UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )
 
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 
KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
 
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
 
 
 
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
 

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Keysight Technologies, Inc.
1400 Fountaingrove Parkway
Santa Rosa, California 95403

Ronald S. Nersesian
President and Chief Executive Officer

February 1, 2019
 
To Our Stockholders:
 
I am pleased to invite you to attend our annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (“Keysight” or “Company”) to be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 8:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, located at 44600 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, California 92210 (U.S.A.). Details regarding admission to the Annual Meeting and the business to be conducted are more fully described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
 
If you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting in person, you may listen through the Internet or by telephone. To listen to the live webcast, log on at www.investor.keysight.com and select the link for the webcast. To listen by telephone, please call (844) 579-6824 (international callers should dial +1 (763) 488-9145). The meeting pass code is 7496407. The webcast will begin at 8:00 a.m. and a recording of the webcast will remain on Keysight’s website for one year. You cannot record your vote or ask questions on this website or at this phone number.
 
We have elected to take advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow issuers to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders on the Internet. We believe that the rules will allow us to provide our stockholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting.
 
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, I hope that you will vote as soon as possible. Please review the instructions on each of your voting options described in the Proxy Statement and the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail.
 
Thank you for your ongoing support of, and continued interest in, Keysight.
 
Sincerely,

 
Admission to the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders and their proxies. You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting only if you are a stockholder of record as of the close of business on January 22, 2019, the record date, or hold a valid proxy for the meeting. In order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting, you must present proof of ownership of Keysight stock as of the record date. This can be a brokerage statement or letter from a bank or broker indicating ownership on January 22, 2019, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, a proxy card, or legal proxy or voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or nominee. Any holder of a proxy from a stockholder must present the proxy card, properly executed, and a copy of the proof of ownership. Stockholders and proxyholders may also be asked to present a form of photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. Backpacks, cameras, cell phones with cameras, recording equipment and other electronic recording devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting. Keysight reserves the right to inspect any persons or proposals prior to their admission to the Annual Meeting. Failure to follow the meeting rules or permit inspection will be grounds for exclusion from the Annual Meeting.

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

1400 Fountaingrove Parkway
Santa Rosa, California 95403
(707) 577-6915
 
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders


TIME
      
8:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, on Thursday, March 21, 2019
 
PLACE
 
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells
   
44600 Indian Wells Lane
   
Indian Wells, California 92210 (U.S.A.)
   
 
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
 
(1) To elect two directors to a 3-year term. At the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) intends to present the following nominees for election as directors:
   
James G. Cullen
Jean M. Halloran
     
   
(2) To ratify the Audit and Finance Committee’s appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm.
     
   
(3) To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of Keysight’s named executive officers.
   
 
   
(4) To consider such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
  
RECORD DATE
 
You are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof if you were a stockholder at the close of business on January 22, 2019.
   
 
ANNUAL MEETING ADMISSION
 
To be admitted to the Annual Meeting, you must present proof of ownership of Keysight stock as of the record date. This can be a brokerage statement or letter from a bank or broker indicating ownership on January 22, 2019, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, a proxy card, or legal proxy or voting or voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or nominee. You may also be asked to present a form of photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
   
 
VOTING
 
For instructions on voting, please refer to the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail or, if you received a hard copy of the Proxy Statement, on your enclosed proxy card.

 
By Order of the Board,
   
 
 
Stephen D. Williams
 
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


PROXY SUMMARY | 1

This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are being sent or made available
on or about February 1, 2019.

PROXY SUMMARY

 
The following is a summary which highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider, and you are urged to read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.
 
Voting Matters and Vote Recommendations
 
There are four items of business which Keysight currently expects to be considered at the 2019 Annual Meeting. The following table lists those items of business and the Keysight Board’s vote recommendation.

 

PROPOSAL BOARD VOTE RECOMMENDATION
Election of Directors For each director nominee
Ratification of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm For
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation For


Director Nominees
 
Keysight’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. The following table provides summary information about each of the director nominees who are being voted on at the Annual Meeting.
 
        COMMITTEE OTHER
    DIRECTOR   MEMBERSHIPS PUBLIC

NAME

AGE (1)

SINCE

INDEPENDENT

AC

CC

NCG

EC

BOARDS

James G. Cullen 76 2014 Yes   C M      ●     Avinger, Inc.
Jean M. Halloran 66 2014 Yes        

 ●     None


Key: AC: Audit and Finance Committee; CC: Compensation Committee; NCG: Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; EC: Executive Committee; C: Chairperson; M: Member
 
(1) Age as of December 31, 2018.
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
We ask our stockholders to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2019.

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered to Keysight by PwC for the years ended October 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
  Fee Category: Fiscal 2018 ($)   % of Total (%)   Fiscal 2017 ($)   % of Total (%)  
  Audit Fees $ 5,775,000   97.0   $ 5,875,000   92.0  
  Audit-Related Fees   34,250   1.0     411,000   6.0  
  Tax Fees:                    
         Tax compliance/preparation   148,000         96,000      
         Other tax services   0   0     0   0  
                Total Tax Fees   148,000   2.0     96,000   2.0  
  All Other Fees   3,000   0     3,000   0  
  Total Fees $ 5,960,250   100.0   $ 6,385,000   100.0  


PROXY SUMMARY | 2

Executive Compensation Matters
 
The proxy statement contains information about Keysight’s executive compensation programs. In particular, you will find detailed information in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis starting on page 27 and the Executive Compensation tables starting on page 43.
 
Our executive officers are compensated in a manner consistent with Keysight’s business strategy, competitive practice, sound compensation governance principles, and stockholder interests and concerns. Our compensation policies and decisions are focused on pay-for-performance. We believe that our programs are well aligned with the interests of our stockholders and are instrumental to achieving our business strategy.
 
We are requesting your non-binding vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described on pages 25 to 58, including the Summary Compensation Table and subsequent tables on pages 43 to 58 of the proxy statement.


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(LOGO)
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 3


PROPOSAL 1—EL ECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Director Nomination Criteria: Qualifications and Experience

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee performs an assessment of the skills and the experience needed to properly oversee the interests of the Company. Generally, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews both the short and long-term strategies of the Company to determine what current and future skills and experience are required of the Board in exercising its oversight function. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then compares those skills to the skills of the current directors and potential director candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee conducts targeted efforts to identify and recruit individuals who have the qualifications identified through this process. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee looks for its current and potential directors collectively to have a mix of skills and qualifications, some of which are described below:

 

a reputation for personal and professional integrity and ethics;

 

executive or similar policy-making experience in relevant business or technology areas or national prominence in an academic, government or other relevant fields;

   

breadth of experience;

   

soundness of judgment;

   

the ability to make independent, analytical inquiries;

   

the willingness and ability to devote the time required to perform Board activities adequately;

   

the ability to represent the total corporate interests of Keysight; and

   

the ability to represent the long-term interests of stockholders as a whole.

   

In addition to these minimum requirements, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider whether the candidate’s skills are complementary to the existing Board members’ skills; the diversity of the Board with respect to factors such as age, race, gender, experience in technology, manufacturing, finance and marketing, international experience and culture; and the Board’s needs for specific operational, management or other expertise. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from time to time reviews the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members, including factors that it seeks in Board members such as diversity of business experience, viewpoints and, personal background, and diversity of skills in technology, finance, marketing, international business, financial reporting and other areas that are expected to contribute to an effective Board. In evaluating potential candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers these factors in the light of the specific needs of the Board at that time.

 

Current Direc tor Terms

 

Keysight’s Board is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. Directors for each class are elected at the Annual Meeting held in the year in which the term for their class expires. Keysight’s Bylaws, as amended, allow the Board to fix the number of directors by resolution. Our Board currently consists of seven directors divided into three classes. The terms of the two current director nominees will expire at this Annual Meeting. The current composition of the Board and the term expiration dates for each director is as follows:

 

Class Directors Term Expires
I Ronald S. Nersesian, Charles J. Dockendorff and Robert A. Rango 2021
II James G. Cullen and Jean M. Halloran 2019
III Paul N. Clark and Richard Hamada 2020

 

Directors elected at the 2019 Annual Meeting will hold office for a three-year term expiring at the annual meeting in 2022 (or until their respective successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal). In nominating James G. Cullen, who is 76 years old, the Board and Nominating and Governance Committee also considered our director retirement guideline that provides that no director may be nominated to a new term if he or she would be age 75 or older at the time of the election. The Board and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered Mr. Cullen’s strong understanding of Keysight’s business, considerable managerial and operational experience and expertise and contributions to the Board and the committees on which he sits, as well as the needs of Keysight and the benefit that his continued service on the Board could provide, and determined that notwithstanding the retirement guideline, it was in the best interest of Keysight and its stockholders to allow for his nomination for election at the 2019 Annual Meeting and continued service until the Annual Meeting in 2022. Accordingly, Keysight’s Board approved an exemption to the Company’s retirement age guideline for James G. Cullen. Each nominee is a current director of Keysight, and information regarding each of the nominees is provided below as of December 31, 2018. There are no family relationships among Keysight’s executive officers and directors.

 

(LOGO)
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 4


Director Nominees for Electio n to New Three-Year Terms That Will Expire in 2022

 

JAMES G. CULLEN  
   
               
Age: 76   Keysight Committees:   Public Directorships:

Director Since:

October 2014

 

Compensation (Chair)

Nominating and Corporate Governance

    Avinger, Inc.
          Former Public Directorships Held During the Past Five Years:
            Johnson & Johnson
            Neustar, Inc.
            Prudential Financial, Inc.
           
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
 

 

Mr. Cullen was President and Chief Operating Officer of Bell Atlantic Corporation (now known as Verizon) from 1997 to June 2000 and a member of the office of chairman from 1993 to June 2000. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cullen was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Telecom Group of Bell Atlantic from 1995 to 1997. Prior to the creation of Bell Atlantic on January 1, 1984, Mr. Cullen held management positions with New Jersey Bell from 1966 to 1981 and AT&T from 1981 to 1983. Mr. Cullen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Rutgers University and a Master of Science degree in Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Cullen has considerable managerial and operational experience and expertise from his senior leadership position with Bell Atlantic and its predecessors. In addition, Mr. Cullen brings significant public company director experience and perspective on public company management and governance. Mr. Cullen has a strong understanding of Keysight’s business having served on the board of Agilent for over 10 years, including more than five years as the non-executive chairman.

 

JEAN M. HALLORAN  
   
               
Age: 66   Keysight Committees:   Public Directorships:

Director Since:

October 2014

  None     None.
          Former Public Directorships Held During the Past Five Years:
            Adaptive Insights, Inc.
               

  

Ms. Halloran served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Agilent Technologies from August 1999 through October 2014. She directed all aspects of Agilent’s talent and rewards management, leadership development and culture. Ms. Halloran has extensive experience in Human Resources, extending back to when she joined Hewlett Packard’s Medical Products Group in 1980. Within that group, she held various positions in Manufacturing, Quality and Strategic Planning as well as Human Resources. In 1993, Ms. Halloran headed Human Resources for HP, Inc.’s Measurement Systems Organization and, in 1997, was appointed Director of Education for the company. Ms. Halloran received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard University. Ms. Halloran has served as a director of several schools and non-profit organizations. Ms. Halloran has in-depth knowledge of Keysight and its businesses, having been a leader at Keysight’s predecessors, Agilent and HP, Inc., for over 30 years. Over the course of her career, she developed considerable expertise in Keysight’s businesses, policies and practices. This perspective provides valuable insight on the Keysight Board.

 

Keysight’s Board recommends a vote FOR the election to the Board of each of the foregoing nominees.

 

(LOGO)
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 5


Continuing Directors Not B eing Considered for Election at this Annual Meeting

 

The Keysight directors whose terms are not expiring this year are listed below. They will continue to serve as directors for the remainder of their terms or such other date, in accordance with Keysight’s Bylaws. Information regarding each of such directors is provided below.

 

Directors Whose Terms Will Ex pire in 2020

 

PAUL N. CLARK  
   
               
Age: 71   Keysight Committees:   Public Directorships:

Director Since:

October 2014

Chairman of the Board

 

Audit and Finance
Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair)
Executive (Chair)
    Agilent Technologies, Inc.
          Former Public Directorships Held During the Past Five Years:
            Biolase, Inc.
            Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.
               

 

Mr. Clark was a Strategic Advisory Board member of Genstar Capital, LLC from August 2007 to December 2016 and was an Operating Partner from August 2007 to January 2013. Genstar Capital LLC is a middle market private equity firm that focuses on investments in selected segments of life sciences and healthcare services, industrial technology, business services and software. Prior to that, Mr. Clark was the Chief Executive Officer and President of ICOS Corporation, a biotherapeutics company, from June 1999 to January 2007, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ICOS from February 2000 to January 2007. From 1984 to December 1998, Mr. Clark worked in various capacities for Abbott Laboratories, a health care products manufacturer, retiring from Abbott Laboratories as an Executive Vice President and a board member. His previous experience included senior positions with Marion Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company, and Sandoz Pharmaceuticals (now Novartis Corporation), a pharmaceutical company. Mr. Clark received a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from the University of Alabama and an MBA from Dartmouth College. Mr. Clark has significant experience with Keysight and its businesses, having been a director of Keysight’s predecessor, Agilent, since May 2006. He additionally brings extensive management experience from numerous senior management positions and considerable public company director experience.

 

RICHARD HAMADA    
   
               
Age: 60   Keysight Committees:   Public Directorships:

Director Since:

October 2014

 
Compensation
Nominating and Corporate Governance
    None.
          Former Public Directorships Held During the Past Five Years:
            Avnet, Inc.
               

 

Mr. Hamada served as the Chief Executive Officer of Avnet, Inc. from July 2011 until July 2016 and as a member of the Avnet Board of Directors from February 2011 until July 2016. He first joined Avnet in 1983 and has served in many capacities including President from May 2010 until July 2011 and Chief Operating Officer from July 2006 until July 2011, as President of Avnet’s Technology Solutions operating group from July 2003 until July 2006, and as President of its Computer Marketing business unit from January 2002 until July 2003. Mr. Hamada holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Diego State University. As a result of Mr. Hamada’s broad background in the technology and electronics industries, spanning his career, Mr. Hamada provides the Keysight Board with extensive sales, marketing and management knowledge.

 

 

(LOGO)
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 6

Directors Whose Term s Will Expire in 2021

 

RONALD S. NERSESIAN    
   
               
Age: 59   Keysight Committees:   Public Directorships:

Director Since:

December 2013

  Executive   Trimble, Inc.
          Former Public Directorships Held During the Past Five Years:
          None
               

 

Mr. Nersesian has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Keysight since December 2013 and, prior to the separation, served as Executive Vice President of Agilent Technologies, Inc. Mr. Nersesian additionally served as President of Agilent from November 2012 to September 2013 and as Chief Operating Officer, Agilent from November 2011 to September 2013. From November 2011 to November 2012, Mr. Nersesian served as Agilent’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He served as Senior Vice President, Agilent, and President, Electronic Measurement Group from March 2009 to November 2011, as Agilent’s Vice President and General Manager of the Wireless Business Unit of the Electronics Measurement Group from February 2005 to February 2009, and as Agilent’s Vice President and General Manager of the Design Validation Division from May 2002 to February 2005. Prior to joining Agilent, Mr. Nersesian served in management positions with LeCroy Corporation from 1996 to 2002. From 1984 through 1996, Mr. Nersesian served in various roles with HP, Inc. Mr. Nersesian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA from New York University, Stern School of Business. Mr. Nersesian brings to the Board strong business operational experience with technology companies and management expertise developed over three decades.

 

CHARLES J. DOCKENDORFF  
   
               
Age: 64   Keysight Committees:   Public Directorships:

Director Since:

October 2014

 
Audit and Finance (Chair)
Nominating and Corporate Governance
   

Boston Scientific Corporation
Haemonetics Corporation
Hologic, Inc.
         
 
Former Public Directorships Held During the Past Five Years:
            None
               

  

Mr. Dockendorff served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Covidien plc from 2006 until his retirement in March 2015, and as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1995 to 2006. Mr. Dockendorff joined the Kendall Healthcare Products Company as Controller and was named Vice President and Controller in 1994. He was appointed CFO of Tyco Healthcare in 1995. Prior to joining Kendall/Tyco Healthcare, Mr. Dockendorff was the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of Epsco Inc. and Infrared Industries, Inc. In addition, Mr. Dockendorff worked as an accountant for Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young) and the General Motors Corporation. Mr. Dockendorff is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Science degree in Finance from Bentley College. As a result of Mr. Dockendorff’s significant financial experience, Mr. Dockendorff provides the Keysight Board with extensive accounting, tax, treasury, financial planning, and audit knowledge.

 

(LOGO)
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 7

 

ROBERT A. RANGO
 
   
               
Age: 60   Keysight Committees:   Public Directorships:

Director Since:

November 2015

 
Audit and Finance
Nominating and Corporate Governance
 
 
Integrated Device Technology
KLA Tencor Corporation
          Former Public Directorships Held During the Past Five Years:
          None
               


Mr. Rango has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Enevate Corporation since June 2016. Mr. Rango served from March 2002 to July 2014 as an executive at Broadcom Corporation. From March 2011 to July 2014, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom’s Mobile and Wireless Group. During his tenure at Broadcom, Mr. Rango held many senior management positions in the company’s Network Infrastructure Business Unit, Mobile and Wireless Group and Wireless Connectivity Group. Mr. Rango received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from State University of New York and his Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. Mr. Rango possesses significant operating and leadership skills, including extensive experience in global semiconductor product marketing, development and sales. His mobile, wireless, semiconductor, optical, software and technology management expertise make him a valuable member of the Keysight Board.

 

(KEYSIGHT LOGO)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS ǀ 8
  

Co rporate Governance Matters

 

Corporate Governance Highlights

 

The Board is committed to sound and effective governance practices that promote long-term stockholder value and strengthen Board and management accountability to our stockholders, customers and other stakeholders. The following table highlights many of our key governance practices. 

 

  Six of our seven directors are independent     Annual board self-assessment process
  Independent Chairman of the Board     Majority voting and director resignation policy in uncontested director elections
  Independent standing board committees     Annual evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer by independent directors
  Regular meetings of our independent directors without management present     Strong focus on pay-for-performance
  One of our seven directors is female (14%)     Stock ownership guidelines for executive officers and directors
  One of our seven directors is racially diverse (14%)     Policies prohibiting hedging, short selling and pledging of our common stock
  Average Board tenure of 4 years (as of end of FY18)     Clawback policy on executive compensation

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

 

The Board has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist it in guiding Keysight’s governance practices. We have reviewed internally and with the Board the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), the rules of the SEC and the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards regarding corporate governance policies and processes and are in compliance with the applicable rules and listing standards. These practices are regularly reevaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in light of changing circumstances to ensure that the best interests of the Company and its stockholders are being served. A copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is located in the Investor Relations section of our website and can be accessed by clicking on “Governance Policies” in the “Corporate Governance” section of our web page at http://investor.keysight.com . During fiscal year 2018, Keysight’s Board approved an exemption to the Company’s retirement age guideline for James G. Cullen who is a director nominee at the Annual Meeting as described in more detail in Proposal 1, Election of Directors.

 

Communicating with the Board

 

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board and Keysight’s Chairman of the Board by filling out the form at “Contact the Chairman” under “Corporate Governance” at http://investor.keysight.com or by writing to Paul N. Clark, c/o Keysight Technologies, Inc., General Counsel, 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. The General Counsel will perform a legal review in the normal discharge of his duties to ensure that communications forwarded to the Chairman of the Board preserve the integrity of the process. For example, items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board such as spam, junk mail and mass mailings, product complaints, personal employee complaints, product inquiries, new product suggestions, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys, business solicitations or advertisements (“Unrelated Items”) will not be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board. In addition, unrelated items include material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable, and will not be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board. Any communication that is relevant to the conduct of Keysight’s business and is not forwarded will be retained for one year (other than Unrelated Items) and made available to the Chairman of the Board and any other independent director upon request. The independent directors grant the general counsel discretion to decide which correspondence will be shared with Keysight’s management and specifically instruct that any personal employee complaints be forwarded to Keysight’s Human Resources Department.

