor thereof, and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities in which it beneficially owns (directly or indirectly) fifty percent or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar voting interests other than the
Corporation. The term THL shall mean, for purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor thereof, and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities in which it or one or more of its affiliates beneficially owns (directly or indirectly) fifty percent or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar voting interests other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The term Cannae shall mean, for purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, Cannae Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereof, and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities in which it or one or more of its affiliates beneficially owns (directly or indirectly) fifty percent or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar voting interests other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The term Black Knight shall mean, for purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, Black Knight, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereof, and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities in which it or one or more of its affiliates beneficially owns (directly or indirectly) fifty percent or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar voting interests other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries. The term CC Capital shall mean, for purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, CC Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor thereof, and all corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, associations and other entities in which it or one or more of its affiliates beneficially owns (directly or indirectly) fifty percent or more of the outstanding voting stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar voting interests other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Section 6.6. Anything in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary notwithstanding, the foregoing provisions of this Article VI shall not apply at any time that no person who is a director or officer of the Corporation is also a director or officer of an Investor. Neither the alteration, amendment, termination, expiration or repeal of this Article VI nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VI shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VI in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article VI, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, termination, expiration, repeal or adoption.
ARTICLE VII
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any or all of the directors of the Corporation may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause so long as the Board of Directors is classified and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for purposes of this Article VII as one class. For purposes of this Article VII, cause shall mean, with respect to any director, (x) the willful failure by such director to perform, or the gross negligence of such director in performing, the duties of a director, (y) the engaging by such director in willful or serious misconduct that is injurious to the Corporation or (z) the conviction of such director of, or the entering by such director of a plea of nolo contendere to, a crime that constitutes a felony.
ARTICLE VIII
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Elections of directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders shall be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall otherwise provide.
ARTICLE IX
WRITTEN CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS
Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders; provided, however, that at any time when the Investors beneficially own (determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), in the aggregate, more than fifty percent (50%) in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by stockholders holding not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
ARTICLE X
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purposes may be called at any time by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or the Chair of the Board or Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Except as required by law or provided by resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors designating the rights, powers and preferences of any Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by any other person or persons.
ARTICLE XI
OFFICERS
The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen in such manner, shall hold their offices for such terms and shall carry out such duties as are determined solely by the Board of Directors, subject to the right of the Board of Directors to remove any officer or officers at any time with or without cause.
ARTICLE XII
INDEMNITY
The Corporation shall indemnify to the full extent authorized or permitted by law any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action or proceeding (whether civil or criminal or otherwise) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or by reason of the fact that such director or officer, at the request of the Corporation, is or was serving any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, in any capacity. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which employees other than directors and officers may be entitled by law. No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such a director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law (a) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (d) for any transaction from which such director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article XII shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.
ARTICLE XIII
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Corporation shall not be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENT
The Corporation reserves the right at any time from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at any time may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law. All rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XIV. In addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock required by law, by this Certificate of Incorporation or by the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors designating the rights, powers and preferences of such Preferred Stock, the provisions (a) of the Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed if approved by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office or approved by holders of the Common Stock in accordance with applicable law and this Certificate of Incorporation and (b) of this Certificate of Incorporation may be adopted, amended or repealed as provided by applicable law.
ARTICLE XV
SEVERABILITY
If any provision (or any part thereof) of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any section containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE XVI
FORUM FOR ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by or other wrongdoing by any current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporations stockholders, (iii) action asserting a claim arising under any provision of the DGCL or this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any action as to which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware within ten (10) days following such determination), in which case the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any such claims.
The federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action asserting a claim arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
If any provision or provisions of this Article XVI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XVI (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XVI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice
of and consented to the provisions of this Article XVI. Failure to enforce the foregoing provisions would cause the Corporation irreparable harm and the Corporation shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunction and specific performance, to enforce the foregoing provisions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer of the Corporation has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on behalf of the Corporation this [·] day of July, 2020.
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AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
AS ADOPTED ON JULY [], 2020
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (the Corporation) shall be 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19801 and the name of its registered agent is The Corporation Trust Company.
Section 1.2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board of Directors) may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2.2. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders (the Annual Meeting) shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which meetings the stockholders, subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the Certificate of Incorporation), shall elect by a plurality vote a Board of Directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Notice of the Annual Meeting stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, in the manner permitted by applicable law.
(a) No business may be transacted at an Annual Meeting, other than business that is either (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (ii) otherwise properly brought before the Annual Meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the Annual Meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (A) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such Annual Meeting and (B) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.2. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (iii) of this Section 2.2(a) of Article II shall
be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose such business (other than business included in the Corporations proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (as defined below) or business brought by the Investors (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) and any entity that controls, is controlled by or under common control with the Investors (other than the Corporation and any company that is controlled by the Corporation) at any time prior to the Advance Notice Trigger Date (as defined below)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than business brought by any Investor at any time prior to the date when the Investors cease to beneficially own in the aggregate (directly or indirectly) at least 10% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Advance Notice Trigger Date)) to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary, any such proposed business must be a proper matter for stockholder action, and the stockholder must have acted in accordance with the representations set forth in the Solicitation Statement (as defined in Section 2.2(b) of this Article II). To be timely (other than such a notice by an Investor prior to the Advance Notice Trigger Date, which may be delivered at any time prior to the mailing of the definitive proxy statement pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act related to the next annual meeting of stockholders), a stockholders notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred and twenty days prior to the anniversary date of the date of the proxy statement for the immediately preceding Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting was first made. To be in proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting (including the specific text of any resolutions or actions proposed for consideration and if such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the specific language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such stockholder, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and any Derivative Positions or Hedging Transactions directly or indirectly held by or entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business, (v) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting to bring such business before the meeting, (vi) any other information related to such stockholder or any of its Affiliates that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies or consents (even if a solicitation is not involved) by such stockholder or Affiliate in support of the business proposed to be brought before the
meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules, regulations and schedules promulgated thereunder, and (vii) a representation as to whether such stockholder or any of its Affiliates intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to the holders of at least the percentage of the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to approve the proposal or otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of the proposal (such representation, a Solicitation Statement). In addition, any stockholder who submits a notice pursuant to Section 2.2(a) of this Article II is required to update and supplement the information disclosed in such notice, if necessary, in accordance with Section 2.2(d) of this Article II.
(c) No business shall be conducted at the Annual Meeting except business brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.2, provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Chair of an Annual Meeting, who may be the Chair of the Board of Directors or such other director or officer designated by the Chair of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors, determines that business was not properly brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chair shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be discussed or transacted.
(d) Any stockholder who submits a notice of proposal for business or nomination for election pursuant to this Section 2.2 of Article II is required to update and supplement the information disclosed in such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting of stockholders and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to such meeting of the stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the fifth business day after the record date for the meeting of stockholders (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than the close of business on the eighth business day prior to the date for the meeting of stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting of stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof).
(e) For purposes of this Section 2.2 of Article II, Derivative Positions means, with respect to a stockholder or any of its Affiliates, any derivative positions including, without limitation, any short position, profits interest, option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise and any performance-related fees to which such stockholder or any Affiliate is entitled based, directly or indirectly, on any increase or decrease in the
value of shares of capital stock of the Corporation; and Hedging Transaction means, with respect to a stockholder or any of its Affiliates, any hedging or other transaction (such as borrowed or loaned shares) or series of transactions, or any other agreement.
Section 2.3. Special Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, Special Meetings of Stockholders (Special Meetings), for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the majority vote of the Board of Directors, by the Chair of the Board or by the Chief Executive Officer. Special Meetings may not be called by any other person or persons, except as required by law or provided by resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors designating the rights, powers and preferences of any shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, par value $0.001 per share (the Preferred Stock). Notice of a Special Meeting stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting, in the manner permitted by applicable law.
Section 2.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law, these Amended and Restated Bylaws (these Bylaws) or by the Certificate of Incorporation, holders of a majority of the capital stock issued and entitled to vote thereat present in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. Where a separate vote by one or more classes or series of the capital stock is required, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority in voting power of the shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 2.5. Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any question brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote thereat. Such votes may be cast in person or by proxy but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in his or her discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
Section 2.6. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of a Meeting. Actions required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting upon the written consent of the stockholders, but only if such action is permitted by the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 2.7. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is present.
Section 2.8. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by Section 2.7 hereof or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1. Number and Election of Directors. (a) Subject to the rights, if any, of holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than one (1) nor more than fourteen (14) members with the exact number of directors to be determined from time to time exclusively by resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, and, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, each director so elected shall hold office (i) for so long as the Board of Directors is classified, until the Annual Meeting for the year in which his or her term expires, or (ii) beginning at the 2021 Annual Meeting, until the next Annual Meeting, and in each case, until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Any director may resign at any time effective upon giving written notice to the Corporation, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. Directors need not be stockholders.
(b) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the right of holders of Preferred Stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any Annual Meeting or at any Special Meeting called by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer for the purpose of electing directors (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (A) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.1 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such Annual or Special Meeting and (B) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.1.
(c) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholders notice submitted to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an Annual Meeting, not less than one-hundred and twenty days prior to the anniversary date of the date of the proxy statement for the immediately preceding Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting was first made; and (ii) in the case of a Special Meeting called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the Special Meeting was first made.
(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, (D) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
(e) No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.1. If the Chair of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chair shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 3.2. Chair of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may appoint from its members a Chair of the Board of Directors, who need not be an employee or officer of the Corporation. The Chair of the Board of Directors, if there is one, or such other director or officer
designated by the Chair of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and may adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of such meetings. Except where by law the signature of the Chief Executive Officer or the President is required, the Chair of the Board of Directors shall possess the same power as the Chief Executive Officer or the President to sign all contracts, certificates and other instruments of the Corporation which may be authorized by the Board of Directors. During the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer or the President, the Chair of the Board of Directors shall exercise all the powers and discharge all the duties of the Chief Executive Officer or the President. The Chair of the Board of Directors shall also perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.3. Vacancies. Subject to the terms of any one or more series or classes of Preferred Stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors, however created, may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum or by a sole remaining director. Any additional director elected to fill a vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors on the Board of Directors or to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 3.4. Duties and Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 3.5. Meetings. The Board of Directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Board of Directors, if there is one, or any directors. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director by telephone, email or other electronic means not less than twenty-four hours before the date of the meeting, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances.
Section 3.6. Quorum. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 3.7. Actions of Board. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all the members
of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
Section 3.8. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.7 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 3.9. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of any such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. In the event any person shall cease to be a director of the Corporation, such person shall simultaneously therewith cease to be a member of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject to the limitations set forth in applicable Delaware law. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 3.10. Audit Committee. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, may designate three or more directors to constitute an Audit Committee, to serve as such until the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors or until their respective successors are designated. The audit committee will carry out its responsibilities as set forth in an audit committee charter to be adopted by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.11. Compensation. The directors shall be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and, at the discretion of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
Section 3.12. Interested Directors. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or
solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his, her or their votes are counted for such purpose if: (a) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (b) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (c) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
Section 3.13. Entire Board of Directors. As used in these Bylaws generally, the term entire Board of Directors means the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall include a Chief Executive Officer and/or a President, and a Secretary. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also appoint a Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer, and other officers, who shall have such authority and perform such duties as may be prescribed in such appointment. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders of the Corporation nor need such officers be directors of the Corporation.
Section 4.2. Election. The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The salaries of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary and any such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation
may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 4.4. Duties of Officers. The duties of the officers of the Corporation shall be as follows:
(a) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general executive charge, management and control of the properties, business and operations of the Corporation with all such powers as may be reasonably incident to such responsibilities; and the Chief Executive Officer may agree upon and execute all leases, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other obligations in the name of the Corporation and may sign all certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation. In the absence or disability of the Chair of the Board of Directors, or if there is none, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall also perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
(b) President. The President shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, and, if there is one, the Chair of the Board of Directors, have general supervision of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. He or she shall execute all bonds, mortgages, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except that the other officers of the Corporation may sign and execute documents when so authorized by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Board of Directors or the President. In the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chair of the Board of Directors, or if there is none, the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The President shall also perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
(c) Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall also perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, under whose supervision he or she shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and if there is no Assistant Secretary, then either the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may choose another officer to cause such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, if there
is one, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature. The Secretary shall see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.
(d) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Board, the President and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Board or the President.
(e) Chief Accounting Officer. The Board of Directors may elect a Chief Accounting Officer who shall be responsible for all accounting and auditing functions of the Corporation and who shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be required of him or her by the Board of Directors.
(f) Treasurer. The Treasurer, if there is one, shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the Corporation.
(g) Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 5.1. Form of Certificates. Every holder of stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate or certificates duly numbered, certifying the number and class of shares in the Corporation owned by him or her, in such form as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Each such certificate shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.
Section 5.2. Signatures. Where a certificate is countersigned by (a) a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (b) a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be electronic. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose electronic signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 5.3. Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 5.4. Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate or by his or her attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, which shall be canceled before a new certificate shall be issued.
Section 5.5. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty days nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 5.6. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.
ARTICLE VI
NOTICES
Section 6.1. Notices. Whenever written notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such director, member of a committee or stockholder, at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Written notice may also be given personally or transmitted via email or other electronic transmission.
Section 6.2. Waivers of Notice. Whenever any notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when such person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 7.1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for any proper purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
Section 7.2. Disbursements. All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 7.3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings Other Than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 8.3 hereof, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
Section 8.2. Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 8.3 hereof, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 8.3. Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 hereof, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made (a) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (b) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, or (c) by the stockholders. To the extent, however, that a director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.
Section 8.4. Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination under Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, if his or her action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to him or her by the officers of the Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enterprise. The term another enterprise as used in this Section 8.4 shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. The provisions of this Section 8.4 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, as the case may be.
Section 8.5. Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any contrary determination made in any specific case under Section 8.3 hereof, and notwithstanding the absence of any determination made thereunder, any director or officer may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for indemnification to the extent otherwise permissible under Sections 8.1 and 8.2 hereof. The basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standards of conduct set forth in Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof. Neither a contrary determination in the specific case under Section 8.3 hereof nor the absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the director or officer seeking indemnification has not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 8.5 shall be given to the Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application. If successful, in whole or in part, the director or officer seeking indemnification shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such application.
Section 8.6. Expenses Payable in Advance. Expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VIII.
Section 8.7. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article VIII
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, contract, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or pursuant to the direction (howsoever embodied) of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 hereof shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Section 8.1 or 8.2 but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL) or otherwise.
Section 8.8. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.
Section 8.9. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the Corporation shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to serving at the request of the Corporation shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation as referred to in this Article VIII.
Section 8.10. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 8.11. Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article VIII to the contrary, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification (which
shall be governed by Section 8.5 hereof), the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
Section 8.12. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article VIII to directors and officers of the Corporation.
Section 8.13. Secondary Indemnifications. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those persons provided indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such persons official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is acknowledged that certain persons may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by the stockholders of the Corporation or one or more of the affiliates of such stockholders of the Corporation other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries (any of such entities, together with their affiliates (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries), the Stockholder Sponsors) as an employee of any of such entities (or their respective payroll companies) or pursuant to separate written agreements, which the Company and the Stockholder Sponsors intend to be secondary to the primary obligation of the Corporation to provide indemnification as provided herein. If any Stockholder Sponsor pays or causes to be paid, for any reason, any amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement or arrangement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter) to a person indemnifiable hereunder, then (i) the applicable Stockholder Sponsor entity shall be fully subrogated to all of such persons rights with respect to such payment and (ii) the Company shall indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless the applicable Stockholder Sponsor entity for the payments actually made. The Stockholder Sponsors shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Article VIII, having the rights to enforce this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new Bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, provided, however, that notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new Bylaws be contained in the notice of such meeting of stockholders or Board of Directors as the case may be. All such amendments must be approved by either the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon or by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, in each case, in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
ARTICLE X
CONFLICTS
If there is a conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or the mandatory provisions of the DGCL, such provision or provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, as the case may be, will be controlling.
Exhibit 4.1
DNB INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE COMMON STOCK CUSIP26484T 10 6 SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK, $0.0001 PAR VALUE, OF Dun & BraDstreet HolDings, inc. transferable on the books of the Company in Person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby, are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the Bylaws, as amended, of the Company (copies of which are on file with the Company and with the Transfer Agent), to all of which each holder, by acceptance hereof, assents. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. 2018 0000001 Chief Legal Officer Chief Executive Officer u Exhibit 4.1
JT TEN Shares of the common stock represented by this certificate and do hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoint Attorney, to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.
FORM OF
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
by and among
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
and
the other parties hereto
[·], 2020
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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Section 1. |
Certain Definitions |
1 |
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Section 2. |
Registration Rights |
6 |
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2.1. |
Demand Registrations |
6 |
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2.2. |
Piggyback Registrations |
10 |
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2.3. |
Allocation of Securities Included in Registration Statement |
12 |
|
2.4. |
Registration Procedures |
15 |
|
2.5. |
Registration Expenses |
22 |
|
2.6. |
Certain Limitations on Registration Rights |
22 |
|
2.7. |
Limitations on Sale or Distribution of Other Securities |
22 |
|
2.8. |
No Required Sale |
24 |
|
2.9. |
Indemnification |
24 |
|
2.10. |
Limitations on Registration of Other Securities; Representation |
28 |
|
2.11. |
No Inconsistent Agreements |
28 |
|
|
|
|
Section 3. |
Underwritten Offerings |
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1. |
Requested Underwritten Offerings |
28 |
|
3.2. |
Piggyback Underwritten Offerings |
28 |
|
|
|
|
Section 4. |
General |
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1. |
Rule 144 and Rule 144A |
29 |
|
4.2. |
Nominees for Beneficial Owners |
29 |
|
4.3. |
Amendments and Waivers |
30 |
|
4.4. |
Notices |
30 |
|
4.5. |
Successors and Assigns |
31 |
|
4.6. |
Entire Agreement |
31 |
|
4.7. |
Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial |
31 |
|
4.8. |
Interpretation; Construction |
32 |
|
4.9. |
Counterparts |
32 |
|
4.10. |
Severability |
32 |
|
4.11. |
Remedies |
33 |
|
4.12. |
Further Assurances |
33 |
|
4.13. |
Confidentiality |
33 |
|
4.14. |
Termination and Effect of Termination |
34 |
|
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Exhibit A - Joinder |
|
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this Agreement), is made as of [·], 2020, by and among (i) Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), (ii) Star Parent, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership), and (iii) each of the Persons listed on the signature pages hereto (each a Holder, and collectively the Holders).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Holders own Registrable Securities;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, payment has been made by certain underwriters for the initial public offering of shares of Common Stock (IPO); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the parties desire to set forth certain registration rights applicable to the Registrable Securities.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and obligations hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Additional Piggyback Rights has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(d).
Affiliate means with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person, where control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract or otherwise; provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, CC Capital Partners LLC and Bilcar, LLC and their respective Affiliates shall be deemed an Affiliate of C/B Star Holdings. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Company nor any Person controlled by the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any Holder.
Agreement means this Registration Rights Agreement, as this agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time after the date hereof.
Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4(v).
Beneficial Ownership shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, the ownership of securities as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect from time to time. The terms Beneficially Own and Beneficial Owner shall have a correlative meaning.
Block Trade means an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by one or more of the Holders on a block trade or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise)
without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction.
Board means the board of directors of the Company.
Business Day shall mean a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, federal or New York State holiday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.
C/B Star Holdings means C/B Star Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Charitable Gifting Event means any transfer by an Investor Shareholder, or any subsequent transfer by such Holders members, partners or other employees, in connection with a bona fide gift to any Charitable Organization on the date of, but prior to, the execution of the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with any underwritten offering.
Charitable Organization means a charitable organization as described by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time to time.
Claims has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.9(a).
Common Stock shall mean the shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company, and any and all securities of any kind whatsoever which may be issued after the date hereof in respect of, or in exchange for, such shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.
Common Stock Equivalents means all options, warrants and other securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for (at any time or upon the occurrence of any event or contingency and without regard to any vesting or other conditions to which such securities may be subject) shares of capital stock or other equity securities of such Person (including, without limitation, any note or debt security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities of such Person).
Company means Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Demand Exercise Notice has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(ii).
Demand Registration has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).
Demand Registration Request has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued under such Act, as they may from time to time be in effect.
Expenses means any and all fees and expenses incident to the Companys performance of or compliance with Section 2, including, without limitation: (i) SEC, stock exchange or
FINRA registration and filing fees and all listing fees and fees with respect to the inclusion of securities on the New York Stock Exchange or on any other securities market on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or blue sky laws of any state or jurisdiction of the United States or compliance with the securities laws of foreign jurisdictions and in connection with the preparation of a blue sky survey, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of outside blue sky counsel and securities counsel in foreign jurisdictions, (iii) printing and copying expenses, (iv) messenger and delivery expenses, (v) expenses incurred in connection with any road show, (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (vii) with respect to each registration or underwritten offering, the fees and disbursements of (a) one counsel for the Investor Shareholders and (b) one counsel for the Partnership, (viii) fees and disbursements of all independent public accountants (including the expenses of any audit and/or cold comfort letter and updates thereof) and fees and expenses of other Persons, including special experts, retained by the Company, (ix) fees and expenses payable to a Qualified Independent Underwriter, (x) fees and expenses of any transfer agent or custodian, (xi) any other fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities and (xii) expenses for securities law liability insurance and, if any, rating agency fees.
