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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

Commission File Number 0-22903

 

 

SYNTEL, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Michigan   38-2312018
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
525 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan   48083
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (248) 619-2800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Class

 

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, no par value   The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes   ¨     No   x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the Registrant has been required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   ¨     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a small reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer   ¨    Accelerated Filer   x
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨    Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2010 , based on the last sale price of $33.95 per share for the Common Stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market on such date, was approximately $447,793,710.

As of February 28, 2011, the Registrant had 41,742,429 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on or about June 7, 2011 are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

 

 

 


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SYNTEL INC.

FORM 10-K

INDEX

 

PART I

  
  ITEM 1.   

Business  

     1   
  ITEM 1A.   

Risk Factors  

     12   
  ITEM 1B.   

Unresolved Staff Comments  

     20   
  ITEM 2.   

Properties  

     20   
  ITEM 3.   

Legal Proceedings  

     21   
  ITEM 4.   

Reserved  

     21   

PART II

  
  ITEM 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities  

     22   
  ITEM 6.   

Selected Financial Data  

     24   
  ITEM 7.   

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

     25   
  ITEM 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  

     38   
  ITEM 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  

     39   
  ITEM 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  

     39   
  ITEM 9A.   

Controls and Procedures  

     39   
  ITEM 9B.   

Other Information  

     39   

PART III

  
  ITEM 10.   

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance  

     40   
  ITEM 11.   

Executive Compensation  

     40   
  ITEM 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters  

     40   
  ITEM 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence  

     40   
  ITEM 14.   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services  

     41   

PART IV

  
  ITEM 15.   

Exhibits  

     42   
    

Financial Statement Schedules (F-1 to F-36)  

     F-1 to F-29   
    

SIGNATURES  

     45   


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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

References herein to the “Company” or “Syntel” refer to Syntel, Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide on a consolidated basis.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report on Form 10-K, including without limitation the sections titled Business, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, contains statements that could be construed as forward- looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements containing words such as “could”, “expects”, “may”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, and similar expressions. In addition, the Company or persons acting on its behalf may, from time to time, publish other forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

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

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

OVERVIEW

Syntel, incorporated under Michigan law on April 15, 1980, is a global provider of Information Technology and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) services to Global 2000 companies.

Through its Applications Outsourcing offering, the Company provides complete software applications development, maintenance, testing, migration and infrastructure services. Syntel leverages its proprietary methodologies, processes and tools to assimilate the customer’s business process and technology system knowledge to develop and deliver customized services. Applications Outsourcing services accounted for approximately 76%, 73% and 67% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Through its KPO offerings, the Company provides a host of outsourced solutions for knowledge and business processes. Syntel is focused on high-value, domain-intensive KPO solutions, as opposed to low-value, capital-intensive voice-based services. Syntel uses a proprietary tool called Identeon to assist with strategic assessments of business processes and to identify the right ones for outsourcing. Syntel focuses on the middle and back-office business processes of the transaction cycle in the capital markets, banking, healthcare and insurance industries. Syntel’s insurance KPO services include claims processing and policy administration, among others. Its banking and capital markets KPO services cover investment management operations including brokerage, middle office reconciliation, transfer agency, fund accounting, performance and attribution, trade processing, compliance monitoring, corporate actions, custody reconciliation, hedge fund administration and data management. KPO services for healthcare and life sciences include records management, clinical data management and claims solutions. KPO accounted for approximately 15%, 18% and 20% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Through its e-Business practices, the Company provides advanced technology services in the areas of implementing and maintaining Architecture Solutions, Web Solutions, Data Warehousing/Business Intelligence, Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) and Enterprise Resource Planning. The company has developed capabilities on the leading technology platforms/products in the above areas to provide implementation, deployment and maintenance solutions for its clients. e-Business accounted for approximately 7%, 7% and 11% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Through TeamSourcing, the Company provides professional IT consulting services. Services are provided by individual professionals and teams of professionals dedicated to assisting customer IT departments with systems projects and ongoing functions. TeamSourcing accounted for approximately 2% of total consolidated revenues, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

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The information set forth under Note 15 “Segment Reporting” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the separate financial section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference. Segment asset information is not provided because the Company does not segregate its assets by segment and such measures are not used by management.

Syntel believes that its service offerings are distinguished by its Global Delivery Model, customer for life philosophy, people excellence and internally-developed intellectual capital in the form of methodologies, practices and tools for managing the information technology and business process functions of its customers.

The Company’s Global Delivery Service provides Syntel with flexibility to seamlessly deliver a unique mix of services on-site at the customer’s location, off-site at the Company’s U.S. locations and offshore at Global Development Centers in Mumbai, Chennai and Pune, India.

Syntel believes in a “Customer for Life” philosophy which emphasizes flexibility, responsiveness, cost-consciousness and a tradition of excellence. Syntel provides services to a broad range of Global 2000 companies in the financial services, healthcare and life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, automotive, retail, logistics, telecom and other industries. During 2010 the Company provided services to 124 customers in the U.S. and Europe. The Company has been chosen as a preferred vendor by many of its customers and has been recognized for its quality and responsiveness. The Company seeks to develop long-term relationships with its customers so as to become a trusted business partner and enable it to expand its presence with current customers. Additionally, the Company believes that its vertical expertise, breadth of service and cultural alignment are also important decision factors in the Company being chosen as a preferred vendor. The Company has a two-pronged sales approach focused on “farming” its existing clients by cross-selling other services and “hunting” for new accounts using a dedicated sales team.

The Company believes its human resources are its most valuable asset and invests significantly in programs to recruit, train and retain IT professionals. The Company recruits through a global recruiting network and maintains a broad package of employee support programs. Syntel believes that its management structure and human resources organization is designed to maximize the Company’s ability to efficiently expand its professional staff in response to customer needs. As of December 31, 2010, Syntel’s worldwide billable headcount consisted of 11,710 consultants providing professional services to Syntel’s customers.

Over its 30-year history, Syntel has developed a proven set of intellectual capital in the form of methodologies, practices, tools and technical expertise for the development and management of its customers’ information systems and business processes.

The information set forth under Note 16 “Geographic Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the separate financial section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRY

Globalization and rapid technological innovation have created an increasingly competitive business environment that has led companies to fundamentally change their operating models. This change is driven by increasing demand from customers for increased quality, lower costs, faster turnaround and highly responsive and customized service. The recent economic downturn has increased the urgency for corporations to improve their business performance in the face of uncertain market conditions.

To make these changes and adequately address these needs, companies focus on their core competencies and utilize cost-effective IT solutions to improve productivity, lower costs and manage operations more effectively.

As a result, designing, developing and implementing advanced technology solutions continue to be key priorities for Global 2000 corporations. In addition, the development of new IT applications and maintenance of existing applications continue to be focus areas for these companies. This type of work requires highly skilled individuals trained in a broad spectrum of technologies. However, there is a growing shortage of these individuals and many companies are reluctant to expand their IT departments through additional staffing, particularly at a time when they are attempting to minimize fixed costs and reduce their workforce.

Demand for IT services continues to grow as companies seek ways to outsource not only specific projects for the design, development and integration of new technologies, but also ongoing management, maintenance and enhancement of existing IT systems.

Demand for KPO services is growing as enterprises go beyond IT outsourcing to drive cost reductions through outsourcing of business and knowledge processes. Companies are starting to understand the benefits a KPO partner can deliver with increased efficiencies and service performance.

Those outside specialists best positioned to benefit from these trends have access to a pool of skilled technical professionals, proven ability to manage IT and KPO programs, robust methodologies for managing transition, projects and risk, low-cost offshore software development facilities, and ability to expand operations to meet customer demands.

 

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In today’s environment, large organizations are increasingly finding that full facilities management outsourcing providers, who own and manage an organization’s entire IT function, do not permit the organization to retain control over, or permit flexible reallocation of, its IT resources. This makes Syntel’s flexible model an attractive alternative.

Organizations are seeking an experienced outsourcing services provider that possesses the expertise and knowledge to address the complexities of rapidly changing technologies along with the capability to understand their business processes and industry domain. In addition, the service provider must be able to develop customized solutions to problems unique to the organization.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Syntel has developed mature processes to handle large, complex assignments and efficiently deliver higher quality IT and KPO solutions through a global delivery model. Management believes that Syntel’s global delivery model, customer for life philosophy, vertical domain expertise, and end-to-end service offerings, intellectual capital and fixed-priced and fixed-time frame approach are key competitive advantages.

Global Delivery: Syntel performs its services on-site at the customer’s location, off-site at the Company’s U.S. locations and offshore at the Company’s Indian locations. By linking each of its service locations together through a dedicated data and voice network, Syntel provides a seamless service capability to its customers around the world, largely unconstrained by geographies, time zones and cultures. This Global Delivery Service gives the Company the flexibility to deliver to each customer a unique mix of on-site, off-site and offshore services to meet varying customer needs for direct interaction with Syntel personnel, access to technical and process expertise, resource availability and cost-effective delivery. The benefits to the customer include responsive delivery based on an in-depth understanding of the specific processes and needs of the customer, quick turnaround, access to the most knowledgeable personnel and best practices, resource depth, 24-hour support seven days a week, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. The Company has Development Centers in Pune, Mumbai, Gurgaon and Chennai, India and a Support Center in Cary, North Carolina to support the Company’s Global Delivery Model.

Customer for Life: The Company recognizes that its best source for new business opportunities comes from existing customers and believes its superior customer service is a differentiating factor resulting in Syntel’s high rate of repeat business. At engagement initiation, Syntel’s services are typically based on expertise in the software life cycle and underlying technologies. Over time, however, as Syntel develops an in-depth knowledge of a customer’s business processes, applications and industry, Syntel gains a competitive advantage to perform additional higher-value services for that customer.

Deep Industry Expertise: Syntel’s mission is to “create new opportunities for its clients by harnessing its talent, passion and innovation.” The Company is focused on developing a good understanding of the client’s business to drive new opportunities to improve their business performance. Syntel has developed methodologies, toolsets and proprietary knowledge applicable to specific industries. Syntel combines deep industry knowledge with an understanding of its clients’ needs and technologies to provide high value, high quality services. The Company domain expertise extends to multiple verticals, with particular strength in financial services, insurance and healthcare. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company’s breakdown by industry vertical for financial services, healthcare, insurance, auto, retail and other was 57%, 15%, 17%, 4%, 2% and 5%, respectively.

Depth and Breadth of Service Offerings: The Company provides a comprehensive range of services, including application development, application maintenance and support, packaged software implementation, infrastructure management services, architecture planning, KPO, migration and testing services. Syntel’s knowledge and experience spans multiple computing platforms and technologies, which enable the Company to address a range of business needs and to function as a virtual extension of its clients’ IT departments.

Intellectual Capital: Over its 30-year history, Syntel has developed a proven set of methodologies, practices, tools and technical expertise for the development and management of its customers’ information systems and business processes. The Company believes that its intellectual capital is an important part of its competitive advantage and benefits from its own experience in transitioning from a 100% onshore service provider to a majority offshore-centric service provider. The Company employs a team of professionals whose mission is to develop and formalize Syntel’s intellectual capital for use by the entire Syntel organization. This intellectual capital includes methodologies for the selection of appropriate customer IT and process functions for management by Syntel, tools for the transfer to Syntel of the systems and process knowledge of the customer, and techniques for providing systems and process support improvements to the customer. The Company believes its intellectual capital enhances its ability to understand customer needs, design customized solutions and provide quality services on a timely and cost-effective basis. The Company strives to continually enhance this knowledge base by creating competencies in emerging technical fields such as cloud computing, mobile and embedded technologies, open source platforms, automation and grid computing. Through these efforts, the Company becomes more valuable to the customer and is often able to expand the scope of its work for existing customers.

 

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The Company’s success depends in part on certain methodologies, practices, tools and technical expertise the Company utilizes in designing, developing, implementing and maintaining applications and other proprietary intellectual capital. In order to protect the Company’s rights in this intellectual capital, the Company relies upon a combination of nondisclosure and other contractual arrangements as well as trade secret, copyright and trademark laws. The Company also generally enters into confidentiality agreements with its employees, consultants, clients and potential clients and limits access to and distribution of the Company’s proprietary information.

Fixed-Priced and Fixed-Time Frame: Syntel has historically performed part of its services on a fixed-price, fixed-time frame basis, which the Company believes aligns its objectives with those of its clients. The Company believes its ability to offer fixed-price and fixed-time frame processes is an important competitive differentiator in the marketplace. The Company leverages its domain expertise, skilled technical resources and proprietary tools and methodologies to deliver to customer expectations on these engagements.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

The Company’s objective is to become a strategic partner with its customers in managing the full IT/KPO services lifecycle. The Company plans to continue to pursue the following strategies to achieve this objective:

Leverage Global Delivery Model. The ability to deliver a seamless service capability virtually anywhere in the world from its domestic and offshore facilities gives the Company an effective ability to meet customer needs for technical and process expertise, best practice solutions, resource availability, scalability, responsive turnaround and cost-effective delivery. A significant proportion of Syntel services are delivered from offshore delivery locations. Measured by billable headcount, approximately 79% of services were delivered from offshore centers as of December 31, 2010 versus 80% as of December 31, 2009.

Continue to Grow Applications Outsourcing Services. Through Applications Outsourcing, the Company markets its higher value applications management services for ongoing applications management, development and maintenance. The Company has significantly increased its investment in Applications Outsourcing services and realigned its resources to focus on the development, marketing and sales of its Applications Outsourcing and KPO services, including the hiring of additional sales, engagement and delivery personnel, developing proprietary methodologies and increasing marketing efforts.

Capitalize on Existing Capabilities in the KPO Market. The Company will grow its expertise in the area of value-added KPO solutions, primarily in the areas of financial services, healthcare and insurance. By leveraging a mature Global Delivery Model and domain expertise, the Company is able to deliver process improvements as well as provide competitively priced KPO solutions. In addition to offering its existing KPO solutions, the Company also expects to build on its solution set to capitalize on additional opportunities.

Expand Customer Base and Role with Current Customers. The Company’s emphasis on customer service and long-term relationships has enabled the Company to generate recurring revenues from existing customers. The Company also seeks to expand its customer base by leveraging its expertise in providing services to the financial services, healthcare, insurance, automotive, retail, and other industries. The Company is increasing its marketing efforts in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe.