 

Director Qualification Standards

 

Keysight’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with Keysight’s Board the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the makeup of the Board and developing criteria for identifying and evaluating Board candidates.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS ǀ 9

The process that this Committee uses to identify a nominee to serve as a member of the Board depends on the qualities being sought. From time to time, Keysight may engage an executive search firm to assist the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in identifying individuals qualified to be Board members. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the knowledge, experience, diversity and personal and professional integrity of potential directors, as well as their willingness to devote the time necessary to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of Board membership. When seeking new director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider potential candidates for directors submitted by our stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not evaluate candidates differently based upon the source of the nominee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may reevaluate the relevant criteria for Board membership from time to time in response to changing business factors or regulatory requirements. The Board is responsible for selecting candidates for election as directors based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Board Leadership Structure

 

Keysight separates the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Clark, one of Keysight’s independent directors, serves as Keysight’s Chairman of the Board. The responsibilities of the Chairman of the Board include setting the agenda for each Board meeting, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer; chairing the meetings of independent directors; and facilitating and conducting, with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the annual self-assessments by the Board and each standing Committee of the Board, which may periodically include performance reviews of individual directors.

 

Separating the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board allows the Chief Executive Officer to focus on Keysight’s day-to-day business, while allowing the Chairman of the Board to lead the Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to, and independent oversight of, management. The Board believes that having an independent director serve as Chairman of the Board is the appropriate leadership structure for Keysight at this time. However, in the future the Board may wish to consider alternative structures, subject to the requirements under Keysight’s amended and restated Bylaws.

 

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Board executes its risk management responsibility directly and through its Committees. The Audit and Finance Committee has primary responsibility for overseeing Keysight’s enterprise risk management process. The Audit and Finance Committee receives updates and discusses individual and overall risk areas during its meetings, including Keysight’s financial risk assessments, risk management policies and major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. The Compensation Committee oversees risks associated with Keysight’s compensation policies and practices with respect to both executive compensation and compensation generally. The Compensation Committee receives reports and discusses whether Keysight’s compensation policies and practices create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

The Board is kept abreast of its Committees’ risk oversight and other activities via reports of the Committee chairpersons to the full Board during Board meetings.

 

We have adopted charters of our Compensation Committee, Audit and Finance Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Executive Committee consistent with the applicable rules and standards. Our Committee charters are located in the Investor Relations Section of our website and can be accessed by clinking on “Governance policies” in the “Corporate Governance” section of our web page at http://investor.keysight.com .

 

Majority Voting for Directors

 

Our Bylaws provide for majority voting of directors regarding director elections. In an uncontested election, any nominee for director shall be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director. A “majority of the votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “FOR” a director must exceed 50% of the votes cast with respect to that director. The “votes” cast with respect to that director shall include votes to withhold authority and exclude votes to “ABSTAIN” with respect to that director’s election. If a director is not elected due to a failure to receive a majority of the votes cast and his or her successor is not otherwise elected and qualified, the director shall promptly tender his or her resignation following certification of the stockholder vote.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the tendered resignation and recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject it, or whether other action should be taken. The Board will act on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation within 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote. Thereafter the Board will promptly disclose their decision and the rationale behind it in a press release to be disseminated in the same manner as Company press releases typically are distributed. Any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision shall not participate in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommendation or Board action regarding whether to accept the resignation offer.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS ǀ 10

P olicies on Business Ethics

 

Keysight has adopted a Standards of Business Conduct that requires all its business activities to be conducted in compliance with laws, regulations and ethical principles and values. All officers and employees of Keysight is required to read, understand and abide by the requirements of the Standards of Business Conduct. Keysight has also adopted a Director Code of Ethics applicable to Keysight’s directors.

 

These documents are accessible on the Company’s website at http://investor.keysight.com. Any waiver of these codes for directors or executive officers may be made only by the Audit and Finance Committee. Keysight will disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Standards of Business Conduct for the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, on the Company’s website within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver. In addition, Keysight will disclose any waiver from these codes for the other executive officers and for directors on the website.

 

Director Independence

 

The majority of Keysight’s Board is “independent” as defined by the rules of the NYSE and the Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by the Board. The Board has affirmatively determined that Paul N. Clark, James G. Cullen, Charles J. Dockendorff, Jean M. Halloran, Richard Hamada and Robert A. Rango are independent. The criteria adopted by Keysight’s Board to assist it in making determinations regarding the independence of its members are consistent with the NYSE listing standards regarding director independence. To be considered independent, the Board has to determine that a director does not have a material relationship with Keysight or its subsidiaries (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Keysight or its subsidiaries). In assessing independence, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances. In particular, when assessing the materiality of a director’s relationship with Keysight or its subsidiaries, the Board considers the issue not just from the standpoint of the director, but also from that of the persons or organizations with which the director has an affiliation.

 

Keysight’s Board assesses on a regular basis, and at least annually, the independence of directors and, based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, make a determination as to which members are independent.

 

Audit and Finance Committee Member Independence

 

Keysight has adopted standards for Audit and Finance Committee member independence in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and NYSE corporate governance listing standards. In affirmatively determining the independence of any director who will serve on the Audit and Finance Committee, the Board must consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether such director has a relationship to Keysight or any of its subsidiaries which is material to such director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of an Audit and Finance Committee member, including, but not limited to:

 


the source of compensation of such director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by Keysight to such director;
 

whether such director is affiliated with Keysight, a subsidiary of Keysight or an affiliate of a subsidiary of Keysight; and
 

whether such director serves on more than three reporting company audit committees.
 

Charles Dockendorff currently serves on the audit committee of four public companies, including Keysight. The Board has considered whether such simultaneous service would impair his ability to effectively serve as the chairperson of Keysight’s Audit and Finance Committee. In its analysis, the Board considered the committee’s demanding roles and responsibilities and the time commitment required by such service. The Board also considered the skills and expertise of Mr. Dockendorff and the various commitments of his time. After careful consideration, the Board concluded that Mr. Dockendorff’s other audit committee service does not impair his ability to effectively fulfill his responsibilities to Keysight Company at the time and, therefore, the Board has specifically approved his continuation as chairperson of Keysight’s Audit and Finance Committee.

 

The Board has also determined that each of the members of the Audit and Finance Committee are independent.

 

 

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS ǀ 11

Compensation Committee Member Independence

 

Keysight has adopted standards for Compensation Committee member independence in compliance with the SEC and NYSE corporate governance listing standards. In affirmatively determining the independence of any director who will serve on the Compensation Committee, the Board must consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether such director has a relationship to Keysight or any of its subsidiaries which is material to such director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a Compensation Committee member, including, but not limited to:



the source of compensation of such director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by Keysight to such director; and



whether such director is affiliated with Keysight, a subsidiary of Keysight or an affiliate of a subsidiary of Keysight.

The Board has determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee are independent.

 
 


COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ǀ   12
 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board has four standing Committees and their composition as of the end of fiscal year 2018 was as set forth in the table below. The Board held six meetings during fiscal year 2018. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which each such director served, during the period for which each such director served. The members of the committees, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, and the number of Board and committee meetings during fiscal 2018 are identified in the following table.

 

        Nominating and  
    Audit and   Corporate  
Director Board Finance Compensation Governance Executive
Paul N. Clark CHAIR   CHAIR CHAIR
James G. Cullen   CHAIR  
Charles J. Dockendorff CHAIR    
Jean M. Halloran    
 
Richard Hamada    
Ronald S. Nersesian      
Robert A. Rango    
Number of Meetings 6 13 4 3 0


Keysight encourages, but does not require, its Board members to attend the annual stockholders meeting. In 2018, all of Keysight’s then-sitting directors attended the annual stockholders meeting.

 

Audit and Finance Committee

 

The Audit and Finance Committee is responsible for the oversight of the quality and integrity of Keysight’s consolidated financial statements, its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of its independent registered public accounting firm, the performance of its internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm and other significant financial matters. In discharging its duties, the Audit and Finance Committee is expected to:

 

have the sole authority to appoint, retain, compensate, oversee, evaluate and replace the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

review and approve the scope of the annual internal and external audits;

 

review and pre-approve the engagement of Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm to perform audit and non-audit services and the related fees;

 

meet independently with Keysight’s internal auditing staff, independent registered public accounting firm and senior management;

 

review the adequacy and effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting and any significant changes in internal control over financial reporting;

 

review Keysight’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s reports on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q;

 

establish and oversee procedures for (a) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and (b) the confidential anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

monitor compliance with Keysight’s Standards of Business Conduct; and

 

 

review disclosures from Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independence of accountant’s communications with the Audit and Finance Committee.

 

In accordance with section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Board has identified Charles J. Dockendorff as the Audit and Finance Committee’s “Financial Expert.”

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ǀ   13

 

C ompensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee is responsible for compensation of Keysight’s CEO and other executive officers as well as Keysight’s compensation plans, policies and programs as they affect the CEO and other executive officers. In addition, the Compensation Committee:

 

determines the compensation and the corporate goals and objectives of the performance of the CEO and other executive officers;

 

reviews and evaluates the performance of the CEO and other executive officers;

 

supervises and oversees the administration of Keysight’s incentive compensation, variable pay and stock programs and arrangements, including the impact of such programs and arrangements on Company risk;

 

establishes comparator peer group and compensation targets based on this peer group for the Company’s named executive officers;

 

review and assess, on an annual basis, the impact of the Company’s compensation programs and arrangements on Company risk; and

 

has sole authority to retain and terminate executive compensation consultants.

 

For more information on the responsibilities and activities of the Compensation Committee, including the Committee’s processes for determining executive compensation, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Executive Compensation,” and the Compensation Committee’s charter.

 

The Compensation Committee is aided by an independent consultant, currently Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“F. W. Cook”), who is selected and retained by the Compensation Committee. The role of F. W. Cook is to advise the Committee on marketplace trends in executive compensation, management proposals for compensation programs, and executive officer compensation decisions. F. W. Cook also evaluates compensation for non-employee directors and equity compensation programs generally. The firm consults with the Committee about its recommendations to the Board on chief executive officer compensation. To maintain the independence of the firm’s advice, F. W. Cook does not provide any services for Keysight other than those described above. These standards require that the Committee annually assess the independence of its compensation consultant. In assessing the consultant’s independence, the Compensation Committee considers all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management, including the rules of the NYSE. F. W. Cook annually prepares for the Committee an independence letter providing assurances and confirmation of the consultant’s independent status under the standards. The Committee believes that F. W. Cook has been independent during its service for the Compensation Committee.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee proposes a slate of directors for election by Keysight’s stockholders at each annual meeting and recommends to the Board candidates to fill any vacancies on the Board. It is also responsible for reviewing management succession plans, recommending to the Board the appropriate Board size and Committee structure and developing and reviewing corporate governance principles applicable to Keysight.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended for nomination by stockholders, provided that the recommendations are made in accordance with the procedures described in the section entitled “General Information about the Meeting” located at the end of this Proxy Statement. Candidates recommended for nomination by stockholders that comply with these procedures will receive the same consideration as other candidates recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Keysight typically hires a third-party executive search firm to help identify and facilitate the screening and interview process for director candidates. To be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a director nominee must have:

 

a reputation for personal and professional integrity and ethics;

 

executive or similar policy-making experience in relevant business or technology areas or national prominence in an academic, government or other relevant field;

 

breadth of experience;

 

soundness of judgment;

 

the ability to make independent, analytical inquiries;

 

the willingness and ability to devote the time required to perform Board activities adequately;


 


    COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 14
 
the ability to represent the total corporate interests of Keysight; and

 

the ability to represent the long-term interests of stockholders as a whole.

 

In addition to these minimum requirements, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider whether the candidate’s skills are complementary to the existing Board members’ skills; the diversity of the Board in factors such as age, race, gender, experience in technology, manufacturing, finance and marketing, international experience and culture; and the Board’s needs for specific operational, management or other expertise. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from time to time reviews the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members, including factors that it seeks in Board members such as diversity of business experience, viewpoints and, personal background, and diversity of skills in technology, finance, marketing, international business, financial reporting and other areas that are expected to contribute to an effective Board. In evaluating potential candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers these factors in the light of the specific needs of the Board at that time. The executive search firm screens the candidates, does reference checks, prepares a biography for each candidate for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to review and helps set up interviews. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Keysight’s Chief Executive Officer interview candidates that meet the criteria, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee selects candidates that best suit the Board’s needs. We do not use a third party to evaluate current Board members.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also administers Keysight’s Related Person Transactions Policy and Procedures. See “Related Person Transactions Policy and Procedures” for more information.

 

Executive Committee

 

The Executive Committee meets or takes written action when the Board is not otherwise meeting. The Committee has full authority to act on behalf of the Board, except that it cannot amend Keysight’s Bylaws, recommend any action that requires the approval of the stockholders, fill vacancies on the Board or any Board Committee, fix director compensation, amend or repeal any non-amendable or non-repealable resolution of the Board, declare a distribution to the stockholders except at rates determined by the Board, appoint other Committees or take any action not permitted under Delaware law to be delegated to a committee.

 

During fiscal year 2018, the Executive Committee did not hold any meetings.

 

 


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION ǀ   15
 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION


The members of the Compensation Committee are set forth in the table on page 12. No member of the Compensation Committee was at any time during fiscal 2018 or at any other time an officer or employee of Keysight, and no member of this committee had any relationship with Keysight requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. No executive officer of Keysight has served on the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more executive officers who served as a member of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2018.

 

Each of the members of the Compensation Committee is considered independent under the Company’s Board and Compensation Committee Independence Standards as set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES ǀ   16
 

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES


The Company’s Standards of Business Conduct and Director Code of Ethics require that all employees and directors avoid conflicts of interests that interfere with the performance of their duties or the best interests of the Company. In addition, the Company has adopted a written Related Person Transactions Policy and Procedures (the “Related Person Transactions Policy”) that prohibits any of the Company’s executive officers, directors or any of their immediate family members from entering into a transaction with the Company, except in accordance with the policy. For purposes of the policy, a “related person transaction” includes any transaction (within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K) involving the Company and any related person that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Under our Related Person Transactions Policy, the General Counsel must advise the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of any related person transaction of which he becomes aware. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must then either approve or reject the transaction in accordance with the terms of the policy. In the course of making this determination, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider all relevant information available to it and, as appropriate, must take into consideration the following:

 

the size of the transaction and the amount payable to the related person;

 

the nature of the interest of the related person in the transaction;

 

whether the transaction may involve a conflict of interest; and

 

whether the transaction involved the provision of goods or services to the Company that are available from unaffiliated third parties and, if so, whether the transaction is on terms and made under circumstances that are at least as favorable to the Company as would be available in comparable transactions with or involving unaffiliated third parties.

 

Under the Related Person Transactions Policy, Company management screens for any potential related person transactions, primarily through the annual circulation of a Directors and Officers Questionnaire (“D&O Questionnaire”) to each member of the Board and each officer of the Company that is a reporting person under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The D&O Questionnaire contains questions intended to identify related persons and transactions between the Company and related persons. If a related person transaction is identified, such transaction is brought to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for its approval, ratification, revision, or rejection in consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee must approve or ratify each related person transaction in accordance with the policy. Absent this approval or ratification, no such transaction may be entered into by the Company with any related person.

 

In 2014, the Board adopted the Related Person Transactions Policy to provide for standing pre-approval of limited transactions with related persons. Pre-approved transactions include:

 


Any transaction with another company at which a related person’s only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer or an equivalent), director or beneficial owner of less than 10% of that company’s shares, if the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the greater of (i) $1,000,000, or (ii) 2% of that company’s total annual revenues.

 


Any charitable contribution, grant or endowment by the Company to a charitable organization, foundation or university at which a related person’s only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer or an equivalent), a director or a trustee, if the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the lesser of $500,000, or 2% of the charitable organization’s total annual receipts.

 

Keysight will disclose the terms of related person transactions in its filings with the SEC to the extent required.

 

Transactions with Related Persons

 

We purchase services, supplies, and equipment in the normal course of business from many suppliers and sell or lease products and services to many customers. In some instances, these transactions occur with companies with which members of our management or Board have relationships as directors or executive officers. For transactions entered into during fiscal year 2018, none exceeded or fell outside of the pre-approved thresholds set forth in our Related Party Transaction Policy.

 


    RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURES ǀ   17
 
During fiscal year 2018, we did not enter into any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship in which a related person had or will have direct or indirect material interest, in an amount exceeding $120,000, except for the following:


BlackRock, Inc. holds 8.3% of Keysight’s total outstanding equity pursuant to information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018. During fiscal year 2018, Keysight purchased from BlackRock Advisors (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. approximately $290,000 of products and/or services. The transactions with BlackRock Advisors (UK) Ltd. fell within Keysight’s pre-approved transactions.

 

 

 

 
RATIFICATION OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   ǀ   18

PROPOSAL 2—RATIFICATION OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


 
The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit its consolidated financial statements for the 2019 fiscal year. During the 2018 fiscal year, PwC served as Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm and also provided certain tax and other non-audit services. Although Keysight is not required to seek stockholder approval of this appointment, the Board believes it to be sound corporate governance to do so. If the appointment is not ratified, the Audit and Finance Committee will investigate the reasons for stockholder rejection and will reconsider the appointment.

 

Representatives of PwC are expected to attend the Annual Meeting where they will be available to respond to questions and, if they desire, to make a statement.

 

Keysight’s Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of

  the Audit and Finance Committee’s appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as

  Keysight’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

Fe es Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered to Keysight by PwC for the years ended October 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

  Fee Category: Fiscal 2018 ($)   % of Total (%)   Fiscal 2017 ($)   % of Total (%)  
  Audit Fees $ 5,775,000   97.0   $ 5,875,000   92.0  
  Audit-Related Fees   34,250   1.0     411,000   6.0  
  Tax Fees:                    
         Tax compliance/preparation   148,000         96,000      
         Other tax services   0   0     0   0  
                Total Tax Fees   148,000   2.0     96,000   2.0  
  All Other Fees   3,000   0     3,000   0  
  Total Fees $ 5,960,250   100.0   $ 6,385,000   100.0  


Audit Fees: Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the integrated audit of Keysight’s consolidated financial statements and its internal control over financial reporting and review of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports. Fees for fiscal 2018 and 2017 also consist of fees billed for services that are normally provided by PwC in connection with statutory reporting and regulatory filings or engagements, and attest services, except those not required by statute or regulation.

 

Audit-Related Fees: Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Keysight’s consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include accounting consultations in connection with acquisitions and divestitures, attest services that are not required by statute or regulation, and consultations concerning financial accounting.

 

Tax Fees: Consists of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal, state and international tax compliance, tax audits and appeals, customs and duties, mergers and acquisitions and international tax planning.

 

All Other Fees: Consists of fees for all other services other than those reported above. These services include a license for specialized accounting research software. Keysight’s intent is to minimize services in this category.

 

In making its recommendation to ratify the appointment of PwC as Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2019, the Audit and Finance Committee has considered whether services other than audit and audit-related services provided by PwC are compatible with maintaining the independence of PwC.

 

 


RATIFICATION OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   ǀ   19


Policy on Audit and Finance Committee Preapproval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit and Finance Committee’s policy is to preapprove all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Preapproval is generally provided for up to one year and any preapproval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget.


 

AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT ǀ   20
 
AU DIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit and Finance Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Audit and Finance Committee Report by reference therein.

 

December 13, 2018

 

The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board reviewed the quality and integrity of Keysight’s consolidated financial statements contained in the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of its independent registered public accounting firm, the performance of its internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm and other significant financial matters. Each of the Audit and Finance Committee members satisfies the definition of independent director and is financially literate as established in the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. In accordance with section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Board has identified Charles J. Dockendorff as the Audit and Finance Committee’s “Financial Expert.” Keysight operates with a November 1 to October 31 fiscal year. The Audit and Finance Committee met eleven times during the 2018 fiscal year.