FINRA means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Holder or Holders means (1) any Person who is a signatory to this Agreement, or (2) any Permitted Transferee to whom any Person who is a signatory to this Agreement shall assign or transfer any rights hereunder; provided that in the case of clause (2), such Person or such transferee, as applicable, has executed and delivered a Joinder and has thereby agreed in writing to be bound by this Agreement in respect of such Registrable Securities.
Initiating Holders has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).
Inspectors has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4(k).
Investor Shareholders shall mean CC Star Holdings, LP, Bilcar, LLC, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund VIII, L.P., Thomas H. Lee Parallel Fund VIII, L.P., THL Fund VIII Coinvestment Partners, L.P., THL Executive Fund VIII, L.P., THL Equity Fund VIII Investors (D&B), L.P., Cannae Holdings, Inc. and Black Knight Infoserv, LLC and each of their respective Permitted Transferees that are Affiliates (for the avoidance of doubt, other than the Company), in each case, to the extent such Person Beneficially Owns Registrable Securities and becomes a party to this Agreement (pursuant to a Joinder (as applicable)).
IPO has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
Joinder means a joinder agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
Litigation means any action, proceeding or investigation in any court or before any governmental authority.
Majority Participating Holders means Participating Holders holding more than 50% of the Registrable Securities proposed to be included in any offering of Registrable Securities by such Participating Holders pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2.
Manager has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(g).
Offering Document means a registration statement, any prospectus or preliminary, final or summary prospectus or free writing prospectus, or any other document used in connection with the offering of securities covered thereby, any offering circular, notification, pricing disclosure or similar document, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing.
Opt-Out Request has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
Participating Holders means all Holders of Registrable Securities which are proposed to be included in any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2.
Partnership has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
Partner Distribution has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(c).
Permitted Transferee means, in relation to any Person who is a signatory to this Agreement, any Person to whom such Person is permitted to transfer Registrable Securities under the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (as amended from time to time), the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (as amended from time to time), and the Voting Agreement.
Person means any individual, corporation (including not for profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization, governmental entity or agency or other entity of any kind or nature.
Piggyback Registration has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(b).
Piggyback Request has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(b).
Piggyback Shares has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a)(iii).
Policies has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
Postponement Period has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(f).
Public Offering shall mean, other than the IPO, a bona fide underwritten public offering or sale or other transfer of Common Stock (other equity securities of the Company) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
Qualified Independent Underwriter means a qualified independent underwriter within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121.
Records has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4(k).
Registrable Securities means (a) any shares of Common Stock held by the Holders at any time (including those held as a result of, or issuable upon, the conversion or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents), whether now owned or acquired by the Holders at a later time, (b)
any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or with respect to the Common Stock referenced in clause (a) above by way of stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares in connection with a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or other reorganization and (c) any securities issued in replacement of or exchange for any securities described in clause (a) or (b) above. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (A) a registration statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration statement or (B) such securities are able to be immediately sold pursuant to Rule 144 without any restrictions on transfer under such rule.
Rule 144 and Rule 144A have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.2.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission or such other federal agency which at such time administers the Securities Act.
Section 2.3(a) Sale Number has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a).
Section 2.3(b) Sale Number has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(b).
Section 2.3(c) Sale Number has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(c).
Section 4.13 Representative has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued under such Act, as they may from time to time be in effect.
Shelf Registrable Securities has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(i).
Shelf Registration Statement has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(i).
Shelf Underwriting has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(j).
Shelf Underwriting Notice has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(j).
Shelf Underwriting Request has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(j).
Special Registration Statement means: (a) a registration statement relating to any employee benefit plan; (b) with respect to any corporate reorganization or transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, any registration statement related to the issuance or resale of securities issued in connection with such transaction; or (c) a registration statement related to stock issued upon conversion of debt securities.
Subsidiary means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company on the date hereof and any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company organized or acquired after the date hereof.
Valid Business Reason has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(f).
Voting Agreement means that certain Voting Agreement, dated [], 2020, by and among the Company, CC Star Holdings, LP, Bilcar, LLC, Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund VIII, L.P., Thomas H. Lee Parallel Fund VIII, L.P., THL Fund VIII Coinvestment Partners, L.P., THL Executive Fund VIII, L.P., THL Equity Fund VIII Investors (D&B), L.P., D&B Holdco, LLC and Black Knight Infoserv, LLC.
WKSI has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4(v).
Section 2. Registration Rights.
2.1. Demand Registrations.
(a) (i) Subject to Sections 2.1(b) and 2.3, at any time and from time to time, an Investor Shareholder shall have the right to require the Company to file one or more, but in no event greater than five, registration statements under the Securities Act covering all or any part of its and its Affiliates Registrable Securities by delivering a written request therefor to the Company specifying the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration and the intended method of distribution therefor (a Demand Registration Request). The registration so requested is referred to herein as a Demand Registration (with respect to any Demand Registration, the Investor Shareholder(s) making such demand for registration being referred to as the Initiating Holders). Any Demand Registration Request may request that the Company register Registrable Securities on an appropriate form, including a shelf registration statement, and, if the Company is a WKSI, an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement.
(ii) The Company shall give written notice (the Demand Exercise Notice) of such Demand Registration Request (A) to each of the Investor Shareholders no later than three (3) Business Days after receipt of a Demand Registration Request and (B) to all other Holders of record of Registrable Securities no later than five (5) Business Days after the filing of a registration statement pursuant to the Demand Registration Request (or, in the case of a request for the filing of an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, three (3) Business Days after receipt of the Demand Registration Request).
(b) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, shall include in a Demand Registration (x) the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders and (y) the Registrable Securities of any other Holder of Registrable Securities which shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such registration pursuant to Section 2.2 (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Participating Holder on the same terms and pursuant to the same intended method or methods of disposition as are set forth in the Demand Registration Request of the Initiating Holder) within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Demand Exercise Notice.
(c) The Company shall, subject to Section 2.1(b), use its reasonable best efforts to (x) as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days following receipt of a Demand Registration Request, file with the SEC the form and other necessary documents, and, as soon as reasonably practicable after such filing, use its best efforts to cause to be declared effective such registration under the Securities Act (including, without limitation, by means of a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act if so requested and if the
Company is then eligible to use such a registration) of the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register, for distribution in accordance with such intended method of distribution, including a distribution to, and resale by, the members or partners of a Holder (a Partner Distribution) and (y) if requested by the Initiating Holders, request acceleration of the effective date of the registration statement relating to such registration.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall, at the request of any Holder seeking to effect or considering a Partner Distribution, file any Offering Document and otherwise take any action, deemed necessary or advisable by such Holder to effect such Partner Distribution.
(e) Any Initiating Holder and any other Holder that has requested its Registrable Securities be included in a Demand Registration may withdraw all or a portion of its Registrable Securities from such Demand Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of the Demand Registration. Upon receipt of a notice to such effect (A) from the Initiating Holder and all other Holders with respect to all of the Registrable Securities included by such Holders in such Demand Registration; or (B) from one or more Holders with respect to Registrable Securities held by them that would cause the reasonably expected aggregate offering price to fall to $50,000,000 or below, the Company shall cease all effort to secure effectiveness of the applicable Demand Registration.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.1(a), the Demand Registration rights granted in Section 2.1(a) are subject to the following limitations: (i) (x) the Company shall not be required to effect more than one (1) Demand Registration delivered by any specific Investor Shareholder pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i) in any seven and one-half month period (it being understood that a registration pursuant to a Piggyback Request by an Investor Shareholder shall not constitute a Demand Registration for the purposes of this Section 2.1(f)(i)); (ii) each registration in respect of a Demand Registration Request made by any Initiating Holder must include, in the aggregate (based on the Common Stock included in such registration by all Holders participating in such registration), Registrable Securities having an aggregate market value reasonably expected to be at least $50,000,000; and (iii) if the Board, in its good faith judgment, determines that any registration of Registrable Securities should not be made or continued because it would materially interfere with any material financing, acquisition, corporate reorganization, merger, share exchange or other transaction or event involving the Company or any Subsidiary and, in each case, any successor thereto, or because the Company does not yet have appropriate financial statements of acquired or to be acquired entities available for filing (in each case, a Valid Business Reason), then (x) the Company may postpone filing a registration statement relating to a Demand Registration Request until three (3) Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than 30 days after the date the Board determines a Valid Business Reason exists and (y) in case a registration statement has been filed relating to a Demand Registration Request, if the Valid Business Reason has not resulted from actions taken by the Company, any Subsidiary, and, in each case, any successor thereto, the Company may, to the extent determined in the good faith judgment of the Board to be reasonably necessary to avoid interference with any of the transactions described above, cause such registration statement to be withdrawn and its effectiveness terminated or may postpone amending or supplementing such registration statement until three (3) Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than 30 days after
the date the Board determines a Valid Business Reason exists (such period of postponement or withdrawal under this clause (iv), the Postponement Period). The Company shall give written notice of its determination to postpone or withdraw a registration statement and of the fact that the Valid Business Reason for such postponement or withdrawal no longer exists, together with a certificate of such determination signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof; provided, however, the Company shall not be permitted to postpone or withdraw a registration statement after the expiration of any Postponement Period until twelve (12) months after the expiration of such Postponement Period.
If the Company shall give any notice of postponement or withdrawal of any registration statement pursuant to clause (f) above, the Company shall not, during the Postponement Period, register any Common Stock, other than pursuant to a Special Registration Statement. Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company that the Company has determined to withdraw, terminate or postpone amending or supplementing any registration statement pursuant to clause (f) above, such Holder will discontinue its disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement. If the Company shall have withdrawn or prematurely terminated a registration statement filed under Section 2.1(a)(i) (whether pursuant to clause (iii) above or as a result of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court), the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement until the Company shall have filed a new registration statement covering the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn or terminated registration statement and such registration statement shall have been declared effective and shall not have been withdrawn. If the Company shall give any notice of withdrawal or postponement of a registration statement, the Company shall, not later than three (3) Business Days after the Valid Business Reason that caused such withdrawal or postponement no longer exists (but in no event later than 30 days after the date of the postponement or withdrawal), use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn or postponed registration statement in accordance with this Section 2.1 (unless the Initiating Holders shall have withdrawn such request, in which case the Company shall not be considered to have effected an effective registration for the purposes of this Agreement), and such registration shall not thereafter be withdrawn or postponed pursuant to Section 2.1(f).
(g) In connection with any Demand Registration, the Majority Participating Holders shall have the right to designate the lead managing underwriter (any lead managing underwriter for the purposes of this Agreement, the Manager) in connection with any underwritten offering pursuant to such registration and each other managing underwriter for any such underwritten offering; provided, that in the event that an Investor Shareholder is the Majority Participating Holder, and any other Investor Shareholder is a Participating Holder, then such managing underwriter must be reasonably satisfactory to such other Investor Shareholder; provided, further, that, in any case, such underwriter is reasonably satisfactory to the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(h) The obligation to effect a Demand Registration as described in this Section 2.1 shall be deemed satisfied only when a registration statement covering the applicable Registrable Securities shall have become effective (unless, after effectiveness, the registration statement
becomes subject to any stop order, injunction or other order of the SEC or other governmental agency, in which case the obligation shall not be deemed satisfied) and, if the method of disposition is a firm commitment underwritten public offering, all such Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant thereto.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at such time as the Company shall have qualified for the use of Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor form thereto and in the event that the Company files a shelf registration statement under Rule 415 of the Securities Act pursuant to a Demand Registration Request and such shelf registration statement on Form S-3 becomes effective (such registration statement, a Shelf Registration Statement), the Initiating Holders with respect to such Demand Registration Request and the Holders of other Registrable Securities registered on such Shelf Registration Statement shall have the right at any time or from time to time to elect to sell pursuant to an underwritten offering Registrable Securities available for sale pursuant to such registration statement (Shelf Registrable Securities), so long as the Shelf Registration Statement remains in effect and only if the method of distribution set forth in the shelf registration allows for sales pursuant to an underwritten offering.
(j) The Initiating Holders and such other Holders shall make such election by delivering to the Company a written request (a Shelf Underwriting Request) for such underwritten offering to the Company specifying the number of Shelf Registrable Securities that the Holders desire to sell pursuant to such underwritten offering (the Shelf Underwriting). As promptly as practicable, but no later than five (5) Business Days after receipt of a Shelf Underwriting Request, the Company shall give written notice (the Shelf Underwriting Notice) of such Shelf Underwriting Request to all other Holders of record of Shelf Registrable Securities. The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, shall include in such Shelf Underwriting (x) the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders and (y) the Shelf Registrable Securities of any other Holder of Shelf Registrable Securities which shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such Shelf Underwriting (which request shall specify the maximum number of Shelf Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder) within seven (7) days after the receipt of the Shelf Underwriting Notice. The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible (and in any event within twenty (20) days after the receipt of a Shelf Underwriting Request), but subject to Section 2.1(b), use its reasonable best efforts to facilitate such Shelf Underwriting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Investor Shareholder wishes to engage in a Block Trade off of a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement), then notwithstanding the foregoing time periods, the Investor Shareholder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade on the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall notify the other Investor Shareholders that did not initiate the Block Trade. The Investor Shareholders must elect whether or not to participate in such Block Trade on the day such offering is to commence, and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its reasonable best efforts (including co-operating with such Investor Shareholders with respect to the provision of necessary information) to facilitate such shelf offering (which may close as early as three (3) Business Days after the date it commences), provided, that in the case of such Block Trade, only Investor Shareholders shall have a right to notice and to participate, and provided, further, that the Investor Shareholder requesting such Block Trade shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and the underwriters prior to making such request
in order to facilitate preparation of Offering Documents related to the Block Trade. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holders other than the Investor Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive notice of, or to elect to participate in, a Block Trade or any Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus to be used in connection with such Block Trade. The Company shall, at the request of any Initiating Holder or any other Holder of Registrable Securities registered on such Shelf Registration Statement, file any prospectus supplement or, if the applicable Shelf Registration Statement is an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.4), any post-effective amendments and otherwise take any action necessary to include therein all disclosure and language deemed necessary or advisable by the Company to effect such Shelf Underwriting. Once a Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective, the Investor Shareholders may request, and the Company shall be required to facilitate, an unlimited number of Shelf Underwritings with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1(j), each Shelf Underwriting must include, in the aggregate (based on the Common Stock included in such Shelf Underwriting by all Holders participating in such Shelf Underwriting), shares of Common Stock having an aggregate market value of at least $50,000,000. The Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep each Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the earliest to occur of (i) the date specified by the Initiating Holder, if any, (ii) the day after the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, and (iii) the first date on which there shall cease to be any Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement.
2.2. Piggyback Registrations.
(a) If the Company proposes or is required (pursuant to Section 2.1 or otherwise) to register any of its equity securities for its own account or for the account of any other shareholder under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to a Special Registration Statement), the Company shall give prompt written notice of its intention to do so to each of the Holders of record of Registrable Securities, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act or, in the case of registrations pursuant to Section 2.1, as required pursuant to Section 2.1.
(b) Upon the written request of any Holder desiring to have Registrable Securities registered under this Section 2.2 (a Piggyback Request), made within three (3) Business Days following the receipt of written notice from the Company pursuant to Section 2.3(a) (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder and the intended method of distribution thereof), the Company shall, subject to Sections 2.2(e), 2.3 and 2.6 hereof, use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities, the Holders of which have so requested the registration thereof, to be registered under the Securities Act with the securities which the Company at the time proposes to register to permit the sale or other disposition by the Holders (in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof) of the Registrable Securities to be so registered, including, if necessary, by
filing with the SEC a post-effective amendment or a supplement to the registration statement filed by the Company or the prospectus related thereto (the Piggyback Registration).
(c) There is no limitation on the number of Piggyback Requests that may be made by Holders pursuant to the preceding sentence which the Company is obligated to effect. No registration of Registrable Securities effected under this Section 2.2(c) shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect Demand Registrations under Section 2.1 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Investor Shareholder wishes to engage in a Block Trade off of a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement), then notwithstanding the foregoing time periods, the Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade on the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall notify the other Investor Shareholders, and the other Investor Shareholders must elect whether or not to participate on the day such offering is to commence, and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its reasonable best efforts (including co-operating with such Investor Shareholders with respect to the provision of necessary information) to facilitate such shelf offering (which may close as early as three (3) Business Days after the date it commences), provided that in the case of such Block Trade, only Investor Shareholder shall have a right to notice and to participate, and provided, further, that the Investor Shareholder requesting such Block Trade shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and the underwriters prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of Offering Documents related to the Block Trade. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holders other than the Investor Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive notice of, or to elect to participate in, a Block Trade or any Shelf Registration Statement and prospectus to be used in connection with such Block Trade.
(d) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, may elect to include in any registration statement and offering pursuant to demand registration rights by any Person, (i) authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and (ii) any other shares of Common Stock which are requested to be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback registration rights granted by the Company after the date hereof and which are not inconsistent with the rights granted in, or otherwise conflict with the terms of, this Agreement (Additional Piggyback Rights); provided, however, that, with respect to any underwritten offering, such inclusion shall be permitted only to the extent that it is pursuant to, and subject to, the terms of the underwriting agreement or arrangements, if any, entered into by the Majority Participating Holders in such underwritten offering; provided further that no party holding Additional Piggyback Rights shall be entitled to receive notice of, or to elect to participate in, a Block Trade or any Shelf Registration Statement and prospectus to be used in connection with such Block Trade.
(e) If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any equity securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such equity securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to all Holders of record of Registrable Securities and (i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such abandoned registration, without prejudice, however, to the rights of Holders under Section 2.1, and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay such
registration of its equity securities, shall be permitted to delay the registration of such Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in registering such other equity securities.
(f) Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw its request for inclusion of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.2 by giving written notice to the Company of its request to withdraw; provided, however, that such request must be made in writing prior to the earlier of the execution of the underwriting agreement or the execution of the custody agreement with respect to such registration.
(g) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement relating to any Piggyback Registration for a period of at least 180 days after the effective date thereof or such shorter period in which all Registrable Securities included in such registration statement have actually been sold.
2.3. Allocation of Securities Included in Registration Statement.
(a) If any requested registration made pursuant to Section 2.1 (including a Shelf Underwriting) involves an underwritten offering and the Manager of such offering shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Company, any Subsidiary, and, in each case, any successor thereto, or any other Persons exercising Additional Piggyback Rights exceeds the highest number (the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such underwritten offering within a price range acceptable to the Majority Participating Holders, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to include in such underwritten offering:
(i) first, all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Holders thereof (including pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2); provided, however, that if the number of such Registrable Securities exceeds the 2.3(a) Sale Number, the number of such Registrable Securities (not to exceed the 2.3(a) Sale Number) to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such underwritten offering, based on the number of Registrable Securities then owned by each such Holder requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Holders requesting inclusion;
(ii) second, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the 2.3(a) Sale Number, any securities that the Company proposes to register; provided that the number of such securities when aggregated with that number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clause (i), totals no more than the 2.3(a) Sale Number; and
(iii) third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the 2.3(a) Sale Number, the remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in
such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights (Piggyback Shares), based on the number of Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion; provided that the number of such securities when aggregated with that number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) totals no more than the 2.3(a) Sale Number.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.3(a) to the contrary, no Holder that is not an Investor Shareholder will be entitled to include Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering requested by the Initiating Holders pursuant to Section 2.1 to the extent that the Manager of such underwritten offering shall determine in good faith that the participation of such Holder would adversely affect in any material respect the marketability of the securities being sold by the Initiating Holders in such underwritten offering.
(b) If any registration or offering made pursuant to Section 2.2 involves an underwritten primary offering on behalf of the Company after the date hereof and the Manager shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Company or any other Persons exercising Additional Piggyback Rights exceeds the highest number (the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such underwritten offering within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall include in such underwritten offering:
(i) first, all equity securities that the Company proposes to register for its own account;
(ii) second, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clause (1) of this Section 2.3(b) is less than the 2.3(b) Sale Number, the remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2, based on the number of Registrable Securities then owned by each such Holder requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Holders requesting inclusion; provided that the number of such remaining Registrable Securities when aggregated with that number of equity securities to be included pursuant to clause (i), totals no more than the 2.3(b) Sale Number; and
(iii) third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(b) is less than the 2.3(b) Sale Number, the remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the number of Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion; provided that the number of such securities when aggregated with that number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) totals no more than the 2.3(b) Sale Number.
Notwithstanding anything in this 2.3(b) to the contrary, no Holder that is not an Investor Shareholder will be entitled to include Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.2 to the extent that the Manager of such underwritten offering shall determine in good faith that the participation of such Holder would adversely affect in any material respect the marketability of the securities being sold by the Company or the other Holders in such underwritten offering.