Attract and Retain Highly Skilled Professionals. The Company believes that its human resources are its most valuable asset. Accordingly, its success depends in large part upon its ability to attract, develop, motivate, retain and effectively utilize highly skilled professionals. Over the years, the Company has developed a worldwide recruiting network, logistical expertise to relocate its personnel, and programs for human resource retention and development. The Company (1) employs professional recruiters who recruit qualified professionals throughout the U.S. and India; (2) trains employees and new recruits through both computer-based training and its four training centers, one of which is located in the U.S. and three of which are located in India and (3) maintains a broad range of employee support programs, including relocation assistance, a comprehensive benefits package, career planning and incentive plans. The Company believes that its management structure and human resources organization is designed to maximize the Company’s ability to efficiently expand its professional staff in response to customer needs. The Company believes that its recent investment in its Pune and Chennai, India campuses has positively impacted its ability to attract and retain high quality talent.

Pursue Selective Partnership Opportunities. The Company has entered into partnership alliances with several software firms and IT application infrastructure firms. The alliances provide a strong software implementation strategy for the customer, combining the partner’s software with Syntel’s extensive implementation and delivery capabilities. Before entering into a partnership alliance, the Company considers a number of criteria, including: (1) technology employed; (2) projected product lifecycles; (3) size of the potential market; (4) software integration requirements of the product and (5) the reputation of the potential partner.

 

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SERVICE OFFERINGS

Syntel provides a broad range of services to its customers through its Applications Outsourcing, e-Business, KPO, and TeamSourcing service offerings.

Through Applications Outsourcing offering, the Company provides complete software applications development, maintenance, testing, migration and infrastructure services.

Through its KPO offerings, the Company provides a host of outsourced solutions for knowledge and business processes.

Through its e-Business practices, the Company provides advanced technology services in the areas of implementing and maintaining Architecture Solutions, Web Solutions, Data Warehousing/Business Intelligence, Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) and Enterprise Resource Planning.

Through TeamSourcing, the Company provides professional IT consulting services.

During the past year, the Company has increased the personnel and resources dedicated to the development, marketing and sales of its Applications Outsourcing and KPO services. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, Applications Outsourcing and e-Business combined accounted for approximately 83%, 80% and 78%, respectively, of the Company’s total revenues and TeamSourcing represented approximately 2%, 2% and 2%, respectively, of the Company’s total revenues. Revenue from the KPO segment was 15%, 18% and 20% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Syntel’s focus on customer service is evidenced by the high level of repeat business from existing customers and the performance and quality awards its customers have bestowed on Syntel. In the fourth quarter of 2010, more than 95 % of Syntel’s revenue came from clients the Company has worked with for at least one year. Syntel has earned recognition for its quality and innovation from a host of clients in a variety of industries. Syntel’s development centers in India earned the highest possible quality rating of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model (CMM) – Level 5. Syntel is also an ISO 9001: 2000 and ISO 27001:2005 certified company and has achieved SAS 70 Type II Certification.

During 2010, Syntel also earned a host of media and industry awards, including Forbes’ “200 Best Small Companies in America;” “FinTech 100” by American Banker, Bank Technology News and IDC Financial Insights; Software Magazine’s “Software 500;” “Partner of the Year” by Microsoft India for the distribution and services industry; Inc. Magazine’s “Top 100 best performing mid-sized companies in India;” Dataquest India’s “Top 50 IT Provider;” Global Services’ “Global Services 100;” “Healthcare Informatics 100;” “VAR500” listing of the leading technology integrators and solution providers in North America and International Association of Outsourcing Professional’s “The Global Outsourcing 100”.

Applications Outsourcing

Syntel provides high-value application management services for ongoing management, development and maintenance of business applications. Through Applications Outsourcing, the Company assumes responsibility for, and manages selected applications support functions of the customers. The Global Delivery Service is central to Syntel’s delivery of Applications Outsourcing services. It enables the Company to respond to customers’ needs for ongoing service and flexibility and has provided the capability to become productive quickly on a cost-effective basis to meet timing and resource demands for mission-critical applications.

Syntel has developed methodologies, processes and tools to effectively integrate and execute Applications Outsourcing engagements. Referred to as IntelliTransfer ® , this methodology is implemented in three stages of planning, transition and launch. Syntel first focuses on the customer’s personnel, processes, technology and culture to develop a plan to effectively assimilate the business process knowledge of the customer. Syntel then begins to learn the business processes of the customer and, finally, seeks to assume responsibility for performance of a particular customer applications system or systems. As the Company develops an in-depth knowledge of the customer’s personnel, processes, technology and culture, Syntel acquires a competitive advantage to pursue higher value-added services. The Company believes its approach to providing these services results in a long-term customer relationship involving a key Syntel role in the business processes and applications of the customer.

Because providing both e-Business and Applications Outsourcing services typically involves close participation in the IT strategy of a customer’s organization, Syntel adjusts the manner in which it delivers these services to meet the specific needs of each customer. For example, if the customer’s business requires fast delivery of a mission-critical applications update, Syntel will combine its on-site professionals, who have knowledge of the customer’s business processes and applications, together with its global infrastructure to

 

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deliver around-the-clock resources. If the customer’s need is for cost reduction, Syntel may increase the portion of work performed at its offshore Global Development Centers, which has significantly lower costs. The Company believes that its ability to provide flexible service, delivery and access to resources permits responsiveness to customer needs and are important factors that distinguish its e-Business and Applications Outsourcing services from other IT service firms.

Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO)

Syntel seeks to provide high-value KPO solutions to its customers, as opposed to low-value, capital-intensive voice-based KPO services. Through KPO, Syntel provides outsourced solutions for a client’s knowledge and business processes, providing them with the advantage of a low-cost position and process enhancement through optimal use of technology. Syntel uses a proprietary tool called Identeon TM to assist with strategic assessments of business processes, identifying the right ones for outsourcing. Syntel focuses on the middle and back-office business processes of the transaction cycle in the capital markets, banking, healthcare and insurance industries. Its banking and capital markets KPO services include investment management global operations including brokerage operations, middle office reconciliation, transfer agency, fund accounting, performance and attribution, trade processing, compliance monitoring, corporate actions, custody reconciliation, hedge fund administration and data management. KPO services for the healthcare and life sciences industry includes records management, clinical data management and claims solutions. Syntel’s insurance KPO services include claims processing and policy administration, among others.

e-Business Services

Syntel provides strategic advanced technology services for the design, development, implementation and maintenance of solutions to enable customers to be more competitive. Many of today’s advanced technology solutions are around utilization of the Internet and mobile devices, which have transformed many businesses. The Company provides customized technology services in the areas of web solutions, including architecture, enablement of legacy applications and portal development. In the area of Data Warehousing/Business Intelligence, Syntel helps customers make more strategic use of information within their businesses through the development and implementation of analytics dashboards, data warehouses and data mining tools. In the areas of Enterprise Applications Integration and Enterprise Resource Planning, Syntel takes an enterprise-wide view of its customers’ environment and implements package software solutions that create better integration, and therefore better information utilization, between front-office and back-office applications. Syntel helps its customers select the appropriate package software options, then customize and implement the solutions. Additionally, the Company has effectively engaged several partnerships to provide its implementation, customization, migration and maintenance services with leading software and IT application software infrastructure. These partnerships will provide the Company with increased opportunities for market penetration.

TeamSourcing ®

Syntel offers professional IT consulting services directly to its customers and, to a lesser degree, in partnership with other service providers. The professional IT consulting services include individual professionals and teams of professionals dedicated to assisting customer systems projects and ongoing IT functions. This service responds to the demand from internal IT departments for additional expertise, niche technical skills and personnel.

CUSTOMERS

Syntel provides its services to a broad range of Global 2000 corporations in the financial services, healthcare, insurance, automotive, retail and other industries. In 2010, the Company provided services to 124 customers, principally in the U.S. The Company also provides services to customers in Europe and Southeast Asia, many of whom are subsidiaries or affiliates of its U.S. customers.

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s top ten customers accounted for approximately 75%, 75% and 71% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively. The Company’s three largest customers in 2010 contributed approximately 24%, 16% and 9%, respectively, of the total revenues. The Company’s largest customer for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was American Express, accounting for approximately 24%, 21% and 20% of the total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Further, the Company’s second-largest customer, State Street Bank, contributed approximately 16%, 20% and 20% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

GLOBAL DELIVERY SERVICE

Syntel’s Global Delivery Service gives the Company the flexibility and resources to perform services on-site at the customer’s location, off-site at the Company’s U.S. locations and offshore at the Company’s Indian locations.

 

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By linking each of its service locations together through a dedicated data and voice network, Syntel provides a seamless service capability to its customers. The Global Delivery Service gives the Company the flexibility to deliver to each customer a customized mix of integrated on-site, off-site and offshore services to meet varying customer needs for direct interaction with Syntel personnel, access to technical expertise and best practices, resource availability and cost-effective delivery.

Through on-site service delivery at the customer’s location, the Company is able to gain comprehensive knowledge concerning the customer’s personnel, processes, technology and culture, and maintain direct customer contact to facilitate project management, problem solving and integration of Syntel services. Offshore service delivery at the Company’s Indian locations provides the customer with the capacity to receive around-the- clock attention to applications maintenance and project development for faster turnaround, greater availability of resources and technology expertise resident in India.

The Company has developed global recruiting and training programs, which have efficiently provided skilled professionals to meet customer needs. In addition, the Company’s sales, solutions and delivery functions are closely integrated in the Global Delivery Service so that appropriate resources can be leveraged for the project at the right time and at the most advantageous location. Each customer relationship is tracked and serviced through a multi-layered governance process. Regular meetings are held with key project management, sales, technical, legal and finance personnel to monitor progress, identify issues and discuss solutions. As engagements evolve and customer needs change, the Company can reallocate resources responsively among these locations as necessary.

The Company has Global Development Centers in Pune, Mumbai, Gurgaon and Chennai, India and a Support Center in Cary, North Carolina to support the Company’s Global Delivery Service.

Syntel’s Global Development Centers enable its strategy to provide cost-effective services to its clients.

SALES AND MARKETING

The Company markets and sells services directly through a professional sales team and senior management team operating principally from the Company’s offices in Santa Clara, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Schaumburg, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York, New York; Troy, Michigan; Cary, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Memphis, Tennessee; Framingham, Massachusetts; London, UK; Toronto, Canada; Stuttgart and Munich, Germany; Dublin, Ireland; Sydney and Australia.

The sales staff is aligned by industry vertical, and salespersons sell the entire spectrum of Syntel services to clients and prospects. The sales team is supported by marketing, domain and technical subject matter experts from the Company’s practice and delivery teams.

The sales cycle involves multiple stages including responding to RFIs (Request for Information) and RFPs (Request for Proposal), technical solution development, proposal presentations to client, client site visit and commercial negotiations. The sales team collaborates with the practice, delivery, finance, marketing, human resources and legal teams to develop a technical solution and financial value proposition to meet client requirements. Senior Syntel leaders from Sales, Business Unit and Corporate are engaged with client management at various stages of the sales process.

The sales cycle for Applications Outsourcing engagements ranges from six to twelve months, depending on the complexity of the engagement.

The sales cycle for KPO engagements, from initial contact to execution of an agreement varies by type of service, account size and complexity of the engagement and ranges from six to twelve months and in some cases for more than a year.

The sales cycle for an e-Business engagement, from initial contact to execution of an agreement, varies by type of service and account size and typically ranges from one to six months, depending upon the complexity of the engagement. The sales cycle for large, fixed-price e-Business engagements is similar to that of Applications Outsourcing engagements. The sales cycle for partnership software installations is generally one to six months. The associated software installation engagements are generally short, lasting one to three months. The Company’s Strategic Offerings Group (SOG) team supports the Company’s sales team in this area.

The sales cycle for TeamSourcing engagements, from initial contact to execution of an agreement, varies by type of service and account size, but is typically completed within 30 days.

Syntel’s marketing organization is responsible for building and supporting the Syntel brand and generating awareness and leads for the Company’s service offerings. The Company’s current marketing initiatives include online advertising, webcasts, conference sponsorship and attendance, direct mail and calling campaigns, white papers, case studies, and public relations aimed at CEOs, CIOs

 

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and CFOs of Global 2000 companies. In addition, Syntel’s marketing team maintains ongoing relationships with leading industry analysts such as Gartner Group and Forrester Research to ensure analysts have a good understanding of Syntel’s offerings and positioning. Syntel’s marketing group manages the Company’s market research and also helps in building proposals along with the sales team.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The Company believes that its human resources are its most valuable asset. As of December 31, 2010, the Company globally had 17,383 full-time employees including a billable headcount of 11,710 providing a wide range of Information Technology and Knowledge Process Outsourcing professional services to Syntel’s customers.

A majority of the Company’s professional employees have a Bachelor of Technology / Science / Commerce degree or its equivalent, or higher degrees in computer science, engineering disciplines, commerce, management, finance and other areas. Their experience level ranges from entry-level programmers and process associates, to account / engagement managers and senior IT and business process consultants with over 20 years of IT / KPO experience. The Company has personnel who are experienced in mainframe, client/server and open systems technologies, business and knowledge processes, and proficient in a variety of computer programming languages, software tools, database management systems, networks, testing, investment operations, asset management and financial services.

The Company has implemented a management structure and human resources organization intended to maximize the Company’s ability to efficiently expand its professional staff. The Company believes that it has the capability to meet its anticipated future staffing needs for IT and KPO professionals through its established recruiting, talent management and training programs.

Talent Acquisition: The Company has developed a recruiting methodology and organization which is a core competency. The Company has significantly expanded its international-based recruiting team, with recruiters in Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad, India, to recruit for the Company’s global requirements. The Company also has a recruiting team focused on U.S. and International hiring which recruits across the Company’s global locations. The Company uses a standardized global selection process that includes written tests, interviews and reference checks.

Among the Company’s other recruiting techniques are the placement of advertisements on its own web site and popular job boards, in newspapers and trade magazines, providing bonuses to its employees who refer qualified applicants, partnering with and recruiting on university campuses, and participating in job fairs. In addition, the Company has developed a database of talent pipeline hosted on the Company’s intranet, which has an automated workflow for managing the phases of talent fulfillment and recruiting. This system enhances the ability of the Company’s recruiters to select appropriate candidates and manage the interview, selection and offer process through a streamlined workflow.

Talent Management: The Company seeks to provide meaningful support to its employees, which the Company believes leads to improved employee retention and better quality services to its customers. A significant percentage of the Company’s employees have been recruited from outside the U.S., and are constantly deployed to global locations from which the Company operates. As a result of this approach, Syntel has developed a significant knowledge base in making foreign professionals quickly oriented and productive across its global locations.

STEP (Syntel Talent Engagement Program) is a structured performance management program that has become firmly ingrained in the Company’s culture. Detailed business discussions are conducted, spanning across the organization flowing upwards from supervisor/manager level to leadership team. Talent summaries, short-term and long-term talent plans, and future leadership identification are executed as the part of these business discussions. The entire process is also managed end-to-end through the digitized e-PMD (Performance Management Document) Tool, which has excellent conformance. The Company also conducts regular career planning sessions with its employees, and seeks to meet their career goals over a long-term planning horizon.