 

The Audit and Finance Committee’s work is guided by a written charter that the Board has approved. The Audit and Finance Committee regularly reviews its charter to ensure that it is meeting all relevant audit committee policy requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the New York Stock Exchange. You can access the latest Audit and Finance Committee charter by clicking on “Governance Policies” in the “Corporate Governance” section of the web page at www.investor.keysight.com or by writing to us at Keysight Technologies, Inc., 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, California 95403, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

The Audit and Finance Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm, Keysight’s audited consolidated financial statements and Keysight’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit and Finance Committee has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301 (Communication with Audit Committees).

 

The Audit and Finance Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit and Finance Committee concerning independence and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP its independence from Keysight. Based on the review and discussions noted above, the Audit and Finance Committee recommended to the Board that Keysight’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in Keysight’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, and be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Submitted by:

 

Audit and Finance Committee

Charles J. Dockendorff, Chairperson

Paul N. Clark

Robert A. Rango


 

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COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 21

  

C OMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Stock Ownership of C ertain Beneficial Owners

 

The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2018, concerning each person or group known by Keysight, based on filings pursuant to Section 13(d) or (g) under the Exchange Act, to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. As of December 31, 2018, there were 187,685,721 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner   Amount and Nature     Percent of Class    

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

100 E. Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

    25,582,342 (1)     13.6 %

The Vanguard Group - 23-1945930

PO Box 2600 V26

Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600

    15,675,426 (2)     8.4 %

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52 nd Street

New York, NY 10022

    15,522,212 (3)     8.3 %

Wellington Management Group LLP

PO Box 2600 V26

Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600

    10,870,669 (4)     5.8
%



(1)

Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018, by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. The Schedule 13G/A indicates that T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 8,788,355 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 25,582,342 shares.
   
(2) Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018 by The Vanguard Group. The Schedule 13G/A indicates that the Vanguard Group has sole voting power with respect to 98,200 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 15,675,426 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 105,732 shares.
   
(3) Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 25, 2018, by BlackRock, Inc. The Schedule 13G indicates that BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 14,663,407 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 15,522,212 shares.
   
(4) Based solely on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 8, 2018, by Wellington Management Group LLP. The Schedule 13G indicates that Wellington Management Group LLP has sole voting power with respect to 6,226,603 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 10,870,669 shares.
 

(LOGO) COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 22

 

Stock Ownership of Directors and Officers

 

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2018, the beneficial ownership of Keysight’s common stock by each director and each of the named executive officers included in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 43 and the beneficial ownership of Keysight’s common stock by all directors and executive officers as a group.

 

The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, director or executive officer is determined under the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has the sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the individual has the right to acquire as of March 1, 2018, 60 days after December 31, 2018, through the exercise of any stock options or the vesting of stock unit awards. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power, or shares such powers with his or her spouse, with respect to the shares set forth in the following table. As of December 31, 2018, there were 187,685,721 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

Name of Beneficial Owners Number of Shares of Common Stock
Number of
Shares Subject
to Stock
Awards (1)
Deferred Stock (2)
Total Shares Beneficially
Owned
Percentage of
Class
Ronald S. Nersesian 28,780 - 132,007 160,787 *
Jay Alexander 43,512 35,409 3,227 82,148 *
Paul N. Clark 382 - 61,806 62,188 *
James G. Cullen 26,229 - 10,522 36,751 *
Charles J. Dockendorff 13,210 - 45,215 58,425 *
Neil Dougherty 44,299 95,886 48,248 188,433 *
Soon Chai Gooi 157,875 - - 157,875 *
Jean M. Halloran 39,349 - - 39,349 *
Richard Hamada - - 38,633 38,633 *
Robert A. Rango - - 17,142 17,142 *
Stephen D. Williams 32,895 60,889 - 93,784 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) 537,381 308,506 378,151 1,224,038 0.65%


*Less than one percent.

 

(1) Includes stock options that may be exercised as of March 1, 2019 or stock unit awards that will vest within 60 days of December 31, 2018, if any.
(2) Represents the number of deferred shares or share equivalents held by Fidelity Management Trust Company under the Deferred Compensation Plan or similar arrangement to which voting or investment power exists.


Secti on 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires Keysight’s directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of Keysight common stock to file reports with the SEC regarding their ownership and changes in ownership of Keysight stock. Keysight believes that during the 2018 fiscal year, its executive officers, directors and holders of 10% or more of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements.

 

In making these statements, Keysight has relied upon examination of copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 provided to Keysight and the written representations of its directors and officers.

 

(LOGO) COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS | 23

 

CO MPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

D irector Compensation Highlights

 

Fees for committee service to differentiate individual pay based on workload.
Emphasis on equity in the overall compensation mix.
 
Full-value equity grants under a fixed-value annual grant policy with immediate vesting.
 
A robust stock ownership guideline set at five times the annual cash retainer to support stockholder alignment.
Deferral provisions to facilitate stock ownership.
An annual limit on total director compensation.

 

Keysight’s director compensation program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified non-employee directors and to address the time, effort, expertise, and accountability required of active board membership. Our Compensation Committee believes that annual compensation for non-employee directors should consist of both cash to compensate members for their services on the Board of Directors and its committees, and equity to align the interest of directors and stockholders. The non-employee director’s compensation plan year begins on March 1st and ends on the end of February of the following calendar year (the “Plan Year”).

 

Decisions regarding our non-employee director compensation program are approved by the full Board based on recommendations by the Compensation Committee. In making such recommendations, the Compensation Committee takes into consideration the director compensation practices of peer companies and whether such recommendation aligns with the interests of our stockholders. Like compensation for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee reviews the total compensation of our non-employee directors and each element of our director compensation program annually. At the direction of the Compensation Committee, F.W. Cook, the Compensation Committee’s independent consultant, annually analyzes the competitive position of the Company’s director compensation program against the peer group used for executive compensation purposes (see pages 29-31 for more information about the peer group).

 

F.W. Cook’s analysis in September 2017 showed that compensation for non-employee directors had not changed since Keysight’s inception, was near the peer group median, and peer director compensation has increased about 5% per year since 2015. As a result, our Compensation Committee recommended, and our Board of Directors approved, the following changes to our director compensation program for fiscal year 2018 to better reflect market practice and to appropriately compensate our non-employee directors for their time, commitment and contributions to the Board: (1) an increase in annual non-employee director cash compensation from $90,000 to $100,000; (2) an increase in the annual non-employee equity grant from $180,000 to $200,000; (3) an increase in Committee Chair premiums from $15,000 per Committee to $30,000 for the Audit and Finance Committee Chair and $20,000 for the Compensation Committee Chair. The additional Chairman of the Board retainer, the Audit and Finance Committee member retainers, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair premium remained unchanged.

 

The compensation to our non-employee directors is set forth below:

 

S ummary of Non-Employee Director Annual Compensation

 

  Cash Retainer (1) Equity Grant (2) Committee Chair Premium (3) Audit and Finance
Committee Member
Premium (4)
Non-Employee Director   $100,000   $200,000 in value of a stock grant $15,000 - $30,000 $10,000
Non-Executive Chairman   $255,000   $200,000 in value of a stock grant Not eligible
$10,000

(1)

Each non-employee director or chairman may elect to defer all or part of the cash compensation to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. Any deferred cash compensation is converted into shares of Keysight common stock. In the event that a director does not serve for the entire year, the cash retainer will be pro-rated.

 
 
(2) The stock will be granted on the later of (i) March 1 or (ii) the first trading day after each Annual Meeting. The number of shares underlying the stock grant is determined by dividing $200,000 by the average fair market value of Keysight’s common stock over 20 consecutive trading days up to and including the day prior to the grant date. The stock grant is fully vested upon grant. Each non-employee director may elect to defer all or part of the equity grant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
 
(3) Non-employee directors (excluding the Non-Executive Chairman) who serve as the chairperson of a Board Committee receive a “Committee chair premium” in cash, paid at the beginning of each Plan Year. The Audit and Finance Committee Chair receives $30,000; the Compensation Committee Chair receives $20,000; and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair receives $15,000.
 
(4) Non-employee directors (including the Non-Executive Chairman) who serve as the chairperson or a member of the Audit and Finance Committee receive an additional $10,000 in cash, paid at the beginning of each Plan Year.
 

(LOGO) COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS | 24


 

N on-Employee Director Compensation Earned During Fiscal Year 2018

 

The table below sets forth information regarding the regular compensation earned by each of our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018:

 

Name Cash Retainer ($) (1) Committee Fees ($) Stock Awards ($) (2) Total ($)
Paul N. Clark $255,000 $10,000 $198,007 (3) $463,007
James G. Cullen $100,000 $20,000 $198,007 $318,007
Charles J. Dockendorff $100,000 $40,000 $198,007 (3) $338,007
Jean M. Halloran $100,000 - $198,007 $298.007
Richard Hamada $100,000 - $198,007 (3) $298,007
Robert A. Rango $100,000 $10,000 $198,007 (3) $308,007
Mark B. Templeton (4) $50,000 - $198,007 (3) $248,007

 

(1)  Mr. Clark deferred $265,000; Mr. Dockendorff deferred $140,000; and Mr. Hamada deferred $100,000 of his respective cash compensation into the non-employee director deferred compensation plan.
 
(2)   Reflects the grant date fair value for stock awards granted in fiscal year 2018 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
 
(3)  Messrs. Clark, Dockendorff, Hamada, Rango, and Templeton deferred his respective stock award into the non-employee director deferred compensation plan.
 
(4)  Mr. Templeton resigned from the Board of Directors effective July 19, 2018.

 

Non-Emp loyee Director Reimbursement Practice for Fiscal Year 2018

 

Non-employee directors are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attendance at Board of Directors and committee meetings.

 

Non-Employee Dir ector Compensation Limit

 

In addition, in March 2018, our stockholders approved a limit on the total value of cash and equity compensation that may be paid or granted to a non-employee director during each fiscal year. Currently, the maximum amount of total compensation payable to a non-employee director for services in a fiscal year of the Company may not exceed $750,000, calculated as the sum of (a) the grant date fair value (determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718) of all awards payable in shares and the maximum amount payable pursuant to cash-based awards that may be granted under the 2014 Equity Plan, plus (b) cash compensation in the form of Board and committee retainers and meeting or similar fees. Compensation counts towards this limit for the fiscal year in which it is granted or earned by a non-employee director, and not later when distributed, in the event it is deferred.

 

Non-Employee Dir ector Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

In 2014, the Company adopted the guidelines to require each non-employee director to own Keysight shares having a value of at least five times the director’s annual board cash retainer (currently $100,000), based on the recommendation of the Committee’s independent compensation consultant, F.W. Cook. The shares counted toward the ownership guidelines include shares owned outright and the shares of Keysight stock in the non-employee director’s deferred compensation account. These ownership levels must be attained within five years from the date of their initial election or appointment to the Board. As of October 31, 2018, each of our incumbent non-employee directors have achieved at least the recommended ownership level.

 

 

(LOGO)
NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION
OF KEYSIGHT’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |  25

 

PROP OSAL 3—NO N-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF KEYSIGHT’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the stockholders of Keysight are entitled to cast an advisory vote at the Annual Meeting to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement. The stockholder vote is an annual advisory vote only and is not binding on Keysight or its Board. Although the vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee and the Board value your opinions and will consider the outcome of the vote in establishing Keysight’s compensation philosophy and making future compensation decisions. It is expected that the next such advisory vote will occur at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

 

As described more fully in the “Compensation Discussion & Analysis” on pages 27 to 42 and in the Summary Compensation Table and subsequent tables on pages 43 to 58, the Company’s named executive officers, as identified on page 28 are compensated in a manner consistent with our business strategy, competitive practice, sound compensation governance principles, and stockholder interests and concerns. We structure our compensation to support our business objectives with appropriate rewards for short-term operating results and long-term stockholder value creation.

 

In fiscal year 2018, we saw the benefit of our industry-focused strategy and deliberate investment in key market growth themes and opportunities. As demand for our solutions accelerated, we achieved double-digit revenue growth for the full year across nearly all our end markets.  In addition to driving revenue growth, we increased profitability and cash flow through both margin expansion and continued operational discipline. 

 

For fiscal year 2018:

 

Approximately 70% of our CEO’s and about 57% on average of our NEO’s target total direct compensation consisted of long-term incentives and was “at-risk” – which means that the component would vary from year to year depending on Keysight’s stock price and TSR against the S&P 400 index and our financial metrics.

 

Our CEO earned 151.25%% of his target bonus based on the following:

 

 

First Half Fiscal Year 2018

Achievement Percent of Target

Second Half Fiscal Year 2017

Achievement Percent of Target

Non-GAAP EPS (weighted 75%) 121% 114%
Non- GAAP Revenue Growth (weighted 25%) 151% 211%
 
With respect to PSUs granted in fiscal 2016, Keysight TSR ranking relative to its peer group for the fiscal 2016-2018 performance period was at the 75 th percentile, resulting in a 200% payout.

 

Keysight also maintains several compensation governance programs in place as described on pages 29, and 39 to 40 to manage compensation risk and align Keysight’s executive compensation with long-term stockholder interests. These programs include:

 
a compensation recoupment policy;
 
an independent compensation committee and compensation consultant
 
a hedging and insider trading policy;
 
stock ownership guidelines; and
 
an annual risk assessment.
 

We are requesting your non-binding vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described on pages 28 to 58, including the Summary Compensation Table and subsequent tables on pages 43 to 58 of the proxy statement.

 

 

(LOGO)
NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION
OF KEYSIGHT’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |   26

 

Vot e Require d

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Keysight common stock present or represented by proxy and voting at the Annual Meeting, together with the affirmative vote of a majority of the required quorum, is required for approval of this proposal. If you own shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must instruct your bank, broker or other holder of record how to vote in order for them to vote your shares so that your vote can be counted on this proposal.

 

 
Keysight’s Board recommends a vote FOR the approval of the compensation of
Keysight’s named executive officers for fiscal year 2018.
 

 

 
(LOGO)
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |  27
 

COMPENSA TION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Executive Summary

 

Keysight Technologies, Inc. is a measurement company providing electronic design and test solutions to communications and electronics industries. We provide services and deliver solutions that allow customers to bring breakthrough electronic products to market faster and at lower cost in more than 100 countries. We create customer satisfaction and earn customer loyalty by providing products and services of the highest quality and greatest value.

 

In fiscal year 2018, we continued to position Keysight for future growth. We are executing on our strategy to create value for our customers and shareholders by building on our heritage, partnering with customers early to create new opportunities, and driving growth across multiple avenues of emerging technology trends. Our continued focus and commitment led to strong results for the year.

 

Fiscal Year 20 18 Business Highlights

 

In fiscal year 2018, we saw the benefit of our industry-focused strategy and deliberate investment in key market growth themes and opportunities, such as 5G, automotive, software, aerospace/defense and services.  As demand for our solutions accelerated, we achieved double-digit revenue growth for the full year across nearly all our end markets, including Communications, Aerospace/Defense, Electronic Industrials and Services.  In addition to driving revenue growth, we increased profitability and cash flow through both margin expansion and continued operational discipline. 

 

Non-GAAP revenue (“Non-GAAP Revenue”) growth, non-GAAP operating margin (“Non-GAAP OM”) and non-GAAP earnings per share (“Non-GAAP EPS”) are key financial metrics for measuring Keysight’s financial success and are tied directly to our short and long-term incentive compensation. In fiscal year 2018, we achieved total Non-GAAP Revenue growth of 20% vs. our incentive plan target of 12%.  Through the sound financial and operational discipline of the Keysight Leadership Model (KLM) we generated non-GAAP OM of 20% compared to our incentive plan target of 20%, a year-over-year increase of 5%.  Non-GAAP EPS for fiscal year 2018 was $3.24, compared to our incentive plan target of $2.78, and grew 28% year-over-year. 

 

Our strong execution and financial performance also resulted in a 28% appreciation in Keysight’s share price over the past year, increasing from $44.67 per share on October 31, 2017, to $57.08 per share on October 31, 2018.  This share price appreciation outpaced our compensation peer group, resulting in a 200% payout under our long-term incentive plan program for the three-year performance period from FY16-18.

 

We are pleased with our fiscal year 2018 accomplishments.  Our strategic execution and transformation for growth is delivering results and building momentum.  Keysight is at the heart of the smart technology revolution.  We are committed to helping our customers accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, while continuing to create long-term value for stockholders and our employees. 

 

*Orders growth, revenue growth, GAAP operating margin and GAAP earnings per share are reported in the Company’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended October 31, 2018. Non-GAAP Revenue growth, Non-GAAP OM and Non-GAAP EPS are reported in the Company’s Form 8-K Current Report filed as of December 14, 2018, which includes additional information regarding how Non-GAAP Revenue growth, Non-GAAP OM and Non-GAAP EPS are calculated and reconciled to GAAP revenue growth, GAAP operating margin and GAAP earnings per share.

 

Results of 2017 Stockholder Advisory V ote on Executive Compensation

 

Our executive compensation program is well aligned with the interests of our stockholders and is instrumental to achieving our business strategy. In setting executive compensation for fiscal year 2018, which was completed in November 2017, the Compensation Committee considered the stockholder support (94% approval of votes cast) that our “Say-on-Pay” proposal received at its March 16, 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

During the last Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on March 22, 2018, our “Say-on-Pay” proposal received 96% approval of votes cast, which was taken into consideration by the Compensation Committee in determining our executive compensation for fiscal year 2019. The high approval percentage shows that our stockholders agree with our compensation philosophy and programs.

 

The Compensation Committee believes that the results of each vote confirm the philosophy and objective of linking our executive compensation to our operating objectives and the enhancement of stockholder value. As a result, following each vote, the Committee retained its general program approach to executive compensation and continued to apply the same general principles and philosophy as in prior fiscal years in determining the compensation of our executives.

 

 
(LOGO)
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |  28
 

Named Executive Of ficers

 

In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we discuss our compensation philosophy and executive compensation program, as well as describe and analyze the compensation actions and decisions for our named executive officers for fiscal year 2018 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”). For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, our NEOs and their designated titles are as follows:

 

Ronald S. Nersesian President and Chief Executive Officer
Neil Dougherty Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jay Alexander Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Soon Chai Gooi Senior Vice President, President of Electronic Industrial Solutions Group
Stephen D. Williams Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Pay for P erformance Alignment

 

Our executive compensation program is designed to align the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders. For this reason, a significant portion of our executive officers’ target total direct compensation is variable in nature and at risk and is subject to company performance measured against certain financial objectives, including Non-GAAP EPS, Non-GAAP Revenue, Non-GAAP OM, and relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”).

 

Short-Term Incentives

 

For fiscal year 2018, our Performance-Based Compensation Plan was based on the achievement of pre-established semi-annual financial objectives. These awards were paid in cash and designed to reward achievement of critical short-term financial goals. The financial objectives are described in more detail beginning on page 32.

 

Short-Term Performance Incentive Results:

 

 

First Half Fiscal Year 2018

Achievement Percent of Target

Second Half Fiscal Year 2018

Achievement Percent of Target

Non-GAAP EPS 121% 114%
Keysight Non-GAAP Revenue Growth 151% 211%
EISG Non-GAAP Revenue Growth 868% 198%

 

These results, combined with an evaluation of individual performance, determined the annual short-term incentive payout for the majority of our executive officers, including the NEOs. For fiscal year 2018, the annual incentive payouts for our NEOs ranged from 0% to 150% of their target award opportunities.

 

Long-Term Ince ntives

 

In fiscal year 2018, the awards for our executive officers under our Long-Term Incentive Program (“LTI”) consist of performance stock units (“PSUs”) under our Long-Term Performance Program (“LTP Program”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). PSUs are linked to achievement of pre-established objective performance thresholds while RSUs are time-based and vest annually over four years. The PSUs settle at the end of a three-year performance period and are granted to reward multi-year stockholder value creation through the performance of our stock as measured against the relative TSR of our peers and through improving profitability as measured by Non-GAAP OM, both important indicators of our success. The combination of relative TSR and Non-GAAP OM provide a more comprehensive measure of our success relative to our peers and greater returns for our stockholders.