(c) If any registration pursuant to Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering that was initially requested by any Person(s) other than a Holder to whom the Company has granted registration rights which are not inconsistent with the rights granted in, or otherwise conflict with the terms of, this Agreement and the Manager shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering exceeds the number (the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such underwritten offering within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall include in such underwritten offering:
(i) first, the shares requested to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among such Person(s) requesting the registration and all Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2, based on the aggregate number of securities or Registrable Securities, as applicable, then owned by each of the foregoing requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of securities or Registrable Securities, as applicable, owned by all such Holders and Persons requesting inclusion, up to the 2.3(c) Sale Number;
(ii) second, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the 2.3(c) Sale Number, the remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the number of Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion; provided that the number of such remaining Registrable Securities when aggregated with that number of shares requested to be included pursuant to clause (i), totals no more than the 2.3(c) Sale Number; and
(iii) third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, the remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated to shares the Company proposes to register for its own account; provided that the number of such securities when aggregated with that number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) totals no more than the 2.3(c) Sale Number.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.3(c) to the contrary, no Holder that is not an Investor Shareholder will be entitled to include Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.2 to the extent that the Manager of such underwritten offering shall
determine in good faith that the participation of such Holder would adversely affect in any material respect the marketability of the securities being sold by the Person(s) requesting the registration or the other Holders in such underwritten offering.
(d) If, as a result of the proration provisions set forth in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 2.3, any Holder shall not be entitled to include all Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that such Holder has requested be included, such Holder may elect to withdraw such Holders request to include Registrable Securities in the registration to which such underwritten offering relates or may reduce the number requested to be included; provided, however, that (x) such request must be made in writing prior to the earlier of the execution of the underwriting agreement or the execution of the custody agreement with respect to such registration and (y) such withdrawal or reduction shall be irrevocable and, after making such withdrawal or reduction, such Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable Securities in the registration as to which such withdrawal or reduction was made to the extent of the Registrable Securities so withdrawn or reduced; provided, further, that in the event that a withdrawal or reduction pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) reduces the number of Registrable Securities to be included in an offering to fewer than the 2.3(a) Sale Number, the 2.3(b) Sale Number or the 2.3(c) Sale Number, as applicable, then the priority according to which any additional Registrable Securities shall be included therein shall be as set forth in Section 2.3(a), Section 2.3(b) or Section 2.3(c), as applicable.
2.4. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to effect or cause the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement (or use best efforts or reasonable best efforts to accomplish the same), the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on an appropriate registration form of the SEC for the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof (including, without limitation, a Partner Distribution), which registration form (i) shall be selected by the Company and (ii) shall, in the case of a shelf registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and such registration statement shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable registration form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain continuously effective for such period as any Participating Holder pursuant to such registration statement shall request, and no less than 180 days, provided, however, that as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing an Offering Document, or before sending a response to an SEC comment letter prior to any such filing, the Company will furnish to one counsel for the Holders participating in the planned offering (selected by the Majority Participating Holders) and to one counsel for the Manager, if any, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including all exhibits thereto and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the SEC), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and reasonable comment of such counsel (including any objections to any information pertaining to any Participating Holder and its plan of distribution and otherwise to the extent necessary, if at all, to complete the filing or maintain the effectiveness thereof), and the Company shall make the changes reasonably requested by such counsel and shall not file any
Offering Document to which the Majority Participating Holders or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be required to file any document with the SEC which in the view of the Company or its counsel does not comply with the requirements of the Securities Act or of the rules of regulations thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading;
(b) (i) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements (including, without limitation, any reports required to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act) to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement continuously effective for such period as any Participating Holder pursuant to such registration statement shall request and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; provided, however, that the Company may discontinue any registration of its securities that cease to be Registrable Securities; and (ii) provide notice to such sellers of Registrable Securities and the Manager, if any, of the Companys reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a registration statement would be appropriate;
(c) furnish, without charge, to each Participating Holder and each underwriter, if any, of the securities covered by such registration statement such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, each free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, in each case, in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act or of the rules or regulations thereunder, and other documents, as such seller and underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (the Company hereby consenting to the use in accordance with all applicable laws of each such Offering Document by each such Participating Holder and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus);
(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or state blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any sellers of Registrable Securities or any managing underwriter, if any, shall reasonably request in writing, and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such sellers or underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions (including keeping such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such registration statement remains in effect), except that in no event shall the Company be required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where it would not, but for the requirements of this paragraph (d), be required to be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;
(e) promptly notify each Participating Holder and each managing underwriter, if any and, if requested by any such Person, confirm such notice in writing: (i) when the registration statement or any other Offering Document has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to the Offering Document, when the same has become effective; (ii) of any comment letter or request by the SEC or state securities authority for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus related thereto or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or state blue sky laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the existence of any fact of which the Company becomes aware which results in the Offering Document or the information conveyed to any purchaser at the time of sale to such purchaser containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading; and (vi) if at any time the representations and warranties contemplated by any underwriting agreement, securities sale agreement, or other similar agreement, relating to the offering shall cease to be true and correct in all material respects; and, if the notification relates to an event described in clause (v), unless the Company has declared that a Postponement Period exists, the Company shall promptly prepare and furnish to each such seller and each underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading;
(f) comply (and continue to comply) with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (including, without limitation, maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) in accordance with the Exchange Act), and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the registration statement (and in any event within forty-five (45) days, or ninety (90) days if it is a fiscal year, after the end of such twelve month period described hereafter), an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning with the first day of the Companys first calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;
(g) (i) (A) cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on the principal securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed (if any), if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (B) if no similar securities are then so listed, to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, take all actions that may be required by the Company as the issuer of such Registrable Securities in order to facilitate the managing underwriters arranging for the registration of at least two market makers as such with respect to such shares with FINRA, and (ii) comply (and continue to comply) with the requirements of any self-regulatory
organization applicable to the Company, including without limitation all corporate governance requirements;
(h) (i) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement; (ii) instruct such transfer agent (A) to release, on such effective date, any stop transfer order with respect to the certificates with respect to the Registrable Securities being sold, and (B) to furnish certificates without restrictive legends representing ownership of the shares being sold, in such denominations requested by the sellers of the Registrable Securities or any managing underwriter; and (iii) in the case of any secondary equity offering, provide and enter into any reasonable agreements with a custodian for the Registrable Securities;
(i) enter into such customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement) and take such other actions as the Majority Participating Holders or the underwriters shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (it being understood that the Holders of the Registrable Securities which are to be distributed by any underwriters shall be parties to any such underwriting agreement and may, at their option, require that the Company make to and for the benefit of such Holders the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company which are being made to and for the benefit of such underwriters);
(j) use its reasonable best efforts (i) to obtain an opinion from the Companys counsel and a cold comfort letter and updates thereof from the independent public accountants who have certified the Companys financial statements (and/or any other financial statements) included or incorporated by reference in such registration statement, in each case, in customary form and covering such matters as are customarily covered by such opinions and cold comfort letters (including, in the case of such cold comfort letter, events subsequent to the date of such financial statements) delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings, which opinion and letter shall be dated the dates such opinions and cold comfort letters are customarily dated and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the underwriters, if any, and to the Majority Participating Holders, and (ii) furnish to each Participating Holder upon its request and to each underwriter, if any, a copy of such opinion and letter addressed to such underwriter;
(k) deliver promptly to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the SEC and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all memoranda relating to discussions with the SEC or its staff with respect to the registration statement, and, upon receipt of such confidentiality agreements as the Company may reasonably request, make reasonably available for inspection by counsel for each Participating Holder, by counsel for any underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any Participating Holder or any such underwriter, (collectively, the Inspectors), all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (the Records), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and to use reasonable best efforts to cause applicable personnel and representatives of the Company to meet with the Inspectors (if so requested) and to supply the information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement;
(l) use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance or obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable;
(m) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not later than the effective date of the registration statement;
(n) use its reasonable best efforts to make available its employees and personnel for participation in road shows and other marketing efforts and otherwise provide reasonable assistance to the underwriters (taking into account the needs of the businesses of the Company, any Subsidiary, and, in each case, any successor thereto, and the requirements of the marketing process) in the marketing of Registrable Securities in any underwritten offering;
(o) promptly prior to the filing of any document which is to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement or the prospectus (after the initial filing of such registration statement), and prior to the filing or use of any free writing prospectus, provide copies of such document to counsel for each Participating Holder and to each managing underwriter, if any, and make the representatives of the Company, any Subsidiary, and, in each case, any successor thereto, reasonably available for discussion of such document and make such changes in such document concerning the Participating Holders prior to the filing thereof as counsel for such Participating Holders or underwriters may reasonably request (provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be required to file any document with the SEC which in the view of the Company or its counsel contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading);
(p) furnish to counsel for each Participating Holder upon its request and to each managing underwriter, without charge, upon request, at least one conformed copy of the registration statement and any post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, the prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference) and any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith;
(q) cooperate with the Participating Holders and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates not bearing any restrictive legends representing the Registrable Securities to be sold, and cause such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names in accordance with the underwriting agreement at least two (2) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters or, if not an underwritten offering, in accordance with the instructions of the Participating Holders at least two (2) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of Registrable Securities to release any stop transfer orders in respect thereof (and, in the case of Registrable Securities registered on a Shelf Registration Statement, at the request of any Holder, prepare and deliver certificates representing such Registrable Securities not bearing any restrictive legends and deliver or cause to be
delivered an opinion or instructions to the transfer agent in order to allow such Registrable Securities to be sold from time to time);
(r) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to make any such prohibition inapplicable;
(s) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies, authorities or self-regulatory bodies (including any filings as may be required to be made with FINRA) as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company, any Subsidiary, and, in each case, any successor thereto, to enable the Participating Holders or the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof;
(t) take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(u) take all reasonable action to ensure that any free writing prospectus utilized in connection with any registration covered by Section 2.1 or 2.2 complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, prospectus supplement and related documents, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(v) in connection with any underwritten offering, if at any time the information conveyed to a purchaser at the time of sale includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, promptly file with the SEC such amendments or supplements to such information as may be necessary so that the statements as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances, be misleading; and
(w) if requested by any Investor Shareholder, cooperate with such Investor Shareholder and with the managing underwriter or agent, if any, on reasonable notice to facilitate any Charitable Gifting Event and to prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to permit any such recipient Charitable Organization to sell in the underwritten offering if it so elects.
To the extent the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (a WKSI) at the time any Demand Registration Request is submitted to the Company, and such Demand Registration Request requests that the Company file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement) on Form S-3, the Company shall file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement which covers those Registrable Securities which are requested to be
registered. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is required to remain effective.
If the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Securities at the time the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company agrees to pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Securities are to be sold. If the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has been outstanding for at least three (3) years, at the end of the third year the Company shall refile a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities. If at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to refile the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.
If the Company files any shelf registration statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, and the Holders do not request that their Registrable Securities be included in such Shelf Registration Statement, the Company agrees that it shall include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Holders) in order to ensure that the Holders may be added to such shelf registration statement at a later time through the filing of a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.
The Company may require as a condition precedent to the Companys obligations under this Section 2.4 that each Participating Holder as to which any registration is being effected furnish the Company such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request provided that such information is necessary for the Company to consummate such registration and shall be used only in connection with such registration or as shall be required by law in connection with the action taken by the Company.
Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in clause (v) of paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4, such Holder will discontinue such Holders disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Holders receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4 and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Companys expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holders possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the applicable period mentioned in paragraph (b) of this Section 2.4 shall be extended by the number of days during such period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each Participating Holder covered by such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4.
If any such registration statement or comparable statement under state blue sky laws refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the Holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Companys securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not in the judgment of the Company, as advised by counsel, required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute or any state blue sky or securities law then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder.
2.5. Registration Expenses.
(a) The Company shall pay all Expenses with respect to any registration or offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, whether or not a registration statement becomes effective or the offering is consummated.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to cause these expense provisions to comply with state blue sky laws of each state in which the offering is made and (y) in connection with any underwritten offering hereunder, each Participating Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and any transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of such Registrable Securities, pro rata with respect to payments of discounts and commissions in accordance with the number of shares sold in the offering by such Holder.
2.6. Certain Limitations on Registration Rights. In the case of any registration under Section 2.1 involving an underwritten offering, or, in the case of a registration under Section 2.2, if the Company has determined to enter into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith, all securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be subject to such underwriting agreement and no Person may participate in such underwritten offering unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Persons securities on the basis provided therein and completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, and other customary documents (including custody agreements and powers of attorney, provided that no Investor Shareholder shall be required to sign a custody agreement or power of attorney) which must be executed in connection therewith; provided, however, that all such documents shall be consistent with the provisions hereof and (ii) provides such other information to the Company or the underwriter as may be necessary to register such Persons securities.
2.7. Limitations on Sale or Distribution of Other Securities.
(a) Each Holder agrees:
(i) any Investor Shareholder wishing to (i) dispose of or otherwise transfer any Registrable Securities pursuant to a Public Offering or (ii) distribute or otherwise transfer any Registrable Securities to such Investor Shareholders investors, limited partners, members or equivalent Persons holding an ownership interest in such Investor
Shareholder, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to consult with (x) the Company, and (y) the other Investor Shareholders, prior to taking such action or entering into any definitive agreement with respect to such action.
(ii) to the extent requested in writing by a managing underwriter, if any, of any underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration or offering effected pursuant to Section 2.1, not to, subject to customary exceptions, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, any Common Stock, or any other equity security of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, not to exceed ninety (90) days or such shorter period as the managing underwriter shall agree to (other than in the case of the IPO, which time period shall be 180 days), provided, that (x) such shorter period shall apply to all Holders who are subject to such period and (y) if a managing underwriter of an offering releases any Holder of its obligations under this Section 2.7(a)(ii), all other Holders shall be released from their obligations under this Section 2.7(a)(ii), on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the number of Registrable Securities held by them at such time (and the Company hereby also so agrees (except that the Company may effect any sale or distribution of any such securities pursuant to a Special Registration Statement which is (x) then in effect or (y) shall become effective upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any then outstanding Common Stock Equivalent), to use its reasonable best efforts to cause each holder of any equity security or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company purchased from the Company at any time other than in a public offering so to agree); and
(iii) to the extent requested in writing by a managing underwriter of any underwritten public offering effected by the Company for its own account (including without limitation any offering in which one or more Holders is selling Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights under Section 2.2 hereof), it will not, subject to customary exceptions, sell any Common Stock (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, which period shall not exceed ninety (90) days or such shorter period as the managing underwriter shall agree to (other than in the case of the IPO, which time period shall be 180 days), provided that (x) such shorter period shall apply to all Holders who are subject to such period and (y) if a managing underwriter of an offering releases any Holder of its obligations under this Section 2.7(a)(iii), all other Holders shall be released from their obligations under this Section 2.7(a)(iii), on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the number of Registrable Securities held by them at such time (and the Company hereby also so agrees (except that the Company may effect any sale or distribution of any such securities pursuant to a Special Registration Statement which is (x) then in effect or (y) shall become effective upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any then outstanding Common Stock Equivalent), to use its reasonable best efforts to cause each holder of any equity security or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company purchased from the Company at any time other than in a public offering so to agree).
(b) The Company hereby agrees that, in connection with an offering pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2, the Company shall not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, any Common Stock, or any other equity security of the Company or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company (other than as part of such Public Offering, or other than pursuant to a Special Registration Statement which is (x) then in effect or (y) shall become effective upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any then outstanding Common Stock Equivalent), until a period of ninety (90) days (or such shorter period to which the Majority Participating Holders shall agree) shall have elapsed from the pricing date of such offering; and the Company shall (i) so provide in any registration rights agreements hereafter entered into with respect to any of its securities and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to cause each holder of any equity security or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of the Company purchased from the Company at any time other than in a public offering to so agree.
2.8. No Required Sale. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create an independent obligation on the part of any Holder to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to any effective registration statement.
2.9. Indemnification.
(a) In the event of any registration or offer and sale of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 2, the Company will, and hereby agrees to, and hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Participating Holder, its directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, stockholders, members or general and limited partners (and the directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, stockholders, members or general and limited partners thereof), each other Person who participates as a seller (and its directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, stockholders, members or general and limited partners), underwriter or Qualified Independent Underwriter, if any, in the offering or sale of such securities, each officer, director, employee, stockholder, fiduciary, managing director, agent, affiliate, consultant, representative, successor, assign or partner of such underwriter or Qualified Independent Underwriter, and each other Person, if any, who controls such seller or any such underwriter or Qualified Independent Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened) and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel and any amounts paid in any settlement effected with the Companys consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise in respect thereof (collectively, Claims), insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Offering Document, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the information conveyed by the Company to any purchaser at the time of the sale to such purchaser, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or (iv) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company and relating to action required of or inaction by the Company in connection with any such registration, and the Company will reimburse any such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any such indemnified party in any such case to the extent such Claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made in such Offering Document in reliance upon written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such indemnified party for use therein. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such seller.
(b) Each Participating Holder (and, if the Company requires as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed in accordance with Section 2.1 or 2.2, any underwriter and Qualified Independent Underwriter, if any) shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.9) to the extent permitted by law the Company, its Subsidiaries (and, in each case, any successor thereto) officers and directors, each Person controlling the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and all other prospective sellers and their directors, officers, stockholders, fiduciaries, managing directors, agents, affiliates, consultants, representatives, successors, assigns or general and limited partners and respective controlling Persons with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact in, or omission or alleged omission of any material fact from, such Offering Document, if such statement or alleged statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished to the Company or its representatives by or on behalf of such Participating Holder or underwriter or Qualified Independent Underwriter, if any, specifically for use therein, and each such Participating Holder, underwriter or Qualified Independent Underwriter, if any, shall reimburse such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the aggregate amount which any such Participating Holder shall be required to pay pursuant to this Section 2.9 (including pursuant to indemnity, contribution or otherwise) shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim; provided further that such Participating Holder shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that prior to the filing of any such Offering Document, such Participating Holder corrected or made not misleading information previously furnished to the Company. The Company and each Participating Holder hereby acknowledge and agree that, unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing by such Participating Holders to the contrary, for all purposes of this Agreement, the only information furnished or to be furnished to the Company for use in any such Offering Document are statements specifically relating to (i) the Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock by such Participating Holder and its Affiliates as disclosed in the section of such document entitled Selling Stockholders or Principal and Selling Stockholders or other documents thereof and (ii) the name and address of such Participating Holder. If any additional information about such Holder or the plan of
distribution (other than for an underwritten offering) is required by law to be disclosed in any such document, then such Holder shall not unreasonably withhold its agreement referred to in the immediately preceding sentence. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.
(c) Indemnification similar to that specified in the preceding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.9 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and each Participating Holder with respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under any applicable securities and state blue sky laws.
(d) Any Person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement shall notify promptly the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Section 2.9, but the failure of any indemnified party to provide such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 2.9, except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially and actually prejudiced thereby and shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2. In case any action or proceeding is brought against an indemnified party and such indemnified party shall have notified the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof (as required above), the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, unless in the reasonable opinion of outside counsel to the indemnified party a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such Claim, to assume the defense thereof jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to the extent that it chooses, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party that it so chooses, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that (i) if the indemnifying party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within twenty (20) days after receiving notice from such indemnified party that the indemnified party believes it has failed to do so; or (ii) if such indemnified party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding which is also brought against the indemnifying party reasonably shall have concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party which are not available to the indemnifying party or which may conflict with those available to another indemnified party with respect to such Claim; or (iii) if representation of both parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct, then, in any such case, the indemnified party shall have the right to assume or continue its own defense as set forth above (but with no more than one firm of counsel for all indemnified parties in each jurisdiction, except to the extent any indemnified party or parties reasonably shall have made a conclusion described in clause (ii) or (iii) above) and the indemnifying party shall be liable for any expenses therefor. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising
out of such action or claim and (B) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(e) If for any reason the foregoing indemnity is unavailable, unenforceable or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Sections 2.9(a), (b) or (c), then each applicable indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable to such indemnified party as a result of any Claim in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other hand, with respect to such Claim. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. If, however, the allocation provided in the second preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative faults but also the relative benefits of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if any contribution pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the preceding sentences of this Section 2.9(e). The amount paid or payable in respect of any Claim shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.9(e) to the contrary, no indemnifying party (other than the Company, any Subsidiary, and, in each case, any successor thereto) shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) to contribute any amount greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such indemnifying party from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim, less the amount of any indemnification payment made by such indemnifying party pursuant to Sections 2.9(b) and (c). In addition, no Holder of Registrable Securities or any Affiliate thereof shall be required to pay any amount under this Section 2.9(e) unless such Person or entity would have been required to pay an amount pursuant to Section 2.9(b) if it had been applicable in accordance with its terms.
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract and shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made or omitted by or on behalf of any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by any such party.
(g) The indemnification and contribution required by this Section 2.9 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred; provided, however, that the recipient thereof hereby undertakes to repay such payments if and to the extent it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such recipient is not entitled to such payment hereunder.
2.10. Limitations on Registration of Other Securities; Representation. From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Holders that hold or Beneficially Own more than 50% of the Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company giving such holder or prospective holder any registration rights the terms of which are more favorable taken as a whole than the registration rights granted to the Holders hereunder unless the Company shall also give such rights to such Holders.
2.11. No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent in any material respects with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.
Section 3. Underwritten Offerings.