Apart from the knowledge and skills that are critical for each position, the Company measures personal attributes and Syntel Values, which are fundamental for any employee. The five core Values which each Syntel employee embodies are tested during the selection itself. These five Values are Simple, Speed, Smart, Synergy, and Stretch, where integrity is the foundation underlying the above core values. The values are also reinforced during the appraisal process, which imparts great significance to the values scores. Each of these values is well defined, and assessors are coached on how to gauge them at various levels.

As part of its retention strategy, the Company strives to provide a competitive compensation and benefits package, including relocation reimbursement and support, short-term and long-term bonus plans, medical insurance, dental options, a vision eye-care program, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability options, a 401(k) plan, and a tuition subsidy plan.

 

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Training: The Company uses a number of established training delivery mechanisms in its efforts to provide a consistent and reliable talent pool of qualified IT and KPO professionals. To empower our employees to live our Mission, Syntel introduces new training modules annually, with the core dimensions of training being Technical, Functional, Domain and Management. Syntel employees are sponsored for certifications in these areas.

Syntel management training programs cover the management of projects, engagements and business processes. For over a decade, Syntel has been certified as a “Registered Education Provider” by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the United States. Project management training is imparted internally by Syntel and externally by the International Institute of Learning (IIL) in the United States as per PMI guidelines.

The Company’s domain training programs cover Insurance and Healthcare training in Property and Casualty, Life and Annuities, and Payer and Provider areas as per AICPCU/IIA, LOMA and AHIP guidelines. All other domain training is tailored as per market needs, and employees undergo various levels of training based on competencies.

Syntel’s technology training programs cover languages, databases, operating systems, application servers, portal builders, infrastructure library management (ITIL) and packaged tools in the ERP, EAI and BI arenas. Training is delivered by instructor-led classroom sessions, or on-line via e-Learning programs on Syntel’s e-Learning subscription sites. The training team runs a variety of functional training programs which are process specific, such as Capital Markets training, Fund Accounting training, Transaction Processing, and others.

The Company also helps its leaders become its brand ambassadors by imparting Management Development Programs like operational programs such as Leadership Effectiveness Assessment Program (LEAP), SAIL ® , Train to Retain (T2R) and Train the Trainer (TTT). These programs instill leadership values in its managers. The Company also runs programs like e-mail Etiquette, Presentation Skills, Business Communication, Business Etiquette and many more such Soft Skills modules to help build a strong base of employees. Also, the Company ensures that employees lead a very fulfilling life even when at work, by being able to de-stress themselves through life enrichment sessions, music therapy, craft and art sessions.

Syntel has very clearly laid out its Goal, Mission and Values to its employees. These statements are simple to understand and are very well defined, communicated and reinforced through management communication (town halls / e-mails / print collateral), induction programs, quizzes, rewards and recognitions programs, and celebration of successes. The Company also reinforces its Mission and Values through special programs like the Syntel Star Awards, Values Awards and Innovation Awards which create tremendous response, along with phenomenal business results.

COMPETITION

The IT and KPO services industry is intensely competitive, highly fragmented and subject to rapid change and evolving industry standards. The Company competes with a variety of other companies, depending on the client and scope of services. The Company’s primary competitors include system integrator firms, application software companies, professional services groups of computer equipment companies, and contract programming companies. The Company’s most direct competitors in IT include Cognizant, Infosys Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro Technologies that utilize an integrated on-site/offshore business model comparable to that used by the Company. The Company also competes with large IT service providers with greater resources, such as Accenture and IBM Global Services. The Company is also seeing increased competition from non-Indian sources such as Eastern Europe and the Philippines. In addition, the Company competes with numerous smaller local companies in the various geographic markets in which the Company operates. In KPO, the Company primarily competes with other offshore KPO vendors including Genpact, HCL, Wipro Technologies, WNS and with offshore captive units established by client organizations. Many of the Company’s customers choose to work with more than one service provider and contract with an individual provider to work on specific engagements that best match that provider’s expertise.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Syntel makes available free of charge, through its website, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The URL for Syntel’s web site is www.syntelinc.com.

 

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The executive officers of the Registrant, their ages, and the position or office held by each, are as follows:

 

NAME

  AGE    

POSITION

Bharat Desai  

    58      Chairman and Director

Prashant Ranade  

    58      Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Arvind S. Godbole  

    53      Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Security Officer

Anil Jain  

    52      Senior Vice President, Insurance Business Unit Head

Rakesh Khanna  

    48      President, Business Unit—Banking and Finance

Daniel M. Moore  

    56      Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

V. S. Raj  

    47      Chief Executive Officer, State Street Syntel Services Private Limited

R. S. Ramdas  

    56      Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and Global Procurement Head

Raja Ray  

    48      Senior Vice President, Retail, Logistics and Telecom Business Unit

Murlidhar Reddy  

    41      Vice President, Healthcare and Life Sciences Business Unit Head

Amit Chatterjee  

    44      Senior Vice President, Europe Head

Avinash Salelkar  

    48      Vice President, Automotive and Manufacturing and PLM and ES Business Unit Head

Rajesh Save  

    45      Global Head—Human Resources

Bharat Desai is a co-founder of Syntel and serves as its Chairman of the Board and as a director. He served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from the Company’s formation through February 2009 and has been the Chairman of Syntel’s Board of Directors since February 1999. He also served as the Company’s President from its formation until December 2006.

Prashant Ranade was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company in February 2010. He has served as a director of Syntel since June 2007. From May 2003 to November 2006, Mr. Ranade served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Group Logistics and Assembly Systems, NA (currently Dematic GmbH & Co. KG), a company that is principally involved in material handling logistics and automation. Mr. Ranade served on the board of directors at Dematic until July 2007.

Arvind S. Godbole was appointed Chief Financial Officer in December 2006 after being appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in June 2006. Mr. Godbole was appointed the Company’s Chief Information Security Officer in June 2006. He has been with the Company as Corporate Controller since March 2001 and had also been a member of the Procurement Team along with his usual functions as a controller.

Anil Jain was appointed as Senior Vice President, Business Unit Head—Insurance Vertical in February 2006. Mr. Jain has been with Syntel since 1993 serving in a number of client relationship and IT service delivery capacities.

Rakesh Khanna was appointed as President, Business Unit Head—Banking and Finance for the Company in July 2005.

Daniel M. Moore has served the Company as Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary and since August 1998.

V. S. Raj was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of State Street Syntel Services Private Limited in October 2008. Prior to joining Syntel, Mr. Raj served as Vice President and Site Manager for JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global financial services provider, in Bangalore from June 2005 to October 2008.

R.S. Ramdas was appointed as Senior Vice President in July 2006 and became a member of the leadership team in February 2006. As a Senior Vice President, Mr. Ramdas has been involved with finance, internal audit, procurement, and global taxation. Mr. Ramdas served as Vice President of Syntel from March 2004 to January 2006.

Raja Ray was appointed as Senior Vice President, Retail, Logistics and Telecom Business Unit in August 2009. Prior to joining Syntel, Mr. Ray served as an Assistant Vice President in the consumer packaged goods vertical at Cognizant Technology Solutions from June to July 2009, as an Application Sales Leader at EDS an HP Company from May 2008 to May 2009, and in various positions at Tata Consultancy Services from February 1990 to March 2008. All three previous companies are IT services providers.

Murlidhar Reddy was appointed as Vice President, Healthcare and Life Sciences Business Unit Head in July 2006 and has been with Syntel since November 2003 serving in various IT service delivery capacities.

Amit Chatterjee was appointed Senior Vice President, Europe Head in December 2008. From August 2008 to November 2008 Mr. Chatterjee was an Associate Partner in the IBM UK—Communication Sector. IBM UK is a technology services and software company. From October 2004 to August 2008, Mr. Chatterjee was Vice President of Tech Mahindra Ltd., a company in the software services business in the telecommunications domain where Mr. Chatterjee was responsible for business development in Europe.

 

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Avinash Salelkar was appointed Vice President, Automotive and Manufacturing and PLM and ES Business Unit Head, in February 2011. Prior to joining Syntel, Mr. Salelkar served at Geometric Limited, a software services and consulting company, as Vice President, Engineering Services, heading the engineering services business from April 2009 to January 2011 and as Vice President, Business Process Consulting, from February 2008 to March 2009. Mr. Salelkar also served in management and consulting roles at Tata Consultancy Services, a software services consulting company, from January 2003 to February 2008.

Rajesh Save was appointed Global Head – Human Resources in February 2011. Prior to joining Syntel, Mr. Save was Executive Vice President—Human Resources for at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. and a predecessor company, Essel Corporate Resources Pvt. Ltd., both television, media, and entertainment companies, from September 2007 to December 2010, where he led several human resource and organizational development initiatives. Mr. Save also served as Manager HR—India Division for Transocean Offshore Installation Ventures Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Transocean Inc.), an offshore drilling contractor, from May 2006 to September 2007.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following factors should be considered carefully when evaluating our business.

The continued uncertainty and negative conditions in the worldwide economic markets could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Worldwide financial systems and economic conditions are under stress. The Company’s customers may curtail their spending programs, which could result in a decrease in demand for the Company’s services. In addition, certain of the Company’s customers could experience an inability to pay suppliers. Likewise, suppliers may be unable to sustain their current level of operations, fulfill their commitments and/or fund future operations and obligations, each of which could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s business could be materially adversely affected if one of the Company’s significant clients terminates its engagement of the Company or if there is a downturn in one of the industries the Company serves.

The Company has in the past derived, and believes will continue to derive, a significant portion of its revenues from a limited number of large, corporate clients. The Company’s ten largest clients generated approximately 75%, 75% and 71% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company’s largest client for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was American Express, which generated approximately 24%, 21% and 20% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company’s second largest client is State Street Bank which generated approximately 16%, 20% and 20% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for both KPO and IT services. The Company expects to continue to derive a significant portion of the Company’s revenues from American Express and State Street Bank. Failure to meet a client’s expectations could result in cancellation or non-renewal of the Company’s engagement and could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely affect its ability to attract new business. Many of the Company’s contracts, including all of the Company’s contracts with its ten largest clients, are terminable by the client with limited notice to the Company and without compensation beyond payment for the professional services rendered through the date of termination. An unanticipated termination of a significant engagement could result in the loss of substantial anticipated revenues. The loss of any significant client or engagement could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company also derived, and expects to continue to derive, a significant portion of its revenues from clients in certain industries, including the financial services, insurance and healthcare industries. Clients in the financial services industry generated approximately 57%, 57% and 55% of the Company’s revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. A downturn in the financial services industry or other industries from which the Company derives significant revenues could result in less revenue from current and potential clients in such industry and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, the Company’s KPO services to State Street Bank and two other clients for the year are provided through a joint venture between the Company and an affiliate of State Street Bank. Sales of KPO services only to these three clients represented approximately 14% of the Company’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010, and approximately 17% and 16% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The current master agreement under which the Company is able to provide KPO services to these three clients appoints the Company as an authorized provider but does not require that the clients use the Company for KPO services. KPO services are ordered through separate work orders as may be agreed to by the clients and the Company from time to time. The master agreement is terminable on short notice, has no minimum volume commitments and has an initial expiration date in February 2012 with the ability to extend by mutual consent for up to three additional one year terms. Commencing on the first to occur of January 16, 2012 or termination of the master agreement due to the Company’s insolvency, material breach or change in control, the State Street Bank affiliate through a separate shareholders agreement has the right to purchase the Company’s interest in the joint venture at an agreed-upon formula price. The exercise of this purchase right would have the effect of terminating the Company’s ability to provide KPO services to these three clients and transferring some related KPO professionals and assets to the State Street Bank affiliate. The State Street Bank affiliate exercise of the purchase right under the shareholders agreement could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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The Company’s business could be materially adversely affected if there were a default in providing contracted services and that default resulted in damages that were substantially in excess of current insurance coverage or there were a denial of an insurance claim by the Company’s insurance carriers.

The Company provides information technology and KPO services that are integral to our client’s businesses. If the Company were to default in the provision of contractually agreed-upon services, Company clients could suffer significant damages and make claims upon the Company for those damages. Although the Company believes it has adequate processes in place to protect against defaults in the provisions of services, errors may occur, particularly in KPO services which are more transactional in nature. The Company currently carries $25 million in errors and omissions liability coverage for all services provided by the Company other than the joint venture between the Company and an affiliate of State Street Bank. That joint venture currently carries $10 million in errors and omissions coverage. To the extent client damages were deemed recoverable against the Company and were substantially in excess of the Company’s insurance coverage, or if the Company’s claims for insurance coverage were denied by the Company’s insurance carriers for any reason including, but not limited to a Company client’s failure to provide insurance carrier-required documentation or a Company client’s failure to follow insurance carrier-required claim settlement procedures, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Failure to hire and retain a sufficient number of qualified professionals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s business of delivering professional services is labor intensive, and accordingly, the Company’s success depends upon the Company’s ability to attract, develop, motivate, retain and effectively utilize highly-skilled professionals. The Company believes that there is a growing shortage of, and significant competition for, professionals who possess the technical skills and experience necessary to deliver the Company’s services, both in the United States and in India, and that such professionals are likely to remain a limited resource for the foreseeable future. The Company believes that as a result of these factors, the Company operates within an industry that experiences a significant rate of annual turnover of personnel. The Company’s business plans are based on hiring and training a significant number of additional professionals each year to meet anticipated turnover and increased staffing needs. The Company’s ability to maintain and renew existing engagements and to obtain new business depends, in large part, on the Company’s ability to hire and retain qualified professionals. The Company performs a portion of the Company’s employee recruitment for U.S. positions in foreign countries, particularly India. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, attrition was 14.8%, 11% and 14%, respectively. For the same periods, the number of net hires was 4,816, 204 and 654, respectively. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recruit and train a sufficient number of qualified professionals or that the Company will be successful in retaining current or future employees. Increased hiring by technology companies, particularly in India, and increasing worldwide competition for skilled technology professionals may lead to a shortage in the availability of qualified personnel in the markets in which the Company operates and hires. Failure to hire and train or retain qualified professionals in sufficient numbers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Government regulation of immigration and work permits/visas could impact the Company’s ability to effectively utilize the Company’s Global Delivery Model.

The Company recruits professionals on a global basis and, therefore, must comply with the immigration and work permit/visa laws and regulations of the countries in which the Company operates or plans to operate. As of December 31, 2010, 2,012 IT professionals, representing approximately 12% of the Company’s worldwide workforce provided services under work permits/visas. The Company’s inability to obtain sufficient work permits/visas due to the impact of these regulations, including any changes to immigration and work permit/visa regulations in particular jurisdictions, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Government taxation of the Company could reduce the Company’s overall profitability.