 

 
(LOGO)
COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES |  29
 

Compensation Polic ies and Practices

 

Our executive compensation and corporate governance program are designed to link pay with operational performance and increase in long-term stockholder value while striking a responsible balance between risk and reward. To accomplish these objectives, we have adopted the following policies and practices over time:

 

   Compensation Policies and Practices
  ●  An independent Compensation Committee
  An independent compensation consultant to the Compensation Committee, F.W. Cook
  Robust stock ownership guidelines for executive officers and non-employee members of our Board of Directors
  Prohibitions on executive officers engaging in hedging transactions or pledging our securities as collateral for loans
  A compensation recoupment (“Clawback”) policy that applies to our executive officers
  Use of “double trigger” change of control agreements and a prohibition on excise tax gross-ups
  An annual review and assessment of potential compensation-related risks, conducted independently for the Compensation Committee by F.W. Cook, which for fiscal year 2018 concluded that our compensation programs (including all incentive and commission arrangements at all levels) do not encourage behaviors that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company
  Maximum limits on the amount of annual cash incentives and PSUs that may be paid out
 

No provision for payment of dividend equivalents on unvested awards

 

Process for Determini ng Executive Compensation

 

Each November, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of F.W. Cook and our management team, determines the target total direct compensation opportunities for all of our executive officers, including our NEOs, based on a thorough review of their individual performance and the following additional factors (collectively, “Compensation Factors”):

 

   Compensation Factors
 
Responsibilities and capabilities of each executive officer
 
Competitive market data provided by F.W. Cook
 
  “Tally sheets” describing the total compensation received by each executive officer
 
Each executive officer’s self-evaluation and evaluation by the CEO and the Senior Vice President and Chief People & Administrative Officer
 
Qualitative evaluation of each executive officer’s overall and corporate performance by the Compensation Committee or the independent members of our Board of Directors
 
Objective assessment of each executive officer’s actual performance against pre-established goals and financial targets

 

The CEO and the Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, do not provide recommendations to the Compensation Committee for his/her own compensation. Our CEO’s target total direct compensation opportunity is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee, which then presents its recommendation to the independent members of our Board of Directors for discussion. The Compensation Committee then makes the final determination on the target total direct compensation for our CEO.

 

 
(LOGO)
COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES |  30
 

Ke ysig ht’s Peer Groups

As part of its compensation deliberations, the Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of the compensation practices of the competitive market using one or more groups of peer companies. The Compensation Committee annually reviews our peer groups to ensure the companies are suitable peers for compensation comparison purposes. In fiscal year 2017, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of F.W. Cook, approved a compensation peer group for consideration for fiscal year 2018 compensation decisions based on the following criteria:

 

  Pe er Grou p Determining Criteria for Fiscal Year 2018
     
  ●  Revenue between approximately $1.5 billion and $9.0 billion, which were approximately 0.5 times and 2.5 times our projected fiscal year 2018 revenue
  A market capitalization between approximately $2.5 billion and $26 billion, which were approximately 0.33 times and 3 times our projected fiscal year 2018 market capitalization
  A market capitalization to revenue ratio greater than 1.0

 

To reflect our growth in software solutions, Systems Software was added as a sub-industry. These criteria resulted in the selection of 33 companies, all members of the Russell 3000 Information Sector, including four new companies. The selected companies compete with us either in the same business and capital markets or in the executive talent arena or similarly operate complex business operations with significant global reach. The Compensation Committee used compensation data drawn from the compensation peer group as one of the Compensation Factors that were considered in setting the compensation of the executive officers.

 

Keysight’s Peer Group for Fiscal Year 2018
Acuity Brands CommScope Juniper Networks Nuance Communications Synopsis
AMETEK EchoStar KLA-Tencor Palo Alto Networks* Teradyne
Brocade Communications EnerSys Lam Research Redhat* Trimble Navigation
CA Technologies* F5 Networks Motorola Solutions Regal Beloit VeriFone Systems
Cadence Design Systems FLIR Systems National Instruments Rockwell Automation Zebra Technologies
Ciena Corporation Harris NCR Corporation Roper Technologies  
Citrix Systems Hubbell NetApp Symantec*  

* Companies added to the fiscal year 2018 compensation peer group based on the selection criteria

 

Comp etitive Positioning to Peer Group

 

At the time of its approval, we were approximately at the median of our compensation peer group based on revenue, market capitalization, and number of employees.

 

  Revenues as of each
company’s most
recent four quarters
ended on 10/31/2017
(in millions) ($)
Market
Capitalization on
10/31/2017
(in millions) ($)
Employees
as of
10/31/2017
(#)
25th Percentile $2,341 $5,884  5,900
Median $3,464 $9,443  9,800
75th Percentile $4,310   $14,727   14,000   
Keysight Technologies, Inc. (1) $3,478 $8,309 12,300 
(1) Fiscal Year 2018 estimates as of 10/31/2017

 

 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES  | 31

 

P eer Group for the Long-Term Incentives Program

 

The Compensation Committee believes that a larger peer group is more appropriate for evaluating TSR performance under the Keysight’s LTP Program, as a larger peer group provides a broader index for comparison and better alignment with stockholder investment choices. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee selected the S&P 400 Index for determining relative TSR as one of the performance criteria for LTP Program awards granted for the three-year performance period ending October 31, 2020. This index has a strong correlation with Keysight’s stock price. The S&P 400 constituent list is maintained by the S&P Index Committee, which is available at www.standardandpoors.com/indices/main/en/us . Any change in the expanded peer group is solely due to Standard & Poor’s criteria for inclusion in the index.

 

Elements of 2018 Compensation

 

This section describes the elements of our executive officers, including NEOs, for fiscal year 2018 compensation, which consists of the following:

 

Direct Compensation Indirect Compensation
●      Base Salary ●      Other Employee Benefits
●      Short-Term Incentives  
●      Long-Term Incentives  

 

In fiscal year 2018, approximately 70% of our CEO’s and about 57% on average of our NEO’s target total direct compensation consisted of long-term incentives and was “at-risk” – which means that the component would vary year to year depending on our stock price and TSR against the S&P 400 and our Non-GAAP OM.


 

B ase Salary

 

The Compensation Committee regularly reviews base salaries for our executive officers, if needed, to reflect changes in market conditions or other factors, including changing responsibilities as our executive officers’ positions evolve. Base salaries are set at levels intended to be competitive and commensurate with each executive officer’s position, performance, skills and experience in order to attract and retain the best talent.

 


 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES  | 32

 

The base salaries of our NEOs are set annually by the Compensation Committee, who considers the Compensation Factors for each NEO and the Company’s expected operating budget. Base salary is a fixed component of our NEOs’ compensation and does not vary with Company performance. The Compensation Committee approved the following adjustments to base salaries, effective December 1, 2017 based on the factors described above:

 

NEO 2018 Base Salary
Ronald S. Nersesian Increased from $975,000 to $1,000,000
Neil Dougherty Increased from $500,000 to $550,000
Jay Alexander Increased from $450,000 to $475,000
Soon Chai Gooi (1) Increased from $409,420 to $455,550
Stephen D. Williams Increased from $425,000 to $450,000

(1)        Mr. Gooi is paid in Malaysian Ringgit, and his 2018 base salary was converted to US dollars based on the currency exchange rate as of October 31, 2018.

 

 

S hort-Term Incentives

 

The Performance-Based Compensation Plan for our NEOs and others in executive and senior manager roles provides cash awards every six months depending on Company performance. The awards are directly linked to the achievement of semi-annual financial objectives established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each performance period, based on the financial plan approved by the Board for that year. Semi-annual financial objectives are chosen instead of annual objectives to account for the cyclical nature and volatility of our markets. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the short-term incentive plan threshold and maximum tied to each objective, benchmarking our internal historical achievement against external market data to ensure alignment with the market and the compensation practices. The short-term cash incentives are tied to the financial objectives with each objective weighted depending on the executive’s role and responsibilities. Depending upon Company’s performance, the payout ranges from 0% to 200% of target. The Compensation Committee may exercise negative discretion to determine the final award payout.

 

At the end of each performance period, the Compensation Committee certifies our actual performance against the objectives and to the extent earned, the cash incentive awards are paid. Performance measures and target performance goals cannot be changed after they are established by the Compensation Committee.

 

F inancial Objectives for Fiscal Year 2018

 

For fiscal year 2018, we retained Non-GAAP EPS as one of the financial objectives for the short-term cash incentives of our NEOs for the following reasons:

 

Strengthen line of sight with stockholders
Drive leadership behavior to focus on the enterprise rather than at a segment level
Create value through growth and cost efficiency priorities (Non-GAAP EPS)

 

The Compensation Committee believes that Non-GAAP EPS is a transparent, operations-based measure, which is computed on the basis of Non-GAAP earnings and diluted shares. Non-GAAP earnings are calculated by excluding the impact of share-based compensation, restructuring costs, separation costs, transformational costs, acquisition and integration costs, asset impairments and non-cash intangible amortization. We also exclude any tax benefits or expenses that are not directly related to ongoing operations and which are either isolated or which could not be expected to occur again with any regularity or predictability. Non-GAAP EPS is the same metric that we use for our quarterly earnings announcements.

 

Non-GAAP EPS targets are determined by our semi-annual financial planning process. Management prepares a financial plan which is then reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The Non-GAAP targets are directly tied to the approved financial plan and do not change during the performance period. The threshold and maximum are designed to account for the cyclical nature and volatility of our markets. Diluted shares are defined as the total number of shares that would be outstanding if all possible sources of conversion are exercised.

 

Last year, the Compensation Committee added a second financial objective for the short-term cash incentives of our NEOs in the form of Non-GAAP Revenue growth. For segment presidents, revenue growth is tied solely to their respective business groups and for other NEOs, revenue growth is measured on Keysight’s total revenues. Aligning compensation incentives to the revenue growth of specific business groups creates direct accountability for our executives. Non-GAAP Revenue growth is based on reported Non-GAAP Revenue, which is Keysight’s GAAP reported revenue but includes recognition of acquired deferred revenue that was written down to fair value in purchase accounting and excludes incremental revenue from acquisitions completed within the applicable period.


 


 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES  | 33

 

S hort-Term Cash Incentive Awards Calculations and Awards Measures

 

For fiscal year 2018, the award payouts under the Performance-Based Compensation Plan for the NEOs were calculated by multiplying the individual’s base salary for the performance period by the individual target award, financial target award, and attainment percentage.

 

Financial Objectives

 

First Half   Earned Base Salary for Period   Individual
Target Award
(% varies by
Individual)
  Financial Target
Award
  Attainment %
(Based on actual
performance)
Financial        
Objectives        
    × × ×
Second Half        
Financial        
Objectives        

 

The following tables describe the threshold, target and maximum financial measures for the financial objectives of Non-GAAP EPS, Keysight Non-GAAP Revenue growth, and EISG Non-GAAP Revenue growth, as well as reports the actual results and attainment percentage. Based on the attainment percentage, payouts could have ranged from 0% to 200%.

 

Non-GAAP EPS (1)

(Messrs. Nersesian, Dougherty, Alexander, Gooi & Williams)

First Half Fiscal Year 2018

Second Half Fiscal Year 2018

Threshold $

Target $

Max $

Results $

Attainment %

Payout %

Threshold $

Target $

Max $

Results $

Attainment %

Payout %

$0.56 $1.11 $1.67 $1.34 121% 142% $0.84 $1.67 $2.51 $1.90 114% 128%

 

Keysight Non-GAAP Revenue Growth (2)

(Messrs. Nersesian, Dougherty, Alexander & Williams)

First Half Fiscal Year 2018

Second Half Fiscal Year 2018

Threshold %

Target %

Max %

Results %

Attainment %

Payout %

Threshold %

Target %

Max %

Results %

Attainment %

Payout %

12.50% 16.50% 22.50% 25.00% 151% 200% 3.90% 7.90% 13.90% 16.7% 211% 200%

 

EISG Non-GAAP Revenue Growth (2)

(Mr. Gooi)

First Half Fiscal Year 2018

Second Half Fiscal Year 2018

Threshold %

Target %

Max %

Results %

Attainment %

Payout %

Threshold %

Target %

Max %

Results %

Attainment %

Payout %

-2.70% 1.30% 6.30% 11.20% 868% 200% 4.90% 9.90% 18.90% 19.6% 198% 200%

 

(1) Excludes certain items, primarily share-based compensation expense, goodwill impairment, legal settlement, gain on divestitures, amortization of acquisition-related balances, pension curtailment and settlement gains, separation and related costs, restructuring and related costs, and costs associated with the Northern California wildfire.

 

(2) Based on reported Non-GAAP revenue, which is Keysight’s GAAP reported revenue but includes recognition of acquired deferred revenue that was written down to fair value in purchase accounting and excludes incremental revenue from acquisitions completed within the applicable period.

 


 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES  | 34

 

The following table sets forth the mix and weight of the financial objectives as applied to calculating the short-term cash incentive for the NEOs.

 

Weight Allocation of Financial Objectives
Name

Non-GAAP EPS

Revenue Growth

Ronald S. Nersesian 75% 25%
Neil Dougherty 75% 25%
Jay Alexander 75% 25%
Soon Chai Gooi 75%   25%*
Stephen D. Williams 75%  25%

* Mr. Gooi’s short-term cash incentive is based specifically on the EISG Non-GAAP Revenue Growth

 

S hort-Term Cash Incentive for Each NEO

 

The Compensation Committee set the fiscal year 2018 target short-term cash incentive award opportunities as a percentage of base salary for each NEO. Each NEO’s target short-term cash incentive for fiscal year 2018 was set between 80% and 135% of base salary, as follows:  

 

Fiscal Year 2018 Target Short-Term Cash Incentive Award Opportunities
(Expressed as a Percentage of Base Salary)
     

Name

First Half
Financial
Target Award

Second Half
Financial
Target Award

Total Target
Short-Term
Cash Incentives

Ronald S. Nersesian 67.5% 67.5% 135.0%
Neil Dougherty 42.5% 42.5% 85.0%
Jay Alexander 40.0% 40.0% 80.0%
Soon Chai Gooi 45.0% 45.0% 90.0%
Stephen D. Williams 40.0% 40.0% 80.0%

 

F iscal Year 2018 Short-Term Cash Incentive Payouts Table

 

The payouts under the Performance-Based Compensation Plan for fiscal year 2018 are provided in the table below and in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the “Summary Compensation Table”. The Compensation Committee determined that the awards earned based on actual performance results for fiscal year 2018 fairly reflected the performances of our executive officers and did not exercise negative discretion with respect to the awards.

 

 

First Half Financial

Second Half Financial

 

Name

Target
Incentive

Actual
Award

Actual
Award

Target
Incentive

Actual
Award

Actual
Award

Total Actual Short-Term
Cash Incentives

  ($) ($) (%) ($) ($) (%) ($) (%)
Ronald S. Nersesian $675,000 $1,051,991 156.5% $675,000 $985,500 146.0% $2,037,491 150.9%
Neil Dougherty $233,750 $360,298 156.5% $233,750 $341,275 146.0% $701,573 150.1%
Jay Alexander $190,000 $294,752 156.5% $190,000 $277,400 146.0% $572,152 150.6%
Soon Chai Gooi* $218,963 $337,506 156.5% $205,111 $299,462 146.0% $636,968 150.2%
Stephen D. Williams $180,000 $279,102 156.5% $180,000 $262,800 146.0% $541,902 150.5%

* Mr. Gooi is normally paid in Malaysian Ringgit. His target incentive and payout for the first half of fiscal year 2018 was converted to US dollars based on the currency exchange rate as of April 30, 2018. His target incentive and payout for the second half of fiscal year 2018 was converted to US dollars based on the currency exchange rate as of October 31, 2018.

 


 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES  | 35

 

L ong-Term Incentives

 

2 018 Long-Term Incentive Award Mix

 

We use the following vehicles to ensure that our LTI program remains balanced, performance-focused and supportive of its objectives over a multi-year period:

 

PSUs under our LTP Program support the objectives of linking realized value to the achievement of critical performance objectives and stockholder alignment. Shares of our common stock earned under our LTP Program are based on long-term returns to stockholders as measured by Keysight’s TSR against the S&P 400 index, and Non-GAAP OM.

 

RSUs are used to keep our executive officers focused on the absolute performance of the Company’s stock price. We believe RSUs encourage behavior and initiatives that support sustained long-term stock price growth and have retentive value, which benefits all stockholders.

 

The mix of long-term incentive awards for our NEOs, 60% delivered in performance-based equity and 40% delivered in time-vested shares places a greater emphasis on at-risk compensation and therefore aligns NEOs compensation with long-term stockholder value. The mix is represented in the following chart.

 

 

P SU Performance Measure

 

The Compensation Committee has established rolling three-year performance periods for PSU awards under our LTP Program and for fiscal year 2018 used TSR and Non-GAAP OM, as the performance measures for the performance period ending October 31, 2020, with a portion of each NEO’s PSUs earned based on the attainment of each performance measure. The target number of PSUs subject to each performance measure was approximately equal to 50% of the grant date value of each NEO’s PSUs since Keysight considers TSR and Non-GAAP OM to be equally important for long-term performance by balancing internal operational goals with market performance.

 

TSR reflects (1) the aggregate change in the 90-day average closing price of our stock versus the S&P 400 Total Return Index. The beginning average is the 90-day period prior to the performance period and the ending average will be the final 90-day period of the performance period, and (2) per S&P’s methodology, the price of this index reflects reinvestment of dividends into the entire index on the ex-dividend date and also includes adjustments based on their proprietary formula (which includes additions/deletions to index, rights issues, share buybacks/issuances, and spin-offs).

 

The Non-GAAP OM performance measure is set at the beginning of each fiscal year and following the completion of the applicable fiscal year, the Non-GAAP OM payout percentage achievement is calculated for such fiscal year. Following the completion of the three-year performance period, the Non-GAAP OM payout percentage achievement for each fiscal year is then averaged and used to determine the total number of PSUs that are earned based on Non-GAAP OM. For fiscal 2018, Non-GAAP OM excludes, among other things, the impacts of share-based compensation, restructuring and related costs, separation and related costs, acquisition and integration costs, amortization of acquisition-related balances, acquisition-related compensation expense, pension curtailment and settlement gains. Because the Non-GAAP OM target is set at the beginning of each fiscal year, income and expenses related to an acquisition are excluded for the fiscal year in which the acquisition occurs but are included in both target and actual results in subsequent years.


 


 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES  | 36

 

L ong-Term Incentives Granted in Fiscal Year 2018

 

The target value of the long-term incentive awards granted is determined by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the then-current fiscal year for each of our NEOs after considering the Compensation Factors. Grant values were determined as follows:

 

To determine the number of PSUs with a TSR metric, we divided 30% of the total target award amount by the product of the 20-day trailing average closing price of our common stock prior to the date of grant multiplied by a Monte-Carlo valuation (the “TSR PSUs”).

 

To determine the number of PSUs with a Non-GAAP OM metric, we divided 30% of the total target award amount by the 20-day trailing average stock price (the “OM PSUs”).

 

The remaining total target award amount of the long-term awards were in the form of RSUs calculated by using a 20-day trailing average stock price.

 

The following table shows the long-term incentive awards granted in fiscal year 2018 to the NEOs.

 

Name

Performance

Stock Units (TSR)

(#)

Performance

Stock Units (OM)

(#)

Restricted

Stock Units

(#)

Total Target Value of Long-
Term Incentive Awards

($)

Ronald S. Nersesian 39,758 48,110 64,147 $7,000,000
Neil Dougherty  8,190   9,911 13,214 $1,442,000
Jay Alexander  8,633 10,447 13,929 $1,520,000
Soon Chai Gooi  9,127 11,045 14,726 $1,607,000
Stephen D. Williams  6,759   8,179 10,905 $1,190,000

 

P erformance Stock Units Granted in Fiscal Year 2018

 

The TSR PSUs granted in fiscal year 2018 will be measured and paid out based on TSR for the fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2020 performance period. The OM PSUs will be measured and paid out based on Non-GAAP OM for the fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2020 performance period. The PSUs are wholly “at risk” compensation as our performance must be at or above the threshold of the TSR and Non-GAAP OM, as applicable, for the award recipients to earn any of the shares of our common stock subject to their PSUs.

 

P SUs Based on TSR

 

With respect to the TSR PSUs, last year the Compensation Committee changed the TSR methodology from TSR percentile ranking among selected companies to a relative performance versus the S&P 400 total return index to better represent the Company’s performance versus alternative investment opportunities. Unlike TSR percentile ranking, relative performance is measured as the difference in basis points between Keysight’s TSR and the S&P 400 total return index.