3.1. Requested Underwritten Offerings. If requested by the underwriters for any underwritten offering pursuant to a registration requested under Section 2.1, the Company shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Such underwriting agreement shall (i) be satisfactory in form and substance to the Majority Participating Holders, (ii) contain terms not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and (iii) contain such representations and warranties by, and such other agreements on the part of, the Company and such other terms as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type, including, without limitation, indemnities and contribution agreements on substantially the same terms as those contained herein. In connection with a registration requested under Section 2.1, any Participating Holder shall be a party to such underwriting agreement and may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Participating Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Participating Holder; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to make any representations or warranties with respect to written information specifically provided by a Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement. In connection with a registration requested under Section 2.1, unless otherwise agreed by the respective Participating Holders and the underwriters, each such Participating Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Participating Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, any written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Participating Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement for indemnity, contribution or otherwise shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement and in no event shall relate to anything other than information about such Holder specifically provided by such Holder for use in the registration statement and prospectus.
3.2. Piggyback Underwritten Offerings. In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2, if the Company shall have determined to enter into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith, all of the Participating Holders Registrable Securities to be included in
such registration shall be subject to such underwriting agreement. In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2, any Participating Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Participating Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Participating Holder; provided that the Company shall not be required to make any representations or warranties with respect to written information specifically provided by a Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement. In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2, unless otherwise agreed by the respective Participating Holders and the underwriters, each such Participating Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Participating Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, any written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Participating Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement and in no event shall relate to anything other than information about such Holder specifically provided by such Holder for use in the registration statement and prospectus.
Section 4. General
4.1. Rule 144 and Rule 144A. If the Company shall have filed a registration statement pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act or a registration statement pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act in respect of the Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, the Company covenants that (i) so long as it remains subject to the reporting provisions of the Exchange Act, it will timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (including, but not limited to, the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1)(i) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (Rule 144)) or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales by such Holder under Rule 144, Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (Rule 144A), or any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC, and (ii) it will take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (A) Rule 144, (B) Rule 144A or (C) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
4.2. Nominees for Beneficial Owners. If Registrable Securities are held by a nominee for the Beneficial Owner thereof the Beneficial Owner thereof may, at its option, be treated as the Holder of such Registrable Securities for purposes of any request or other action by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement (or any determination of any number or percentage of shares constituting Registrable Securities held by any Holder or
Holders of Registrable Securities contemplated by this Agreement), provided that the Company shall have received assurances reasonably satisfactory to it of such Beneficial Ownership.
4.3. Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or any Holder unless such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in writing by (i) the Company and (ii) the Holders holding or Beneficially Owning more than 50% of the Registrable Securities then held by all Holders; provided that any amendment, modification, supplement or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement which disproportionately materially adversely affects any Holder shall not be effective without the written approval of such Holder. For purposes of the foregoing proviso, each Investor Shareholder shall be deemed to be disproportionately materially adversely affected if any material right specifically granted to any such Person herein (even if such right is granted to one or more other Investor Shareholder), is amended, modified, supplemented or waived. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar). No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other or future exercise of any such right, power or privilege.
4.4. Notices.
(a) All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) when delivered personally by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) when sent by e-mail, (iii) when received or rejected by the addressee if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (iv) one Business Day following the day sent by reputable overnight courier (with written confirmation of receipt), in each case at the following addresses (or to such other address as a party may have specified by notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):
(i) if to the Company, to:
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
103 John F. Kennedy Parkway
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078
Attention:
E-mail:
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153
Attention:
Email:
(ii) if to the Holders, to the address indicated in the records of the Company.
(b) Whenever any notice is required to be given by Law or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
4.5. Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and the respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the parties hereto, whether so expressed or not. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of the Investor Shareholders. Each Holder shall have the right to assign all or part of its or his rights and obligations under this Agreement only in accordance with transfers of Registrable Securities to such Holders Permitted Transferees. For the avoidance of doubt, the Investor Shareholders shall have the right to assign all or part of their respective rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates in connection with any transfer of Registrable Securities to such Affiliate. Upon any such assignment, such assignee shall have and be able to exercise and enforce all rights of the assigning Holder which are assigned to it and, to the extent such rights are assigned, any reference to the assigning Holder shall be treated as a reference to the assignee. If any Holder shall acquire additional Registrable Securities, such Registrable Securities shall be subject to all of the terms, and entitled to all the benefits, of this Agreement. The parties hereto and their respective successors may assign their rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any purchaser of shares of Registrable Securities held by them.
4.6. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Voting Agreement, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (as amended from time to time) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (as amended from time to time) and the other documents referred to herein or therein or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto which form part hereof constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
4.7. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS EXECUTED AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.
(b) Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (i) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and (ii) the United States District Court located in the State of Delaware for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in (I) the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (II) the United States District Court located in the State of Delaware and waives any
claim that such suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final and unappealable judgment in any action or proceeding so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment in any jurisdiction within or outside the United States or in any other manner provided in law or in equity
(c) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVER, (III) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS 4.8.
4.8. Interpretation; Construction.
(a) The table of contents and headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation.
(b) The parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
4.9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
4.10. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this
Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.
4.11. Remedies. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each party hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, without the posting of any bond, and, if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
4.12. Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.13. Confidentiality.
(a) Each Holder acknowledges that the provisions of this Agreement that require communications by the Corporation, the Partnership or other Holders to such Holder may result in such Holder and its Section 4.13 Representatives (as defined below) acquiring material non-public information (which may include, solely by way of illustration, the fact that an offering of the Corporations securities is pending or the number of Corporation securities or the identity of the selling Holders).
(b) Each Holder agrees that it will maintain the confidentiality of such material non-public information and, to the extent such Holder is not a natural person, such confidential treatment shall be in accordance with procedures adopted by it in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Holder (Policies); provided that a Holder may deliver or disclose material non-public information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, affiliates and financial and other advisors, in each case, who reasonably need to know such information (collectively, the Section 4.13 Representatives), (ii) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Holder, (iii) any Person if necessary to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Holder, (iv) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, or (v) in connection with any litigation to which such Holder is a party and such Holder is advised by counsel that such information reasonably needs to be disclosed in connection with such litigation; provided further, that in the case of clause (i), the recipients of such material non-public information are subject to the Policies or are directed to hold confidential the material non-public information in a manner substantially consistent with the terms of this Section 4.13.
(c) Each Holder shall have the right, at any time and from time to time (including after receiving information regarding any potential sale or distribution to the public of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act, whether by the Company, by Holders and/or by any other holders of the Companys Common Stock), to elect to not receive any notice that the Company or any other Holders otherwise are required to deliver pursuant to this Agreement by delivering to the Company a written statement signed by such Holder that it does not want to receive any notices hereunder (an Opt-Out Request); in which case and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement the Corporation and other Holders shall not be required to, and shall not, deliver any notice or other information required to be provided to Holders hereunder to the extent that the Company or such other Holders reasonably expect would result in a Holder acquiring material non-public information. An Opt-Out Request may state a date on which it expires or, if no such date is specified, shall remain in effect indefinitely. A Holder who previously has given the Company an Opt-Out Request may revoke such request at any time, and there shall be no limit on the ability of a Holder to issue and revoke subsequent Opt-Out Requests; provided that each Holder shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the administrative burden on the Corporation arising in connection with any such Opt-Out Requests.
4.14. Termination and Effect of Termination. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to each Holder when such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities and will terminate in full when no Holder holds any Registrable Securities, except for the provisions of Sections 2.9, which shall survive any such termination. No termination under this Agreement shall relieve any Person of liability for breach or Expenses incurred prior to termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated, each Person entitled to indemnification rights pursuant to Section 2.9 shall retain such indemnification rights with respect to any matter that (i) may be an indemnified liability thereunder and (ii) occurred prior to such termination.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC. |
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[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
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HOLDERS: |
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[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
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STAR PARENT, L.P.: |
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By its general partner, STAR GP HOLDING, LLC |
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[SIGNATURE PAGE TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF
JOINDER AGREEMENT
THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this Joinder) is made and entered into as of [ ] by the undersigned (the New Holder) in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Registration Rights Agreement by and among Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (including any successor, the Company), Star Parent, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership) and the Holders party thereto, dated as of [ ], 2020 (as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Registration Rights Agreement), for the benefit of, and for reliance upon by, the Company and the Holders party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Registration Rights Agreement.
WHEREAS, the New Holder desires to exercise certain rights granted to it under the Registration Rights Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the execution and delivery to the Company of this Joinder by the New Holder is a condition precedent to the New Holders exercise of any of its rights under the Registration Rights Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants herein, and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the New Holder hereby agrees as follows:
1. Joinder. By the execution and delivery of this Joinder, the New Holder hereby agrees to become, and to be deemed to be, and shall become and be deemed to be, for all purposes under the Registration Rights Agreement, a Holder, with the same force and effect as if the New Holder had been an original signatory thereto, and the New Holder agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of, and to assume all of the obligations of, a Holder under, the Registration Rights Agreement. All of the terms, provisions, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to a Holder are incorporated by reference herein and shall be legally binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the New Holder.
2. Further Assurances. The New Holder agrees to perform any further acts and execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments that may be necessary or reasonably requested by the Company to carry out the provisions of this Joinder or the Registration Rights Agreement.
3. Binding Effect. This Joinder and the Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the New Holder and its successors and permitted assigns, subject to the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement. It shall not be necessary in connection with the New Holders status as a Holder to make reference to this Joinder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Holder has executed this Joinder as of the date first above written.
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Accepted and agreed:
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC. |
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EXECUTION VERSION
June [·], 2020
Bilcar, LLC
1701 Village Center Circle
Las Vegas, Nevada 89134
Attn: William P. Foley, II
Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P.
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attn: Thomas Hagerty
Cannae Holdings, Inc.
1701 Village Center Circle
Las Vegas, Nevada 89134
Attn: Michael L. Gravelle
Black Knight, Inc.
601 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
Attn: Colleen Haley
CC Capital
200 Park Avenue, 58th floor
New York, New York 10166
Attn: Douglas Newton
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter agreement (this Agreement) is entered into as of June [], 2020 among (i) Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund VIII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Thomas H. Lee Parallel Fund VIII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, THL Fund VIII Coinvestment Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, THL Executive Fund VIII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, THL Equity Fund VIII Investors (D&B), L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (together with their respective Affiliates (as defined below) who hold Voting Securities (as defined below), THL), (ii) D&B Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its Affiliates who hold Voting Securities, Cannae), (iii) CC Star Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (together with its Affiliates who hold Voting Securities, CC Star), (iv) Bilcar, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its Affiliates who hold voting securities, Bilcar), and (v) Black Knight InfoServ, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its Affiliates who hold Voting Securities, Black Knight). THL, Cannae, Bilcar, and Black Knight are collectively referred to herein as the Stockholders.
In recognition that Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), is currently contemplating an underwritten initial public offering (the IPO) of
shares of its Common Stock (as defined below) and that, as of the closing date of the IPO (the Closing Date), the Stockholders collectively hold or beneficially own at least a majority of the outstanding Voting Securities, from the date hereof through the third anniversary of the date hereof, each of the Stockholders agrees to vote all of its respective Voting Securities as a group in all matters related to the election of Directors, including to elect the following individuals as Directors on the Companys board of directors (Board) at each of the next shareholder meetings of the Company at which individuals are eligible for election: (1) William P. Foley, II, (2) Richard Massey, (3) Thomas Hagerty, (4) Ganesh Rao and (5) Chinh Chu, provided, however, that no Stockholder shall be required to vote to extend an individuals election term beyond the Company shareholder meeting ending in 2023.
This Agreement shall automatically terminate on the third anniversary of the date hereof, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties hereto to extend for a duration to be agreed by the parties.
For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, an affiliate as defined in Rule 405 of the regulations promulgated under the Securities Act.
beneficially own or beneficial ownership shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
Common Stock shall mean shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, or any successor shares into which such shares of Common Stock are exchanged or reclassified.
Director shall mean a member of the Board.
Voting Securities means Common Stock and any other securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company, including the Common Stock and any other securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company held by Star Parent, L.P., in each case that are beneficially owned by a Stockholder.
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement executed by all parties hereto. Except as set forth herein, the rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware, without reference to conflicts of laws principles. It is agreed that no failure or delay by any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any right, power or privilege. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.
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CANNAE: |
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D&B HOLDCO, LLC |
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THL: |
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THOMAS H. LEE EQUITY FUND VIII, L.P.
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THOMAS H. LEE PARALLEL FUND VIII, L.P.
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THL FUND VIII COINVESTMENT PARTNERS, L.P. |
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THL EXECUTIVE FUND VIII, L.P.
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THL EQUITY FUND VIII INVESTORS (D&B), L.P. |
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CC STAR: |
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CC STAR HOLDINGS, LP
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BILCAR: |
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BILCAR, LLC |
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BLACK KNIGHT |
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BLACK KNIGHT INFOSERV, LLC |
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767 Fifth Avenue
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June 26, 2020 |
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Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.
103 John F. Kennedy Parkway
Short Hills, New Jersey 07078
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-239050 (as amended, and including any subsequent registration statement on Form S-1 filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), the Registration Statement), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), relating to the registration of the offer, issuance and sale by the Company of the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the Common Stock), of the Company specified in the Registration Statement (together with any additional shares of Common Stock that may be sold by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, the Shares). The Shares are to be issued and sold by the Company pursuant to an underwriting agreement among the Company and the underwriters named therein (the Underwriting Agreement), the form of which has been filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement.
In so acting, we have examined originals or copies (certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction) of (i) the form of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware prior to the consummation of the initial public offering contemplated by the Registration Statement, filed as Exhibit 3.5 to the Registration Statement; (ii) the form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company to be in effect at the time of the consummation of the initial public offering contemplated by the Registration Statement, filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the Registration Statement; (iii) the Registration Statement; (iv) the prospectus contained within the Registration Statement; (v) the form of the Underwriting Agreement; (vi) the form of the Certificate of Common Stock of the Company, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement; and (vii) such corporate records, agreements, documents and other instruments, and such certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Company, and have made such inquiries of such officers and representatives, as we have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth.
In such examination, we have assumed that the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware will be substantially identical to the form of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation reviewed by us, the form of the Amended and Restated Bylaws that will be in effect at the time of the consummation of the initial public offering contemplated by the Registration Statement will be substantially identical to the form of the Amended and Restated Bylaws reviewed by us, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. As to all questions of fact material to this opinion that have not been independently established, we have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Company.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Underwriting Agreement, and upon payment and delivery in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the corporate laws of the State of Delaware and we express no opinion as to the effect on the matters covered by this letter of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the incorporation by reference of this letter into any subsequent registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Act with respect to the Shares and to the reference to our firm under the caption Legal Matters in the prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1. |
ESTABLISHMENT, OBJECTIVES, AND DURATION |
1 |
1.1. |
Establishment of the Plan |
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1.2. |
Objectives of the Plan |
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1.3. |
Duration of the Plan |
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ARTICLE 2. |
DEFINITIONS |
1 |
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ARTICLE 3. |
ADMINISTRATION |
5 |
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3.1. |
The Committee |
5 |
3.2. |
Authority of the Committee |
5 |
3.3. |
Decisions Binding |
5 |
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ARTICLE 4. |
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND ANTI-DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS |
5 |
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4.1. |
Number of Shares Available for Grants |
5 |
4.2. |
Adjustments in Authorized Shares and Awards |
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ARTICLE 5. |
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION |
6 |
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5.1. |
Eligibility |
6 |
5.2. |
Actual Participation |
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ARTICLE 6. |
OPTIONS |
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6.1. |
Grant of Options |
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6.2. |
Award Agreement |
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6.3. |
Exercise Price |
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6.4. |
Duration of Options |
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6.5. |
Exercise of Options |
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6.6. |
Payment |
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6.7. |
Restrictions on Share Transferability |
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6.8. |
Dividend Equivalents |
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6.9. |
Termination of Employment or Service |
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6.10. |
Nontransferability of Options |
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ARTICLE 7. |
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
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7.1. |
Grant of SARs |
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7.2. |
Exercise of Tandem SARs |
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7.3. |
Exercise of Freestanding SARs |
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7.4. |
Award Agreement |
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7.5. |
Term of SARs |
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7.6. |
Payment of SAR Amount |
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7.7. |
Dividend Equivalents |
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7.8. |
Termination of Employment or Service |
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7.9. |
Nontransferability of SARs |
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ARTICLE 8. |
RESTRICTED STOCK |
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8.1. |
Grant of Restricted Stock |
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8.2. |
Award Agreement |
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8.3. |
Other Restrictions |
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8.4. |
Removal of Restrictions |
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8.5. |
Voting Rights |
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8.6. |
Dividends and Other Distributions |
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8.7. |
Termination of Employment or Service |
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8.8. |
Nontransferability of Restricted Stock |
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ARTICLE 9. |
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES |
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9.1. |
Grant of Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares |
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9.2. |
Award Agreement |
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9.3. |
Form and Timing of Payment |
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9.4. |
Voting Rights |
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9.5. |
Dividend Equivalents |
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9.6. |
Termination of Employment or Service |
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9.7. |
Nontransferability |
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ARTICLE 10. |
PERFORMANCE UNITS |
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10.1. |
Grant of Performance Units |
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10.2. |
Award Agreement |
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10.3. |
Value of Performance Units |
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10.4. |
Form and Timing of Payment |
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10.5. |
Dividend Equivalents |
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10.6. |
Termination of Employment or Service |
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10.7. |
Nontransferability |
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ARTICLE 11. |
OTHER AWARDS |
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11.1. |
Grant of Other Awards |
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11.2. |
Payment of Other Awards |
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11.3. |
Termination of Employment or Service |
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11.4. |
Nontransferability |
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ARTICLE 12. |
REPLACEMENT AWARDS |
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ARTICLE 13. |
PERFORMANCE MEASURES |
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ARTICLE 14. |
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION |
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ARTICLE 15. |
DEFERRALS |
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ARTICLE 16. |
RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS |
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16.1. |
Continued Service |
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16.2. |
Participation |
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ARTICLE 17. |
CHANGE IN CONTROL |
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ARTICLE 18. |
ADDITIONAL FORFEITURE PROVISIONS |
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ARTICLE 19. |
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, TERMINATION, AND STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL |
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19.1. |
Amendment, Modification, and Termination |
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19.2. |
Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events |
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19.3. |
Awards Previously Granted |
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19.4. |
No Repricings |
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ARTICLE 20. |
WITHHOLDING |
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20.1. |
Tax Withholding |
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20.2. |
Use of Shares to Satisfy Withholding Obligation |
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ARTICLE 21. |
INDEMNIFICATION |
15 |
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ARTICLE 22. |
SUCCESSORS |
15 |
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ARTICLE 23. |
LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS |
15 |
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ARTICLE 24. |
CLAWBACK OF BENEFITS |
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ARTICLE 25. |
LEGAL CONSTRUCTION |
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25.1. |
Gender, Number and References |
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25.2. |
Severability |
16 |
25.3. |
Requirements of Law |
16 |
25.4. |
Governing Law |
16 |
25.5. |
Non-Exclusive Plan |
16 |
25.6. |
Code Section 409A Compliance |
16 |
Dun & Bradstreet
2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
ARTICLE 1. Establishment, Objectives, and Duration
1.1. Establishment of the Plan. Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), hereby establishes the Dun & Bradstreet 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan), effective as of [], 2020 (the Effective Date). The Plan permits the granting of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Replacement Awards and Other Awards.
1.2. Objectives of the Plan. The objectives of the Plan are to optimize the profitability and growth of the Company through incentives that are consistent with the Companys goals and that link the personal interests of Participants to those of the Companys stockholders.
The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract and retain the services of Participants who make or are expected to make significant contributions to the Companys success and to allow Participants to share in the success of the Company.
1.3. Duration of the Plan. No Award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, or such earlier date as the Board shall determine. The Plan will remain in effect with respect to outstanding Awards until no Awards remain outstanding.
ARTICLE 2. Definitions
The following terms, when capitalized, shall have the meanings set forth below:
2.1. Applicable Law means the requirements relating to the administration of equity compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable corporate, securities, exchange control, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.
2.2. Award means, individually or collectively, Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Other Awards granted under the Plan.
2.3. Award Agreement means an agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award.
2.4. Beneficial Ownership shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.
2.5. Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6. Cause shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any employment, director services or similar agreement to which the Participant is a party at the time of the termination, or in the absence of such an agreement that defines Cause, the Participants (i) persistent failure to perform duties consistent with a commercially reasonable standard of care (other than due to a physical or mental impairment); (ii) willful neglect of duties (other than due to a physical or mental impairment); (iii) conviction of, or pleading nolo contendere to, criminal or other illegal activities involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; (iv) material breach of any agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other affiliates; (v) material breach of the Companys or any Subsidiarys or other affiliates business policies, accounting practices or standards of ethics; (vi) material breach of any applicable
non-competition, non-solicitation, trade secrets, confidentiality or similar restrictive covenant, or (vii) failure to materially cooperate with or impeding an investigation authorized by the Board; provided, however, that the Participant shall have been given a 30-day period to cure any act or omission that constitutes Cause, if capable of cure, prior to termination.