Our Indian subsidiaries are export-oriented companies which, under the Indian Income Tax Act of 1961, are entitled to claim tax holidays for a period of ten consecutive years for each Software Technology Park (STP) with respect to export profits for each STP. Substantially all of the earnings of our Indian subsidiaries are attributable to export profits. The majority of our STPs in India are currently entitled to a 100% exemption from Indian income tax. Under current law, these tax holidays will be completely phased out by March 31, 2011. Under current Indian tax law, export profits after March 31, 2011 from our existing STPs will be fully taxable at the Indian statutory rate (33.22% as of December 31, 2010) in effect at such time. If the tax holidays relating to our Indian STPs are not extended or new tax incentives are not introduced that would effectively extend the income tax holiday benefits beyond March 31, 2011, we expect that our effective income tax rate would increase significantly beginning in calendar year 2011.

In anticipation of the complete phase out of the tax holidays on March 31, 2011, we expect to continue to locate a portion of our new development centers in areas designated as Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Development centers operating in SEZs will be entitled

 

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to certain income tax incentives for periods of up to 15 years. The Indian government has proposed certain interpretive positions regarding the tax incentives applicable to SEZs. The Indian government has discussed making further changes in the SEZ policies which could be adverse to our operations. Certain of our development centers currently operate in SEZs and many of our future planned development centers are likely to operate in SEZs. A change in the Indian government’s policies affecting SEZs in a manner that adversely impacts the incentives for establishing and operating facilities in SEZs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Indian Government has proposed a Direct Tax code (DTC) to replace existing Income Tax Act, 1961. DTC is in draft stage and if adopted may adversely impact the incentives for establishing and operating facilities in SEZs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The United States government is discussing and other countries’ governments may discuss increased corporate taxation including the possibility of taxing profits generated by the Company outside the country of taxation. Increased corporate taxation could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

As at December 31, 2010 and 2009, for various years, the Company has disputed and potentially disputable tax liabilities of $54.23 million and $42.13 million, respectively. Against the above, the Company has recognized tax liabilities, representing the unrecognized tax benefits, of $19.71 million and $14.44 million and the corresponding interest of $0.39 and $0.27 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company periodically reviews the disputed and potentially disputable tax liabilities, including reviews by the external tax consultants/counsels, for ensuring the adequacy of the corresponding provision for tax liabilities and appropriate provisions are made.

The Company has paid income taxes of $16.64 million and $11.87 million against the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $19.71 million and $14.44 million, as at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company has paid the taxes in order to reduce the possible interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits.

The IT services and KPO industry are intensely competitive, and the Company may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors.

The IT services and KPO industry are intensely competitive, highly fragmented and subject to rapid change and evolving industry standards. The Company competes with a variety of other companies, depending on the services offered. In Applications Outsourcing and e-Business services, the Company primarily competes with domestic firms such as Accenture, Cognizant, EDS and IBM Global Services and with an increasing number of India-based companies including Infosys Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro Technologies. The Company is also seeing increased competition from non-Indian sources such as Eastern Europe and the Philippines. In KPO, the Company primarily competes with other offshore KPO vendors including HCL, Wipro Technologies and WNS. In professional IT staffing engagements, the Company’s primary competitors include participants from a variety of market segments, including systems consulting and implementation firms, applications software development and maintenance firms, service groups of computer equipment companies and temporary staffing firms. Many of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources and greater name recognition than the Company does. As a result, they may be able to compete more aggressively on pricing, respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in client requirements, or devote greater resources to the development and promotion of IT services and KPO than the Company does. India-based companies also present significant price competition due to their competitive cost structures and tax advantages. In addition, there are relatively few barriers to entry into the Company’s markets and the Company has faced, and expects to continue to face, additional competition from new IT service and KPO providers. Further, there is a risk that the Company’s clients may elect to increase their internal resources to satisfy their services needs as opposed to relying on a third-party vendor. The IT services industry is also undergoing consolidation, which may result in increased competition in the Company’s target markets. Increased competition could result in price reductions, reduced operating margins and loss of market share. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully with existing or new competitors or that competitive pressures will not materially adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Variability of Quarterly Operating Results.

The Company has experienced and expects to continue to experience fluctuations in revenues and operating results from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, including: the timing, number and scope of customer engagements commenced and completed during the quarter; progress on fixed-price engagements; timing and cost associated with expansion of the Company’s facilities; changes in professional wage rates; the accuracy of estimates of resources and time frames required to complete pending assignments; the number of working days in a quarter; employee hiring, attrition and utilization rates; the mix of services performed on-site, off-site and offshore; termination of engagements; start-up expenses for new engagements; length of sales cycles; customers’ budget cycles;

 

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and investment time for training. Because a significant percentage of the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses are relatively fixed, variations in revenues may cause significant variations in operating results. It is possible that the Company’s operating results could be below or above the expectations of market analysts and investors. In such event, the price of the Company’s common stock would likely be materially adversely affected. No assurance can be given that quarterly results will not fluctuate, causing an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition at the time.

Our international sales and operations are subject to many uncertainties.

Revenues from customers outside North America represented approximately 7.5% of the Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company anticipates that revenues from customers outside North America will continue to account for a material portion of the Company’s revenues in the foreseeable future and may increase as we expand our international presence, particularly in Europe. Risks associated with international operations include the burden in complying with a wide variety of foreign laws, potentially adverse tax consequences, tariffs, quotas and other barriers and potential difficulties in collecting accounts receivable. In addition, we may face competition in other countries from companies that may have more experience with operations in such countries or with international operations. We may also face difficulties integrating employees that we hire in different countries into our existing corporate culture. Our international expansion plans may not be successful and we may not be able to compete effectively in other countries. There can be no assurance that these and other factors will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Terrorist activity, war or natural disasters could make travel and communication more difficult and adversely affect the Company’s business.

Terrorist activity, war or natural disasters could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Terrorist activities, other acts of violence or war, or natural disasters have recently occurred in India, the United States and in other countries around the world and have the potential to have a direct impact on the Company’s clients. Such events may disrupt the Company’s ability to communicate between the Company’s various Global Development Centers and between the Company’s Global Development Centers and the Company’s clients’ sites, make travel more difficult, make it more difficult to obtain work visas for many of the Company’s technology professionals and effectively curtail the Company’s ability to deliver the Company’s services to the Company’s clients. Such obstacles to business may increase the Company’s expenses and materially adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, many of the Company’s clients visit several technology services firms prior to reaching a decision on vendor selection. Terrorist activity, war or natural disasters could make travel more difficult and delay, postpone or cancel decisions to use the Company’s services.

The Company’s fixed-price engagements may commit the Company to unfavorable terms.

The Company undertakes development and maintenance engagements, which are billed on a fixed-price basis, in addition to the engagements billed on time-and-materials basis. Fixed-price revenues from development and maintenance activity represented approximately 46%, 45% and 38% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Any failure to estimate the resources and time required to complete a fixed-price engagement on time and to the required quality levels or any unexpected increase in the cost to the Company of IT professionals, office space or materials could expose the Company to risks associated with cost overruns and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s Applications Outsourcing and KPO services require increased attention from senior management.

The Company has invested incrementally in the development of the Company’s Applications Outsourcing business, with increased focus on outsourcing services for ongoing applications management, development and maintenance and KPO services. Applications Outsourcing and KPO services generally require a longer sales cycle (up to twelve months and in some KPO engagements more than one year) and generally require approval by more senior levels of management within the client’s organization, as compared with traditional IT staffing services. Pursuing such sales requires significant investment of time, including the Company’s senior management, and may not result in additional business. There can be no assurance that the Company’s increased focus on the Company’s Applications Outsourcing and KPO practices will be successful, and any failure of such strategy could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Future legislation in the United States and abroad could significantly impact the ability of the Company’s clients to utilize the Company’s services.

The issue of companies outsourcing services abroad has become a topic of political discussion in the United States and other countries. Measures aimed at limiting or restricting outsourcing have been enacted in a few states, and there is currently legislation

 

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restricting outsourcing pending or being discussed in several states and at the federal level. The measures that have been enacted to date have not significantly adversely affected the Company’s business. There can be no assurance that pending or future legislation that would significantly adversely affect the Company’s business will not be enacted. If enacted, such measures are likely to fall within two categories: (1) a broadening of restrictions on outsourcing by government agencies and on government contracts with firms that outsource services directly or indirectly, and/or (2) measures that impact private industry, such as tax disincentives, restrictions on the transfer or maintenance of certain information abroad and/or intellectual property transfer restrictions. In the event that any such measures are enacted, or if the prospect of such measures being enacted increases, the ability of the Company’s clients to utilize its services could be restricted or become less economical and the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Wage pressures in India may reduce the Company’s profit margins.

Wage pressures in India may prevent the Company from sustaining the Company’s competitive advantage and may reduce the Company’s profit margins. As of December 31, 2010, approximately 79% of the Company’s billable workforce was in India, and the Company anticipates that this percentage will increase over time. Wage costs in India have historically been lower than wage costs in the United States and Europe for comparably skilled professionals, which has been one of the Company’s competitive strengths. However, wage increases in India may prevent the Company from sustaining this competitive advantage and may negatively affect the Company’s profit margins. Wages in India are increasing at a faster rate than in the United States, which could result in increased costs for technology professionals. Compensation increases may result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s future success depends on its ability to market new services to the Company’s existing and new clients.

The Company has been expanding the nature and scope of its engagements by extending the breadth of services the Company offers. The success of the Company’s service offerings depends, in part, upon continued demand for such services by the Company’s existing and new clients and the Company’s ability to meet this demand in a cost competitive and effective manner. The Company’s new service offerings may not effectively meet client needs, and the Company may be unable to attract existing and new clients to these service offerings. The increased breadth of the Company’s service offerings may also result in larger and more complex client projects, which will require that the Company establish closer relationships with its clients, and potentially with other technology service providers and vendors, and develop a more thorough understanding of the Company’s clients’ operations. The Company’s ability to establish these relationships will depend on a number of factors including the proficiency of the Company’s technology professionals and its management personnel and the willingness of the Company’s existing and potential clients to provide it with information about their businesses. If the Company is not able to successfully market and provide the Company’s new and broader service offerings, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

The Company depends on the efforts and ability of key personnel.

The Company’s success is highly dependent on the efforts and abilities of its key personnel. The diminution or loss of the services of key personnel for any reason could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.

The Company may be affected by political and regulatory conditions in India.

A significant element of the Company’s business strategy is to continue to develop and expand offshore Global Development Centers in India. Changes in the political or regulatory climate of India, including the following, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition:

 

 

Political climate—In the past, India has experienced inflation and shortages of foreign currency and has been subject to civil and political unrest. No assurance can be given that the Company will not be adversely affected by changes in inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, currency controls, interest rates, tax provisions, social stability or other political, economic or diplomatic developments in or affecting India.

 

 

Changes in liberalization policies of the government—The Indian government is involved in, and exerts influence over, its economy. In the recent past, the Indian government has provided tax incentives and relaxed certain regulatory restrictions in order to encourage foreign investment in certain sectors of the economy, including the technology industry. Certain of these benefits directly benefited the Company including, among others, tax holidays, liberalized import and export duties and preferential rules on foreign investment. There can be no assurance that these benefits will be continued or that other similar benefits will be provided in future periods.

 

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The Company’s margins may be adversely affected if demand for the Company’s services slows.

If demand for the Company’s services slows, the Company’s utilization and billing rates for its technology professionals could be adversely affected, which may result in lower gross and operating profits.

The Company is subject to risks of fluctuation in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Indian rupee.

The Company holds a significant amount of its cash in U.S. dollars and in Indian rupees. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the Indian rupee and the U.S. dollar could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues, other income, cost of services, gross margin and net income, which may in turn have a negative impact on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition. The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the U.S. dollar has changed substantially in recent years and may fluctuate substantially in the future. The Company expects that a majority of the Company’s revenues will continue to be generated in U.S. dollars for the foreseeable future and that a significant portion of the Company’s expenses, including personnel costs, as well as capital and operating expenditures, will continue to be denominated in Indian rupees. Consequently, the results of the Company’s operations may be adversely affected if the Indian rupee appreciates against the U.S. dollar and an effective foreign exchange hedging program is not in place.

The Company may not be able to successfully manage the rapid growth of the Company’s business.

The Company has recently experienced a period of rapid growth in revenues that places significant demands on the Company’s managerial, administrative and operational resources. Additionally, the longer-term transition in the Company’s delivery mix from onsite to offshore staffing has also placed additional operational and structural demands on the Company. The Company’s future growth depends on recruiting, hiring and training professionals, increasing the Company’s international operations, expanding its U.S. and offshore capabilities, adding effective sales and management staff and adding service offerings. Effective management of these and other growth initiatives will require that the Company continue to improve its infrastructure, execution standards and ability to expand services. Failure to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on the quality of the Company’s services and engagements, the Company’s ability to attract and retain professionals, the Company’s prospects and the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s business could be adversely affected if the Company does not anticipate and respond to technology advances in the Company’s and the Company’s clients’ industries.

The Company’s business will suffer if the Company fails to anticipate and develop new services and enhance existing services in order to keep pace with rapid changes in technology and in the industries on which the Company focuses. The technology services and KPO markets are characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, changing client preferences and frequent new product and service introductions. The Company’s future success will depend on the Company’s ability to anticipate these advances and develop new product and service offerings to meet the Company’s existing and potential clients’ needs. The Company may fail to anticipate or respond to these advances in a timely manner, or, if the Company does respond, the services or technologies the Company develops may not be successful in the marketplace. Further, products, services or technologies that are developed by the Company’s competitors may render the Company’s services non-competitive or obsolete. If the Company does not respond effectively to these changes, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

The Company may be required to include benchmarking provisions in future engagements, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and profitability.

As the size and duration of the Company’s client engagements increase, the Company’s current and future clients may require benchmarking provisions. Benchmarking provisions generally allow a client in certain circumstances to request that a benchmark study be prepared by an agreed-upon third-party comparing the Company’s pricing, performance and efficiency gains for delivered contract services to that of an agreed-upon list of other service providers for comparable services. Based on the results of the benchmark study and depending on the reasons for an unfavorable variance, if any, the Company could then be required to reduce the pricing for future services to be performed under the balance of the contract or to change the services being provided under the contract, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s revenues and profitability.

The Company may be liable to its clients for disclosure of confidential information or if the Company does not fulfill its obligations under its engagements.