 

The Compensation Committee did not establish an absolute TSR target as it believed that performance would be best measured on a relative basis against the S&P 400 total return index. The payout matrix determined by the Compensation Committee for TSR was:

 

  Payout as a
% of Target
Threshold:  -40 percentage points below S&P 400 Total Return Index   25%
Target:         Equals S&P 400 Total Return Index 100%
Maximum:  +40 percentage points above S&P 400 Total Return Index 200%

 

 


COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 37


The PSUs will be settled linearly for each level of performance as illustrated below:

 

Performance Share Payout Schedule (TSR)

 

 

PSUs Based on Non-GAAP OM

 

Non-GAAP OM is an internal financial metric that complements the external market-conditioned metric, TSR. Having an internal financial objective linked directly our long- term incentive program creates more accountability and line of sight to our financial plan which focuses on our internal growth and profitability metrics.

 

The table below sets forth the threshold, target and maximum Non-GAAP OM goals for fiscal 2018 and the actual results for fiscal 2018.

 

Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Margin  

Fiscal Year

Threshold $

Target %

Max %

Results %

2018 15% 20% 25% 20%  

 

The OM PSUs are also subject to a profitability financial metric.

 

  Payout as a
% of Target
Threshold:  5 points below annual Non-GAAP OM plan    50%
Target:        Achievement of annual Non-GAAP OM plan  100%
Maximum:  5 points above annual Non-GAAP OM plan  200%


 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 38

  

The OM PSUs will be settled linearly for each level of performance as illustrated below:

 

Performance Share Payout Schedule (OM)

 

 

Fiscal Year 2016 - 2018 LTP Program Payout

 

In fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee granted our NEOs long-term incentive awards in the form of PSUs that would be earned, if at all, based on Keysight’s TSR ranking relative to the companies in the S&P 500 IT & Industrials Sectors Index for the performance period that began on November 1, 2015 and concluded on October 31, 2018 as set forth in the table below:

 

 

On November 14, 2018, the Keysight Compensation Committee certified that Keysight’s TSR ranking relative to the companies in the S&P 500 IT & Industrials Sectors Index was equal to the 75 th percentile and accordingly approved a payout at 200% of target for the performance period. The payout of these awards was made in November 2018, with the payouts to our NEOs shown below.

 

The following table sets forth the targeted number of shares for the performance period covering fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2018, the shares earned at 200% of target and the cash value of the earned shares .


 

 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 39

  

 Name   Target Award in Shares   Payout in Shares at 200%   Cash Value of Payout at 200% (1)
Ronald S. Nersesian   71,530     143,060     $8,220,228  
Neil Dougherty (2)   15,736     31,472     $1,808,381  
Jay Alexander   11,616     23,232     $1,334,911  
Soon Chai Gooi   18,597     37,194     $2,137,167  
Stephen D. Williams   11,731     23,462     $1,348,127  

(1) Reflects the fair market value of the shares based on the closing stock price of Keysight’s common stock on November 14, 2018.

(2) Mr. Dougherty deferred 50% of these shares under the Keysight Technologies, Inc. 2014 Deferred Compensation Plan

 

Policies for Compensation Risk Mitigation

 

Recoupment Policy

 

Our Executive Compensation Recoupment Policy applies to all executive officers that are subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act. Under this Policy, in the event of (A) a material restatement of financial results (wherein results were incorrect at the time published due to mistake, fraud or other misconduct), or (B) fraud or misconduct by an executive officer, the Compensation Committee will, in the case of a restatement, review all short-term and long-term incentive compensation awards that were paid or awarded to the executive officers for performance periods beginning after October 31, 2014 that occurred, in whole or in part, during the restatement period. In the case of fraud or misconduct, the Compensation Committee will consider actions to remedy the fraud or misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and impose discipline on the wrongdoers, in each case, as it deems appropriate.

 

These actions may include, without limitation and to the extent permitted by governing law, requiring reimbursement of compensation, causing the cancellation of outstanding PSUs, RSUs, stock options, and other equity incentive awards, limiting future awards or compensation, and requiring the disgorgement of profits realized from the sale of shares of our common stock to the extent such profit was, in part or in whole, the result of the fraud or misconduct.

 

The Compensation Committee will amend the Policy, as necessary, to comply with the final SEC rules regarding the recoupment policy required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

 

H edging and Insider Trading Policy

 

Our Insider Trading Policy expressly bars ownership of financial instruments or participation in investment strategies that hedge the economic risk of owning our equity securities. We also prohibit our executive officers and the members of our Board from pledging our equity securities as collateral for loans. In addition, we prohibit our executive officers, directors and employees from purchasing or selling our securities while in possession of material, non-public information, or otherwise using such information for their personal benefit and maintain a quarterly black-out window where applicable individuals may not trade.

 

Our executive officers and members of our Board are permitted to enter into trading plans that are intended to comply with the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1 so they may make predetermined trades of Keysight stock or exercise stock options.

 

In demnification Agreements

 

These agreements indemnify our executive officers and the members of our Board of Directors, as well as those who act as directors and officers of other entities at our request, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceedings arising out of their services to us and our subsidiaries.

 

A Culture of Ownership

 

Our stock ownership guidelines are designed to encourage our executive officers, including our NEOs, to achieve and maintain a significant equity stake in the Company and closely align their interests with those of our stockholders. The guidelines provide that our CEO should accumulate and hold, within five years from election to his position, an investment level in our common stock equal to six times his annual base salary. The guidelines further provide that our CFO, COO, and other executive officers should accumulate and hold, within five years from appointment to their respective executive officer positions, an investment level in our common stock equal to the lesser of either (1) three times their annual base salary or (2) direct ownership of a certain level of shares of our common stock (40,000 or 80,000 shares).

 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 40

 

The investment level as a multiple of annual base salary or direct ownership guidelines are as follows:

 

Level Investment Level = Multiple of Annual Base Salary Direct Ownership of Common Stock (# of Shares)
CEO 6X N/A
CFO/COO 3X 80,000
All other executive Officers 3X 40,000

 

The Compensation Committee conducts an annual review to assess compliance with the guidelines. As of the end of fiscal year 2018, each of our NEOs met his stock ownership guideline requirement.

 

C ompensation Risk Assessment

 

F.W. Cook conducts an annual review of our compensation related risks. The risk assessment conducted during fiscal year 2018 concluded that our executive compensation program is well designed to encourage behaviors aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders. F.W. Cook also found an appropriate balance in fixed versus variable pay, cash and equity, and appropriate mix of financial metrics. Finally, it was determined that there are appropriate policies in place to mitigate compensation-related risk, including stock ownership guidelines, insider-trading prohibitions, the Executive Compensation Recoupment Policy, and independent Compensation Committee oversight of our executive compensation programs.

 

O ther Compensation Practices and Policies

 

B enefits and Limited Perquisites

 

Our global benefits philosophy is to provide our executive officers, including our NEOs, with protection and security through health and welfare, retirement, and life insurance programs.

 

In addition to these Company-wide benefits, our NEOs are offered Company-paid financial counseling through a third-party service to assist with their personal finances. Providing this service gives our NEOs a better understanding of their compensation and benefits, allowing them to concentrate on their responsibilities and our future success. Our executive officers, including our NEOs, are also offered physical examinations, for which we cover the costs that are not otherwise covered under each of our NEOs’ chosen health plan. We believe that the executive physical is a prudent measure to help ensure the health of our executive officers. Both the financial counseling and the executive physicals are benefits that are generally provided by our peers and are available to us at a reasonable group cost.

 

In connection with Mr. Gooi’s relocation from Malaysia to Singapore due to his main office change, Mr. Gooi received Company paid relocation services and tax restoration on his relocation benefits, all in accordance with the Company’s standard relocation policy. Our executive officers also had access to Company drivers to transport them and their families to the airport for personal travel, as do other Company executives.

 

No n-Qualified Deferred Compensation

 

Our NEOs are eligible to voluntarily defer base salary, short-term cash incentives, and performance shares earned under the LTP Program. The deferrals are made through the Keysight Technologies, Inc. 2014 Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”).

 

Deferred compensation is distributed to eligible participants in January of the year following termination of their employment, if termination occurs during the first six months of the calendar year. Otherwise, payouts are distributed to participants in July of the year following termination of employment. No early distributions or withdrawals are allowed. If an election is made to defer performance shares earned under the LTP Program, shares are deferred and released to the participants as indicated above.

 

The specific benefits and an additional description of plan features are set forth in the section entitled “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation in Last Fiscal Year” below.

 

D efined Contribution and Pension Plans

 

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”), the Keysight Technologies, Inc. Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan (the “Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan), the Keysight Technologies, Inc. Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan (the “Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan”) and the Keysight Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) are designed for long-term employment retention as well as to support the career-employment strategy and to provide employee retirement savings.

 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 41


The Retirement Plan is a U.S. tax qualified defined benefit plan. The Retirement Plan was closed to new entrants on August 1, 2015.

 


The Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan is an unfunded, non-qualified plan that pays amounts upon retirement that would be due under the regular Retirement Plan benefit formula but are limited under the tax-qualified Retirement Plan by the Code.

 


The Excess Benefit Retirement Plan is a frozen, unfunded, non-qualified plan that pays amounts upon retirement that would be due under the regular Retirement Plan benefit formula (on accruals prior to December 31, 2004) but are limited under the tax-qualified Retirement Plan by the Code.

 


The Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan provides certain amounts to our NEOs and other employees who provided services to Agilent prior to August 1, 2014 and to Agilent’s predecessor company, Hewlett Packard Company, prior to November 1, 1993. It is a closed and frozen, defined contribution plan. The Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan is used as a floor offset for the Retirement Plan for service prior to November 1, 1993. There have been no contributions into the plan since October 31, 1993.

 


The 401(k) Plan is a U.S. tax qualified defined contribution plan.  The 401(k) Plan provides eligible employees with an opportunity to defer eligible covered compensation under Section 401(k) of the Code. The Company provides a matching contribution up to 4% of total deferred compensation for legacy participants and up to 6% of total deferred compensation for participants hired on or after August 1, 2015. The 401(k) Plan also permits a discretionary employer contribution up to 2% of covered compensation for participants hired on or after August 1, 2015.

 

Additional information on the pension benefits for which certain of the NEOs are eligible is set forth in the “Fiscal Year 2018 Pension Benefits Table.”

 

In addition, all employees in Malaysia participate in the government mandatory retirement plan, managed by the Employer Provident Fund (EPF), a government agency.  This plan requires contribution from both the employer and the employee. We contribute a fixed contribution rate of 12%.  Mr. Gooi participates in this plan with an 11% contribution rate. Employees can also opt to contribute at a lower rate of 9%.  In addition, Mr. Gooi also participates in a Company-wide EPF Top-up plan, for which we contribute 3% of monthly base earning.  No employee contributions are accepted for this plan.

 

Polic y Regarding Deduction Limit

 

Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”) places a limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation that we may deduct as a business expense in any year with respect to certain of our most highly paid executive officers. Historically there has been an exemption from this $1 million deduction limit for compensation payments that qualified as “performance-based” under Section 162(m). Generally, in the past we have designed our executive compensation program to permit the Compensation Committee to award compensation intended to be eligible for deductibility to the extent permitted by Section 162(m) and the relevant IRS regulations. With the enactment of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, however, the performance-based compensation exemption has been eliminated, except with respect to certain grandfathered arrangements. While the Compensation Committee considers the deductibility of compensation as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee believes that it is in the best interests of our stockholders to maintain flexibility in our approach to executive compensation and to structure a program that we consider to be the most effective in attracting, motivating and retaining key employees.

 

Acc ounting Considerations

 

We follow Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or ASC Topic 718, for our stock-based compensation awards. ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure the compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on the grant date “fair value” of these awards. This calculation is performed for accounting purposes and reported in the compensation tables below, even though our executive officers may never realize any value from their awards. ASC Topic 718 also requires companies to recognize the compensation cost of their stock-based compensation awards in their income statements over the period that an executive officer is required to render service in exchange for the option or other award.

 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES | 42


Termi nation –Severance Plan and Change of Control Agreements

 

Consistent with the practice of many of our peers, the Compensation Committee has adopted an Officer and Executive Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”) for our U.S. based officers and executives, which provide specified severance payments and benefits in cases where the officer is terminated other than for Cause, misconduct, death, or physical or mental incapacity or resigns for Good Reason (each, as defined in the Severance Plan). A more detailed description of the Severance Plan is provided in the “Officer and Executive Severance Plan” section below.

 

In addition, we have entered into Change-of-Control Agreements (“Change of Control Agreement”) with our officers designed to provide protection to the officers so they are not distracted by their personal, professional and financial situations at a time when we need them to remain focused on their responsibilities, the Company’s best interests and those of our stockholders. These agreements provide for “double-trigger” payments and benefits, which means that they are eligible to receive such payments and benefits only in the event of a change in control of the Company and the officer is terminated other than for Cause or resigns for Good Reason (each, as defined in the Change of Control Agreement) within a limited period of time after the change in control. Such benefits will not become payable unless both such events occur. A more detailed description of the Change of Control Agreements with the NEOs is provided in the “Change of Control Severance Agreements” section below.

 

The potential payments that would be received by our NEOs under the Severance Plan and the Change-of-Control Agreements are disclosed in the “Termination and Change of Control Table” below.

 

Co mpensation Committee Report

 

The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material,” to be “filed” with the SEC, or to be subject to Regulation 14A or Regulation 14C (other than as provided in Item 407 of Regulation S-K) or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC except to the extent that Keysight specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

November 14, 2018

 

Our executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). The Compensation Committee, which is composed entirely of independent, non-employee directors, is responsible for approving and reporting to our Board of Directors on all elements of compensation for our executive officers. In this regard, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Submitted by:

 

Compensation Committee 

James G. Cullen, Chairperson

Richard Hamada

 


 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   | 43

 

E XECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

F iscal Year 2018 Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position Year Salary
Bonus
 Stock
Awards (1)
Option
Awards (1)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation (2)
Change in
Pension Value and Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings (3)
All other
Compensation (4)
Total
    ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)  ($)
Ronald S. Nersesian 2018 $995,833 $0 $7,052,205 $0 $2,037,491 $116,340 $38,384 $10,240,253
President and Chief Executive Officer 2017 $975,000 $0 $6,456,903 $0 $1,289,612 $236,997 $49,583 $9,008,095
2016 $968,750 $0 $6,027,107 $0 $1,247,344 $206,037 $33,373 $8,482,612
Neil Dougherty 2018 $545,833 $0 $1,452,749 $0 $701,573 $4,416 $30,261 $2,734,832
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 2017 $500,000 $0 $1,347,487 $0 $416,399 $83,685 $45,192 $2,392,763
2016 $497,917 $0 $1,106,988 $0 $379,060 $90,620 $32,705 $2,107,290
Jay Alexander (5) 2018 $472,917 $0 $1,531,336 $0 $572,152 $0 $15,247 $2,591,651
Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer 2017 $450,000 $0 $1,122,864 $0 $352,715 $116,782 $18,744 $2,061,105
2016 $445,000 $0 $848,563 $0 $491,907 $106,030 $12,901 $1,904,401
Soon Chai Gooi (6) 2018 $442,065 $0 $1,618,969 $0 $636,968 $0 $816,859 $3,514,861
Senior Vice President, President - Electronic Industrial Solutions Group 2017 $407,920 $0 $1,603,522 $0 $438,552 $0 $689,409 $3,139,403
2016 $389,742 $0 $1,346,430 $0 $306,165 $0 $517,256 $2,559,594
Stephen D. Williams 2018 $447,917 $0 $1,198,896 $0 $541,902 $4,617 $12,100 $2,205,432
Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary                  

 

(1) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair values of the stock and option awards, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 718, and Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). The assumptions used in calculating the expense are provided in additional detail in the tables below.

 

(2) Amounts consist of incentive awards earned by our NEOs during fiscal year 2018 under the Performance-Based Compensation Plan for covered employees.

 

(3) Amounts represent the change in pension value for the Retirement Plan, the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan, as applicable.

 

(4) Amounts reflect (i) employer contributions of $11,200 to Mr. Nersesian, Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Williams accounts with Keysight Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Plan in fiscal year 2017, as well as $143,726 to Mr. Gooi for the Malaysia defined contribution plan; (ii) $22,413 for Mr. Nersesian and $18,161 for Mr. Dougherty for services provided by The Ayco Company, LP, a financial counseling provider, (iii) travel expenses of $680 for Mr. Nersesian and $1,321 for Mr. Alexander for use of Keysight drivers and vehicles for personal travel, as well as $29,509 for Mr. Gooi as an annual car and gasoline allowance, (iv) relocation services and tax restoration on his relocation benefits in the total amount of $643,361 to Mr. Gooi in connection with his relocation from Malaysia to Singapore due to his main office change, in accordance with the Company’s standard relocation policy, (v) Club Membership fees of $263 for Mr. Gooi, (vii) $900 for Mr. Nersesian and Mr. Dougherty, and Mr. Williams, as well as $650 for Mr. Alexander for employer contribution to a health savings account and (viii) $3,191 for Mr. Nersesian and $2,076 for Mr. Alexander for a full physical exam.

 

(5) Mr. Alexander had a loss in his Change in Pension Value equal to $10,016, and to not affect the total reported compensation, we adjusted the Change to $0.

 

(6) Amounts included for Mr. Gooi, with the exception of stock awards and option awards, are shown in U.S. Dollars but were paid to him in Malaysian Ringgit. To convert the amounts paid to U.S. Dollars, we used exchange rate as of the last business day of the applicable fiscal year (for fiscal year 2018 amounts, an exchange rate of 4.184922721 Malaysian Ringgits per U.S. Dollar as of October 31, 2018).

 

 


 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   | 44

 

The following table itemizes the full grant date fair value of equity awards granted to our NEOs during fiscal year 2018 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns of the “Summary Compensation Table”.

 

Long-Term Incentive Awards
 

Total FY18 Expense

Total FY17 Expense

Total FY16 Expense

Name

Stock

Awards

Option

Awards

Restricted Stock

Unit Awards

Stock

Awards

Option

Awards

Restricted Stock

Unit Awards

Stock

Awards

Option

Awards

Restricted Stock

Unit Awards

Ron S. Nersesian $4,236,152 $0 $2,816,053 $3,970,788 $0 $2,486,115 $2,576,288 $0 $3,450,597
Neil Dougherty $872,654 $0 $580,095 $828,652 $0 $518,835 $566,762 $0 $540,178
Jay Alexander $919,853 $0 $611,483 $690,519 $0 $432,345 $418,372 $0 $430,155
Soon Chai Gooi $972,497 $0 $646,472 $986,112 $0 $617,410 $669,806 $0 $676,566
Stephen D. Williams $720,166 $0 $478,730 $621,453 $0 $389,100 $422,514 $0 $433,205

 

F ASB ASC Topic 718 Assumptions

 

The following table sets forth the weighted average FASB ASC Topic 718 assumptions used in the calculation of the stock awards and option awards presented in the “Summary Compensation Table” and in the tables above. For all periods presented, the fair values of share-based awards for employee stock options were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, while awards granted under the LTP Program were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. The estimated fair values of restricted stock unit awards were determined based on the closing price of Keysight’s common stock on the date of grant. Prior to separation, the fair value of awards was determined based on the market price of Agilent’s common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for expected dividend yield.

 

  Years Ended October 31,
 

2018

2017

2016

LTPP:      
Volatility of Keysight shares 25% 27% 25%
Volatility of selected index (2018 & 2017) / peer-company shares (2016) 14% 15% 14%-54%
Price-wise correlation with selected peers 57% 57% 38%

 

F iscal Year 2018 Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Last Fiscal Year

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding grants of plan-based awards to each of our NEOs during fiscal year 2018.