2.7. Change in Control means that the conditions set forth in any one of the following subsections shall have been satisfied:
(a) an acquisition immediately after which any Person possesses direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership of 50% or more of either the then outstanding shares of Company common stock (the Outstanding Company Common Stock) or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities); provided that the following acquisitions shall be excluded: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary, or (iv) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2.6; or
(b) during any period of two consecutive years, the individuals who, as of the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (such Board shall be hereinafter referred to as the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided that for purposes of this Section 2.6, any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the beginning of such period and whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; provided, further, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or
(c) consummation of a reorganization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (Corporate Transaction); excluding, however, such a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which:
(i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who have Beneficial Ownership, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction will have Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, the Company or a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (the Resulting Corporation) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be;
(ii) no Person (other than (1) the Company, (2) an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or Resulting Corporation, or (3) any entity controlled by the Company or Resulting Corporation) will have Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the Resulting Corporation or the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Resulting Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Corporate Transaction; and
(iii) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will continue to constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Resulting Corporation; or
(d) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred as a result of the exchange or other disposition of interests in Star Parent, L.P. (Parent) or Star Holdings GP, LLC (Holdings), or a successor entity of Parent or Holdings, for shares of Company common stock and (ii) if a Change in Control would give rise to a payment or settlement event with respect to any Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (as that term is used in Section 409A of the Code), the transaction or event constituting the Change in Control must also constitute a change in control event (as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)) in order to give rise to the payment or settlement event for such Award, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A of the Code; provided that to the extent that the time of payment under an Award otherwise would have been accelerated but for the application of this provision, vesting of the Participant in such payment shall, nevertheless, be accelerated.
2.8. Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.9. Committee means the entity, as specified in Section 3.1, authorized to administer the Plan.
2.10. Company means Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
2.11. Consultant means any consultant or advisor to the Company or a Subsidiary.
2.12. Director means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary.
2.13. Dividend Equivalent means, with respect to Shares subject to an Award, a right to be paid an amount equal to the dividends declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding Shares of the same class.
2.14. Employee means any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.
2.15. Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2.16. Exercise Price means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.
2.17. Fair Market Value means the fair market value of a Share as determined in good faith by the Committee or pursuant to a procedure specified in good faith by the Committee; provided, however, that if the Committee has not specified otherwise, Fair Market Value shall mean the closing price of a Share as reported in a consolidated transaction reporting system on the date of valuation, or, if there was no such sale on the relevant date, then on the last previous day on which a sale was reported.
2.18. Freestanding SAR means an SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Article 7 herein.
2.19. Good Reason shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any employment, director services or similar agreement to which the Participant is a party at the time of the termination, or in the absence of such an agreement that defines Good Reason, then Good Reason shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) a material diminution in the Participants base salary in effect at the time of termination;
(b) a material diminution in the Participants authority, duties, or responsibilities in effect at the time of termination; or
(c) the relocation of the offices of the Company or its Subsidiary or other affiliate at which the Participant was principally employed immediately prior to the Change in Control to a location that is more than fifty (50) miles (or such longer distance that is the minimum permissible distance under the circumstances for purposes of the involuntary separation from service standards of section 409A of the Code) from such location, except for required travel on business to an extent substantially consistent with the Participants business travel obligations prior to the Change in Control.
The conditions listed above will not constitute Good Reason unless (i) the Participant provides notice to the Company of the existence of the condition within 90 days of the initial existence of the condition, upon the notice of which the Company will have 60 days during which to remedy the condition, and (ii) in the event the Company does not remedy the condition within such 60-day period, the Participant terminates his or her employment within 30 days following the expiration of such 60-day period.
2.20. Incentive Stock Option or ISO means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.
2.21. Nonqualified Stock Option or NQSO means an Option that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.
2.22. Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option granted under the Plan, as described in Article 6 herein.
2.23. Other Award means a cash, Share-based or Share-related Award (other than an Award described in Article 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the Plan) that is granted pursuant to Article 11 herein.
2.24. Participant means a current or former Employee, Director or Consultant who has rights relating to an outstanding Award.
2.25. Performance Period means the period during which a performance measure must be met.
2.26. Performance Share means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 9 herein.
2.27. Performance Unit means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 10 herein.
2.28. Period of Restriction means the period Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and are not transferable, as provided in Articles 8 and 9 herein.
2.29. Person shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.
2.30. Replacement Awards means Awards issued in assumption of or substitution for awards granted under equity-based incentive plans sponsored or maintained by an entity with which the Company engages in a merger, acquisition or other business transaction, pursuant to which awards relating to interests in such entity (or a related entity) are outstanding immediately prior to such merger, acquisition or other business transaction. Except as provided in Section 4.1, for all purposes hereunder, Replacement Awards shall be deemed Awards.
2.31. Restricted Stock means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 8 herein.
2.32. Restricted Stock Unit means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 9 herein.
2.33. Share means a share of common stock of the Company, having a par value of $0.01 per share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof.
2.34. Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means an Award granted to a Participant, either alone or in connection with a related Option, as described in Article 7 herein.
2.35. Subsidiary means (i) any corporation in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock, or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined equity thereof, and (ii) any other affiliate of the Company that has been designated by the Committee for purposes of the participation of its employees in the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining whether any individual may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock Options, Subsidiary shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Code Section 424(f).
2.36. Tandem SAR means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, as described in Article 7 herein.
ARTICLE 3. Administration
3.1. The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, such other committee as the Board shall select, or the Board, as determined by the Board (the Committee). The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board.
3.2. Authority of the Committee. Except as limited by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, and subject to the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power to select the Employees, Directors and Consultants who shall participate in the Plan; determine the sizes and types of Awards; determine the terms and conditions of Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan (such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the Exercise Price, the time or times when Awards may vest and be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria) or settled, any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, the method to satisfy tax withholding obligations or any other tax liability legally due and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Committee will determine); construe and interpret the Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or instrument entered into in connection with the Plan; establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plans administration; adopt, or amend rules or procedures (including the adoption of any subplan under this Plan) relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate requirements of local law and procedures outside the United States or to qualify Awards for special tax treatment under laws of jurisdictions other than the United States; and, subject to the provisions of Section 19.3 herein, amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award and Award Agreement. Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. As permitted by law, the Committee may delegate its authority as identified herein.
3.3. Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders and resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Subsidiaries, its stockholders, Directors, Employees, Consultants and their estates and beneficiaries and any transferee of an Award.
ARTICLE 4. Shares Subject to the Plan and Anti-Dilution Adjustments
4.1. Number of Shares Available for Grants.
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 herein, the maximum number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 40,000,000 provided that:
(i) Shares that are potentially deliverable under an Award that is canceled, forfeited, settled in cash, expires or is otherwise terminated without delivery of such Shares shall not be counted as having been delivered under the Plan;
(ii) Shares that are held back, tendered or returned to cover the Exercise Price or tax withholding obligations with respect to an Award shall not be counted as having been delivered under the Plan; and
(iii) Shares that have been issued in connection with an Award of Restricted Stock that is canceled or forfeited prior to vesting or settled in cash, causing the Shares to be returned to the Company, shall not be counted as having been delivered under the Plan.
Shares delivered pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased on the open market. Shares delivered or deliverable pursuant to Replacement Awards shall not reduce the number of Shares available for delivery pursuant to Awards under the Plan.
(b) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 herein, all Shares authorized under the Plan and available for grant may be delivered in connection with full value Awards, meaning Awards other than Options, SARs, or Other Awards for which the Participant pays the grant date intrinsic value.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the number of Shares available for grant as Incentive Stock Options, only Shares that are subject to an Award that expires or is cancelled, forfeited or settled in cash shall be treated as not having been issued under the Plan.
4.2. Adjustments in Authorized Shares and Awards. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, stock dividend, split-up, spin-off, stock split, reverse stock split, share combination, share exchange, extraordinary dividend, or any change in the corporate structure affecting the Shares, such adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares that may be delivered under the Plan as set forth in Section 4.1(a) and (b), and, with respect to outstanding Awards, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards, the Exercise Price, grant price or other price of shares subject to outstanding Awards, any performance conditions relating to shares, the market price of shares, or per-share results, and other terms and conditions of outstanding Awards, as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the number of shares subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to a whole number.
ARTICLE 5. Eligibility and Participation
5.1. Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in the Plan include all Employees, Directors and Consultants.
5.2. Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all eligible Employees, Directors and Consultants, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award.
ARTICLE 6. Options
6.1. Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.
6.2. Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or an NQSO. Options that are intended to be ISOs shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Code Section 422.
6.3. Exercise Price. The Exercise Price for each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share (of the same class as the Shares that are subject to the Option) on the date the Option is granted; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to Replacement Awards or Awards that are adjusted pursuant to Section 4.2 herein. No ISO granted to a Participant who, at the time the ISO is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary shall have an Exercise Price that is less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share (of the same class as the Shares that are subject to the ISO) on the date the ISO is granted.
6.4. Duration of Options. Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary date of its grant. No ISO granted to a Participant who, at the time the ISO is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be exercisable later than the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date of its grant.
6.5. Exercise of Options. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement and as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.
6.6. Payment. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised and specifying the method of payment of the Exercise Price.
The Exercise Price of an Option shall be payable to the Company in full: (a) in cash or its equivalent, (b) by tendering Shares or directing the Company to withhold Shares from the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, (c) by broker-assisted cashless exercise, (d) in any other manner then permitted by the Committee, or (e) by a combination of any of the permitted methods of payment. The Committee may limit any method of payment, other than that specified under (a), for administrative convenience, to comply with Applicable Law, or for any other reason.
6.7. Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.
6.8. Dividend Equivalents. An Award of Options shall not provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents.
6.9. Termination of Employment or Service. Each Participants Option Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participants employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.
6.10. Nontransferability of Options.
(a) Incentive Stock Options. ISOs may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during a Participants lifetime only by such Participant.
(b) Nonqualified Stock Options. NQSOs may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during a Participants lifetime only by such Participant.
ARTICLE 7. Stock Appreciation Rights
7.1. Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine. The Committee may grant Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination of these forms of SAR.
The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Participant (subject to Article 4 herein) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.
The grant price of a Freestanding SAR shall at least equal the Fair Market Value of a Share (of the same class as the Shares that are subject to the SAR) on the date of grant of the SAR, and the grant price of a Tandem SAR shall equal the Exercise Price of the related Option; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to Replacement Awards or Awards that are adjusted pursuant to Section 4.2 herein.
7.2. Exercise of Tandem SARs. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable. To the extent exercisable, Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option. The exercise of all or part of a Tandem SAR shall result in the forfeiture of the right to purchase a number of Shares under the related Option equal to the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. Conversely, upon exercise of all or part of an Option with respect to which a Tandem SAR has been granted, an equivalent portion of the Tandem SAR shall similarly be forfeited.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO: (i) the Tandem SAR will expire no later than the expiration of the underlying ISO; (ii) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR may be for no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the Exercise Price of the underlying ISO and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO exceeds the Exercise Price of the ISO.
7.3. Exercise of Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, imposes upon them and sets forth in the Award Agreement.
7.4. Award Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.
7.5. Term of SARs. The term of an SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that such term shall not exceed ten (10) years.
7.6. Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share (of the same class as the Shares that are subject to the SAR) on the date of exercise over the grant price; by
(b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.
7.7. Dividend Equivalents. An Award of SARs shall not provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents.
7.8. Termination of Employment or Service. Each SAR Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR following termination of the Participants employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all SARs, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.
7.9. Nontransferability of SARs. SARs may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during a Participants lifetime only by such Participant.
ARTICLE 8. Restricted Stock
8.1. Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Restricted Stock may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.
8.2. Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction and, if applicable, Performance Period(s), the number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.
8.3. Other Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each Share of Restricted Stock, a requirement that the issuance of Shares of Restricted Stock be delayed, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals, time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the performance goals, time-based restrictions, and/or restrictions under Applicable Laws or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are listed or traded, or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the Shares by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Stock. The Company may retain in its custody any certificate evidencing the Shares of Restricted Stock and place thereon a legend and institute stop-transfer orders on such Shares, and the Participant shall be obligated to sign any stock power requested by the Company relating to the Shares to give effect to the forfeiture provisions of the Restricted Stock.
8.4. Removal of Restrictions. Subject to Applicable Laws, Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the Period of Restriction applicable thereto. Once Restricted Stock is released from the restrictions, the Participant shall be entitled to receive a certificate evidencing the Shares.
8.5. Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participants Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Committee, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction.
8.6. Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, all distributions, including regular cash dividends, paid with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock shall be credited to Participants subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid and shall not be paid unless and until the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which such distributions were made vest.
8.7. Termination of Employment or Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain unvested Restricted Stock following termination of the Participants employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Awards of Restricted Stock, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.
8.8. Nontransferability of Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, during the applicable Period of Restriction, a Participants Restricted Stock and rights relating thereto shall be available during the Participants lifetime only to such Participant, and such Restricted Stock and related rights may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
ARTICLE 9. Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares
9.1. Grant of Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.
9.2. Award Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the applicable Period(s) of Restriction and/or Performance Period(s) (as the case may be), the number of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. The initial value of a Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share (of the same class as the Shares that are subject to the Award) on the date of grant; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to Replacement Awards or Awards that are adjusted pursuant to Section 4.2 herein.
9.3. Form and Timing of Payment. Except as otherwise provided in Article 17 herein or a Participants Award Agreement, payment of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares shall be made at a specified settlement date that shall not be earlier than the last day of the Period of Restriction or Performance Period, as the case may be. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares by delivery of Shares or by payment in cash of an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares (or a combination thereof). The Committee may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant.
9.4. Voting Rights. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares granted hereunder; provided, however, that the Committee may deposit Shares potentially deliverable in connection with Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares in a rabbi trust, in which case the Committee may provide for pass through voting rights with respect to such deposited Shares.
9.5. Dividend Equivalents. At the discretion of the Committee, an Award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares may provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, which, if provided, will be credited to an account for the Participant and will be subject to the restrictions and vesting conditions applicable to such Award, and may be settled in cash and/or Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any such Dividend Equivalents shall not be paid unless and until the Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents were made vest.
9.6. Termination of Employment or Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive a payout with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares following termination of the Participants employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.
9.7. Nontransferability. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares and rights relating thereto may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
ARTICLE 10. Performance Units
10.1. Grant of Performance Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Units may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.
10.2. Award Agreement. Each grant of Performance Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of Performance Units granted, the Performance Period(s), the performance goals and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.
10.3. Value of Performance Units. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units that will be paid out to the Participants.
10.4. Form and Timing of Payment. Except as otherwise provided in Article 17 herein or a Participants Award Agreement, payment of earned Performance Units shall be made following the close of the applicable
Performance Period. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units in cash or in Shares that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units (or a combination thereof). The Committee may provide that settlement of Performance Units shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant.
10.5. Dividend Equivalents. At the discretion of the Committee, an Award of Performance Units may provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, which, if provided, will be credited to an account for the Participant and subject to the restrictions and vesting conditions applicable to such Award, and may be settled in cash and/or Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any such Dividend Equivalents shall not be paid unless and until the Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents were made vest.
10.6. Termination of Employment or Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive a payout with respect to an Award of Performance Units following termination of the Participants employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Performance Units and may reflect distinctions based on reasons for termination of employment or service.
10.7. Nontransferability. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Performance Units and rights relating thereto may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
ARTICLE 11. Other Awards
11.1. Grant of Other Awards. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Other Awards may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine. Types of Other Awards that may be granted pursuant to this Article 11 include, without limitation, the payment of cash or Shares based on attainment of performance goals established by the Committee, the payment of Shares as a bonus or in lieu of cash based on attainment of performance goals established by the Committee, the payment of Shares in lieu of cash under other Company incentive or bonus programs, or the issuance of Shares or Share-based awards in exchange for profits interests or capital interests granted by a Subsidiary.
11.2. Payment of Other Awards. Payment under or settlement of any such Awards shall be made in such manner and at such times as the Committee may determine.
11.3. Termination of Employment or Service. The Committee shall determine the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive Other Awards following termination of the Participants employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, may be included in an agreement entered into with each Participant, but need not be uniform among all Other Awards, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.
11.4. Nontransferability. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Other Awards and rights relating thereto may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
ARTICLE 12. Replacement Awards
Each Replacement Award shall have substantially the same terms and conditions (as determined by the Committee) as the award it replaces; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to Replacement Awards, the Exercise Price, grant price or other price of Shares subject to Replacement Awards, any performance conditions relating to Shares underlying Replacement Awards, or the market price of Shares underlying Replacement Awards or
per-Share results may differ from the awards they replace to the extent such differences are determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE 13. Performance Measures
The Committee may specify that the attainment of one or more performance measures, including, without limitation, one or more of the performance measures set forth in this Article 13 shall determine the degree of granting, vesting and/or payout with respect to Awards (including any related dividends or Dividend Equivalents). The performance goals to be used for such Awards may be chosen from among the following performance measure(s) or such other performance measure(s) as the Committee may choose: earnings per share, economic value created, market share (actual or targeted growth), net income (before or after taxes), operating income, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring costs (EBITDAR), adjusted net income after capital charge, return on assets (actual or targeted growth), return on capital (actual or targeted growth), return on equity (actual or targeted growth), return on investment (actual or targeted growth), revenue (actual or targeted growth), cash flow, operating margin, share price, share price growth, total stockholder return, new sales total contract value, and strategic business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration goals, productivity measures, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction or employee satisfaction goals, goals relating to merger synergies, management of employment practices and employee benefits, or supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of Subsidiaries and/or other affiliates or joint ventures. Each of the performance goals listed under this Article 13 shall be subject to such adjustments as may be specified by the Committee. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such performance measures may be established at such levels and on such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods, or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.
ARTICLE 14. Beneficiary Designation
Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing during the Participants lifetime with the Committee. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participants death shall be paid to the Participants estate.
ARTICLE 15. Deferrals
If permitted by the Committee, a Participant may defer receipt of amounts that would otherwise be provided to such Participant with respect to an Award, including Shares deliverable upon exercise of an Option or SAR or upon payout of any other Award. If permitted, such deferral (and the required deferral election) shall be made in accordance with, and shall be subject to, the terms and conditions of the applicable nonqualified deferred compensation plan, agreement or arrangement under which such deferral is made and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe.
ARTICLE 16. Rights of Participants
16.1. Continued Service. Nothing in the Plan shall:
(a) interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate any Participants employment or service at any time,
(b) confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary, nor
(c) confer on any Director any right to continue to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary.
16.2. Participation. No Employee, Director or Consultant shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive future Awards.
ARTICLE 17. Change in Control
17.1. In the event of a Change in Control:
(a) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
(i) If the Company is the surviving entity or the surviving entity assumes the Options or SARs or substitutes in lieu thereof equivalent stock options or SARs relating to the stock of such surviving entity (Substitute Options/SARs), the Options/SARs or the Substitute Options/SARs, as applicable, shall be governed by their respective terms;
(ii) If the Company is the surviving entity or the surviving entity assumes the Options/SARs or issues Substitute Options/SARs, and the Participant is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason within 2 years following the Change in Control but prior to the final vesting or exercisability date of the Participants outstanding Options/SARs or Substitute Options/SARs, then the Options/SARs or Substitute Options/SARs held by the Participant that were not previously vested and exercisable shall become fully vested and remain exercisable until the date that is three (3) months following the date of such termination (or such later date as is set forth in the applicable Award Agreement), or the original expiration date, whichever first occurs; or
(iii) If the Company is not the surviving entity, and the surviving entity neither assumes the Options/SARs nor issues Substitute Options/SARs, each Option/SAR shall become fully vested and cancelled in exchange for a cash payment in an amount equal to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control over the exercise or base price (if any) per Share subject to the Award multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares subject to the Option/SAR.
(b) Other Awards Not Subject to Performance Goals.
(i) If the Company is the surviving entity or the surviving entity assumes Awards (other than Options or SARs) not subject to Performance Goals (Time-Vested Awards) or substitutes in lieu thereof equivalent stock awards relating to the stock of such surviving entity (Substitute Awards), the Time-Vested Awards or the Substitute Awards, as applicable, shall be governed by their respective terms;
(ii) If the Company is the surviving entity or the surviving entity assumes the Time-Vested Awards or issues Substitute Awards, and the Participant is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason within 2 years following the Change in Control but prior to the date on which such Time-Vested A or Substitute Awards are fully vested, then the Participants Time-Vested Awards or Substitute Awards held by the Participant that were not previously vested shall become fully vested; or
(iii) If the Company is not the surviving entity, and the surviving entity does not assume the Time-Vested Awards or issue Substitute Awards, the Time-Vested Awards shall become fully vested and cancelled in exchange for a cash payment in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control multiplied by the number of Shares subject to the Award.
(c) Other Awards Subject to PerformanceBased Vesting Conditions. Awards with performance-based vesting conditions shall be converted into Time-Vested Awards at target (if applicable), without proration, and continue to vest as though such Award had originally been granted as a Time-Vested Award with a
restricted period equal in length to the performance period of such Award. Such Time-Vested Awards shall thereafter be governed in accordance with their otherwise applicable terms and Section 17.1(b) above.
17.2. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide that each Award shall, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, be canceled without payment therefore if the Fair Market Value per Share of stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control is less than the exercise or purchase price (if any) per Share of stock subject to the Award.