The Company may be liable to the Company’s clients for damages caused by disclosure of confidential information or system failures. The Company is often required to collect and store sensitive or confidential client data. Many of the Company’s client

 

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agreements do not limit its potential liability for breaches of confidentiality. If any person, including any of the Company’s employees, penetrates the Company’s network security or misappropriates sensitive data, the Company could be subject to significant liability from its clients or from their customers for breaching contractual confidentiality provisions or privacy laws. Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client data, whether through breach of the Company’s computer systems, systems failure or otherwise, could also damage the Company’s reputation and cause it to lose existing and potential clients. Many of the Company’s engagements involve IT services that are critical to the operations of the Company’s clients’ businesses. Any failure or inability to meet a client’s expectations in the performance of services could result in a claim for substantial damages against the Company, regardless of the Company’s responsibility for such failure. There can be no assurance that any limitations of liability set forth in the Company’s service contracts will be enforceable in all instances or would otherwise protect the Company from liability for damages. In addition, the costs of defending against any such claims, even if successful, could be significant.

There can be no assurance that the Company’s insurance coverage will continue to be available on reasonable terms, will be available in sufficient amounts to cover one or more large claims or defense costs, or that the Company’s insurer will not disclaim coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against the Company that are uninsured, exceed available insurance coverage or result in changes to the Company’s insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company relies on global telecommunications infrastructure to maintain communication between its various locations and the Company’s clients’ sites.

Disruptions in telecommunications, system failures, or virus attacks could harm the Company’s ability to execute the Company’s Global Delivery Model, which could result in client dissatisfaction and a reduction of the Company’s revenues. A significant element of the Company’s Global Delivery Model is to continue to leverage and expand the Company’s Global Development Centers. The Company’s Global Development Centers are linked with a redundant telecommunications network architecture that uses multiple service providers and various satellite and optical links with alternate routing. The Company may not be able to maintain active voice and data communications between its various Global Development Centers and between the Company’s Global Development Centers and the Company’s clients’ sites at all times due to disruptions in these networks, system failures or virus attacks. Any significant failure in the Company’s ability to communicate could result in a disruption in business, which could hinder the Company’s performance or its ability to complete projects on time. This, in turn, could lead to client dissatisfaction and a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

There are risks associated with the Company’s investment in new facilities and physical infrastructure.

The Company’s business model includes developing and operating Global Development Centers in order to support the Company’s Global Delivery Service. The Company has Global Development Centers located in Mumbai, Pune and Chennai, India. The Company is in the process of expanding its Global Development Center in Pune and in creating a new Global Development Center in Chennai both on land located in Special Economic Zones (SEZ). With regard to the construction on land located in a SEZ, there are certain construction and other requirements that must be met in order to maximize certain tax and other benefits. If those conditions are not met, Syntel may not be able to maximize all benefits associated with the SEZ designations. The full completion of the development of these facilities is contingent on many factors including the Company’s funding the continuation of the construction and obtaining appropriate construction and other permits from the Indian government. The Company cannot make any assurances that the construction of these facilities or any future facilities that the Company may develop will occur on a timely basis or that they will be completed. If the Company is unable to complete the construction of these facilities, the Company’s business, results of operation and financial condition will be adversely affected. In addition, the Company is developing these facilities in expectation of increased growth in the Company’s business. If the Company’s business does not grow as expected, the Company may not be able to benefit from its investment in this or other facilities.

Existing, new and changing corporate governance and public disclosure requirements increases management’s time spent on compliance, increases the cost of compliance and adds uncertainty to the Company’s compliance policies.

Compliance with existing, new and changing corporate governance and public disclosure requirements adds uncertainty to the Company’s compliance policies and increases the Company’s costs of compliance. Changing laws, regulations and standards include those relating to accounting, corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new SEC regulations and NASDAQ Global Select Market rules. These laws, regulations and standards may lack specificity and are subject to varying interpretations. Their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. In particular, the Company’s efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding required assessment of internal controls over financial reporting and the Company’s external auditors’ audit of that assessment requires the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. The Company consistently assesses the

 

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adequacy of internal controls over financial reporting, remediate any control deficiencies that may be identified, and validates through testing that the Company’s controls are functioning as documented. While the Company does not anticipate any material weaknesses, the inability of management and the Company’s independent auditor to provide an unqualified report as to the adequacy and effectiveness, respectively, of internal controls over financial reporting for future year ends could result in adverse consequences to the Company, including, but not limited to, a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of the Company’s financial statements, which could cause the market price of the Company’s stock to decline. Existing, new and changing corporate governance and public disclosure requirements could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs of compliance as a result of ongoing revisions to such governance standards. The Company’s efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. In addition, new laws, regulations and standards regarding corporate governance may make it more difficult for the Company to obtain director and officer liability insurance. Further, the Company’s board members and executive officers could face an increased risk of personal liability in connection with their performance of duties. As a result, the Company may face difficulties attracting and retaining qualified board members and executive officers, which could harm the Company’s business. If the Company fails to comply with new or changed laws or regulations and standards differ, the Company’s business and reputation may be harmed.

The Company’s business could be materially adversely affected if the Company does not protect its intellectual capital or if the Company’s services are found to infringe on the intellectual property of others.

The Company’s success depends in part on certain methodologies, practices, tools and technical expertise the Company utilizes in designing, developing, implementing and maintaining applications and other proprietary intellectual capital. In order to protect the Company’s rights in this intellectual capital, the Company relies upon a combination of nondisclosure and other contractual arrangements as well as trade secret, copyright and trademark laws. The Company also generally enters into confidentiality agreements with its employees, consultants, clients and potential clients and limits access to and distribution of the Company’s proprietary information.

The Company holds several trademarks or service marks and intends to submit additional United States federal and foreign trademark applications for the names of additional service offerings in the future. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in maintaining existing or obtaining future trademarks. There can be no assurance that the laws, rules, regulations and treaties in effect now or in the future or the contractual and other protective measures the Company takes are adequate to protect it from misappropriation or unauthorized use of the Company’s intellectual capital or that such laws, rules, regulations and treaties will not change. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to detect unauthorized use and take appropriate steps to enforce the Company’s rights or that any such steps will be successful. Misappropriation by others of the Company’s intellectual capital, including the costs of enforcing the Company’s intellectual capital rights, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. However, the Company is not significantly dependent on the referenced trademarks in the conduct of its business.

Although the Company believes that its intellectual capital does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, there can be no assurance that such a claim will not be asserted against the Company in the future or that any such claim, if asserted, would not be successful. The costs of defending any such claims could be significant and any successful claim could require the Company to modify, discontinue or change the manner in which the Company provides its services. Any such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s earnings are affected by issuance of stock options and stock based awards to employees and directors.

The Company expenses stock options and other stock-based awards in accordance with provisions prescribed by the authoritative guidance. The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value. Stock-based payments include stock option grants and other transactions under stock plans. The Company in the past has granted options to purchase common stock to some of its employees and directors under various plans at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the dates the options were granted. In addition, the Company has issued shares of incentive restricted stock to its non-employee directors and employees. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded $ 1.9 million of expense for equity-based compensation (including charges for restricted stock and dividend). The assumptions used in calculating and estimating future costs are highly subjective and changes in these assumptions could significantly affect the Company’s future earnings.

Any future business combinations, acquisitions or mergers would expose the Company to risks, including that the Company may not be able to successfully integrate any acquired businesses.

The Company has expanded, and may continue to expand, the Company’s operations through the acquisition of additional businesses. Financing of any future acquisition could require the incurrence of indebtedness, the issuance of equity (common or preferred) or a

 

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combination thereof. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify, acquire or profitably manage additional businesses or successfully integrate any acquired businesses without substantial expense, delays or other operational or financial risks and problems. Furthermore, acquisitions may involve a number of special risks, including diversion of management’s attention, failure to retain key acquired personnel, unanticipated events or legal liabilities and amortization of acquired intangible assets. In addition, any client satisfaction or performance problems within an acquired firm could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s reputation as a whole. There can be no assurance that any acquired businesses would achieve anticipated revenues and earnings. Any failure to manage the Company’s acquisition strategy successfully could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s ability to repatriate earnings from its foreign operations is limited by tax laws.

The Company treats earnings from its operations in India and other foreign countries as permanently invested outside the United States. If the Company repatriates any of such earnings, the Company will incur a dividend distribution tax for distribution from India, currently 16.609% under Indian tax law, and be required to pay United States corporate income taxes on such earnings. As of December 31, 2010, the estimated dividend distribution taxes and United States corporate taxes that would be due upon repatriation of accumulated earnings from the Company’s operations in India was approximately $170.3 million. If the Company decided to repatriate all undistributed repatriable earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, the Company would have accrued taxes of approximately $171.0 million.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

The Company’s headquarters and principal administrative, sales and marketing, and system development operations are located in approximately 6,430 square feet of leased space in Troy, Michigan. The Company occupies these premises under a lease expiring in August 2012.

The Company has a telecommunications hub located in approximately 3,128 square feet of leased space in Cary, North Carolina under a lease which expires on December 31, 2013.

The Company also leases office facilities in Santa Clara, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Schaumburg, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; Memphis, Tennessee; Framingham, Massachusetts; London, UK; Toronto, Canada; Stuttgart and Munich, Germany. The company also maintains registered offices in Singapore; Paris, France; Dublin, Ireland; Sydney, Australia and Hong Kong.

The Company has Global Development Centers in Pune, Mumbai, Gurgaon and Chennai, India and a Support Center in Cary, North Carolina to support the Company’s Global Delivery Service.

Syntel’s Global Development Centers enable its strategy to provide cost effective services to its clients.

The Company acquired 78 acres of land in Pune, India for establishing a state-of-the-art development and training campus.

Phase 1 of the construction was completed in August 2006, which included an office building for 950 seats, a food court and residential guest house. In February 2007, the Company completed two additional office buildings with more than 2,000 seats.

The remaining land adjacent to Phase 1 of the campus has been designated as a Special Economic Zone (“SEZ”) by the Government of India. The Company has completed construction of two office buildings in the SEZ area with more than 2,000 seats.

In addition, Syntel leases two facilities in Pune, India consisting of approximately 45,463 square feet.

The company’s India operations are registered in Mumbai. Syntel has multiple leased facilities in Mumbai with a total capacity of nearly 4,800 seats. Syntel leases approximately 132,584 square feet of office space in Mumbai, India, under eleven leases expiring ranging from March 26, 2011 to October 31, 2013. These facilities house IT professionals, as well as its senior management, finance and accounts, administrative personnel, human resources, recruiting, and sales and marketing functions.

To facilitate its KPO operations, Syntel has leased 175,605 square feet of office space in Mumbai, India under five leases expiring on dates ranging between January 31, 2012 to February 29, 2016.

 

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Syntel has three leased facilities Chennai with a total capacity of nearly 1,900 seats. Syntel leases approximately 153,545 square feet of office space in Chennai, India, under three leases expiring on dates ranging between March 31, 2012 to August 31, 2013, all subject to the Company’s option to renew for additional periods.

The Company has approximately 29 acres of land in an Information Technology Park in Chennai, India. This area of land has been designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the government of India. In Phase 1, the Company is constructing 0.7 million square feet of space. Phase 1 consists of three Software Development Blocks each having a capacity of 1,700 seats, a Food Court with 1,000 seating capacity, a Training Block with 900 seats capacity, a Welcome Block and a Utility Block.

The first software development block along with the training block, welcome block, utility block and cafeteria commenced operations in August 2010. The second software development block is being fitted out and is expected to commence operations in 2011.

Syntel leases approximately 4,000 sq. ft. of office space in Gurgaon, India under a lease agreement expiring on February 9, 2015.

The Company believes that its infrastructure in Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon and Chennai is adequate for meeting its short-term requirements. Planned capacity additions in these cities will enable the Company to meet offshore growth requirements for the next several years. The Company is also considering expanding its footprint in metropolitan areas of varying sizes to meet its growth objectives.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

While the Company is a party to ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, the Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceeding or governmental investigation.

 

ITEM 4. RESERVED.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

(a) The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “SYNT.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low sales prices per share of the Company’s Common Stock as reported on NASDAQ for each full quarterly periods in 2009 and 2010.

 

Period

   High      Low  

First Quarter, 2009  

     26.370         17.320   

Second Quarter, 2009  

     31.440         21.090   

Third Quarter, 2009  

     49.130         30.720   

Fourth Quarter, 2009  

     46.290         35.830   

First Quarter, 2010  

     39.260         31.860   

Second Quarter, 2010  

     41.850         32.320   

Third Quarter, 2010  

     44.680         33.970   

Fourth Quarter, 2010  

     53.100         44.720   

(b) There were approximately 195 shareholders of record and 15,800 beneficial holders on February 28, 2011.

(c) The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share during each quarter of the Company’s last two fiscal years. In addition, on December 1, 2010 the Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share, payable on December 29, 2010 to Syntel shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2010. The Company paid total cash dividends of $ 0.74 and $ 0.24 per share for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(d) The information set forth under the captions “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in Item 12 of this report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock to the cumulative total shareholder returns for the S&P 500 Stock Index and for an index of peer companies selected by the Company. The period for comparison is for five years from December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2010, the end of the Company’s last fiscal year. The peer group index is composed of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation, Tata Consultancy Services Limited, Wipro Limited, Infosys Technologies Limited, Oracle Financial Services Software Limited (formerly known as I-Flex Solutions Limited) and HCL Technologies Limited. These companies were selected based on similarities in their service offerings and their competitive position in the Company’s industry.

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return

Among Syntel, Inc., S&P 500 Stock Index

And an Index of Peer Companies *

LOGO

 

     12/31/2005      12/31/2006      12/31/2007      12/31/2008      12/31/2009      12/31/2010  

Syntel, Inc.  

   $ 100.00       $ 127.89       $ 177.85       $ 109.06       $ 177.03       $ 224.84   

S&P 500 Stock Index  

   $ 100.00       $ 113.62       $ 117.63       $ 72.36       $ 89.33       $ 100.75   

Peer Group Index  

   $ 100.00       $ 175.60       $ 174.64       $ 104.05       $ 229.70       $ 242.40   

 

* Assumes that the value of a simple unweighted average investment in Syntel’s Common Stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2005 and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA.

SYNTEL, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES

(In thousands, except share and headcount data)

The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial data and other data concerning Syntel, Inc. and its subsidiaries for each of the last five years. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto.