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2018
Name Grant Date

Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)

Estimated Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)
All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (3)
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock
Awards (4)
Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum (#) ($)
($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
Ronald S. Nersesian 11/16/2017 $337,500 $675,000 $1,350,000          
5/16/2018 $337,500 $675,000 $1,350,000          
11/16/2017       $528,007 $2,112,029 $4,224,058    
11/16/2017       $531,031 $2,124,123 $4,248,246    
11/16/2017             64,147 $2,816,053

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   | 45

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2018
Neil Dougherty 11/16/2017 $116,875 $233,750 $467,500          
5/16/2018 $116,875 $233,750 $467,500          
11/16/2017       $108,773 $435,093 $870,186    
11/16/2017       $109,390 $437,561 $875,123    
11/16/2017             13,214 $580,095
Jay Alexander 11/16/2017 $95,000 $190,000 $380,000          
5/16/2018 $95,000 $190,000 $380,000          
11/16/2017       $114,656 $458,623 $917,247    
11/16/2017       $115,307 $461,229 $922,458    
11/16/2017             13,929 $611,483
Soon Chai Gooi 11/16/2017 $109,482 $218,963 $437,926          
5/16/2018 $117,302 $234,604 $469,208          
11/16/2017       $121,219 $484,876 $969,751    
11/16/2017       $121,905 $487,622 $975,244    
11/16/2017             14,726 $646,471
Stephen D. Williams 11/16/2017 $90,000 $180,000 $360,000          
5/16/2018 $90,000 $180,000 $360,000          
11/16/2017       $89,765 $359,058 $718,116    
11/16/2017       $90,277 $361,108 $722,217    
11/16/2017             10,905 $478,730

 

(1) Reflects the value of the threshold, target and maximum potential cash payout established for fiscal year 2018 pursuant to the Keysight’s Performance-Based Compensation Plan. The maximum payout is 200% of target. Actual payout amounts under this plan are disclosed in the “Summary Compensation Table.” Please see the section “Short-Term Incentives” for greater detail regarding the NEOs’ cash incentive award opportunities, including the applicable performance goals.

 

(2) Reflects the threshold, target and maximum number of shares that could be earned with respect to PSUs. Actual payout of these awards, if any, will be in the form of Keysight common stock determined by the Compensation Committee after the end of the performance period depending on whether the performance criteria set forth in Keysight’s LTP Program were met, subject to the applicable NEO being employed through such determination date or being retirement eligible. For fiscal 2018, on November 16, 2017, each NEO received TSR PSUs and OM PSUs, which will be paid out, if at all, following the completion of the fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2020 performance period. Each NEO’s TSR PSUs will be measured and paid out based on the performance of Keysight’s common stock as measured against the relative TSR of the S&P 400 Index and each NEO’s OM PSUs will be measured and paid out based on improving profitability as measured by Non-GAAP OM. Please see section “Long-Term Incentives” for greater detail regarding the TSR and OM PSU grants made to NEOs in fiscal 2018.

 

(3) Reflects the number of shares subject to time-based RSUs, which vest annually over four years from the grant date, subject to the applicable NEO being employed through the applicable vesting date or being retirement eligible.

 

(4) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair values of the RSUs and PSUs, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

 


 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   | 46

 

O utstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table provides information on the stock options, performance-based stock awards and restricted stock units held by our NEOs as of October 31, 2018.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year 2018 Year End
   

Option Awards(1)
Stock Awards
  Grant Date Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
Option
Vesting
Date
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(2)
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units That
Have Not
Vested ($)
Number of
Unearned
Shares
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(3)(4)
Market
Value of
Shares
That Have
Not Vested
($)
 
 
 
Name Exercisable Unexercisable
Ronald S. Nersesian 11/18/2014 16,850 70,910 $31.00 11/18/2015 11/17/2024 - - - -
  11/17/2015 - - - - - 30,270 $1,727,812 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - 51,829 $2,958,399 - -
  11/16/2017 - - - - - 62,639 $3,575,434 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 53,076 $3,029,578
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 43,859 $2,503,472
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 48,110 $2,746,119
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 39,758 $2,269,386
Total   16,850 70,910       144,738 8,261,645 184,803 10,548,555
Neil Dougherty 11/21/2012 16,512 0 $19.97 11/21/2013 11/21/2022 - - - -
  11/20/2013 28,348 0 $29.83 11/20/2014 11/20/2023 - - - -
  11/18/2014 38,269 12,757 $31.00 11/18/2015 11/17/2024 - - - -
  11/17/2015 - - - - - 6,820 $389,286 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - 11,077 $632,275 - -
  11/16/2017 - - - - - 13,214 $754,255 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 11,076 $632,218
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 9,153 $522,453
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 9,911 $565,720
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 8,190 $467,485
Total   83,129 12,757       31,111 1,775,816 38,330 2,187,876
Jay Alexander 11/20/2013 12,369 0 $29.83 11/20/2014 11/20/2023 - - - -
  11/18/2014 24,800 8,267 $31.00 11/18/2015 11/17/2024 - - - -
  5/20/2014 2,342 0 $30.26 5/20/2015 5/19/2024 - - - -
  11/17/2015 - - - - - 4,915 $280,548 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - 9,014 $514,519 - -
  11/16/2017 - - - - - 13,601 $776,345 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 9,230 $526,848
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 7,627 $435,349
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 10,447 $596,315
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 8,633 $492,772
Total   39,511 8,267       21,530 1,571,412 35,937 2,051,284

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   | 47

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year 2018 Year End
Soon Chai Gooi 11/18/2014 0 12,971 $31.00 11/18/2015 11/17/2024 - - - -
  11/17/2015 - - - - - 8,060 $460,065 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - 13,182 $752,428 - -
  11/16/2017 - - - - - 14,726 $840,560 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 13,181 $752,372
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 10,892 $621,715
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 11,045 $630,449
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 9,127 $520,969
Total   0 12,971       35,968 2,053,053 44,245 2,525,505
Stephen D. Williams 11/21/2012 14,071 0 $19.97 11/21/2013 11/21/2022 - - - -
  11/20/2013 15,462 0 $29.83 11/20/2014 11/20/2023 - - - -
  11/18/2014 23,517 7,839 $31.00 11/18/2015 11/17/2024 - - - -
  11/17/2015 - - - - - 5,084 $290,195 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - 8,307 $474,164 - -
  11/16/2017 - - - - - 10,905 $622,457 - -
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 8,307 $474,164
  11/15/2016 - - - - - - - 6,864 $391,797
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 8,179 $466,857
  11/16/2017 - - - - - - - 6,759 $385,804
Total   53,050 7,839       24,296 1,386,816 30,109 1,718,622

 

*These grants are displayed in Keysight shares as converted from Agilent shares based on the volume-weighted average price of Keysight shares over the first two trading sessions immediately after separation from Agilent.

 

(1) Amounts reflect unvested stock option awards as of October 31, 2018. All stock option awards vest 25% annually on the first four anniversaries of the grant date.
(2) Amounts reflect unvested RSUs as of October 31, 2018. All other awards, unless specifically noted below, vest at the rate of 25% per year from the grant date, subject to the applicable NEO being employed through such determination date or being retirement eligible.
(3) The market values of the RSUs that have not vested, and unearned PSUs granted in fiscal 2016 are calculated by multiplying the number of units shown in the table by $57.08, the closing price of Keysight common stock as of October 31, 2018. Includes the number of PSUs granted in fiscal year 2016 that were earned based on Keysight’s relative TSR versus all companies in its peer group for the fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2018 performance period, subject to the applicable NEO being employed through the date that the Compensation Committee determined the payout. For PSUs granted in fiscal 2017, the target number of PSUs that may be earned is shown based on Keysight’s performance through fiscal 2019. For PSUs granted in fiscal 2018, the maximum number of PSUs that may be earned is shown based on Keysight’s performance through fiscal 2019.
(4) Amounts reflect multiple unvested PSU awards that are outstanding simultaneously as of the end of fiscal year 2018 for each NEO under the LTP Program. The payout, if any, of the performance share awards granted on November 15, 2016, and November 16, 2017 are determined in November 2019, and November 2020, respectively and are subject to the applicable NEO being employed through such determination date or being retirement eligible. The PSUs granted in fiscal year 2017 will be measured and paid out based on Keysight’s TSR versus all companies in the S&P 400 Index for the fiscal year 2017 through fiscal year 2019 performance period. In fiscal 2018, on November 16, 2017, each NEO received TSR PSUs and OM PSUs, which will be paid out, if at all, following the completion of the fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2020 performance period. Each NEO’s TSR PSUs will be measured and paid out based on the performance of Keysight’s common stock as measured against the TSR of the S&P 400 Index and each NEO’s OM PSUs will be measured and paid out based on improving profitability as measured by Non-GAAP OM. Please see the section “Long-Term Incentives” for greater detail regarding the TSR and OM PSU grants made to NEOs in fiscal 2018.

 

 

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F iscal Year 2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested at Fiscal Year-End Table

 

The following table sets forth information on stock option exercises and stock vesting in fiscal year 2018 and the value realized on the date of exercise or vesting, if any, by each of our NEOs, as calculated, in the case of stock options, based on the difference between the market price of Keysight’s common stock at exercise and the option exercise price, and as calculated, in the case of RSUs, based on the closing share price of Keysight’s common stock on the NYSE on the vesting date.

 

Options Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2018  
  Option Awards Stock Awards  
Name
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
Value Realized on
Exercise
Number of Awards
Acquired Upon Vesting (1)
Value Realized on
Vesting
 
 
 
Ron S. Nersesian 412,366 $9,632,187 261,525 $13,405,441  
Neil Dougherty 0 $0 49,263 $2,594,820  
Jay Alexander 12,922 $448,334 34,039 $1,783,288  
Soon Chai Gooi 153,843 $4,276,486 60,276 $3,158,470  
Stephen D. Williams 9,800 $209,931 38,368 $2,008,334  


(1) Amounts reflect the performance shares granted in fiscal year 2016 pursuant to the LTI Program for the fiscal year 2016-2018 performance period that were paid out in fiscal 2019 in addition to restricted stock units that vested during fiscal year 2018.

 

P ension Benefits

 

The following table shows the estimated present value of accumulated benefits payable, including benefits payable on retirement to our NEOs under the Retirement Plan, the Deferred Profit Sharing Plan, the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan.

 

Years of Service and Years of Credited Service under the Retirement Plan includes Years of Service and Years of Credited Service under the Hewlett Packard Retirement Plan and the Agilent Technologies, Inc. Retirement Plan. The present value of accumulated benefit is calculated using the assumptions under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715: Compensation—Retirement Benefits for the fiscal year end measurement (as of October 31, 2018). The present value is based on a lump sum interest rate of 5.5%. See also Note 15 to Keysight’s consolidated financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC on December 18, 2018.

 

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Pension Benefits

Name 


Number of
Years of
Credited
Service
Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
Payments During Last Fiscal Year

Plan Name
(1)(2) 

(#) 

($) 

($) 

Ronald S. Nersesian Retirement Plan 16.1 $519,578 $0
 

Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan

16.1 $878,987 $0
         
Neil Dougherty Retirement Plan 22.3 $381,528 $0
 

Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan

22.3 $101,974 $0
         
Jay Alexander

Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan

Retirement Plan

Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan

30.0

30.0

30.0

$86,747
$614,931

$74,595

$0

$0

$0

         
Soon Chai Gooi (3) N/A - - -
         
Stephen D. Williams Retirement Plan 13.1 $216,349 $0
 

Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan

 

13.1 $52,404 $0

 

(1)
Employees must be at least 65 years of age and older in order to receive the full benefit under the Retirement Plan. Benefit payments from the Retirement Plan received prior to age 65 are reduced for “early” distribution. None of the NEOs are eligible for full benefits under the Retirement Plan.

(2)
To the extent applicable, a portion of each NEO’s Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan benefits includes accrued benefits in the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan.

(3) Mr. Gooi does not live in the United States and is not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan or Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan but is a participant in the Malaysian Defined Contribution Plan.

 

R etirement Plan

 

The Retirement Plan provides minimum retirement benefits payable at the later of age 65 or termination. The benefits under the Retirement Plan is based on eligible compensation and years of credited service with Keysight, Agilent (as applicable) and HP (as applicable). No more than 30 years of credited service is used in determining the benefits under the Retirement Plan.

 

For service beginning on or after November 1, 2009, benefits are determined using the “2009 Benefit Formula.” For service on or before October 31, 2009, Retirement Plan benefits are determined under the “1993 Benefit Formula.”

 

The total benefits under the Retirement Plan is equal to the sum of the 2009 Benefit Formula benefits (if any) plus the 1993 Benefit Formula benefits (if any).

 

2009 Benefit Formula

 

Benefits are accrued on a monthly basis as a lump sum payable at normal retirement age based on target pay and years of credited service up to a maximum of 30 years as follows:


For participants who have fewer than 15 years of service :



11% × target pay at the end of the month

PLUS

 

5% × target pay at the end of the
month in excess of

50% of the Social Security Wage
Base

 

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For participants who have 15 or more years of service:

 

14% × target pay at the end of the month

PLUS

 

5% × target pay at the end of the
month in excess of

50% of the Social Security Wage Base

No more than 30 Years of Credited Service is taken into account for purposes of determining the total benefits under the Retirement Plan. If an employee has more than 30 Years of Credited Service before they retire, the 2009 Benefit Formula benefits will be based on their highest consecutive annual 2009 Benefit Formula accruals during their career.

 

1993 Benefit Formula

 

Only employees who earned benefits under the Agilent Retirement Plan before November 1, 2009, have benefits under the 1993 Benefit Formula. Benefits under the 1993 Benefit Formula are calculated as of October 31, 2009 and are expressed as an annuity. The 1993 Benefit Formula was frozen meaning that there were no additional accruals under the 1993 Benefit Formula after October 31, 2009.

 

The 1993 Benefit Formula provides retirement benefits in the form of lifetime monthly payments beginning at age 65. These benefits are calculated using a formula that is based on the participant’s highest average pay rate, their final average compensation, and their total years of credited service during their career at Agilent and HP (if applicable) through October 31, 2009. The total years of credited service (which includes years of credited service under the HP Retirement Plan as of May 1, 2000) cannot exceed 30 in the 1993 Benefit Formula. The minimum monthly retirement benefits beginning at age 65 (or later if the participant retires after age 65 but before they reach age 70 ½) are determined as follows:

 

1.5%

X

 

Highest Average Pay
Rate at October 31, 2009

X

 

Years of
Credited Service at
October 31, 2009 not
to exceed 30
Less Reduction for Social Security


The reduction based on 0.6% of the final average compensation recognizes the company’s contribution through payroll taxes towards Social Security benefits.

 

0.6%

X

 

Final Average
Compensation at
October 31, 2009

X

 

Years of
Credited Service at
October 31, 2009 not

to exceed 30

 

Some participants will have Retirement Plan benefits that are comprised of both 2009 Benefit Formula benefits that are calculated as a lump sum payable at age 65 and 1993 Benefit Formula benefits that are calculated as monthly annuity payments beginning at age 65. In this case, the total Retirement Plan benefits payable at age 65 are equal to (a) the value of the accrued benefits under the 2009 Benefit formula plus, (b) the value of the accrued benefits under the 1993 Benefit Formula, both of which must be payable in the same form. By using actuarial conversion factors, both the 2009 Benefit Formula and the 1993 Benefit Formula benefits can be converted so that both are paid as either an annuity or a lump sum.

 

The normal form of benefits under the Retirement Plan are either a single life annuity for single participants or a 50% joint and survivor annuity for married participants. Participants may elect to receive payments at any time following termination or retirement in the above forms or as an actuarially equivalent 75% or 100% joint and survivor annuity, or as a one-time lump sum. Payments made prior to normal retirement age will be reduced in accordance with the plan provisions.

 

 


 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 51


Retirement Plan Benefit Reductions If Paid Prior to Age 65

 

The benefits under the 2009 Benefit Formula will be reduced by 5% of compound interest for each year that the benefits are paid before the participant reaches age 65.

 

The benefits under the 1993 Benefit Formula will be reduced as set forth below:

 

Age 65: 100.00% of benefit
Age 64: 93.33% of benefit
Age 63: 86.67% of benefit
Age 62: 80.00% of benefit
Age 61: 73.33% of benefit
Age 60: 66.67% of benefit
Age 59: 63.33% of benefit
Age 58: 60.00% of benefit
Age 57: 56.67% of benefit
Age 56: 53.33% of benefit
Age 55: 50.00% of benefit

 

If the 1993 Benefit is paid before age 55, an additional reduction is applied. The benefit reduced to 50% at age 55 as described above, is further reduced based on an “actuarial equivalence factor.” The actuarial equivalence factor is determined based on the number of months the payment begins before age 55, applicable interest rates and applicable mortality table, and the participant’s life expectancy.

 

Participants who have less than 15 Years of Service must use a different calculation which may result in a larger reduction to their benefit.

 

All regular full-time or regular part-time employees hired prior to August 1, 2015 automatically become participants in the Retirement Plan on the May 1 or November 1 following the completion of two years of service.

 

Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan

 

The Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan is a frozen, tax-qualified defined contribution plan. HP, Inc. created and maintained a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan to provide its employees benefits with respect to their service with HP prior to November 1, 1993. Agilent and then Keysight replicated the frozen HP Deferred Profit Sharing Plan to continue to provide a retirement benefit to former HP employees for service with HP prior to November 1, 1993. The benefits under the Deferred Profit Sharing Plan are used as a floor offset for the Retirement Plan for benefits accrued under the 1993 Benefit Formula but only with respect to service prior to November 1, 1993. There have been no contributions into the plan since October 31, 1993. For the benefits attributable to service after October 31, 1993 under both the 1993 Benefit Formula and the 2009 Benefit Formula, there is no Deferred Profit Sharing Plan offset.

 

For service prior to November 1, 1993 (if any), the benefit due is the greater of (i) the benefit defined by the Retirement Plan formula, or (ii) the annuity value of the Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan account balance. Therefore, for service prior to November 1, 1993, the Retirement Plan determines a minimum retirement benefit amount.

 

The normal form of benefits under the Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan are payable at normal retirement age as either a single life annuity for single participants, or a 50% joint and survivor annuity for married participants. Participants may elect to receive payments at any time following termination or retirement and in the above forms or as 75% or 100% joint and survivor annuity, or as a one-time lump sum.

 

Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan

 

The Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan (which was frozen December 31, 2004) are unfunded, non-qualified plans. Benefits payable under both plans are equal to the excess of the qualified Retirement Plan amount that would be payable in accordance with the terms of the Retirement Plan disregarding the benefit and compensation limitations imposed pursuant to sections 415 and 401(a)(17) of the Code.

 

Participants in the Retirement Plan and/or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan, whose retirement benefits under those tax-qualified plans are limited by Sections 401(a)(17) or 415 of the Code their Keysight employment, automatically become a participant in the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan.

 

 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 52

 

Benefits under the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan are payable upon termination or retirement as follows:

 


In general, accruals prior to January 1, 2005 are paid from the Excess Benefit Retirement Plan in a single lump sum in the January following the fiscal year in which the participant takes his qualified Retirement Plan benefit.

 


In general, subject to certain applicable exceptions, accruals after December 31, 2004 are paid from the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan based on the date participants retire or terminate: in January immediately following if termination occurs during the first six months of the year; or in July if termination occurs during the second six months of the year. Participants will receive a benefit in the form of either five annual installments (if the lump sum value is greater than $150,000); or in a single lump sum (if the lump sum value is $150,000 or less).

 

Malaysian Defined Contribution Plan

 

All employees in Malaysia participate in the government mandatory retirement plan, managed by the Employer Provident Fund (EPF), a government agency.  This plan requires contribution from both the employer and the employee. We contribute a fixed contribution rate of 12%.  Mr. Gooi participates in this plan with an 11% contribution rate. Employees can also opt to contribute at a lower rate of 9%.  In addition, Mr. Gooi also participates in a Company-wide EPF Top-up plan, for which we contribute 3% of monthly base earning.  No employee contributions are accepted for this plan.

 

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation in Last Fiscal Year

 

The Deferred Compensation Plan is available to all active employees on our U.S. payroll with total target cash salary, including the short-term Performance-Based Compensation Plan, greater than or equal to $275,000 for 2018.

 

There are four types of earnings that may be deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan:

 


Up to 100% of annual base pay earnings in excess of the IRS qualified plan limit of $275,000 for 2018;

Up to 95% of cash incentive award earnings, discretionary and cash compensation paid under the Performance-Based Compensation Plan; and

Up to 95% of performance-based compensation paid out in accordance with the terms of Keysight’s LTP Program. Awards under this program are paid out in the form of shares of our common stock.