ARTICLE 18. Additional Forfeiture Provisions
The Committee may condition a Participants right to receive a grant of an Award, to vest in the Award, to exercise the Award, to retain cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property acquired in connection with the Award, or to retain the profit or gain realized by the Participant in connection with the Award, including cash or other proceeds received upon sale of Shares acquired in connection with an Award, upon compliance by the Participant with specified conditions relating to non-competition, confidentiality of information relating to or possessed by the Company, non-solicitation of customers, suppliers, and employees of the Company, cooperation in litigation, non-disparagement of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, and other restrictions upon or covenants of the Participant, including during specified periods following termination of employment with or service for the Company and/or a Subsidiary.
ARTICLE 19. Amendment, Modification, Termination, and Stockholder Approval
19.1. Amendment, Modification, and Termination. The Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no amendment that requires stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with New York Stock Exchange listing standards or any rule promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any securities exchange on which the securities of the Company are listed shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon within the time period required under such applicable listing standard or rule.
19.2. Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.2 hereof) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in Applicable Laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
19.3. Awards Previously Granted. No termination, amendment or modification of the Plan or of any Award shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award, unless such termination, modification or amendment is required by Applicable Law and except as otherwise provided herein.
19.4. No Repricings. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except as provided in Section 4.2 hereof, without first obtaining stockholder approval, (i) the exercise price of outstanding Options and grant price of outstanding SARs may not be reduced, (ii) Options and SARs may not be cancelled and replaced with Options or SARs with a lower exercise price or grant price, (iii) Options and SARs with an exercise or grant price that is equal to or in excess of the Fair Market Value of the underlying Share may not be purchased from Participants for cash or other securities or exchanged for other Awards, and (iv) outstanding Options or SARs may not otherwise be amended or modified in a manner that would be treated as a repricing under the then applicable rules, regulations or listing requirements adopted by the New York Stock Exchange.
ARTICLE 20. Tax
20.1. Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of Shares or cash pursuant to exercise or settlement of any Award or such earlier time as any tax withholding obligations are due, the Company shall have the power and
the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, any U.S. federal, state, or local taxes and any taxes imposed by a jurisdiction outside the U.S. (including, without limitation, income tax, social insurance and similar contributions, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account, employment taxes, stamp tax and any other taxes) related to a Participants participation in the Plan and legally due from a Participant.
20.2. Tax Withholding. The Committee, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value not in excess of the maximum statutory amount required to be withheld, or (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value not in excess of the maximum statutory amount required to be withheld.
ARTICLE 21. Indemnification
Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Companys approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification is subject to the person having been successful in the legal proceedings or having acted in good faith and what is reasonably believed to be a lawful manner in the Companys best interests. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Companys Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
ARTICLE 22. Successors
All obligations of the Company under the Plan and with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or other event, or a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
ARTICLE 23. Limitation on Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if dividends or Dividend Equivalents are granted with respect to any Awards, the dividends or Dividend Equivalents shall be accumulated or reinvested and shall not be paid unless and until applicable vesting conditions are met.
ARTICLE 24. Clawback of Benefits
The Company may (a) cause the cancellation of any Award, (b) require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant or beneficiary, and (c) effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under this Plan or otherwise in accordance with any Company policies that currently exist or that may from time to time be adopted or modified in the future by the Company and/or Applicable Law (each, a Clawback Policy). In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company certain previously paid compensation, whether provided under this Plan or an Award Agreement or otherwise, in accordance with any Clawback Policy. By accepting an Award, a Participant is also agreeing to be bound by any existing or future Clawback Policy adopted by the Company, or any amendments that may from time to time be made to the Clawback Policy in the future by the Company in its discretion (including without limitation any Clawback Policy adopted or amended to comply with Applicable Laws or stock exchange requirements) and is further agreeing that all of the Participants Award Agreements may be unilaterally amended by the Company, without the Participants consent, to the extent that the Company in its discretion determines to be necessary or appropriate to comply with any Clawback Policy.
ARTICLE 25. Legal Construction
25.1. Gender, Number and References. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. Any reference in the Plan to an act or code or to any section thereof or rule or regulation thereunder shall be deemed to refer to such act, code, section, rule or regulation, as may be amended from time to time, or to any successor act, code, section, rule or regulation.
25.2. Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
25.3. Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
25.4. Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of Delaware, without giving effect to conflicts or choice of law principles.
25.5. Non-Exclusive Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable.
25.6. Code Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan and any Awards granted under the Plan comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any related regulations or other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service (collectively Section 409A). Any provision that would cause the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to fail to satisfy Section 409A shall have no force or effect until amended to comply with Section 409A, which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall have any liability with respect to any taxes, penalties, interest or other costs or expenses a Participant or any related party may incur with respect to or as a result of Section 409A or for damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.
FORM OF DUN & BRADSTREET
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Notice of Restricted Stock Grant
You (the Grantee) have been granted the following award of restricted Shares of common stock (the Restricted Stock), par value $0.01 per share (the Shares), by Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (the Company), pursuant to the Dun & Bradstreet 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan) and the terms set forth in the attached Restricted Stock Award Agreement:
Name of Grantee: |
[] |
Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted: |
[] |
Effective Date of Grant: |
[] |
Vesting and Period of Restriction: |
Subject to the terms of the Plan and the Restricted Stock Award Agreement attached hereto, the Period of Restriction shall lapse, and the Shares shall vest and become free of the forfeiture provisions contained in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, with respect to [] of the shares on [], subject to satisfaction of the Performance Restriction as set forth on Exhibit A of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement attached hereto. |
By your electronic acceptance/signature below, you agree and acknowledge that the Restricted Stock is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the attached Restricted Stock Award Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference, and that you have been provided with a copy of the Plan and Restricted Stock Award Agreement. If you have not accepted or declined this Restricted Stock Grant, including the terms of this Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement, prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant, you are hereby advised and acknowledge that you shall be deemed to have accepted the terms of this Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement on such first anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant.
DUN & BRADSTREET
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Restricted Stock Award Agreement
(Subject to Time-Based Restriction and Performance Restriction)
SECTION 1. GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK
(a) Restricted Stock. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant (the Notice) and this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the Agreement), the Company grants to the Grantee on the Effective Date of Grant the Shares of Restricted Stock (the Restricted Stock) set forth in the Notice.
(b) Plan and Defined Terms. The Restricted Stock is granted pursuant to the Dun & Bradstreet 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan). All terms, provisions, and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock set forth in the Plan and not set forth herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. To the extent any provision hereof is inconsistent with a provision of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. All capitalized terms that are used in the Notice or this Agreement and not otherwise defined therein or herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
SECTION 2. FORFEITURE AND TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
(a) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in Grantees employment, director services or similar agreement in effect at the time of the employment termination:
(i) If the Grantees employment or service as a Director or Consultant is terminated for any reason other than death, or Disability (as defined below), the Grantee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to the Company the Shares of Restricted Stock to the extent such Shares are subject to a Period of Restriction at the time of such termination.
(ii) If the Grantees employment or service as a Director or Consultant is terminated due to the Grantees death or Disability, a portion of the Shares which on the date of termination of employment remain subject to a Time-Based Restriction and/or the Performance Restriction (as defined in Exhibit A) shall vest and become free of the forfeiture and transfer restrictions contained in the Agreement (except as otherwise provided in Section 2(b) of this Agreement). The portion which shall vest shall be determined by the following formula (rounded to the nearest whole Share):
(A x B) C, where
A = the total number of Shares granted under this Agreement,
B = the number of completed months to the date of termination of employment since the Effective Date of Grant divided by [], and
C = the number of Shares granted under this Agreement which vested on or prior to the date of termination of employment.
All Shares that are subject to a Period of Restriction on the date of termination of employment or service as a Director or Consultant and which will not be vested pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii) above, shall be forfeited to the Company, for no consideration.
(iii) The term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Grantees employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company. If the Grantees employment, director services or similar agreement does not define the term Disability, or if the Grantee has not entered into an employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term Disability shall mean the Grantees entitlement to long-term disability benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or in which the Companys employees participate.
(iv) If the Performance Restriction is not satisfied during the Measurement Period, all of the Shares that do not satisfy the performance criteria for the applicable Performance Period shall be forfeited to the Company, for no consideration.
(b) Transfer Restrictions. During the Period of Restriction, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of, to the extent such Shares are subject to a Period of Restriction.
(c) Holding Period. If and when (i) the Grantee is an Officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act), and (ii) Grantee does not hold Shares with a value sufficient to satisfy the applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time, then Grantee must retain 50% of the Shares acquired by Grantee as a result of the lapse of a Period of Restriction (excluding from the calculation any Shares withheld for purposes of satisfying Grantees tax obligations in connection with such lapse of a Period of Restriction) until such time as the value of the Shares remaining in Grantees possession following any sale, assignment, pledge, exchange, gift or other transfer of the Shares shall be sufficient to meet any applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time. For the avoidance of doubt, at any time when Grantee holds, in the aggregate, Shares with a value sufficient to satisfy the applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time, Grantee may enter into a transaction with respect to any Shares acquired by Grantee as a result of the lapse of a Period of Restriction without regard to the holding period requirement contained in this Section 2(b) so long as Grantee shall continue to satisfy such stock ownership guidelines following such transaction.
(d) Lapse of Restrictions. The Period of Restriction shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock in accordance with the Notice and the terms of this Agreement and the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and Section 6(a) hereof, upon lapse of the Period of Restriction, the Grantee shall own the Shares that are subject to this Agreement free of all restrictions, other than the holding period described in Section 2(c) above.
SECTION 3. STOCK CERTIFICATES
As soon as practicable following the grant of Restricted Stock, the Shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the Grantees name in certificate or book-entry form. If a certificate is issued, it shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions and it shall be held by the Company, or its agent, on behalf of the Grantee until the Period of Restriction has lapsed. If the Shares are registered in book-entry form, the restrictions shall be placed on the book-entry registration. The Grantee may be required to execute and return to the Company a blank stock power for each Restricted Stock certificate (or instruction letter, with respect to Shares registered in book-entry form), which will permit transfer to the Company, without further action, of all or any portion of the Restricted Stock that is forfeited in accordance with this Agreement.
SECTION 4. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
Except for the transfer and dividend restrictions, and subject to such other restrictions, if any, as determined by the Committee, the Grantee shall have all other rights of a holder of Shares, including the right to vote (or to execute proxies for voting) such Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if all or part of a dividend in respect of the Restricted Stock is paid in Shares or any other security issued by the Company, such Shares or other securities shall be held by the Company subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock in respect of which the dividend was paid.
SECTION 5. DIVIDENDS
(a) Any dividends paid with respect to Shares which remain subject to a Period of Restriction shall not be paid to the Grantee but shall be held by the Company.
(b) Such held dividends shall be subject to the same Period of Restriction as the Shares to which they relate.
(c) Any dividends held pursuant to this Section 5 which are attributable to Shares which vest pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to the Grantee within 30 days of the applicable vesting date.
(d) Dividends attributable to Shares forfeited pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement shall be forfeited to the Company on the date such Shares are forfeited.
SECTION 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
(a) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to Article 20 of the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require the Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local taxes (including the Grantees FICA obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to this Award. The Committee may condition the delivery of Shares upon the Grantees satisfaction of such withholding obligations. The Grantee may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding requirement by tendering previously-owned Shares or by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, as applicable, including payroll taxes) that could be imposed on the transaction, and, to the extent the Committee so permits, amounts in excess of the minimum statutory withholding to the extent it would not result in additional accounting expense. Such election shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Grantee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(b) Confidential Information. Grantee will occupy a position of trust and confidence and will have access to and learn substantial information about the Company and its affiliates and their respective operations that is confidential or not generally known in the industry including, without limitation, information that relates to purchasing, sales, customers, marketing, and the financial positions and financing arrangements of the Company and its affiliates. Grantee agrees that all such information is proprietary or confidential, or constitutes trade secrets and is the sole property of the Company and/or its affiliates, as the case may be. Grantee will keep confidential and, outside the scope of Grantees duties and responsibilities with the Company and its affiliates, will not reproduce, copy or disclose to any other person or firm, any such information or any documents or information relating to the Companys or its affiliates methods, processes, customers, accounts, analyses, systems, charts, programs, procedures, correspondence or records, or any other documents used or owned by the Company or any of its affiliates, nor will Grantee advise, discuss with or in any way assist any other person, firm or entity in obtaining or learning about any of the items described in this section. Accordingly, during such time as Grantee is employed by or provides services as a Director or Consultant to the Company (the Term of Service) and at all times thereafter Grantee will not disclose, or permit or encourage anyone else to disclose, any such information, nor will Grantee utilize any such information, either alone or with others, outside the scope of Grantees duties and responsibilities with the Company and its affiliates.
(c) Non-Competition.
(i) During Term of Service. During the Term of Service, each Grantee who is an employee of the Company will devote such business time, attention and energies reasonably necessary to the diligent and faithful performance of the services to the Company and its affiliates, and will not engage in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in any business that is a competitor with the Companys or its affiliates principal business, that is a reasonably anticipated extension of their principal business, or that is engaged in the research or development of a product that will compete with the Companys or its affiliates principal business, nor solicit customers, suppliers or employees of the Company or its affiliates on behalf of, or in any other manner work for or assist any business which is a direct competitor with the Companys or its affiliates principal business. In addition, during the Term of Service, Grantee will undertake no planning for or organization of any business activity competitive with the work performed as an employee of the Company, and Grantee will not combine or conspire with any other employee of the Company or any other person for the purpose of organizing any such competitive business activity.
(ii) [After Term of Service. The parties acknowledge that Grantee will acquire substantial knowledge and information concerning the business of the Company and its affiliates as a result of employment with the Company. The parties further acknowledge that the scope of business in which the Company and its affiliates are engaged is national and very competitive and one in which few companies can successfully compete. Competition by Grantee in that business after the Term of Service would severely injure the Company and its affiliates. Accordingly, for a period of one (1) year after Grantees employment with the Company terminates for any reason whatsoever, Grantee agrees: (1) not to engage in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, including, as an employee, consultant, advisor, principal, partner or substantial shareholder with any firm or business that competes with the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets, that is a reasonably anticipated extension of the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets, or that is engaged in the research or development of a product that will compete with the Company or its affiliates
in their principal products and markets; and (2), on behalf of any such competitive firm or business, not to solicit any person or business that was at the time of such termination and remains a customer or prospective customer, a supplier or prospective supplier, or an employee of the Company or its affiliates.]
(d) Improvements and Inventions. Any and all improvements or inventions that Grantee may make or participate in during the Term of Service, unless wholly unrelated to the business of the Company and its affiliates and not produced within the scope of Grantees employment or service as a Director or Consultant, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Grantee shall, whenever requested by the Company, execute and deliver any and all documents that the Company deems appropriate in order to apply for and obtain patents or copyrights in improvements or inventions or in order to assign and/or convey to the Company the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to such improvements, inventions, patents, copyrights or applications.
(e) Ratification of Actions. By accepting this Agreement, the Grantee and each person claiming under or through the Grantee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated the Grantees acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan or this Agreement and Notice by the Company, the Board or the Committee.
(f) Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Grantee at the address that he or she most recently provided in writing to the Company.
(g) Choice of Law. This Agreement and the Notice shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of law or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise cause the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice to be governed by or construed in accordance with the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
(h) Arbitration. Subject to, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of the Plan, any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice shall be settled by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Short Hills, New Jersey and in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall decide any issues submitted in accordance with the provisions and commercial purposes of the Plan, this Agreement and the Notice, provided that all substantive questions of law shall be determined in accordance with the state and federal laws applicable in Delaware, without regard to internal principles relating to conflict of laws.
(i) Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may only be modified or amended by written agreement executed by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the adjustments permitted pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Plan may be made without such written agreement.
(j) Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
(k) References to Plan. All references to the Plan shall be deemed references to the Plan as may be amended from time to time.
(l) Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and this Agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any related regulations or other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service and the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.
EXHIBIT A
Vesting and Restrictions
This grant is subject to both a Performance Restriction and a Time-Based Restriction, as described below (collectively, the Period of Restriction).
Performance Restriction
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Time-Based Restrictions
[]
Vesting
[]
FORM OF DUN & BRADSTREET
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Notice of Restricted Stock Grant
You (the Grantee) have been granted the following award of restricted Shares of common stock (the Restricted Stock), par value $0.01 per share (the Shares), by Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (the Company), pursuant to the Dun & Bradstreet 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan) and the terms set forth in the attached Restricted Stock Award Agreement:
By your electronic acceptance/signature below, you agree and acknowledge that the Restricted Stock is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the attached Restricted Stock Award Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference, and that you have been provided with a copy of the Plan and Restricted Stock Award Agreement. If you have not accepted or declined this Restricted Stock Grant, including the terms of this Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement, prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant, you are hereby advised and acknowledge that you shall be deemed to have accepted the terms of this Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement on such first anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant.
DUN & BRADSTREET
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Restricted Stock Award Agreement
(Subject to Time-Based Restriction)
SECTION 1. GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK
(a) Restricted Stock. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant (the Notice) and this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the Agreement), the Company grants to the Grantee on the Effective Date of Grant the Shares of Restricted Stock (the Restricted Stock) set forth in the Notice.
(b) Plan and Defined Terms. The Restricted Stock is granted pursuant to the Dun & Bradstreet 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan). All terms, provisions, and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock set forth in the Plan and not set forth herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. To the extent any provision hereof is inconsistent with a provision of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. All capitalized terms that are used in the Notice or this Agreement and not otherwise defined therein or herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
SECTION 2. FORFEITURE AND TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
(a) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in Grantees employment, director services or similar agreement in effect at the time of the termination:
(i) If the Grantees employment or service as a Director or Consultant is terminated for any reason other than death or Disability (as defined below), the Grantee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to the Company the Shares of Restricted Stock to the extent such Shares are subject to a Period of Restriction at the time of such termination.
(ii) If the Grantees employment or service as a Director or Consultant is terminated due to the Grantees death or Disability, a portion of the Shares which on the date of termination remain subject to a Period of Restriction shall vest and become free of the forfeiture and transfer restrictions contained in the Agreement (except as otherwise provided in Section 2(c) of this Agreement). The portion which shall vest shall be determined by the following formula (rounded to the nearest whole Share):
(A x B) C, where
A = the total number of Shares granted under this Agreement,
B = the number of completed months to the date of termination since the Effective Date of Grant divided by [], and
C = the number of Shares granted under this Agreement which vested on or prior to the date of termination.
All Shares that are subject to a Period of Restriction on the date of termination of employment or service as a Director or Consultant and which will not be vested pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii) above, shall be forfeited to the Company, for no consideration.
(iii) The term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Grantees employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company. If the Grantees employment, director services or similar agreement does not define the term Disability, or if the Grantee has not entered into an employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term Disability shall mean the Grantee is (or, if the Grantee were a participant, would be) entitled to long-term disability benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or in which the Companys employees participate.
(b) Transfer Restrictions. During the Period of Restriction, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of, to the extent such Shares are subject to a Period of Restriction.
(c) Holding Period. If and when (i) the Grantee is an Officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act), and (ii) the Grantee does not hold Shares with a value sufficient to satisfy the applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time, then the Grantee must retain 50% of the Shares acquired by the Grantee as a result of the lapse of a Period of Restriction (excluding from the calculation any Shares withheld for purposes of satisfying the Grantees tax obligations in connection with such lapse of a Period of Restriction) until such time as the value of the Shares remaining in the Grantees possession following any sale, assignment, pledge, exchange, gift or other transfer of the Shares shall be sufficient to meet any applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time. For the avoidance of doubt, at any time when the Grantee holds, in the aggregate, Shares with a value sufficient to satisfy the applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time, the Grantee may enter into a transaction with respect to any Shares acquired by the Grantee as a result of the lapse of a Period of Restriction without regard to the holding period requirement contained in this Section 2(c) so long as the Grantee shall continue to satisfy such stock ownership guidelines following such transaction.
(d) Lapse of Restrictions. The Period of Restriction shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock in accordance with the Notice and the terms of this Agreement and the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and Section 6(a) hereof, upon lapse of the Period of Restriction, the Grantee shall own the Shares that are subject to this Agreement free of all restrictions, other than the holding period restriction described in Section 2(c) above, if applicable.
SECTION 3. STOCK CERTIFICATES
As soon as practicable following the grant of Restricted Stock, the Shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the Grantees name in certificate or book-entry form. If a certificate is issued, it shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions and it shall be held by the Company, or its agent, on behalf of the Grantee until the Period of Restriction has lapsed. If the Shares are registered in book-entry form, the restrictions shall be placed on the book-entry registration. The Grantee may be required to execute and return to the Company a blank stock power for each Restricted Stock certificate (or instruction letter, with respect to Shares registered in book-entry form), which will permit transfer to the Company, without further action, of all or any portion of the Restricted Stock that is forfeited in accordance with this Agreement.
SECTION 4. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
Except for the transfer and dividend restrictions, and subject to such other restrictions, if any, as determined by the Committee, the Grantee shall have all other rights of a holder of Shares, including the right to vote (or to execute proxies for voting) such Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if all or part of a dividend in respect of the Restricted Stock is paid in Shares or any other security issued by the Company, such Shares or other securities shall be held by the Company subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock in respect of which the dividend was paid.