 

     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2010      2009      2008      2007      2006  

STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA

              

Net revenues  

   $ 532,133       $ 419,006       $ 410,426       $ 337,673       $ 270,229   

Cost of revenues  

     320,042         215,154         231,729         205,422         167,980   
                                            

Gross profit  

     212,091         203,852         178,697         132,251         102,249   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     91,556         78,463         80,347         68,913         49,374   
                                            

Income from operations  

     120,535         125,389         98,350         63,338         52,875   

Other income, principally interest  

     13,126         10,059         2,031         7,222         4,894   
                                            

Income before income taxes  

     133,661         135,448         100,381         70,560         57,769   

Income tax provision (1)  

     20,068         16,953         13,700         7,700         6,853   
                                            

Net income  

   $ 113,593       $ 118,495       $ 86,681       $ 62,860       $ 50,916   
                                            

Earnings per share, diluted  

   $ 2.73       $ 2.86       $ 2.10       $ 1.52       $ 1.24   

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted  

     41,611         41,491         41,340         41,265         41,095   

Cash dividends declared per common share  

   $ 0.74       $ 0.24       $ 0.74       $ 0.24       $ 1.49   

 

     AS OF DECEMBER 31,  
     2010      2009      2008      2007      2006  
     ($ In thousands)  

BALANCE SHEET DATA

              

Working capital  

   $ 329,913       $ 224,092       $ 144,379       $ 138,352       $ 106,903   

Total assets  

     546,117         412,622         295,571         273,496         199,592   

Total shareholders’ equity  

     451,470         350,038         226,830         207,750         149,742   

OTHER DATA

              

Billable headcount in U.S.  

     2,243         1,777         1,433         1,492         1,405   

Billable headcount in India  

     9,302         7,368         6,963         6,123         4,006   

Billable headcount at other locations  

     165         83         113         94         88   
                                            

Total billable headcount  

     11,710         9,228         8,509         7,709         5,499   
                                            

 

1. The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $1.28 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities provided on the “more likely than not” concept and other tax positions, which is based on the expiration of the statute of limitations related to certain global tax contingencies and completion of certain tax audits. The Company also reversed $0.5 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, the Company also recorded a deferred tax asset of $0.2 million and credit of carry back of losses $0.2 million. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have been 16.6%. The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $4.3 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities. Further, Union Budget of India 2009 extended the tax holiday period by one year (i.e. from March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011). This resulted into expensing of the deferred taxes provided for the extended period by $0.49 million. The Company has also provided valuation allowance of $0.4 million towards deferred tax asset created in earlier years. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 would have been 15.0%. The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was impacted by the reversal of a tax reserve of $3.0 million which comprises $2.2 million and $0.8 million towards tax and interest, respectively, provided earlier towards uncertain income tax positions. In addition, during 2008 the Company had recorded a charge of $1.1 million towards uncertain income tax positions of $0.7 million and interest of $0.4 million. The Company also reversed $1.4 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books and $0.3 million towards credit of Michigan Single Business tax for the years 2001 to 2003. Further, the Company also recorded a net tax charge of $0.6 million towards dividend income from Syntel Europe Limited. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 would have been 16.8%.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Critical Accounting Policies

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

Revenue Recognition. Revenue recognition is a significant accounting policy for the Company. The Company recognizes revenue from time-and-materials contracts as services are performed. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, revenues from time-and-materials contracts constituted 54%, 55% and 62%, respectively, of total revenues. Revenue from fixed-price application management maintenance and support engagements is recognized as earned, which generally results in straight-line revenue recognition as services are performed continuously over the term of the engagement. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, revenues from fixed-price application management maintenance and support engagements constituted 35%, 35% and 29%, respectively.

Revenue on fixed-price application development and integration projects is measured using the proportional performance method of accounting. Performance is generally measured based upon the efforts incurred to date in relation to the total estimated efforts to the completion of the contract. The Company monitors estimates of total contract revenues and cost on a routine basis throughout the delivery period. The cumulative impact of any change in estimates of the contract revenues or costs is reflected in the period in which the changes become known. In the event that a loss is anticipated on a particular contract, provision is made for the estimated loss. The Company issues invoices related to fixed-price contracts based on either the achievement of milestones during a project or other contractual terms. Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue based upon the proportional performance method of accounting are recorded as revenue earned in excess of billings or deferred revenue in the accompanying financial statements. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, revenues from fixed-price application development and integration contracts constituted 11%, 10% and 9%, respectively.

Significant Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Revenue). The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on a specific review of aged receivables. The provision for the allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. As at December 31, 2010 and 2009, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively. These estimates are based on our assessment of the probable collection from specific customer accounts, the aging of the accounts receivable, analysis of credit data, bad debt write-offs, and other known factors.

Income Taxes—Estimates of Effective Tax Rates and Reserves for Tax Contingencies. The Company records provisions for income taxes based on enacted tax laws and rates in the various taxing jurisdictions in which it operates.

In determining the tax provisions, the Company also reserves for tax contingencies based on the Company’s assessment of future regulatory reviews of filed tax returns. Such reserves, which are recorded in income taxes payable, are based on management’s estimates and accordingly are subject to revision based on additional information. The reserve no longer required for any particular tax year is credited to the current year’s income tax provision.

During 2010, the Company had a favorable adjustment of $1.28 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities provided on the “more likely than not” concept and other tax positions, which is based on the expiration of the statute of

 

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limitations related to certain global tax contingencies and completion of certain tax audits. The Company also reversed $0.5 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, the Company also recorded a deferred tax asset of $0.2 million and credit of carry back of losses $0.2 million. These revisions in the above estimates during 2010 had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2010 by $0.05 per share.

During 2009, the Company had a favorable adjustment of $4.3 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities. The Company has also provided valuation allowance of $0.4 million towards deferred tax asset created in earlier years. These revisions in estimates had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 by $0.09 and $0.10 per share, respectively.

During 2008, the Company has reversed a tax reserve of $3.0 million which comprises $2.2 million and $0.8 million towards tax and interest, respectively, provided earlier towards uncertain income tax positions. In addition, during 2008 the Company has recorded a charge of $1.1 million towards uncertain income tax positions of $0.7 million and interest of $0.4 million. The Company also reversed $1.4 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books and $0.3 million towards credit of Michigan Single Business tax for the years 2001 to 2003. These revisions in estimates had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 by $0.09 per share.

Accruals for Legal Exposures. The Company estimates the costs associated with legal exposures that it has and the related legal expenses and records the probable liability if it can be reasonably estimated or otherwise, the lower end of an estimated reasonable range of potential liability. The accrual related to litigation at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $0.5 million.

OVERVIEW

Syntel is a worldwide provider of IT and outsourcing services to Global 2000 companies. The Company’s service offerings include Applications Outsourcing, consisting of outsourcing services for ongoing management, development and maintenance of business applications; KPO, consisting of high-value, customized outsourcing solutions that enhance critical back-office services such as transaction processing, loan servicing, retirement processing, collections and payment processing; e-Business, consisting of strategic advanced technology services in the CRM, Data Warehousing, EAI, ERP and Web solutions; and TeamSourcing consisting of professional IT consulting services.

The Company’s revenues are generated from professional services fees provided through four segments, Applications Outsourcing, KPO, e-Business and TeamSourcing. The Company has invested significantly in developing its ability to sell and deliver Applications Outsourcing and KPO services, which the Company believes have higher growth and gross margin potential.

The following table outlines the revenue mix for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Percent of Total Revenues  
         2010             2009             2008      

Applications Outsourcing  

     76     73     67

KPO  

     15        18        20   

e-Business  

     7        7        11   

TeamSourcing  

     2        2        2   
                        
     100     100     100
                        

Revenues are generated principally on either a time-and-materials or fixed-priced, fixed-time frame basis. We believe the ability to offer fixed-time frame processes is an important competitive differentiator that allows Syntel and its clients to better understand the client’s needs, and to design, develop, integrate and implement solutions that address those needs. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, revenues from fixed-price development contracts constituted 11%, 10% and 9%, respectively.

On Applications Outsourcing engagements, the Company typically assumes responsibility for engagement management and generally is able to allocate certain portions of the engagement to on-site, off-site and offshore personnel. Applications Outsourcing revenues generally are recognized on either a time-and-materials or fixed-price basis. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, fixed-price revenues from development and maintenance activity comprised approximately 56%, 57% and 48% of total Applications Outsourcing revenues, respectively.

 

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On KPO engagements, services are provided at our offshore facilities, which gives the benefit of lower cost to the customer. KPO revenues are generally recognized on a time-and-materials basis as services are performed. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the revenue from KPO engagements comprised approximately 15%, 18% and 20%, of total revenues, respectively.

Historically, most e-Business engagements were billed on a time-and-materials basis under the direct supervision of the customer (similar to TeamSourcing engagements); however, as the Company expanded its expertise in delivering e-commerce engagements, Syntel has assumed the project management role and entered into fixed-price arrangements for a significant number of new e-Business engagements started during 2010, 2009 and 2008. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, fixed-price revenues from development and maintenance activity comprised approximately 30%, 43% and 36% of total e-Business revenues, respectively.

On TeamSourcing engagements, Syntel’s professional services typically are provided at the customer’s site and under the direct supervision of the customer. TeamSourcing revenues generally are recognized on a time-and-materials basis as services are performed. As indicated in the above table, the Company’s dependence on TeamSourcing engagements has decreased and is expected to continue to decrease as a percentage of the total revenue base as the Company consciously refocuses its sales efforts and migrates resources to Applications Outsourcing and KPO engagements.

The Company’s most significant cost is personnel cost, which consists of compensation, benefits, recruiting, relocation and other related costs for its professionals. The Company strives to maintain its gross margin by controlling engagement costs and offsetting increases in salaries and benefits with increases in billing rates. The Company has established a human resource allocation team whose purpose is to staff professionals on engagements that efficiently utilize their technical skills and allow for optimal billing rates. The Company’s Indian subsidiaries provide software development services from Mumbai, Pune and Chennai, India, where salaries of IT professionals are comparatively lower than in the U.S.

The Company has performed a significant portion of its employee recruiting in other countries. As of December 31, 2010, approximately 12% of Syntel’s worldwide workforce provided services under work permits / visas.

The Company has made substantial investments in infrastructure in recent years, including: (1) expanding the facilities in Mumbai, India, including a KPO facility; (2) developing a Technology Campus in Pune, India; (3) expanding the Global Development Center in Chennai, India; (4) upgrading the Company’s global telecommunication network; (5) increasing Applications Outsourcing sales and delivery capabilities through significant expansion of the sales force and the Company’s Strategic Offerings Group, which develops and formalizes proprietary methodologies, practices and tools for the entire Syntel organization; (6) hiring additional experienced senior management; (7) expanding global recruiting and training capabilities; and (8) enhancing human resource and financial information systems.

Through its strong relationships with customers, the Company has been able to generate recurring revenues from repeat business. These strong relationships also have resulted in the Company generating a significant percentage of revenues from key customers. The Company’s top ten customers accounted for approximately 75%, 75% and 71% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, there were two customers contributing revenues in excess of 10% of the Company’s total consolidated revenues. The Company’s largest customer for the years 2010, 2009 and 2008 was American Express, contributing approximately 24%, 21% and 20%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues. For the years 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s second largest customer, State Street Bank also contributed 16%, 20% and 20%, respectively, of the Company’s total consolidated revenues. Although the Company does not currently foresee a credit risk associated with accounts receivable from these customers, credit risk is affected by conditions or occurrences within the economy and the specific industries in which these customers operate.

As a result of the continued uncertainty and weakness in the global economic and political environment, companies continue to seek to outsource their IT spending offshore. However, the Company also sees clients’ needs to reduce their costs and the increased competitive environment among IT companies. The Company expects these conditions to continue in the foreseeable future. In response to the continued pricing pressures and increased competition for outsourcing clients, the Company continues to focus on expanding its service offerings into areas with higher and sustainable price margins, managing its cost structure, and anticipating and correcting for decreased demand and skill and pay level imbalances in its personnel. The Company’s immediate measures include increased management of compensation expenses through headcount management and variable compensation plans, as well as increasing utilization rates or reducing non-deployed sub-contractors or non-billable IT professionals.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data as a percentage of the Company’s net revenues.

 

     PERCENTAGE OF NET REVENUES
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
 
         2010             2009             2008      

Net revenues  

     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of revenues  

     60.1        51.3        56.5   
                        

Gross profit  

     39.9        48.7        43.5   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     17.2        18.7        19.6   
                        

Income from operations  

     22.7     30.0     23.9
                        

Below is selected segment financial data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The Company does not allocate assets to operating segments:

 

     2010     2009     2008  
     (In Thousands)  

Net revenues:

      

Applications Outsourcing  

   $ 402,526      $ 305,931      $ 274,375   

KPO  

     79,589        76,558        81,287   

e-Business  

     38,006        27,092        45,693   

TeamSourcing  

     12,012        9,425        9,071   
                        
     532,133        419,006        410,426   

Gross profit:

      

Applications Outsourcing  

     141,168        132,484        103,722   

KPO  

     50,579        52,228        48,053   

e-Business  

     14,441        14,168        23,529   

TeamSourcing  

     5,903        4,972        3,393   
                        
     212,091        203,852        178,697   

Gross profit %:

      

Applications Outsourcing  

     35.1     43.3     37.8

KPO  

     63.6     68.2     59.1

e-Business  

     38.0     52.3     51.5

TeamSourcing  

     49.1     52.8     37.4
                        
     39.9     48.7     43.5

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

   $ 91,556      $ 78,463      $ 80,347   
                        

Income from operations  

   $ 120,535      $ 125,389      $ 98,350   
                        

COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009.

Revenues. Net revenues increased to $532.1 million in 2010 from $419.0 million in 2009, representing a 27% increase. Syntel’s revenues have increased primarily consequent to our increased billable workforce. Information technology offshoring is a megatrend with increasing numbers of global corporations aggressively outsourcing their crucial applications development or business processes to vendors with an offshore presence. Syntel too has benefited from this trend. The Company’s verticalization sales strategy focusing on Banking and Financial Services; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Insurance; Telecom; Automotive; Retail; Logistics and Travel has enabled better focus and relationship with key customers leading to continued growth in business. The focus is to continue investments in more new offerings. Worldwide billable headcount, including personnel employed by Syntel’s Indian subsidiaries, Syntel Singapore, Syntel Europe, Syntel Deutschland and Syntel Canada as of December 31, 2010, increased 27% to 11,710 employees as compared to 9,228 employees as of December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had approximately 79% of its billable workforce in India as compared to 80% as of December 31, 2009. The top five customers accounted for 60% of the Company’s total revenues in 2010, down from 61% of the total revenues in 2009. Moreover, the top 10 customers accounted for 75% of the Company’s total revenues in the year 2010 and 2009.