New Executive Stock (NES) awards

 

Deferral elections may be made annually and can be part of overall tax planning for executives. There are several hypothetical investment options available under the Deferred Compensation Plan, which generally mirror the investment choices under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan. All hypothetical investment choices are made by the participant. Based on market performance, dividends and interest are credited to participants’ hypothetical accounts from the investment funds that the participant has elected.

 

At the time participation is elected, employees must also elect payout in one of two forms that can commence upon termination or be delayed by an additional one, two or three years following termination:

 


A single lump sum payment; or

 


Annual installments over a five-to-15-year period.

 

Payouts are distributed to eligible participants in January of the year following termination, if termination occurs during the first six months of the calendar year. Otherwise, payouts are distributed to eligible participants in July of the year following termination where termination occurs during the second half of the calendar year. No early distributions or withdrawals are allowed, except in the event of an unforeseeable emergency, death or where the participant elected to make an in-service distribution on a fixed date. When and if received, a participant in the LTP Program may elect to defer his or her shares through the Deferred Compensation Plan at the time the award is granted. The LTP Program shares are deferred in the form of shares of our common stock only. At the end of the deferral period, the shares are simply released to the participant.

 

Although there is no obligation to fund the Deferred Compensation Plan, Keysight has established a rabbi trust as a source of funds to make payments under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The table below provides information on the non-qualified deferred compensation of our NEOs for fiscal year 2018.

 

 


 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   | 53

 

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

Name

Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions Aggregate Balance at Fiscal Year-End

($)(1)

($)

($)(2)

($)

($)(3)

Ronald S. Nersesian $0 $0 $1,639,958 $0 $8,534,609
Neil Dougherty $1,259,891 $0 $95,617 $0 $2,097,870
Jay Alexander $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Soon Chai Gooi (4) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Stephen D. Williams $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
           

(1) The amounts reflected include salary contribution amounts for fiscal year 2018 and the value of compensation earned as part of Keysight’s short-term cash incentives for fiscal year 2018. The salary contribution portion of the amounts reflected above is included in the amount reported as “Salary” in the “Summary Compensation Table. The short-term cash incentive portion of the amounts reflected above is included in the amount reported as “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2018.

 


(2) The amounts reflected are not included in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2018. These amounts consist of dividends, interest and change in market value attributed to each executive officer’s entire account balance during fiscal year 2018, which balance may include deferred compensation from previous periods. The amounts do not include the deferred compensation themselves. Such earnings were not preferential or above-market.

 

(3) Includes the following amounts which previously were reported as compensation to the NEO in our Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years prior to fiscal 2018: Mr. Nersesian: $1,260,461 and Mr. Dougherty: $464,639.

 

(4) Mr. Gooi does not live in the United States and is not eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

Termination Arrangements – Severance Plan, Change of Control Severance Agreements & Equity Award Acceleration

 

Set forth below is a description of the plans and agreements that could result in potential payments to our NEOs in the case of their termination of employment and/or a change of control of Keysight.

 

Severance Plan

 

On March 18, 2015, the Compensation Committee adopted the Keysight Technologies, Inc. Officer and Executive Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”). The Severance Plan provides for severance payments and benefits (“Severance Benefits”) to our executive officers and vice presidents. The Severance Benefits do not apply in connection with a change of control of Keysight if an executive officer or vice president is covered under a change of control severance agreement or similar arrangement with Keysight. Accordingly, our NEOs who have each entered into a Change of Control Severance Agreement with us would only be entitled to the Severance Benefits in connection with a termination that occurs outside of the change of control context. The Severance Plan replaces any benefits provided by a workforce management program.

 

In general, in order to qualify for Severance Benefits, the executive officer’s or vice president’s employment must have been terminated either (i) by us other than for “cause”, misconduct, death, or physical or mental incapacity or (ii) by the executive officer or vice president for “good reason”. In addition to satisfying other conditions set forth in the Severance Plan, to qualify for Severance Benefits, the executive officer or vice president must execute a general release of claims in favor of Keysight and comply with certain post-termination restrictions, including, among other things, not soliciting our employees or the employees of our affiliates for a period of two years, continuing to comply with the terms his or her proprietary information and non-disclosure agreement, not making certain public statements concerning Keysight without first receiving Keysight’s written approval, and not taking actions that could cause Keysight or its employees or agents any embarrassment or humiliation or otherwise cause or contribute to Keysight or any such person being held in disrepute by the general public or Keysight’s employees, clients, or customers.

 

The Severance Plan provides for: (i) a lump sum cash severance payment, (ii) a pro-rated annual cash incentive award, if any, for the performance period in which the executive officer’s or vice president’s employment terminates, subject to the achievement of the performance goals and other terms and conditions that apply to him or her for that performance period, provided that any individual goals will be deemed to have been earned at target, (iii) 12 months of accelerated vesting of stock awards that are subject only to service-based vesting conditions and are held by executive officers and vice presidents that are not retirement eligible, (iv) waiver of the service-vesting condition for restricted stock unit and/or restricted stock awards that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions, which will remain outstanding subject to the applicable performance conditions, and (v) a lump sum cash payment of $20,000 ($40,000 in the case of our CEO) to pay for the cost of COBRA health benefit continuation coverage or to be used for any other purpose the executive officer or vice president chooses. The amount of the lump sum severance payment in the case of our executive officers, equals 100% (200% in the case of our CEO) of the sum of (i) his or her current annual base salary and (ii) his or her average actual annual cash incentive award percentage as compared to the target percentage paid for the three fiscal years prior to the fiscal year in which he or she terminates employment, applied to his or her current base salary. For our vice presidents, the amount of the lump sum severance payment equals 100% of his or her annual base salary only and does not take into account his or her cash incentive award.

 

 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 54

 

Further, if the executive officer or vice president is retirement-eligible under the terms of the applicable stock award, the executive officer or vice president will not receive the benefits described above but will instead benefit from the retirement treatment set forth in such award in accordance with its terms and the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

Change of Control Severance Agreements

 

As noted above, each of our NEOs has entered into a Change of Control Severance Agreement with us. Under the Change of Control Severance Agreements, if a change of control of Keysight occurs and an NEO is involuntarily terminated without “cause” or voluntarily terminates within 3 months following the occurrence of an event constituting “good reason”, and such involuntary termination or “good reason” event occurs (i) within three months prior to a change of control, (ii) at the time of or within 24 months following the occurrence of a change of control, or (iii) at any time prior to a change of control, if such termination is at the request of the acquirer, then the NEO will be entitled to: (i) two times, or with respect to Mr. Nersesian three times, the sum of his base salary and target cash incentive award, (ii) payment of $80,000 for medical insurance premiums, (iii) full vesting of all outstanding stock options and stock awards not subject to performance-based vesting, and (iv) a pro-rated cash incentive award under any cash incentive award plan applicable to the NEO, for the performance period in which the NEO’s termination of employment occurs equal to the amount, if any, of the cash incentive award the NEO would have been paid based on the achievement of performance goals under the terms of such cash incentive award plan had the NEO continued employment with Keysight until the end of such performance period. In addition, if the NEO experiences a qualifying termination prior to a change of control and any of his unvested stock awards terminate prior to the change of control before such awards would have otherwise vested on account of the qualifying termination, the NEO will receive a cash payment equal to the value of the shares that would have vested on the date of the change of control less any exercise price. The NEO’s stock awards that are subject to performance-based vesting will be governed by the applicable award agreement. The Change of Control Severance Agreements replace any benefits provided by a workforce management program.

 

As a condition to receiving such severance benefits, an NEO must execute a release of all of his rights and claims relating to his employment and comply with certain post-termination restrictions, including, among other things, not soliciting our employees or the employees of our affiliates for a period of two years, continuing to comply with the terms his proprietary information and non-disclosure agreement, not making certain public statements concerning Keysight without first receiving the Keysight’s written approval, and not taking actions that could cause Keysight or its employees or agents any embarrassment or humiliation or otherwise cause or contribute to Keysight or any such person being held in disrepute by the general public or Keysight’s employees, clients, or customers.

 

The Change of Control Severance Agreements with our NEOs do not provide for tax gross-ups of payments subject to the “golden parachute” excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code. Each Change of Control Severance Agreement instead contains a “better after-tax” provision, which provides that if any of the payments to the NEO constitutes a parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, the payments will either be (i) reduced or (ii) provided in full to the NEO, whichever results in the NEO receiving the greater amount after taking into consideration the payment of all taxes, including the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

Acceleration and Continued Vesting of Equity Awards

 

Under each NEO’s stock award agreements, if an NEO dies or becomes fully disabled, his unvested stock options or stock awards that are subject only to service-based vesting conditions will fully vest and any performance awards will be earned, if at all, based on the satisfaction of the applicable performance measures and pro-rated if such death or disability occurs within the first 12 months of the vesting period. In addition, under each NEO’s stock award agreements when an NEO retires, his stock options and stock awards that are subject only to service-based vesting conditions continue to vest and any performance awards will be earned, if at all, based on the satisfaction of the applicable performance measures and pro-rated if such retirement occurs within the first 12 months of the vesting period. Currently, only Mr. Nersesian, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Gooi are entitled to retirement vesting based on company-wide equity award agreement eligibility. In addition, in the event there is a change of control, under the Stock Plan, options or stock awards will fully vest immediately prior to the closing of the transaction unless such awards are assumed, converted or replaced in full by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor. Stock options and stock awards that are subject only to service-based vesting conditions vest on a “double-trigger” basis in connection with a change of control of Keysight pursuant to the Severance Plan and each NEO’s Change of Control Severance Agreement as discussed above, while each NEO’s performance awards provide that in the event of a change of control, such awards will be paid out at the greater of the target award or the accrued amount of the payout but will be pro-rated if such change of control occurs within the first 12 months of the vesting period.

 

“Cause,” “Good Reason” and “Change of Control” Definitions

 

For purposes of the Severance Plan, “good reason” means a material diminution in an executive officer’s or vice president’s authority, duties or responsibilities resulting in a significant diminution of position without the executive officer’s or vice president’s consent that is not cured by Keysight within 30 days of written notice to Keysight by the executive officer or the vice president of such diminution. “Good reason” will only exist if the executive officer or the vice president notifies Keysight of the occurrence of the events giving rise to such “good reason” within 30 days of their initial occurrence. An executive officer’s or vice president’s authority, duties or responsibilities will not be considered to be significantly diminished so long as the executive officer or the vice president continues to perform substantially the same functional role for Keysight as he or she performed immediately prior to the occurrence the events alleged to constitute “good reason” whether in the same location or another location assigned to him or her by Keysight. In addition, an executive officer’s or vice president’s authority, duties or responsibilities will not be considered to be significantly diminished solely by reason of a change to his or her title or compensation or benefits.

 

 

 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   | 55


For purposes of the Change of Control Severance Agreements, “good reason” means (i) a more than $10,000 reduction of the NEO’s rate of compensation as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the agreement or in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of a change of control, whichever is greater, other than reductions in base salary that apply broadly to employees of Keysight or reductions due to varying metrics and achievement of performance goals for different periods under variable pay programs; (ii) the failure to provide a package of benefits which, taken as a whole, provides substantially similar benefits to those in which the NEO is entitled to participate in the day prior to the occurrence of the change of control or any action by Keysight which would significantly and adversely affect the NEO’s participation or reduce the NEO’s benefits under any of such plans in existence the day prior to the Change of Control, other than changes that apply broadly to employees of Keysight; (iii) a change in the NEO’s duties, responsibilities, authority, job title, or reporting relationships resulting in a significant diminution of position, (excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith which is remedied by Keysight within 30 days after notice thereof is given by the NEO); (iv) the NEO relocates to a worksite that is more than 35 miles from the NEO’s prior worksite, unless the NEO consents to such relocation; (v) failure or refusal of a successor to Keysight to assume Keysight’s obligations under the Change of Control Service Agreement; or (vi) the material breach by Keysight or any successor to Keysight of any of the material provisions of the NEO’s Change of Control Severance Agreement. The NEO’s duties, responsibilities, authority, job title or reporting relationships will not be considered to be significantly diminished so long as the NEO continues to perform substantially the same functional role for Keysight as the NEO performed immediately prior to the occurrence of the change of control, even if Keysight becomes a subsidiary or division of another entity. In addition, to constitute “good reason”, the NEO must notify Keysight of any event purporting to constitute “good reason” within 60 days following the NEO’s knowledge of its existence, and Keysight will have 30 days in which to correct or remove such “good reason”, or such event will not constitute “good reason”.

 

For purposes of the Severance Plan and the Change of Control Severance Agreements, “cause” means misconduct, including: (i) conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty that has a material adverse effect on Keysight’s business or reputation; (ii) repeated unexplained or unjustified absences from Keysight; (iii) refusal or willful failure to act in accordance with any specific directions or orders of Keysight that has a material adverse effect on Keysight’s business or reputation; (iv) a material and willful violation of any state or federal law that would materially injure the business or reputation of Keysight as reasonably determined by the Board; (v) participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against Keysight which has a material adverse effect on Keysight’s business or reputation; or (vi) intentional, material violation by the NEO of any contract between the NEO and Keysight or any statutory duty of the NEO to Keysight that is not corrected within 30 days after written notice to the officer; provided, however, that “cause” in the case of the Change of Control Severance Agreements also means conduct by the NEO that the Board determines demonstrates gross unfitness to serve, and the NEO’s refusal or willful failure to act in accordance with any written policies of Keysight that has a material adverse effect on Keysight’s business or reputation.

 

For purposes of the Change of Control Severance Agreements and the Stock Plan, a “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the sale, exchange, lease or other disposition or transfer of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of Keysight to a person or group which will continue the business of Keysight in the future; (ii) a merger or consolidation involving Keysight in which the shareholders of Keysight immediately prior to such merger or consolidation are not the beneficial owners of more than 75% of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such transaction in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of Keysight immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; or (iii) the acquisition of beneficial ownership of at least 25% of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of Keysight by a person or group. For purposes of the Change of Control Severance Agreements, a “Change of Control” also occurs if the incumbent members of the Board as of November 1, 2014 or their successors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board.

 

Termination and Change of Control Table

 

For each of our NEOs, the table below estimates the amount of compensation that would be paid in the event of the following:

 


a change of control of Keysight occurs and the NEO experiences a qualifying termination under his Change of Control Severance Agreement;

 


a qualified termination under the Severance Plan; 

 


a voluntary termination by the NEO or an involuntary termination of the NEO by Keysight with cause;

 

 

 

  (LOGO) EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 56  

 

the termination of the NEO due to death or disability;

 

the retirement of the NEO;

 

a change of control of Keysight in which stock awards are not assumed, converted or replaced in full by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor; or

 

a change of control of Keysight in which stock awards are assumed, converted or replaced in full by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor.

 

The amounts shown assume that each of the terminations was effective as of October 31, 2018.

 

     Involuntary Termination or Resignation for Good Cause in Connection with a Change of Control
($) (1)
 Qualifying Termination under Severance Plan
($) (2)
 Voluntary Termination or Involuntary Termination with Cause
($)
 Death or Disability
($) (3)
 Retirement
($) (4)
 Change of Control with No Replacement Equity
($) (5)
 Change of Control with Replacement Equity
($) (6)
Ronald S. Nersesian Cash Severance Payments 7,050,000 4,731,725 - - - - -
  Continuation of Benefits (7) 80,000 40,000 - - - - -
  Stock Award Acceleration (8) 8,261,645 - - 8,261,645 - 8,261,645 -
  Stock Award Cont’d Vesting (9) - 8,261,645 - - 8,261,645 - -
  Stock Option Acceleration (10) 2,288,781 - - 2,288,781 - 2,288,781 -
  Stock Option Cont’d Vesting (10) - 2,288,781 - - 2,288,781 - -
  Performance Awards (11) 14,631,488 14,631,488 - 14,631,488 14,631,488 14,631,488 -
  Pension Benefits (12) 1,344,577 1,344,577 1,344,577 1,344,577 1,344,577 - -
  Total Termination Benefits: 33,656,490 31,298,215 1,344,577 26,526,490 26,526,490 25,181,913 -
                 
Neil Dougherty Cash Severance Payments 2,035,000 1,022,993 - - - - -
  Continuation of Benefits (7) 80,000 20,000 - - - - -
  Stock Award Acceleration (8) 1,775,816 593,860 - 1,775,816 - 1,775,816 -
  Stock Award Cont’d Vesting (9) - - - - - - -
  Stock Option Acceleration (10) 332,703 332,703 - 332,703 - 332,703 -
  Stock Option Cont’d Vesting (10) - - - - - - -
  Performance Awards (11) 3,086,087 3,086,087 - 3,086,087 - 3,086,087 -
  Pension Benefits (12) 456,111 456,111 456,111 456,111 456,111 - -
  Total Termination Benefits: 7,765,717 5,511,754 456,111 5,650,717 456,111 5,194,606 -
                 
Jay Alexander Cash Severance Payments 1,710,000 923,907 - - - - -
  Continuation of Benefits (7) 80,000 20,000 - - - - -
  Stock Award Acceleration (8) 1,571,412 - - 1,571,412 - 1,571,412 -
  Stock Award Cont’d Vesting (9) - 1,571,412 - - 1,571,412 - -
  Stock Option Acceleration (10) 231,347 - - 231,347 - 231,347
-
  Stock Option Cont’d Vesting (10) - 231,347 - - 231,347 - -
  Performance Awards (11) 2,716,038 2,716,038 - 2,716,038 2,716,038 2,716,038 -
  Pension Benefits (12) 763,522 763,522 763,522 763,522 763,522 - -
  Total Termination Benefits: 7,072,319 6,226,226 763,522 5,282,319 5,282,319 4,518,797 -

 

  (LOGO) EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 57  


     Involuntary Termination or Resignation for Good Cause in Connection with a Change of Control
($) (1)
 Qualifying Termination under Severance Plan
($) (2)
 Voluntary Termination or Involuntary Termination with Cause
($)
 Death or Disability
($) (3)
 Retirement
($) (4)
 Change of Control with No Replacement Equity
($) (5)
 Change of Control with Replacement Equity
($) (6)
                 
Soon Chai Gooi Cash Severance Payments (13) 1,731,090 - - - - - -
  Continuation of Benefits (7) 80,000 - - - - - -
  Stock Award Acceleration (8) 2,053,053 - - 2,053,053 - 2,053,053 -
  Stock Award Cont’d Vesting (9) - - - - 2,053,053 - -
  Stock Option Acceleration (10) 338,284 - - 338,284 - 338,284 -
  Stock Option Cont’d Vesting (10) - - - - 338,284 - -
  Performance Awards (11) 2,525,505 - - 2,525,505 2,525,505 2,525,505 -
  Pension Benefits (12) - - - - - - -
  Total Termination Benefits: 6,727,932 - - 4,916,842 4,916,842 4,916,842 -
                 
Stephen D. Williams Cash Severance Payments 1,620,000 814,230 - - - - -
  Continuation of Benefits (7) 80,000 20,000 - - - - -
  Stock Award Acceleration (8) 1,386,816 458,695 - 1,386,816 - 1,386,816 -
  Stock Award Cont’d Vesting (9) - - - - - - -
  Stock Option Acceleration (10) 204,441 204,441 - 204,441 - 204,441 -
  Stock Option Cont’d Vesting (10) - - - - - - -
  Performance Awards (11) 2,388,227 2,388,227 - 2,388,227 - 2,388,227 -
  Pension Benefits (12) 252,346 252,346 252,346 252,346 252,346 - -
  Total Termination Benefits: 5,931,830 4,137,939 252,346 4,231,830 252,346 3,979,484 -

 

(1) Under the Change of Control Severance Agreements, if a change of control of Keysight occurs and an NEO is involuntarily terminated without cause or voluntarily terminates within 3 months following the occurrence of an event constituting “good reason”, and such involuntary termination or “good reason” event occurs (i) within three months prior to a change of control, (ii) at the time of or within 24 months following the occurrence of a change of control, or (iii) at any time prior to a change of control, if such termination is at the request of the acquirer, his or her unvested stock options and stock awards that are subject only to service-based vesting conditions will fully vest. In addition, pursuant to the terms of each NEO’s performance award agreement, following the end of the performance period (or any earlier performance period termination date in connection with the change of control), performance awards will be paid out at the greater of the target award or the accrued amount of the payout. We have assumed that the awards will be settled for the target number of shares for purposes of determining the amounts paid out under each NEO’s performance awards. Because fiscal year 2018 cash incentive awards would have been earned, if at all, as of October 31, 2018, we have not included these amounts in this column.