SECTION 5. DIVIDENDS
(a) Any dividends paid with respect to Shares which remain subject to a Period of Restriction shall not be paid to the Grantee but shall be held by the Company.
(b) Such held dividends shall be subject to the same Period of Restriction as the Shares to which they relate.
(c) Any dividends held pursuant to this Section 5 which are attributable to Shares which vest pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to the Grantee within 30 days of the applicable vesting date.
(d) Dividends attributable to Shares forfeited pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement shall be forfeited to the Company on the date such Shares are forfeited.
SECTION 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
(a) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to Article 20 of the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require the Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local taxes (including the Grantees FICA obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to
this Award. The Committee may condition the delivery of Shares upon the Grantees satisfaction of such withholding obligations. The Grantee may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding requirement by tendering previously-owned Shares or by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, as applicable, including payroll taxes) that could be imposed on the transaction, and, to the extent the Committee so permits, amounts in excess of the minimum statutory withholding to the extent it would not result in additional accounting expense. Such election shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Grantee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(b) Confidential Information. Grantee will occupy a position of trust and confidence and will have access to and learn substantial information about the Company and its affiliates and their respective operations that is confidential or not generally known in the industry including, without limitation, information that relates to purchasing, sales, customers, marketing, and the financial positions and financing arrangements of the Company and its affiliates. Grantee agrees that all such information is proprietary or confidential, or constitutes trade secrets and is the sole property of the Company and/or its affiliates, as the case may be. Grantee will keep confidential and, outside the scope of Grantees duties and responsibilities with the Company and its affiliates, will not reproduce, copy or disclose to any other person or firm, any such information or any documents or information relating to the Companys or its affiliates methods, processes, customers, accounts, analyses, systems, charts, programs, procedures, correspondence or records, or any other documents used or owned by the Company or any of its affiliates, nor will Grantee advise, discuss with or in any way assist any other person, firm or entity in obtaining or learning about any of the items described in this section. Accordingly, during such time as Grantee is employed by or provides services as a Director or Consultant to the Company or an affiliate thereof (the Term of Service) and at all times thereafter Grantee will not disclose, or permit or encourage anyone else to disclose, any such information, nor will Grantee utilize any such information, either alone or with others, outside the scope of Grantees duties and responsibilities with the Company and its affiliates.
(c) Non-Competition.
(i) During Term of Service. During the Term of Service, each Grantee who is an employee of the Company will devote such business time, attention and energies reasonably necessary to the diligent and faithful performance of the services to the Company and its affiliates, and will not engage in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in any business that is a competitor with the Companys or its affiliates principal business, that is a reasonably anticipated extension of their principal business, or that is engaged in the research or development of a product that will compete with the Companys or its affiliates principal business, nor solicit customers, suppliers or employees of the Company or its affiliates on behalf of, or in any other manner work for or assist any business which is a direct competitor with the Companys or its affiliates principal business. In addition, during the Term of Service, Grantee will undertake no planning for or organization of any business activity competitive with the work performed as an employee of the Company, and Grantee will not combine or conspire with any other employee of the Company or any other person for the purpose of organizing any such competitive business activity.
(ii) [After Term of Service. The parties acknowledge that Grantee will acquire substantial knowledge and information concerning the business of the Company and its affiliates as a result of employment with the Company. The parties further acknowledge that the scope of business in which the Company and its affiliates are engaged is national and very competitive and one in which few companies can successfully compete. Competition by Grantee in that business after the Term of Service would severely injure the Company and its affiliates. Accordingly, for a period of one (1) year after Grantees employment with the Company terminates for any reason whatsoever, Grantee agrees: (1) not to engage in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, including, as an employee, consultant, advisor, principal, partner or substantial shareholder with any firm or business that competes with the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets, that is a reasonably anticipated extension of the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets, or that is engaged in the research or development of a product that will compete with the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets; and (2), on behalf of any such competitive firm or business, not to solicit any person or business that was at the time of such termination and remains a customer or prospective customer, a supplier or prospective supplier, or an employee of the Company or its affiliates.]
(d) Improvements and Inventions. Any and all improvements or inventions that Grantee may make or participate in during the Term of Service, unless wholly unrelated to the business of the Company and its affiliates and not produced within the scope of Grantees employment or service as a Director or Consultant, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Grantee shall, whenever requested by the Company, execute and deliver any and all documents that the Company deems appropriate in order to apply for and obtain patents or copyrights in improvements or inventions or in order to assign and/or convey to the Company the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to such improvements, inventions, patents, copyrights or applications.
(e) Ratification of Actions. By accepting this Agreement, the Grantee and each person claiming under or through the Grantee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated the Grantees acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan or this Agreement and Notice by the Company, the Board or the Committee.
(f) Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Grantee at the address that he or she most recently provided in writing to the Company.
(g) Choice of Law. This Agreement and the Notice shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of law or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise cause the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice to be governed by or construed in accordance with the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
(h) Arbitration. Subject to, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of the Plan, any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice shall be settled by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Short Hills, New Jersey and in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall decide any issues submitted in accordance with the provisions and commercial purposes of the Plan, this Agreement and the Notice, provided that all substantive questions of law shall be determined in accordance with the state and federal laws applicable in Delaware, without regard to internal principles relating to conflict of laws.
(i) Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may only be modified or amended by written agreement executed by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the adjustments permitted pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Plan may be made without such written agreement.
(j) Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
(k) References to Plan. All references to the Plan shall be deemed references to the Plan as may be amended from time to time.
(l) Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and this Agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any related regulations or other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service and the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.
EXHIBIT A
Vesting and Restrictions
This grant is subject to Time-Based Restrictions, as described below. The period between the Effective Date of Grant and the applicable Vesting Date of a Share of Restricted Stock is the Period of Restriction for such Share of Restricted Stock.
Time-Based Restrictions
[]
Vesting
If the applicable Time-Based Restriction has been achieved as of a Vesting Date, the percentage of the Restricted Stock indicated on the row for such Vesting Date in the table above shall vest.
FORM OF DUN & BRADSTREET
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Notice of Stock Option Grant
You (the Optionee) have been granted the following option to purchase Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (Share), by Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (the Company), pursuant to the Dun & Bradstreet 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan):
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Total Number of Shares Subject to Option: |
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Type of Option: |
Nonqualified |
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Exercise Price Per Share: |
$[·] |
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Effective Date of Grant: |
[·] |
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Vesting Schedule: |
Subject to the terms of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto, the right to exercise this Option shall vest with respect to [·] of the total number of Shares subject to this Option on [·]. |
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Expiration Date: |
[·] Anniversary of Effective Date of Grant
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By your electronic acceptance/signature below, you agree and acknowledge that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the attached Stock Option Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference, and that you have been provided with a copy of the Plan and Stock Option Agreement.
DUN & BRADSTREET
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Stock Option Agreement
SECTION 1. GRANT OF OPTION.
(a) Option. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, which is incorporated by reference, and this Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement), the Company grants to the Optionee on the Effective Date of Grant the Option to purchase at the Exercise Price the number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.
(b) Plan and Defined Terms. The Option is granted pursuant to the Plan. All terms, provisions, and conditions applicable to the Option set forth in the Plan and not set forth herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. To the extent any provision hereof is inconsistent with a provision of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. All capitalized terms that are used in the Notice of Stock Option Grant or this Agreement and not otherwise defined therein or herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
SECTION 2. RIGHT TO EXERCISE.
The Option hereby granted shall be exercised by written notice to the Company, specifying the number of Shares the Optionee desires to purchase together with provision for payment of the Exercise Price. Subject to such limitations as the Committee may impose (including prohibition of one more of the following payment methods), payment of the Exercise Price may be made by (a) check payable to the order of the Company, for an amount in United States dollars equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of such Shares, (b) by tendering Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such Exercise Price, (c) by broker-assisted exercise, [(d) by net exercise pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of Shares issued upon exercise by the largest whole number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price or, if applicable, the sum of the aggregate Exercise Price plus all or a portion of the minimum amount required to be withheld under applicable tax law (with the Company accepting from the Optionee payment of cash or cash equivalents to satisfy any remaining balance of the aggregate Exercise Price and, if applicable, any additional withholding obligation not satisfied through such reduction in Shares); provided that to the extent Shares subject to the Option are withheld in this manner, the number of Shares subject to the Option following the net exercise will be reduced by the sum of the number of Shares withheld and the number of Shares delivered to the Optionee as a result of the exercise,] or (e) by a combination of such methods. The Company may require the Optionee to furnish or execute such other documents as the Company shall reasonably deem necessary (i) to evidence such exercise and (ii) to comply with or satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, applicable state or non-U.S. securities laws or any other law.
SECTION 3. TERM AND EXPIRATION.
(a) Basic Term. Subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms hereof, the Option shall expire on the expiration date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.
(b) Termination of Employment or Service. If the Optionees employment or service as a Director or Consultant, as the case may be, is terminated, except as otherwise provided in the Optionees employment, director services or similar agreement in effect at the time of the termination, the Option shall expire on the earliest of the following occasions:
(i) The expiration date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant;
(ii) The date three months following the termination of the Optionees employment or service for any reason other than Cause, death, or Disability;
(iii) The date one year following the termination of the Optionees employment or service due to death or Disability; or
(iv) The date of termination of the Optionees employment or service for Cause.
The Optionee may exercise all or part of this Option at any time before its expiration under the preceding sentence, but, subject to the following sentence, only to the extent that the Option had become vested before the Optionees employment or service terminated. When the Optionees employment or service terminates, this Option shall expire immediately with respect to the number of Shares for which the Option is not yet vested. If the Optionee dies after termination of employment or service, but before the expiration of the Option, all or part of this Option may be exercised (prior to expiration) by the personal representative of the Optionee or by any person who has acquired this Option directly from the Optionee by will, bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option was vested and exercisable upon termination of the Optionees employment or service.
(c) Definition of Cause. The term Cause shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Optionees employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Optionees employment, director services or similar agreement does not define the term Cause, or if the Optionee has not entered into an employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term Cause shall mean have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.
(d) Definition of Disability. The term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Optionees employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Optionees employment, director services or similar agreement does not define the term Disability, or if the Optionee has not entered into an employment, director services or similar agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term Disability shall mean the Optionees entitlement to long-term disability benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or in which the Companys employees participate.
SECTION 4. TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION.
(a) Generally. Except as provided in Section 4(b) herein, the Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and the
Option shall be exercisable during the Optionees lifetime only by the Optionee or on his or her behalf by the Optionees guardian or legal representative.
(b) Transfers to Family Members. Notwithstanding Section 4(a) herein, if the Option is a Nonqualified Stock Option, the Optionee may transfer the Option for no consideration to or for the benefit of a Family Member, subject to such limits as the Committee may establish, and the transferee shall remain subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to the Option.
(c) Definition of Family Member. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Family Member shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of the Optionee (including adoptive relationships), any person sharing the same household as the Optionee (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which the above persons have more than fifty percent of the beneficial interests, a foundation in which the Optionee or the above persons control the management of assets, and any other entity in which the Optionee or the above persons own more than fifty percent of the voting interests.
SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) Acknowledgements. The Optionee hereby acknowledges that he or she has read and understands the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, and agrees to be bound by their respective terms and conditions. The Optionee acknowledges that there may be tax consequences upon the exercise or transfer of the Option and that the Optionee should consult an independent tax advisor prior to any exercise or transfer of the Option.
(b) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to Article 20 of the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Optionee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local taxes (including the Optionees FICA obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to this Option. The Committee may condition the delivery of Shares upon the Optionees satisfaction of such withholding obligations. The Optionee may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding requirement by tendering previously-owned Shares or by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, as applicable, including the Optionees FICA taxes) that could be imposed on the transaction, and, to the extent the Committee so permits, amounts in excess of the minimum statutory withholding to the extent it would not result in additional accounting expense. Such election shall be irrevocable, made in writing and signed by the Optionee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.
(c) Holding Period. If and when (i) the Optionee is an Officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act), and (ii) Optionee does not hold Shares with a value sufficient to satisfy the applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time, then Optionee must retain at least 50% of the Shares acquired by Optionee as a result of any exercise of this Option (excluding from the calculation any Shares withheld, sold, cancelled, or otherwise forfeited by Optionee for purposes of satisfying the exercise price and tax obligations in connection
with the exercise of the Option) until such time as the value of the Shares remaining in Optionees possession following any sale, assignment, pledge, exchange, gift or other transfer of the Shares acquired by Optionee as a result of the exercise of this Option shall be sufficient to meet any applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time. For the avoidance of doubt, at any time when Optionee holds, in the aggregate, Shares with a value sufficient to satisfy the applicable stock ownership guidelines of the Company in place at that time, Optionee may enter into a transaction with respect to any Shares acquired by Optionee as a result of the exercise of the Option without regard to the holding period requirement contained in this Section 5(c) so long as Optionee shall continue to satisfy such stock ownership guidelines following such transaction.
(d) Notice Concerning Disqualifying Dispositions. If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee shall notify the Committee of any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option if the disposition constitutes a disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Sections 421 and 422 of the Code (or any successor provision of the Code then in effect relating to disqualifying dispositions). Such notice shall be provided by the Optionee to the Committee in writing within 10 days of any such disqualifying disposition.
(e) Rights as a Stockholder. Neither the Optionee nor the Optionees transferee or representative shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to this Option until the Option has been exercised and Share certificates have been issued to the Optionee, transferee or representative, as the case may be.
(f) Confidential Information. Optionee will occupy a position of trust and confidence and will have access to and learn substantial information about the Company and its affiliates and their respective operations that is confidential or not generally known in the industry including, without limitation, information that relates to purchasing, sales, customers, marketing, and the financial positions and financing arrangements of the Company and its affiliates. Optionee agrees that all such information is proprietary or confidential, or constitutes trade secrets and is the sole property of the Company and/or its affiliates, as the case may be. Optionee will keep confidential and, outside the scope of Optionees duties and responsibilities with the Company and its affiliates, will not reproduce, copy or disclose to any other person or firm, any such information or any documents or information relating to the Companys or its affiliates methods, processes, customers, accounts, analyses, systems, charts, programs, procedures, correspondence or records, or any other documents used or owned by the Company or any of its affiliates, nor will Optionee advise, discuss with or in any way assist any other person, firm or entity in obtaining or learning about any of the items described in this section. Accordingly, during such time as Optionee is employed by or provides services as a Director or Consultant to the Company or an affiliate thereof (the Term of Service) and at all times thereafter Optionee will not disclose, or permit or encourage anyone else to disclose, any such information, nor will Optionee utilize any such information, either alone or with others, outside the scope of Optionees duties and responsibilities with the Company and its affiliates.
(g) Non-Competition.
(i) During Term of Service. During the Term of Service, each Optionee who is an employee of the Company will devote such business time, attention and energies reasonably
necessary to the diligent and faithful performance of the services to the Company and its affiliates, and will not engage in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in any business that is a competitor with the Companys or its affiliates principal business, that is a reasonably anticipated extension of their principal business, or that is engaged in the research or development of a product that will compete with the Companys or its affiliates principal business, nor solicit customers, suppliers or employees of the Company or its affiliates on behalf of, or in any other manner work for or assist any business which is a direct competitor with the Companys or its affiliates principal business. In addition, during the Term of Service, each Optionee who is an employee of the Company will undertake no planning for or organization of any business activity competitive with the work performed as an employee of the Company, and will not combine or conspire with any other employee of the Company or any other person for the purpose of organizing any such competitive business activity.
(ii) After Term of Service. The parties acknowledge that Optionee will acquire substantial knowledge and information concerning the business of the Company and its affiliates as a result of employment. The parties further acknowledge that the scope of business in which the Company and its affiliates are engaged is national and very competitive and one in which few companies can successfully compete. Competition by each Optionee who is an employee of the Company in that business after the Term of Service would severely injure the Company and its affiliates. Accordingly, for a period of one (1) year after an employee Optionees employment with the Company terminates for any reason whatsoever, each employee Optionee agrees: (1) not to engage in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, including, as an employee, consultant, advisor, principal, partner or substantial shareholder with any firm or business that competes with the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets, that is a reasonably anticipated extension of the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets, or that is engaged in the research or development of a product that will compete with the Company or its affiliates in their principal products and markets; and (2), on behalf of any such competitive firm or business, not to solicit any person or business that was at the time of such termination and remains a customer or prospective customer, a supplier or prospective supplier, or an employee of the Company or its affiliates.
(h) Improvements and Inventions. Any and all improvements or inventions that Optionee may make or participate in during the Term of Service, unless wholly unrelated to the business of the Company and its affiliates and not produced within the scope of Optionees employment or service as a Director or Consultant, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Optionee shall, whenever requested by the Company, execute and deliver any and all documents that the Company deems appropriate in order to apply for and obtain patents or copyrights in improvements or inventions or in order to assign and/or convey to the Company the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to such improvements, inventions, patents, copyrights or applications.
(i) Ratification of Actions. By accepting this Agreement, the Optionee and each person claiming under or through the Optionee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated the Optionees acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan or this Agreement and Notice of Stock Option Grant by the Company, the Board, or the Committee.
(j) Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Optionee at the address that he or she most recently provided in writing to the Company.
(k) Choice of Law. This Agreement and the Notice of Stock Option Grant shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts of law or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise cause the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Stock Option Grant to be governed by or construed in accordance with the substantive law of another jurisdiction.
(l) Arbitration. Subject to Article 3 of the Plan, any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Stock Option Grant shall be settled by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Short Hills, New Jersey and in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall decide any issues submitted in accordance with the provisions and commercial purposes of the Plan, this Agreement and the Notice of Stock Option Grant, provided that all substantive questions of law shall be determined in accordance with the state and Federal laws applicable in Delaware, without regard to internal principles relating to conflict of laws.
(m) Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may only be modified or amended by written agreement executed by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the adjustments permitted pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Plan may be made without such written agreement.
(n) Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
(o) References to Plan. All references to the Plan (or to a Section or Article of the Plan) shall be deemed references to the Plan (or the Section or Article) as may be amended from time to time.
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of June 23, 2020, by and between Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and DNB Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Investor).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Purchase and Sale of Stock.
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Common Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Investor agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company agrees to sell and issue to the Investor, the Shares (as defined below) at a purchase price per share of 98.5% of the initial public offering price (before underwriting discounts and expenses) in the Qualified IPO (as defined below) (the IPO Price). Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 (the Common Stock), equal to $200,000,000 divided by the IPO Price, rounded up to the nearest whole share. Qualified IPO shall mean the issuance and sale of shares of the Common Stock by the Company, pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company and certain underwriters (the Underwriters), in connection with the Companys initial public offering pursuant to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239050) (as amended, the Registration Statement) and/or any related registration statements (the Underwriting Agreement).
1.2 Closing. The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place at the location and at the time subsequent to the closing of the Qualified IPO (which time and place are designated as the Closing) after the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions). At the Closing, the Investor shall make payment of the purchase price of the Shares by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company against delivery to the Investor of the Shares registered in the name of the Investor, which Shares shall be uncertificated shares.
2. Registration Rights. At the Closing, in connection with the Qualified IPO and purchase of the Shares, the Company will enter into a registration rights agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement) with certain stockholders of the Company, including the Investor and/or certain entities and individuals that indirectly own equity interests in the Investor.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Investor that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:
3.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.
(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted.
(b) The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so qualified or in good standing.
3.2 Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the performance of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares being sold hereunder has been taken or will be taken prior to the pricing of the Qualified IPO, and this Agreement constitutes and the Registration Rights Agreement will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, and (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws.
3.3 Valid Issuance of Common Stock. The Shares being purchased by the Investor hereunder, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will be free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws or as contemplated hereby or by the Registration Rights Agreement.
3.4 Compliance with Other Instruments and Non-Contravention.
(a) The Company is not in violation or default of any provision of its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.
(b) The Company is not in violation or default in any material respect of any instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or, any provision of any federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement will not result in any such violation or default or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract or an event that results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit, license, authorization, or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.
3.5 Description of Capital Stock. As of the date of the Closing, the statements set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) and Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) under the caption Description of Capital Stock, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Companys capital stock, will be accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.
3.6 Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, and any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be included therein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), complied (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date of this Agreement, will comply) as of its filing date in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and did not (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date hereof, will not) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. As of the date it is declared effective by the SEC, the Registration Statement, as so amended, and any related registration statements, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. Any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any free writing prospectus related to the Registration Statement and any final prospectus related to the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, in each case as of its date, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.7 Brokers or Finders. The Company has not incurred, and will not incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Company, any liability for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or any similar charges in connection with the sale of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.
3.8 Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the representations, warranties and covenants of the Investor set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Shares by the Company to the Investor under this Agreement.
4. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Investor. The Investor hereby represents and warrants that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:
4.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Investor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
4.2 Authorization. The Investor has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and such agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with its terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
4.3 Purchase Entirely for Own Account. By the Investors execution of this Agreement, the Investor hereby confirms, that the Shares to be received by the Investor will be acquired for investment for the Investors own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the distribution of any part thereof, and that the Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, except as permitted by applicable federal or state securities laws. By executing this Agreement, the Investor further represents that the Investor does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Shares may be distributed to (i) entities and individuals that directly and/or indirectly own equity interests in the Investor or (ii) entities in which the Investor directly and/or indirectly owns equity interests (the Affiliated Holders).