APPLICATIONS OUTSOURCING REVENUES. Applications Outsourcing revenues increased from $305.9 million, or 73% of total consolidated revenues in 2009, to $402.5 million, or 76% of total consolidated revenues in 2010. The $96.6 million increase is

 

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attributable principally to revenue from new engagements contributing $209.01 million, partially offset by a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $35.1 million and by $77.3 million in lost revenues as a result of project completions.

APPLICATIONS OUTSOURCING COST OF REVENUES. Cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants worldwide, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, travel, finder’s fees, and trainee compensation. Applications Outsourcing cost of revenues increased to 64.9% of Applications Outsourcing revenues in 2010, from 56.7% in 2009. The 8.2% increase in cost of revenues as a percent of application outsourcing revenues was attributable primarily to increases in headcount coupled with offshore and onsite increments and bonus provision, contract services, travel and relocation and rupee appreciation.

KPO REVENUES. Revenues from this segment were $79.6 million or 15% of total consolidated revenues for 2010 compared to $76.6 million or 18% of total consolidated revenues for 2009. The $3.0 million increase is attributable principally to revenue from new engagements contributing $7.3 million and net increase in revenues from existing projects by $0.2 million, partially offset by $4.5 million in lost revenues as a result of project completion.

On June 1, 2010, the Company entered into a letter agreement with an affiliate of State Street Bank modifying the Shareholders Agreement between the Company and the State Street Bank affiliate with respect to the joint venture entity State Street Syntel Services (Mauritius) Limited, through which Syntel provides KPO services to State Street Bank. Pursuant to the letter agreement, the joint venture entity shall discount fees due and payable to it under the Fee Schedules of the Master Service Agreement. In addition to the above discount, the joint venture entity shall also provide a credit in eight equal installments from June 2010 to March 2012. This had the impact of reducing KPO revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010.

KPO COST OF REVENUES. The KPO segment cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Cost of revenues for 2010 increased to 36.4% of the segment’s revenues from 31.8% for 2009. The 4.6% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of total KPO revenues, was attributable primarily to increases in headcount and salary increments.

e-BUSINESS REVENUES. e-Business revenues increased from $27.1 million in 2009, or 7% of total consolidated revenues, to $38.0 million in 2010, or 7% of total consolidated revenues. The $10.9 million increase is attributable principally to revenue from new engagements contributing $24.8 million, partially offset by a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $4.5 million and by $9.4 million in lost revenues as a result of project completions.

e-BUSINESS COST OF REVENUES. Cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, travel, finder’s fees, and trainee compensation. e-Business cost of revenues increased to 62.0% of e-Business revenues in 2010, from 47.7% in 2009, an increase of 14.3%. This 14.3% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of total e-Business revenues, was attributable primarily to increases in headcount coupled with salary increments.

TEAMSOURCING REVENUES. TeamSourcing revenues increased from $9.4 million, or 2% of total consolidated revenues in 2009, to $12.0 million, or 2% of total consolidated revenues in 2010. The $2.6 million increase is principally attributable to revenue from new engagements and increased revenue from SkillBay web portal of $7.4 million partially offset by a $1.1 million reduction in revenues as a result of project completions and a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $3.7 million.

TEAMSOURCING COST OF REVENUES. TeamSourcing cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, travel, finder’s fees, and trainee compensation. TeamSourcing cost of revenues increased to 50.9% of TeamSourcing revenues in 2010, from 47.3% in 2009. The 3.6% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of total TeamSourcing revenues, was primarily attributable to increases in headcount and increments during the year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, payroll taxes and benefits for sales, solutions, finance, administrative, and corporate staff, as well as travel, telecommunications, business promotions, marketing and various facility costs for the Company’s Global Development Centers and various offices.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $91.6 million or 17.2% of total revenues, compared to $78.5 million or 18.7% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2010 were impacted by an increase in revenue by $113.1 million having resulting in a 4.6 percentage decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue.

 

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The said decrease was partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits of $5.7 million primarily driven by headcount and increments, training and recruiting expenses of $1.1 million, facility related costs of $4.8 million, travel and relocation expenses of $0.6 million and foreign exchange loss of $0.9 million which resulted in a 3.1 percentage increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue.

Other Income. Other income includes interest and dividend income, gains and losses from sale of securities, other investments and treasury operations.

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $13.1 million or 2.4% of total revenues, compared to $10.1 million or 2.4% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in other income of $3.0 million was primarily attributable to increase in; gain on forward contract of $1.8 million and interest income of $1.6 million, marginally offset by decrease in gain on sale of mutual funds of $0.3 million.

COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008.

Revenues. Net revenues increased to $419.0 million in 2009 from $410.4 million in 2008, representing a 2.1% increase. Syntel’s revenues have increased primarily consequent to our increased billable workforce. Information technology offshoring is a trend with increasing numbers of global corporations aggressively outsourcing their crucial applications development or business processes to vendors with an offshore presence. Syntel too has benefited from this trend. The Company’s verticalization sales strategy focusing on Banking and Financial Services; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Insurance; Telecom; Automotive; Retail; Logistics and Travel has enabled better focus and relationships with key customers leading to continued growth in business The focus is to continue investments in more new offerings. Worldwide billable headcount, including personnel employed by Syntel’s Indian subsidiaries, Syntel Singapore, Syntel Europe, Syntel Deutschland and Syntel Canada as of December 31, 2009, increased 8% to 9,228 employees as compared to 8,509 employees as of December 31, 2008. However, the growth in revenues was not commensurate with the growth in the billable headcount, as the majority of the hiring was done in the fourth quarter coupled with a reduction in client billable rates for some customers during the year. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately 80% of its billable workforce in India as compared to 82% as of December 31, 2008. The top five customers accounted for 61% of the Company’s total revenues in 2009, up from 59% of the total revenues in 2008. Moreover, the top 10 customers accounted for 75% of the Company’s total revenues in 2009, as compared to 71% in 2008

APPLICATIONS OUTSOURCING REVENUES. Applications Outsourcing revenues increased from $274.4 million, or 67% of total consolidated revenues in 2008, to $305.9 million, or 73% of total consolidated revenues in 2009. The $31.5 million increase is attributable principally to revenue from new engagements contributing $197.9 million, partially offset by a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $71.1 million and by $95.3 million in lost revenues as a result of project completions.

APPLICATIONS OUTSOURCING COST OF REVENUES. Cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants worldwide, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, travel, finder’s fees, and trainee compensation. Applications Outsourcing cost of revenues decreased to 56.7% of Applications Outsourcing revenues in 2009, from 62.2% in 2008. The 5.5% decrease in cost of revenues as a percent of application outsourcing revenues was attributable primarily to rupee depreciation partly offset by onsite wage increases effective January 2009, investment in new areas and other expenses.

KPO REVENUES. Revenues from this segment were $76.6 million or 18% of total consolidated revenues for 2009 compared to $81.3 million or 20% of total consolidated revenues for 2008. The $4.7 million decrease is principally attributable to reduction in revenues as a result of project completions by $9.0 million and net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $8.1 million, partially offset by revenue from new engagements contributing $12.4 million.

KPO COST OF REVENUES. The KPO segment cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. Cost of revenues for 2009 decreased to 31.8% of the segment’s revenues from 40.9% for 2008. The 9.1% decrease in cost of revenues, as a percent of total KPO revenues, was attributable primarily to reduction in headcount and sub-contractor cost, lower travel, other costs and rupee depreciation.

e-BUSINESS REVENUES. e-Business revenues decreased from $45.7 million in 2008, or 11% of total consolidated revenues, to $27.1 million in 2009, or 7% of total consolidated revenues. The $18.6 million decrease is attributable principally to reduction in revenues as a result of project completions by $8.7 million and net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $18.4 million, partially offset by revenue from new engagements contributing $8.5 million.

e-BUSINESS COST OF REVENUES. Cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, travel, finder’s fees, and trainee compensation. e-Business cost of

 

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revenues decreased to 47.7% of e-Business revenues in 2009, from 48.5% in 2008, a decrease of 0.8%. This 0.8% decrease in cost of revenues, as a percent of total e-Business revenues, was attributable primarily to rupee depreciation, partially offset by onsite wage increases effective January 2009 and other expenses.

TEAMSOURCING REVENUES. TeamSourcing revenues increased from $9.1 million, or 2% of total consolidated revenues in 2008, to $9.4 million, or 2% of total consolidated revenues in 2009. The $0.3 million increase is principally attributable to revenue from new engagements and increased revenue from SkillBay web portal of $7.1 million partially offset by a $3.1 million reduction in revenues as a result of project completions and a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $3.7 million.

TEAMSOURCING COST OF REVENUES. TeamSourcing cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, travel, finder’s fees, and trainee compensation. TeamSourcing cost of revenues decreased to 47.3% of TeamSourcing revenues in 2009, from 62.6% in 2008. The 15.3% decrease in cost of revenues, as a percent of total TeamSourcing revenues, was primarily attributable to better utilization of resources.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, payroll taxes and benefits for sales, solutions, finance, administrative, and corporate staff, as well as travel, telecommunications, business promotions, marketing and various facility costs for the Company’s Global Development Centers and various offices.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $78.5 million or 18.7% of total revenues, compared to $80.4 million or 19.6% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2009 were impacted by an increase in foreign exchange loss of $6.2 million. The other cost increases include an increase in provision for doubtful debts of $2.6 million, lease equalization charge of $0.9 million and depreciation of $1.2 million. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs for the year mainly includes a decrease in compensation and benefits cost of $2.3 million inclusive of bonus, travel and relocation expenses of $1.1 million, other facility related costs of $5.8 million, marketing expenses of $1.5 million, and a decrease in other expenses of $1.5 million.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2008 were impacted by an increase in foreign exchange gain of $7.1 million and an increase in revenue of $72.8 million partly offset by an increase in billable pass through expenses of $1.2 million resulting in a 5.6 percentage point decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue. The other cost increases include an increase in compensation cost of $5.0 million inclusive of bonus and benefits, depreciation of $3.1 million including one-time software amortization of $0.3 million, rent of $1.4 million towards the additional new facilities at Mumbai, Pune and Chennai in India, telecommunication expenses of $0.7 million, office expenses of $4.2 million, marketing fees of $0.5 million, legal fees provision of $0.5 million, professional expenses of $1.3 million, travel and relocation expenses of $0.4 million, and an increase in other expenses of $0.2 million which has resulted in an approximately 4.8 percentage point increase.

Other Income. Other income includes interest and dividend income, gains and losses from sale of securities, other investments and treasury operations.

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $10.1 million or 2.4% of total revenues, compared to $2.0 million or 0.5% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase in other income of $8.1 million was primarily due to forward contract gain of $0.7 million, and the balance attributable to a gain on the sale of mutual fund investments and other interest income.

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Note 17, “Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited),” to the Consolidated Financial Statements sets forth certain unaudited quarterly income statement data for each of the eight quarters beginning January 1, 2009 and ended December 31, 2010. In the opinion of management, this information has been presented on the same basis as the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this document and all consolidated necessary adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) have been included in order to present fairly the unaudited quarterly results. The results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period.

The Company’s quarterly revenues and results of operations have not fluctuated significantly from quarter to quarter in the past, but could fluctuate in the future. Factors that could cause such fluctuations include: the timing, number and scope of customer engagements commenced and completed during the quarter; fluctuation in the revenue mix by segments; progress on fixed-price engagements; acquisitions; timing and cost associated with expansion of the Company’s facilities; changes in IT professional wage

 

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rates; the accuracy of estimates of resources and time frames required to complete pending assignments; the number of working days in a quarter; employee hiring and training, attrition and utilization rates; the mix of services performed on-site, off-site and offshore; termination of engagements; start-up expenses for new engagements; longer sales cycles for Applications Outsourcing engagements; significant fluctuations in exchange rate; customers’ budget cycles and investment time for training.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company generally has financed its working capital needs through operations. All expansion programs and new campuses are being financed from internally generated funds.

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of certificates of deposit, corporate bonds and treasury notes. A part of such amounts are held in a money market fund maintained by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. that invests primarily in corporate bonds and treasury notes. Remaining amounts are held by various banking institutions including India-based banks and debt mutual funds in India. The Company had a year-end cash balance and short term investments of $287.2 million and $200.1 million as at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $114.0 million, $96.8 million and $94.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The number of days sales outstanding in accounts receivable was approximately 50 days, 42 days and 47 days as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Net cash used in investing activities was $93.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. During 2010, the Company invested $541.2 million to purchase short-term investments and $22.5 million for capital expenditures, consisting principally of computer hardware, software, communications equipment, infrastructure and facilities. This was partially offset by proceeds from sale or maturities of short-term investments of $470.2 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $63.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. During 2009, the Company invested $347.1 million to purchase short-term investments and $25.5 million for capital expenditures, consisting principally of computer hardware, software, communications equipment, infrastructure and facilities. This was partially offset by proceeds from sale or maturities of short-term investments of $308.7 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $60.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. During 2008, the Company invested $183.5 million to purchase short-term investments and $36.3 million for capital expenditures, consisting principally of computer hardware, software, communications equipment, infrastructure and facilities. This was partially offset by proceeds from sale or maturities of short-term investments of $159.4 million.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2010 was $29.6 million and was principally applied to the dividend distribution of $30.7 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of shares under stock option of $1.1 million.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2009 was $9.5 million and was principally applied to the dividend distribution of $10.0 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of shares under stock option of $0.5 million.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2008 was $30.3 million and was principally applied to the dividend distribution of $30.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of shares under stock option and stock purchase plans and tax benefits on employee stock option exercises of $0.3 million.

The Company has a line of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, which provides for borrowings up to $20.0 million and expires on August 31, 2011. The interest shall be paid to the Bank on the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of each Commercial Bank Floating Rate advance at the Commercial Bank Floating Rate plus the applicable margin and each LIBOR rate advance at the adjusted LIBOR rate. There were no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009.

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

 

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table sets forth the Company’s known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010:

 

Contractual Obligation

   Payments due by period (in thousands)  
   Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3 years      3-5 years      More than
5 years
 

Operating leases  

   $ 94,142       $ 32,607       $ 32,295       $ 18,970       $ 10,270   

Purchase obligations  

   $ 40,672       $ 40,672         —           —           —     
                                            

Total  

   $ 134,814       $ 73,279       $ 32,295       $ 18,970       $ 10,270   
                                            

Purchase obligations included above are primarily related to the expansion or construction of facilities. Certain agreements for lease and purchase obligations are cancelable with a specified notice period or penalty; however, all contracts are reflected in the table above as if they will be performed for the full term of the agreement.