 

(2) Under the Severance Plan, the vesting of stock options and stock awards which would have occurred during the 12-month period following termination of employment will accelerate. Any remaining unvested stock options and stock awards will be forfeited. Unvested performance stock awards will no longer be subject to any service-based vesting requirements but will only be paid out based on actual performance at the end of the performance period.  For purposes of determining the amounts earned under each NEO’s performance awards, we have assumed that the awards will be settled for the target number of shares.
 

  (LOGO) EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 58  

 

 

(3) Each NEO’s stock awards that are subject only to service-based vesting conditions provide that if an NEO dies or becomes disabled, his or her unvested stock options and stock awards will fully vest. Each NEO’s performance stock awards provide that any unvested awards will no longer be subject to any service-based vesting requirements but will only be paid out based on actual performance at the end of the performance period. For purposes of determining the amounts earned under each NEO’s performance awards, we have assumed that the awards will be settled for the target number of shares.

 

(4) Each NEO’s stock awards that are subject only to service-based vesting provide that if an NEO retires from Keysight, all unvested stock options and stock awards continue to vest per the original terms of the grant. Each NEO’s performance stock awards provide that any unvested awards will no longer be subject to any service-based vesting requirements but will only be paid out based on actual performance at the end of the performance period. As of October 31, 2018, Messrs. Nersesian, Alexander, and Gooi were eligible for such continued vesting upon retirement. For purposes of determining the amounts earned under each NEO’s performance awards, we have assumed that the awards will be settled for the target number of shares.

 

(5) Under the Stock Plan in the event of a change of control of Keysight, all stock awards granted under the Stock Plan will accelerate if they are not assumed, converted or replaced in full by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor. We have assumed that the NEOs have not been terminated for purposes of determining the amounts in this column. For purposes of determining the amounts paid out under each NEO’s performance awards, we have assumed that the awards will be settled for the target number of shares.

 

(6) Under the Stock Plan in the event of a change of control of Keysight, all stock awards granted under the Stock Plan will not accelerate if they are assumed, converted or replaced in full by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor.  We have assumed that the NEOs have not been terminated for purposes of determining the amounts in this column.

 

(7) Flat lump sum benefit for healthcare expenses, including additional health plan premium payments that may result from termination in the event of change of control or a qualified termination under the Severance Plan. 

 

(8) Calculated the acceleration value of the time-based stock awards using $57.08, the closing price of Keysight common stock as of October 31, 2018 (the “Fiscal Year End Price”). 

 

(9) For purposes of determining the value of the time-based stock awards, we have assumed that the Fiscal Year End Price remains constant through each applicable vesting date.

 

(10) Calculated using the in-the-money value of unvested options as of October 31, 2018, based on the Fiscal Year End Price.

 

(11) To determine the value of performance-based stock awards in scenarios where such awards will continue to vest, we have assumed that the Fiscal Year End Price remains constant through each applicable vesting date. The value of performance-based stock awards that accelerate was calculated using the Fiscal Year End Price.

 

(12) For information regarding potential payments upon termination under the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Retirement Plan, and the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan, in which our NEOs participate, see “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation in Last Fiscal Year” and “Pension Benefits” above. 

 

(13) The amounts for Mr. Gooi’s Cash Severance Payment are shown in U.S. Dollars but would be payable to him in Malaysian Ringgit. To convert the amount payable in U.S. Dollars, we used the exchange rate as of October 31, 2018, or 4.184922721 Malaysian Ringgits per U.S. Dollar.

 


KEYSIGHTLOGO
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ǀ  59
 
  

Pay Ratio Disclosure

 

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, Keysight is providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of its employees to the annual total compensation of Mr. Nersesian, our CEO. To understand this disclosure, we believe that it is important to give context to Keysight’s operations. Keysight’s corporate headquarters is in Santa Rosa, California with employees in over 31 countries. As a global organization, approximately 65% of Keysight’s employees were located outside of the U.S. as of October 31, 2018. The countries with the largest number of our employees are the United States, Malaysia, India, China, and Germany .

 

Keysight is engaged in a very competitive industry, and its success depends on its ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified, talented and creative employees. Consistent with our executive compensation program, Keysight’s global compensation program is designed to be competitive in terms of both the position and the geographic location in which an employee is located. Accordingly, our pay structures vary among our employees based on position, geographic location and consideration of local competitive market practices.

 

Pay Ratio

 

For fiscal year 2018, Keysight’s last completed fiscal year:

 

The median of the annual total compensation of all of Keysight’s employees, other than Mr. Nersesian, was $115,035.

 

Mr. Nersesian’s annual total compensation, as reported in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table was $10,240,253.

 

Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Nersesian to the median of the annual total compensation of all of Keysight’s employees other than Mr. Nersesian is estimated to be 1 to 89.

 

Identification of Median Employee

 

We selected October 31, 2018, the last day of fiscal year 2018, as the date on which to determine our median employee. As of that date, Keysight had approximately 13,624 employees, including full-time and part-time employees, employee on leave of absence and temporary employees. For purposes of identifying the median employee, we considered the aggregate of the following compensation elements for each of our employees, as compiled from Keysight’s internal records as of October 31, 2018:

 

Base salary or base wages

 

Target bonuses

 

We selected the above compensation elements because they represent Keysight’s principal broad-based compensation elements. For purposes of identifying the median employee, any compensation paid in foreign currencies was converted to U.S. dollars based on the accounting rates as of October 31, 2018. These rates are set on the last workday of each month for the following month using current market rates. For example, the February accounting rate is set using market rates on January 31st. In identifying the median employee, we have considered all employees who joined the company through acquisitions during the last fiscal year and we did not make any cost-of-living adjustments or exclude any foreign jurisdictions in accordance with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.

 

In determining the annual total compensation of the median employee, the employee’s compensation was calculated in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, as required pursuant to the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules. This calculation is the same calculation used to determine total compensation for purposes of the Summary Compensation Table with respect to each of Keysight’s NEOs.

 

KEYSIGHTLOGO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ǀ 60


 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Q: Why did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
   
A: In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the SEC, instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to each stockholder of record, we are furnishing proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement and our 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders, by providing access to such documents on the Internet. Stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they request them. Instead, commencing on or about February 1, 2019, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) was sent to most of our stockholders which will instruct you as to how to access and review the proxy materials on the Internet. The Notice also instructs you to submit your proxy via the Internet. If you would like to receive a paper or email copy of our proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice.
 
Q: Why am I receiving these materials?
 
A: Keysight is providing these proxy materials to you on the Internet or, upon your request, has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail, in connection with Keysight’s 2019 Annual Meeting, which will take place on March 21, 2019. Stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.
 
Q: Who is soliciting my proxy?
 
A: Keysight is soliciting proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting on March 21, 2019, for the purposes set forth in the foregoing notice.
   
Q: What is included in these materials?
   
A: These materials include:
 
 

●      Proxy Statement for Keysight’s 2019 Annual Meeting; and

●      2018 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes our audited consolidated financial statements.

 
  If you requested printed versions of these materials by mail, these materials also include the proxy card for the Annual Meeting.
 
Q: What information is contained in these materials?
 
A: The information included in this Proxy Statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation of directors and our most highly paid officers and certain other required information.
 
Q: What proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
 
A: There are three proposals scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting:
 
 

●      the election of two directors for a 3-year term;

●      the ratification of the Audit and Finance Committee’s appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2019; and

●      an advisory vote to approve the compensation of Keysight’s named executive officers for fiscal year 2018.

 
Q: What is the Keysight Board’s voting recommendation?
 
A:

Keysight’s Board recommends that you vote your shares:

●      “ FOR ” each of the nominees to the Board;

●      “ FOR ” the ratification of the Audit and Finance Committee’s appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Keysight’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2019; and

●      “ FOR ” the approval of the compensation of Keysight’s named executive officers for fiscal year 2018.

 
 

KEYSIGHTLOGO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ǀ 61
 
 
Q: What shares owned by me can be voted?
   
A: All shares owned by you as of the close of business on January 22, 2019 (the “Record Date”) may be voted. You may cast one vote for each share of common stock that you held on the Record Date. These include shares that are: (1) held directly in your name as the stockholder of record, including shares received or purchased through the Keysight Technologies, Inc. 2014 Equity Plan and the Keysight Technologies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and (2) held for you as the beneficial owner through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee or held for your account by the Keysight Technologies, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plans. On the Record Date, Keysight had 187,746,375 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
 
Q: What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
 
A: Most stockholders of Keysight hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some differences between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
 
  Stockholder of Record
 
  If your shares are registered directly in your name with Keysight’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record, and the Notice, or if requested, these proxy materials was sent directly to you. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the persons named as proxy holders, Ronald S. Nersesian, Keysight’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen D. Williams, Keysight’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If you requested printed copies of the proxy materials, Keysight has enclosed a proxy card for you to use. You may also vote on the Internet or by telephone, as described below under the heading “How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?”
   
  Beneficial Owner
   
  If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and these proxy materials were forwarded to you by your broker or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting. You also have the right to direct your broker on how to vote these shares. Your broker or nominee should have enclosed a voting instruction card for you to direct your broker or nominee how to vote your shares. You may also vote by Internet or by telephone, as described below under “How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?” However, shares held in “street name” may be voted in person by you only if you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder (stock brokerage, bank, or other nominee) giving you the right to vote the shares.
   
Q: How can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?
   
A Shares held directly in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted in person at the Annual Meeting. If you choose to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, please bring proof of ownership of Keysight stock on the record date, such as the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, legal proxy, voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or nominee, or a proxy card as well as proof of identification. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, Keysight recommends that you vote your shares in advance as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
   
Q: How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?
   
A: Whether you hold your shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in “street name,” you may direct your vote without attending the Annual Meeting by proxy. You can vote by proxy over the Internet or by telephone. Please follow the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you request printed copies of proxy materials, on the proxy card or voting instruction card.
 
 
 

KEYSIGHTLOGO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ǀ 62
 
 
Q: Can I revoke my proxy or change my vote?
 
A: You may revoke your proxy or change your voting instructions prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting. You may enter a new vote by using the Internet or the telephone or by mailing a new proxy card or new voting instruction card bearing a later date (which will automatically revoke your earlier voting instructions) or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting in person will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request.
 
Q: How are votes counted?
 
A: In the election of directors, your vote may be cast “FOR” or “AGAINST” one or more of the nominees, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting with respect to one or more of the nominees. Shares voting “ABSTAIN” have no effect on the election of directors.
 
  For proposals 2 and 3, your vote may be cast “FOR” or, “AGAINST” or you may “ABSTAIN.”
   
  If you “ABSTAIN,” it has the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” proposals 2 and 3. If you sign your proxy card or broker voting instruction card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted as described below in “Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes.”
   
  Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
   
  Any shares represented by proxies that are marked to “ABSTAIN” from voting on a proposal will be counted as present in determining whether we have a quorum. They will also be counted in determining the total number of shares entitled to vote on a proposal. Abstentions and, if applicable, broker non-votes will not be counted as votes “FOR” or “AGAINST” a director nominee. Accordingly, abstentions are not counted for the purpose of determining the number of votes cast in the election of directors.
   
  If your shares are held in street name and you do not instruct your broker on how to vote your shares, your broker, in its discretion, may either leave your shares unvoted or vote your shares on routine matters. Only Proposal 2 (ratifying the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm) is considered a routine matter. In accordance with federal legislation adopted in 2010, the SEC has approved changes to NYSE Rule 452, the broker vote rule, that make executive compensation matters, including say-on-pay, non-routine matters. If your broker returns a proxy card but does not vote your shares, this results in a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum.
   
  Proposals 1 (election of directors) and 3 (approval of the compensation of Keysight’s named executive officers) are not considered routine matters, and without your instruction, your broker cannot vote your shares. Because brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote on these proposals, broker non-votes will not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of votes cast on these proposals.
   
Q: What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
   
A: Proposal 1, Election of Directors : Under our majority voting standard, in uncontested elections of directors, such as this election, each director must be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. A “majority of the votes cast” means that the number of votes cast “FOR” a director must exceed 50% of the votes cast with respect to that director. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count as a vote “for” or “against” a nominee’s election and thus will have no effect in determining whether a director nominee has received a majority of the votes cast.
 
  Our Board has adopted a policy under which, in uncontested elections, an incumbent director nominee who does not receive the required votes for re-election is expected to tender his or her resignation to our Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or another duly appointed Committee of the Board, will determine whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation generally within 90 days after certification of the election results. Keysight will publicly disclose the Committee’s determination regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.
 
 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ǀ 63
 
 
  Proposal 2, Ratification of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm : The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. This proposal is a routine proposal on which a broker or other nominee is generally empowered to vote in the absence of voting instructions from the beneficial owner, so broker non-votes are unlikely to result from this proposal.
   
  Proposal 3, Approval of the Compensation of Keysight’s Named Executive Officers : The advisory vote regarding approval of the compensation of Keysight’s named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against this proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal as brokers are not entitled to vote on this proposal in the absence of voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
   
Q: What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice, proxy or voting instruction card?
 
A: It means your shares are registered differently or are in more than one account. For each Notice you receive, please enter your vote on the Internet for each control number you have been assigned. If you receive paper copies of proxy materials, please provide voting instructions for all proxy and voting instruction cards you receive.
 
Q: Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
 
A: Keysight will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and publish preliminary, or final results if available, in a Form 8-K within four business days of the Annual Meeting.
 
Q: What happens if additional proposals are presented at the Annual Meeting?
   
A: Other than the three proposals described in this Proxy Statement, Keysight does not expect any matters to be presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders, Ronald S. Nersesian, Keysight’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen D. Williams, Keysight’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If for any unforeseen reason, any one or more of Keysight’s nominees is not available as a candidate for director, the persons named as proxy holders will vote your proxy for such other candidate or candidates as may be nominated by the Board.
 
Q: What is the quorum requirement for the Annual Meeting?
 
A: The quorum requirement for holding the Annual Meeting and transacting business is a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to be voted. The shares may be present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Broker non-votes, however, are not counted as shares present and entitled to be voted with respect to the matter on which the broker has expressly not voted. Thus, broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of any of the matters being voted on at the Annual Meeting. Generally, broker non-votes occur when shares held by a broker for a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a particular proposal because (1) the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and (2) the broker lacks discretionary voting power to vote such shares.
 
Q: Who will count the vote?
 
A: A representative of Computershare Trust Company will tabulate the votes and act as the inspector of election.
   
Q: Is my vote confidential?
   
A: Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within Keysight or to third parties except (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements, (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation by the Board. Occasionally, stockholders provide written comments on their proxy card, which are then forwarded to Keysight’s management.
   


 



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ǀ 64
 
 
Q: Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the Annual Meeting?
 
A: Keysight will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials. Keysight has retained the services of Georgeson, Inc. (“Georgeson”) to aid in the solicitation of proxies from banks, brokers, nominees and intermediaries. Keysight estimates that it will pay Georgeson a fee of $11,000 for its services. In addition to the mailing of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person, by telephone or by electronic communication by Keysight’s directors, officers and employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for such solicitation activities. In addition, Keysight may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners.
 
Q: May I propose actions for consideration at next year’s Annual Meeting of stockholders or nominate individuals to serve as directors?
 
A: You may submit proposals for consideration at future annual stockholder meetings, including director nominations.
 
  Stockholder Proposals: In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in Keysight’s proxy statement for next year’s Annual Meeting, the written proposal must be received by Keysight no later than October 4, 2019 and will need to comply with the SEC’s regulations regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in Keysight sponsored proxy materials. In order for a stockholder proposal to be raised from the floor during the 2019 Annual Meeting, written notice must have been received by Keysight not less than 90 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting or more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting and should contain such information as required under Keysight’s Bylaws. Keysight’s 2019 Annual Meeting is March 21, 2019 and thus, in order for such notice to be timely for next year’s Annual Meeting, it must be received by Keysight not later than December 22, 2019 or earlier than November 22, 2019.
   
  Nomination of Director Candidates: Keysight’s Bylaws permit stockholders to nominate directors at a stockholder meeting. In order to make a director nomination at an annual stockholder meeting, it is necessary that you notify Keysight in writing not less than 90 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting or more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting. Keysight’s 2019 Annual Meeting is March 21, 2019, and thus, in order for such nomination notice to be timely for next year’s Annual Meeting, it must be received by Keysight not later than December 22, 2019 or earlier than November 22, 2019. In addition, the notice must meet all other requirements contained in Keysight’s Bylaws and include any other information required pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
   
  Copy of Bylaw Provisions: You may contact the Keysight Corporate Secretary at Keysight’s corporate headquarters for a copy of the relevant bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates. Additionally, a copy of Keysight’s Bylaws can be accessed on the Keysight Investor Relations Web site at http://www.investor.keysight.com. Click “Corporate Governance” and then “Governance Policies” on the left hand side of the screen.
   
Q: How do I obtain a separate set of proxy materials if I share an address with other stockholders?
   
A: To reduce expenses, in some cases, we are delivering one set of the proxy materials or, where applicable, one Notice to certain stockholders who share an address, unless otherwise requested by one or more of the stockholders. For stockholders receiving hard copies of the proxy materials, a separate proxy card is included with the proxy materials for each stockholder. For stockholders receiving a Notice, the Notice will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the proxy materials on the Internet. The Notice also instructs you as to how you may submit your proxy on the Internet. If you have only received one set of the proxy materials or one Notice, you may request separate copies at no additional cost to you by calling us at (707) 577-3225 or by writing to us at Keysight Technologies, Inc., 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, California 95403, Attn: Stockholder Records. If you received a Notice and you would like to receive a paper or email copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice.
 
  You may also request separate paper proxy materials or a separate Notice for future annual meetings by following the instructions for requesting such materials in the Notice, or by contacting us by calling or writing.
 

 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ǀ 65
 
 
Q: If I share an address with other stockholders of Keysight, how can we get only one set of voting materials for future meetings?
 
A: You may request that we send you and the other stockholders who share an address with you only one Notice or one set of proxy materials by calling us at (707) 577-3225 or by writing to us at: Keysight Technologies, Inc., 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, California 95403, Attn: Stockholder Records.


You may receive a copy of Keysight’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 without charge by sending a written request to Keysight Technologies, Inc., 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, California 95403, Attn: Investor Relations.

 

By Order of the Board,

 

 

Stephen D. Williams
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Dated: February 1, 2019

 


 


DIRECTIONS TO KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ǀ 66
 
 

DIRECTIONS TO THE ANNUAL MEETING

 


From the South/East

Take Highway 10 West to the Jefferson Street exit. Turn left on Jefferson Street and turn right on Miles Ave. Turn right on CA-111 North. Turn right on Indian Wells Lane and turn right into the Hyatt’s main entrance.

 

From the North/West

Take Highway 10 East to the Cook Street exit (Exit 134). Turn right on Cook Street and turn left on CA-111 South. Turn left on Indian Wells Lane and turn right into the Hyatt’s main entrance.

 


























 

Admission to the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders. You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting only if you are a stockholder of record as of the close of business on January 22, 2019, the record date, or hold a valid proxy for the meeting. In order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting, you must present proof of ownership of Keysight stock as of the record date. This can be a brokerage statement or letter from a bank or broker indicating ownership as of January 22, 2019, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, a proxy card, or legal proxy or voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or nominee. Any holder of a proxy from a stockholder must present the proxy card, properly executed, and a copy of the proof of ownership. Stockholders and proxyholders may also be asked to present a form of photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. Backpacks, cameras, cell phones with cameras, recording equipment and other electronic recording devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting. Keysight reserves the right to inspect any persons or items prior to their admission to the Annual Meeting. Failure to follow the meeting rules or permit inspection will be grounds for exclusion from the Annual Meeting.