4.4 Disclosure of Information. The Investor believes it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to purchase the Shares. The Investor further represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of the Company. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 3 of this Agreement or the right of the Investor to rely thereon.
4.5 Investment Experience. The Investor acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares. Investor also represents it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Shares.
4.6 Accredited Investor. The Investor is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D, Rule 501(a), promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as presently in effect.
4.7 Existing Relationship. As of the date hereof, the Investor owns equity interests in Star Parent, L.P., which owns all of the Companys Common Stock.
4.8 Brokers or Finders. The Investor has not engaged any brokers, finders or agents, and neither the Company nor the Investor has, nor will, incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Investor, any liability for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement.
4.9 Restricted Securities. The Investor understands that the Shares will be characterized as restricted securities under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act, only in certain limited circumstances.
4.10 Market Stand-Off Agreement; Lock-Up Agreement. The Investor hereby agrees that for 180 days following the effective date of the Registration Statement, it shall not sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of the Shares, other than to (a) Affiliated Holders or (b) with the consent of the Company. To the extent any Affiliated Holder has executed and delivered to the Underwriters the lock-up agreement provided by the Company (the Lock-Up Agreement), the Shares received by such Affiliated Holder pursuant to any transfer will be subject to the terms of the Lock-Up Agreement. In order to enforce this covenant, the Company shall have the right to place restrictive legends on the certificates or book-entry accounts representing the Shares (including the Shares distributed to Affiliated Holders, to the extent applicable) and to impose stop transfer instructions with respect to such Shares until the end of such period.
4.11 Legends. The Investor understands that the Shares may bear one or all of the following legends:
(a) THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ACT), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT, APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS (PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM).
(b) THESE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO A 180 DAY MARKET STANDOFF RESTRICTION AS SET FORTH IN A CERTAIN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE INVESTOR, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. AS A RESULT OF SUCH AGREEMENT, THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE TRADED PRIOR TO 180 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ANY PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMMON STOCK OF THE ISSUER HEREOF. SUCH RESTRICTION IS BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
(c) Any legend required by applicable state blue sky securities laws, rules and regulations.
5. Conditions of the Investors Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Investor under subsection 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.
5.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true on and as of the Closing.
5.2 Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased the Firm Shares (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) pursuant to the Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement.
5.3 Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During this period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.
6. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Company under subsection 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.
6.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Investor contained in Section 4 shall be true on and as of the Closing.
6.2 Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased the Firm Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement.
6.3 Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During this period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.
7. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate (i) at any time upon the written consent of the Company and the Investor, (ii) upon the withdrawal by the Company of the Registration Statement, or (iii) on August 31, 2020 if the Closing has not occurred.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Survival of Warranties. The warranties, representations and covenants of the Company and the Investor contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Investor or the Company.
8.2 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement, and any and all rights, duties and obligations hereunder, shall not be assigned, transferred, delegated or sublicensed by the Investor without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that after the Closing, the Shares and the rights, duties and obligations of the Investor hereunder may be assigned to Affiliated Holders without the prior written consent of the Company. Subject to the foregoing and except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.
8.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
8.5 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail (if to the Investor or any other holder of Company securities) or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:
(a) if to the Investor, to the attention of the Investor to , c/o Cannae Holdings, Inc., 1701 Village Center Circle, Las Vegas, Nevada 89134 or .
(b) if to the Company, to the attention of the Chief Legal Officer of the Company at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 or , or at such other current address or electronic mail address as the Company shall have furnished to the Investor.
Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier), or (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via electronic mail, when directed to the relevant electronic mail address, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipients next business day. In the event of any conflict between the Companys books and records and this Agreement or any notice delivered hereunder, the Companys books and records will control absent fraud or error.
8.6 Brokers or Finders. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finders fee or agents commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Investor or any of its constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.7, and the Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finders fee or agents commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company, the Investor or any of their constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.8.
8.7 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Investor.
8.8 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and such court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
8.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner with regard to the subjects hereof or thereof by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein or therein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC. |
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/s/ Joe A. Reinhardt III |
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Joe A. Reinhardt III |
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Chief Legal Officer |
[Signature page to the Stock Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.
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DNB HOLDCO, LLC |
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/s/ Richard L. Cox |
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Richard L. Cox |
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President |
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[Signature page to the Stock Purchase Agreement]
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of June 23, 2020, by and between Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and Black Knight InfoServ, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Investor).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Purchase and Sale of Stock.
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Common Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Investor agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company agrees to sell and issue to the Investor, the Shares (as defined below) at a purchase price per share of 98.5% of the initial public offering price (before underwriting discounts and expenses) in the Qualified IPO (as defined below) (the IPO Price). Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 (the Common Stock), equal to $100,000,000 divided by the IPO Price, rounded up to the nearest whole share. Qualified IPO shall mean the issuance and sale of shares of the Common Stock by the Company, pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company and certain underwriters (the Underwriters), in connection with the Companys initial public offering pursuant to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239050) (as amended, the Registration Statement) and/or any related registration statements (the Underwriting Agreement).
1.2 Closing. The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place at the location and at the time subsequent to the closing of the Qualified IPO (which time and place are designated as the Closing) after the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions). At the Closing, the Investor shall make payment of the purchase price of the Shares by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company against delivery to the Investor of the Shares registered in the name of the Investor, which Shares shall be uncertificated shares.
2. Registration Rights. At the Closing, in connection with the Qualified IPO and purchase of the Shares, the Company will enter into a registration rights agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement) with certain stockholders of the Company, including the Investor and/or certain entities and individuals that indirectly own equity interests in the Investor.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Investor that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:
3.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.
(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted.
(b) The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so qualified or in good standing.
3.2 Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the performance of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares being sold hereunder has been taken or will be taken prior to the pricing of the Qualified IPO, and this Agreement constitutes and the Registration Rights Agreement will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, and (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws.
3.3 Valid Issuance of Common Stock. The Shares being purchased by the Investor hereunder, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will be free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws or as contemplated hereby or by the Registration Rights Agreement.
3.4 Compliance with Other Instruments and Non-Contravention.
(a) The Company is not in violation or default of any provision of its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.
(b) The Company is not in violation or default in any material respect of any instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or, any provision of any federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement will not result in any such violation or default or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract or an event that results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit, license, authorization, or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.
3.5 Description of Capital Stock. As of the date of the Closing, the statements set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) and Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) under the caption Description of Capital Stock, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Companys capital stock, will be accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.
3.6 Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, and any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be included therein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), complied (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date of this Agreement, will comply) as of its filing date in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and did not (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date hereof, will not) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. As of the date it is declared effective by the SEC, the Registration Statement, as so amended, and any related registration statements, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. Any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any free writing prospectus related to the Registration Statement and any final prospectus related to the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, in each case as of its date, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.7 Brokers or Finders. The Company has not incurred, and will not incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Company, any liability for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or any similar charges in connection with the sale of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.
3.8 Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the representations, warranties and covenants of the Investor set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Shares by the Company to the Investor under this Agreement.
4. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Investor. The Investor hereby represents and warrants that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:
4.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Investor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
4.2 Authorization. The Investor has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and such agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with its terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
4.3 Purchase Entirely for Own Account. By the Investors execution of this Agreement, the Investor hereby confirms, that the Shares to be received by the Investor will be acquired for investment for the Investors own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the distribution of any part thereof, and that the Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, except as permitted by applicable federal or state securities laws. By executing this Agreement, the Investor further represents that the Investor does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Shares may be distributed to (i) entities and individuals that directly and/or indirectly own equity interests in the Investor or (ii) entities in which the Investor directly and/or indirectly owns equity interests (the Affiliated Holders).
4.4 Disclosure of Information. The Investor believes it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to purchase the Shares. The Investor further represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of the Company. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 3 of this Agreement or the right of the Investor to rely thereon.
4.5 Investment Experience. The Investor acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares. Investor also represents it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Shares.
4.6 Accredited Investor. The Investor is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D, Rule 501(a), promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as presently in effect.
4.7 Existing Relationship. As of the date hereof, the Investor owns equity interests in Star Parent, L.P., which owns all of the Companys Common Stock.
4.8 Brokers or Finders. The Investor has not engaged any brokers, finders or agents, and neither the Company nor the Investor has, nor will, incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Investor, any liability for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement.
4.9 Restricted Securities. The Investor understands that the Shares will be characterized as restricted securities under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act, only in certain limited circumstances.
4.10 Market Stand-Off Agreement; Lock-Up Agreement. The Investor hereby agrees that for 180 days following the effective date of the Registration Statement, it shall not sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of the Shares, other than to (a) Affiliated Holders or (b) with the consent of the Company. To the extent any Affiliated Holder has executed and delivered to the Underwriters the lock-up agreement provided by the Company (the Lock-Up Agreement), the Shares received by such Affiliated Holder pursuant to any transfer will be subject to the terms of the Lock-Up Agreement. In order to enforce this covenant, the Company shall have the right to place restrictive legends on the certificates or book-entry accounts representing the Shares (including the Shares distributed to Affiliated Holders, to the extent applicable) and to impose stop transfer instructions with respect to such Shares until the end of such period.
4.11 Legends. The Investor understands that the Shares may bear one or all of the following legends:
(a) THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ACT), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT, APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS (PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM).
(b) THESE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO A 180 DAY MARKET STANDOFF RESTRICTION AS SET FORTH IN A CERTAIN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE INVESTOR, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. AS A RESULT OF SUCH AGREEMENT, THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE TRADED PRIOR TO 180 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ANY PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMMON STOCK OF THE ISSUER HEREOF. SUCH RESTRICTION IS BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
(c) Any legend required by applicable state blue sky securities laws, rules and regulations.
5. Conditions of the Investors Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Investor under subsection 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.
5.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true on and as of the Closing.
5.2 Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased the Firm Shares (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) pursuant to the Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement.
5.3 Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During this period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.
6. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Company under subsection 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.
6.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Investor contained in Section 4 shall be true on and as of the Closing.
6.2 Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased the Firm Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement.
6.3 Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During this period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.
7. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate (i) at any time upon the written consent of the Company and the Investor, (ii) upon the withdrawal by the Company of the Registration Statement, or (iii) on August 31, 2020 if the Closing has not occurred.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Survival of Warranties. The warranties, representations and covenants of the Company and the Investor contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Investor or the Company.
8.2 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement, and any and all rights, duties and obligations hereunder, shall not be assigned, transferred, delegated or sublicensed by the Investor without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that after the Closing, the Shares and the rights, duties and obligations of the Investor hereunder may be assigned to Affiliated Holders without the prior written consent of the Company. Subject to the foregoing and except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.
8.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
8.5 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail (if to the Investor or any other holder of Company securities) or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:
(a) if to the Investor, to the attention of the Investor to , c/o Black Knight, Inc., 601Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32204, or .
(b) if to the Company, to the attention of the Chief Legal Officer of the Company at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 or ReinhardtJ@DNB.com, or at such other current address or electronic mail address as the Company shall have furnished to the Investor.
Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier), or (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via electronic mail, when directed to the relevant electronic mail address, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipients next business day. In the event of any conflict between the Companys books and records and this Agreement or any notice delivered hereunder, the Companys books and records will control absent fraud or error.
8.1 Brokers or Finders. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finders fee or agents commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Investor or any of its constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.7, and the Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finders fee or agents commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company, the Investor or any of their constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.8.
8.2 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Investor.
8.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and such court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
8.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner with regard to the subjects hereof or thereof by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein or therein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Joe A. Reinhardt III |
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Name: |
Joe A. Reinhardt III |
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Title: |
Chief Legal Officer |
[Signature page to the Stock Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.
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INVESTOR: |
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BLACK KNIGHT INFOSERV, LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Kirk Larsen |
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Name: |
Kirk Larsen |
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Title: |
EVP and Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature page to the Stock Purchase Agreement]
DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made as of June 23, 2020, by and between Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and CC Star Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the Investor).
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Purchase and Sale of Stock.
1.1 Sale and Issuance of Common Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Investor agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company agrees to sell and issue to the Investor, the Shares (as defined below) at a purchase price per share of 98.5% of the initial public offering price (before underwriting discounts and expenses) in the Qualified IPO (as defined below) (the IPO Price). Shares shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 (the Common Stock), equal to $100,000,000 divided by the IPO Price, rounded up to the nearest whole share. Qualified IPO shall mean the issuance and sale of shares of the Common Stock by the Company, pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company and certain underwriters (the Underwriters), in connection with the Companys initial public offering pursuant to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239050) (as amended, the Registration Statement) and/or any related registration statements (the Underwriting Agreement).
1.2 Closing. The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place at the location and at the time subsequent to the closing of the Qualified IPO (which time and place are designated as the Closing) after the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in Section 5 and Section 6 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions). At the Closing, the Investor shall make payment of the purchase price of the Shares by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company against delivery to the Investor of the Shares registered in the name of the Investor, which Shares shall be uncertificated shares.
2. Registration Rights. At the Closing, in connection with the Qualified IPO and purchase of the Shares, the Company will enter into a registration rights agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement) with certain stockholders of the Company, including the Investor and/or certain entities and individuals that indirectly own equity interests in the Investor.
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Investor that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:
3.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.
(a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted.
(b) The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so qualified or in good standing.
3.2 Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the performance of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares being sold hereunder has been taken or will be taken prior to the pricing of the Qualified IPO, and this Agreement constitutes and the Registration Rights Agreement will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, and (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws.
3.3 Valid Issuance of Common Stock. The Shares being purchased by the Investor hereunder, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will be free of restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws or as contemplated hereby or by the Registration Rights Agreement.
3.4 Compliance with Other Instruments and Non-Contravention.
(a) The Company is not in violation or default of any provision of its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.
(b) The Company is not in violation or default in any material respect of any instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or, any provision of any federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement will not result in any such violation or default or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract or an event that results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit, license, authorization, or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.
3.5 Description of Capital Stock. As of the date of the Closing, the statements set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) and Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) under the caption Description of Capital Stock, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Companys capital stock, will be accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.
3.6 Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, and any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be included therein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), complied (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date of this Agreement, will comply) as of its filing date in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and did not (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date hereof, will not) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. As of the date it is declared effective by the SEC, the Registration Statement, as so amended, and any related registration statements, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. Any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any free writing prospectus related to the Registration Statement and any final prospectus related to the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, in each case as of its date, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.7 Brokers or Finders. The Company has not incurred, and will not incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Company, any liability for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or any similar charges in connection with the sale of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.
3.8 Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the representations, warranties and covenants of the Investor set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Shares by the Company to the Investor under this Agreement.
4. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Investor. The Investor hereby represents and warrants that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:
4.1 Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Investor is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
4.2 Authorization. The Investor has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and such agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with its terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
4.3 Purchase Entirely for Own Account. By the Investors execution of this Agreement, the Investor hereby confirms, that the Shares to be received by the Investor will be acquired for investment for the Investors own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the distribution of any part thereof, and that the Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, except as permitted by applicable federal or state securities laws. By executing this Agreement, the Investor further represents that the Investor does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Shares may be distributed to (i) entities and individuals that directly and/or indirectly own equity interests in the Investor or (ii) entities in which the Investor directly and/or indirectly owns equity interests (the Affiliated Holders).
4.4 Disclosure of Information. The Investor believes it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to purchase the Shares. The Investor further represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of the Company. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 3 of this Agreement or the right of the Investor to rely thereon.
4.5 Investment Experience. The Investor acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares. Investor also represents it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Shares.
4.6 Accredited Investor. The Investor is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D, Rule 501(a), promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as presently in effect.
4.7 Existing Relationship. As of the date hereof, the Investor owns equity interests in Star Parent, L.P., which owns all of the Companys Common Stock.
4.8 Brokers or Finders. The Investor has not engaged any brokers, finders or agents, and neither the Company nor the Investor has, nor will, incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Investor, any liability for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement.
4.9 Restricted Securities. The Investor understands that the Shares will be characterized as restricted securities under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act, only in certain limited circumstances.
4.10 Market Stand-Off Agreement; Lock-Up Agreement. The Investor hereby agrees that for 180 days following the effective date of the Registration Statement, it shall not sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of the Shares, other than to (a) Affiliated Holders or (b) with the consent of the Company. To the extent any Affiliated Holder has executed and delivered to the Underwriters the lock-up agreement provided by the Company (the Lock-Up Agreement), the Shares received by such Affiliated Holder pursuant to any transfer will be subject to the terms of the Lock-Up Agreement. In order to enforce this covenant, the Company shall have the right to place restrictive legends on the certificates or book-entry accounts representing the Shares (including the Shares distributed to Affiliated Holders, to the extent applicable) and to impose stop transfer instructions with respect to such Shares until the end of such period.
4.11 Legends. The Investor understands that the Shares may bear one or all of the following legends:
(a) THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ACT), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT, APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS (PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM).
(b) THESE SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO A 180 DAY MARKET STANDOFF RESTRICTION AS SET FORTH IN A CERTAIN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE INVESTOR, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. AS A RESULT OF SUCH AGREEMENT, THESE SHARES MAY NOT BE TRADED PRIOR TO 180 DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ANY PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMMON STOCK OF THE ISSUER HEREOF. SUCH RESTRICTION IS BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.
(c) Any legend required by applicable state blue sky securities laws, rules and regulations.
5. Conditions of the Investors Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Investor under subsection 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.
5.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true on and as of the Closing.
5.2 Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased the Firm Shares (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) pursuant to the Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement.
5.3 Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During this period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.
6. Conditions of the Companys Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Company under subsection 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.
6.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Investor contained in Section 4 shall be true on and as of the Closing.
6.2 Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased the Firm Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement.
6.3 Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During this period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.
7. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate (i) at any time upon the written consent of the Company and the Investor, (ii) upon the withdrawal by the Company of the Registration Statement, or (iii) on August 31, 2020 if the Closing has not occurred.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Survival of Warranties. The warranties, representations and covenants of the Company and the Investor contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Investor or the Company.
8.2 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement, and any and all rights, duties and obligations hereunder, shall not be assigned, transferred, delegated or sublicensed by the Investor without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that after the Closing, the Shares and the rights, duties and obligations of the Investor hereunder may be assigned to Affiliated Holders without the prior written consent of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investor may direct the Company by written notice (email being sufficient) to issue the number of Shares set forth in such written notice to an affiliated entity of the Investor (which, for the purposes hereof, shall mean an entity directly or indirectly controlled by Chinh Chu) at the Closing, in which case (i) such affiliated entity shall pay the purchase price for the Shares to be issued to such affiliated entity at the Closing (the Purchase Price) or (ii) if for any reason such entity does not pay the Purchase Price at Closing, the Investor shall pay the Purchase Price at Closing. Subject to the foregoing and except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.
8.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
8.5 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail (if to the Investor or any other holder of Company securities) or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:
(a) if to the Investor, to the attention of the Investor to , c/o CC Capital GP, LLC, 200 Park Avenue, 58th Floor, New York, NY 10166, or .
(b) if to the Company, to the attention of the Chief Legal Officer of the Company at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 or , or at such other current address or electronic mail address as the Company shall have furnished to the Investor.
Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier), or (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via electronic mail, when directed to the relevant electronic mail address, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipients next business day. In the event of any conflict between the Companys books and records and this Agreement or any notice delivered hereunder, the Companys books and records will control absent fraud or error.
8.1 Brokers or Finders. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finders fee or agents commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Investor or any of its constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.7, and the Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finders fee or agents commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company, the Investor or any of their constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.8.
8.2 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Investor.
8.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and such court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the same economic,
business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
8.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner with regard to the subjects hereof or thereof by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein or therein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.
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DUN & BRADSTREET HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Joe A. Reinhardt III |
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Name: |
Joe A. Reinhardt III |
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Title: |
Chief Legal Officer |
[Signature page to the Stock Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.
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INVESTOR: |
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CC STAR HOLDINGS, LP |
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By: |
/s/ Chinh E. Chu |
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Name: |
Chinh E. Chu |
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Title: |
President & Senior Managing Director |
[Signature page to the Stock Purchase Agreement]
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report dated March 25, 2020, except for the increases in authorized common and preferred stock and the common stock split described in Note 21 as to which the date is June 24, 2020, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (formerly Star Intermediate I, Inc.) as of December 31, 2019, the related consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss), stockholder equity (deficit), and cash flows for the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 (Successor period) and of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (Predecessor) for the period from January 1, 2019 to February 7, 2019 (Predecessor period), and the related notes, included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading Experts in the prospectus. Our report includes an explanatory paragraph that states that effective February 8, 2019, the Predecessor was acquired in a business combination accounted for using the acquisition method. As a result of the acquisition, the consolidated financial information for the period after the acquisition is presented on a different cost basis than that for the periods before the acquisition and, therefore, is not comparable.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Short Hills, New Jersey
June 26, 2020
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. of our report dated April 1, 2019, except for the change in composition of reportable segments and the change in classification of revenues by customer solution set discussed in Note 1 and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is March 16, 2020, relating to the financial statements of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
June 26, 2020