INCOME TAX MATTERS

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

Units registered with STPI, EOU’s and certain units located in SEZ are exempt from payment of corporate income taxes for ten years of operations on the profits generated by these units or March 31, 2011 (substituted for “2010” by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2009), whichever is earlier. Certain units located in SEZ are eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes for first five years of operation and 50% exemption for the next two years and a further 50% exemption for another three years, subject to fulfillment of criteria laid down. New units in SEZ operational after April 1, 2005 are eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes for first five years of operation, 50% exemption for the next five years and a further 50% exemption for another five years, subject to fulfillment of criteria laid down.

Six SEZ units located at Mumbai have already ceased to enjoy the above-mentioned tax exemption. One SEZ unit located at Mumbai has completed its first five years of 100% exemption from payment of corporate tax and effective April 1, 2007, 50% of the profits of the said unit would only be eligible for tax exemption. Further, three more SEZ units located at Mumbai have completed their first five years of 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes effective April 1, 2008, 50% of the profits of the said units would only be eligible for tax exemption. Also, the EOU located at Chennai has ceased to enjoy the above-mentioned tax exemption effective April 1, 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2008, Syntel started a Software Development unit in the Pune SEZ and during the year 2009, the Company started one more Software Development unit in the Pune SEZ. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company started a Software Development unit in the Syntel-Chennai SEZ.

Syntel KPO units located in Mumbai and Pune are exempt from payment of corporate income taxes on the profits generated by the unit up to March 31, 2011 (substituted for “2010” by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2009). During the year ended December 31, 2008, Syntel started a KPO unit in the Pune SEZ.

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

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

The benefit of the tax Holiday under Indian Income Tax was $25.0 million, $28.1 million and $20.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

The Company intends to use the remaining accumulated and future earnings of foreign subsidiaries to expand operations outside the United States and accordingly, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States and no provision for U.S. Federal and State income tax or applicable dividend distribution tax has been provided thereon. If the Company determines to repatriate all undistributed repatriable earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, the Company would have accrued taxes of approximately $171.0 million.

 

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2010     2009  
     (In Millions)  

Balance as at January 1  

   $ 14.44      $ 14.43   

Additions based on tax positions relate to the current year  

     5.85        5.57   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years  

     (1.17     (4.34

Settlement  

     —          (1.81

Foreign currency translation effect  

     0.59        0.59   
                

Balance as at December 31  

   $ 19.71      $ 14.44   

Income taxes Paid, see below  

     (16.64     (11.87
                

Amounts, net of Income taxes Paid  

   $ 3.07      $ 2.57   
                

The above table shows the unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

The Company has paid income taxes of $16.64 million and $11.87 million against the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $19.71 million and $14.44 million, as at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company has paid the taxes in order to reduce the possible interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits.

$4.70 million of $16.64 million and $3.06 million of $11.87 million, in paid income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, relate to four units located at SEEPZ, Mumbai which are SEZ units. The Company has made a claim of the Tax benefit in the Tax return such that the aforesaid four units may be treated as units located in a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and no tax provision should be required. It is more likely than not that the aforementioned four units be held to be the SEZ units.

$11.94 million of $16.64 million and $8.81 million of $11.87 million, in paid income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, relate to the alternative claim by the Company, of the tax treatment of interest income in tax free zones, for various tax years which are pending before the Income Tax Department and the Appellate Authorities. It is more likely than not that the aforementioned income is not to be held to be the income from tax free zones.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company recognized a tax charge towards interest of approximately $0.21 million and $0.10 million. Furthermore, during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company reversed $0.09 million and $1.29 million, respectively, towards interest previously accrued.

The Company had accrued approximately $0.39 million and $0.27 million for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

The Company’s amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the tax disputes of $2.4 million and potential tax disputes of $7.8 million could change in the next twelve months as litigations and global tax audits progress. At this time, due to the uncertain nature of this process, it is not reasonably possible to estimate an overall range of possible change.

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

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for years 2004 and 2005 in the first quarter of 2006. During July 2008, the IRS issued a notice of proposed adjustments towards the Company’s transfer pricing tax positions for the year 2004 and the Company had appealed against the IRS position. During first quarter 2009, the Company completed the appeal process with the IRS under a Fast Track Settlement process and agreed to settle all disagreements with the IRS towards the transfer pricing for years 2004, 2005 and 2006 for a certain amount which did not have any negative change to the Company’s financial position. The IRS has completed their audits through tax year 2005 and transfer pricing issues through tax year 2006. The Company does not expect any material issues for the remaining open years.

 

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Syntel Inc. and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in various tax jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2007 and for State tax examinations for years before 2006. During 2010 the IRS had commenced an examination of Syntel Limited’s U.S. income tax return (form 1120F) for the tax year 2007. The IRS has now closed the audit for Syntel India’s U.S. Income tax returns for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, with no material impact on Syntel’s financial position.

Syntel Limited, the Company’s India subsidiary, has disputed tax matters for the financial years 1995-96 to 2006-07 pending at various levels of tax authorities. Financial year 2007-08 and onwards are open for regular tax scrutiny by the Indian tax authorities. However, the tax authorities in India are authorized to reopen the already concluded tax assessments and may re-open the case of Syntel Limited for financial years 2003-04 and onwards.

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the effective income tax rate was 15.0%, 12.5% and 13.6%, respectively.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $1.28 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities provided on the “more likely than not” concept and other tax positions, which are based on the expiration of the statute of limitations related to certain global tax contingencies and the completion of certain tax audits. The Company also reversed $0.5 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, the Company also recorded a deferred tax asset of $0.2 million and credit of carry back of losses $0.2 million. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have been 16.6%.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $4.3 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities. Further, Union Budget of India 2009 extended the tax holiday period by one year (i.e. from March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011). This resulted into expensing of the deferred taxes provided for the extended period by $0.49 million. The Company has also provided valuation allowance of $0.4 million towards deferred tax asset created in earlier years.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was impacted by the reversal of a tax reserve of $3.0 million provided earlier towards uncertain income tax positions which comprises $2.2 million and $0.8 million towards tax and interest, respectively. In addition, during 2008 the Company had recorded a charge of $1.1 million towards uncertain income tax positions tax of $0.7 million and interest of $0.4 million. The Company also reversed $1.4 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books and $0.3 million towards refund of Michigan Single Business tax for the years 2001 to 2003. Further, the Company also recorded a net tax charge of $0.6 million towards dividend income from Syntel Europe Limited. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 would have been 16.8%.

Syntel Limited has not provided for disputed Indian income tax liabilities amounting to $2.01 million for the financial years 1995-96 to 2001-02, which is after recognizing certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.04 million provided for uncertain income tax positions during the year 2008. Syntel Limited has obtained an opinion from one independent legal counsel (a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India) for the financial year 1998-99 and opinions from another independent legal counsel (also a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India) for the financial years 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and for subsequent periods, which support Syntel Limited’s position in this matter.

For the financial year 1998-99, the appeal filed by the Income Tax Department has been dismissed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (“ITAT”) and the matter stands in favor of Syntel Limited. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on account of a delay in filing Tax Appeal on July 23 2009. The Income Tax department may file further appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

A similar appeal filed by Syntel Limited with the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) (“CIT(A)”) for the financial year 1999-2000 was, however, dismissed in March 2004. Syntel Limited has appealed this decision with the ITAT. During the year 2007, Syntel Limited has received a favorable order from the ITAT on this appeal. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on account of a delay in filing Tax Appeal on July 23, 2009. The Income Tax Department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

Syntel Limited has also received orders for appeals filed with the CIT(A) against the demands raised by the Income Tax Officer for similar matters relating to the financial years 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2000-01 and 2001-02 and received a favorable decision for 1995-96 and the contention of Syntel Limited was partially upheld for the other years. Syntel Limited has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has appealed the favorable decisions for 1995-96 and the partially favorable decisions for the other years with the ITAT. Syntel Limited has received a favorable order from

 

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ITAT. The Income Tax Department has filed further appeals before the Bombay High Court for the financial years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2000-01. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department appeal and upheld the ITAT orders on December 15, 2009. The Income Tax Department has filed a review petition before the Bombay High Court.

Syntel Limited has also not provided for other disputed Indian income tax liabilities aggregating to $5.61 million for the financial years 2001-02 to 2004-05, which is after recognizing tax on certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.03 million provided for uncertain income tax positions during the year 2007, against which Syntel Limited has filed the appeals with the CIT(A). Syntel Limited has obtained opinions from independent legal counsels, which support Syntel Limited’s stand in this matter. Syntel Limited has received an order from the CIT(A) for the financial year 2001-02 and the contention of Syntel Limited was partially upheld. Syntel Limited has gone into further appeal with the ITAT in relation to the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has also filed a further appeal against the relief granted to Syntel Limited by CIT(A). Syntel Limited has received a favorable order from the ITAT on January 24, 2009, wherein the contention of the Company was fully upheld for financial year 2001-02. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court against the order of ITAT in respect to tax on one item only. Accordingly, Company tax disputes are reduced for the financial year by $2.4 million. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on account of a delay in filing the Tax Appeal on July 22, 2009. The Income Tax department may file a further appeal before Supreme Court of India.

Syntel Limited has received the order for appeal filed with CIT(A) relating to financial year 2002-03 and financial year 2003-04, wherein the contention of Syntel Limited is partially upheld. Syntel Limited has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has also filed a further appeal against the relief granted to Syntel Limited by CIT(A). The Syntel Limited and Income Tax Department appeals are re-fixed for hearing before ITAT on March 15, 2011.

For the financial year 2004-05, the appeal of the Company was fully allowed by CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A) except one item. The Income Tax department’s appeal was rejected by ITAT. The Income Tax department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the amounts allowed by the ITAT, except an item on which CIT(A) had granted relief to the Company and the Income Tax department had not filed an appeal before ITAT. Accordingly, the Company has reversed a tax provision of $0.33 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. The Income Tax department Appeal for the financial year 2004-05 is scheduled for a hearing before the Bombay High Court on April 25, 2011. For the financial year 2005-06, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position, and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company’s appeal for the financial year was fully allowed by CIT(A). The Income Tax department may file a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A). For the financial year 2006-07, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to particular tax position and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A).

Syntel Limited has provided for a tax liability amounting to $3.90 million in the books for the financial years 1995-96 to 2006-07 on a particular tax matter. Syntel Limited has been contending the taxability of the same with the Indian Income Tax department. For the financial years 1998-99 and 1999-2000, the ITAT has held the matter in favor of Syntel Limited. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the amount allowed by ITAT. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department appeal on account of a delay in filing the Tax Appeal on July 23, 2009. The Income Tax Department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. For the financial years 1995-96 to 1997-98 and 2000-01, the Company has received a favorable order from the ITAT, wherein the contention of the Company was upheld for these years. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the financial years 1996-97 to 2001-02 for amounts allowed by the ITAT. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the appeals filed by the Income Tax Department for the financial years 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2001-02 on account of a delay in filing the appeal. The Income Tax Department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the appeals filed by the Income Tax Department for the financial years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2000-01 at the admission stage, on the grounds that no substantial question of law arose from the appeals filed by the Income Tax Department, as the ITAT had given a specific finding which was based on facts. The Income Tax Department has filed review petition before the Bombay High Court on June 2, 2010.

For the financial years 2001-02 and 2002-03, the CIT(A) has held against the Company and the Company has filed a further appeal with the ITAT. For the Financial Year 2001-02, the Income tax department appeal has been dismissed by ITAT and the Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court in respect to one item only. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department appeal on account of a delay in filing Tax Appeal on July 22, 2009. The Income Tax department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. For the financial year 2003-04, the CIT(A) has partially allowed the appeal in favor of the Company. The Company has filed an appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A). The Income tax department has filed an appeal against the relief granted to Company by CIT(A) except one item. The Income Tax department’s appeal has been rejected by ITAT. The Income Tax department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the

 

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amounts allowed by the ITAT except an item on which CIT(A) had granted relief to the Company and the Income Tax department had not filed an appeal before ITAT. Accordingly, the Company reversed a tax provision of $0.33 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2010. This appeal is scheduled for a hearing before Bombay High Court on April 25, 2011. For the financial year 2005-06, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company’s appeal for the financial year 2005-06 was fully allowed by CIT(A). The Income Tax department may file a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A). For the financial year 2006-07, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). Based on the tax assessment of financial year 2006-07 and on earlier financial years, tax provision on a potential tax dispute is no longer required. Accordingly, the Company has reversed a tax provision of $0.40 million during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Fringe Benefit Tax (“FBT”) was introduced on April 1, 2005, FBT is payable at the enacted rates for the corporate (taxed @ 33.99% including surcharge, education cess and secondary and higher education cess), on certain expenses calculated at predetermined rates on the expenses incurred. FBT is a separate section in the Indian Income tax and is payable even by a Company which is otherwise not liable to pay Income taxes as per the Computation of Income. Accordingly, Indian entities and the Company had provided towards FBT in Year April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2009. Since FBT is a tax on expenditures the amounts were grouped along with the respective expense heads and not as tax expense by the Company. This was in line with the industry practice.

The Company had provided and paid FBT on expenses incurred outside India. However, the Company has contested with the Tax Department that no FBT shall be paid on expenses incurred outside India. The Income tax department has not issued notice for FBT assessment of Financial Year 2007-08 and Financial Year 2008-09 and the time of issuing notice for the regular assessment expired on September 30, 2010. However, the time of issuing notice for rectification expires on March 31, 2011. Accordingly, Syntel has not reversed FBT of $0.80 million on expenses incurred outside India.

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

On February 28, 2011, the Union Budget of India for the financial year beginning April 1, 2011 was proposed by the Finance Minister in India. The proposals included; reduction in the rate for tax surcharge to 5% from 7.5%, increase in the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) rate, from 19.93% to 20.01% and subjecting the SEZ developers and the SEZ units to taxation under the MAT provisions.

SERVICE TAX AUDIT

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

Syntel India has obtained the views of a tax consultant in this matter and has filed an appropriate reply to the audit observations. The letter does not constitute any demand against the Company. Based on the consultant’s advice, the Company will be in a position to defend the objections raised, and therefore no provision has been made in the books.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently issued accounting standards set forth under Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the separate financial section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

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

Interest Rate Risk

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

 

            (in thousands)  
     December 31,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

ASSETS

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 78,505       $ 87,822   

Short-term investments

     208,695         112,243   
                 

Total

   $ 287,200       $ 200,065   
                 

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

Foreign Currency Risk

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

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Indian rupee has appreciated against the U.S. dollar by 5.3% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. This rupee appreciation negatively impacted the Company’s gross margin by 152 basis points, operating income by 217 basis points and net income by 204 basis points, each as a percentage of revenue. The Indian rupee denominated cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense was 48.9% and 72.1% of the expenses, respectively.

Although the Company cannot predict future movement in interest rates or fluctuations in foreign currency rates, the Company does not currently anticipate that interest rate risk or foreign currency risk will have a significant impact. In order to limit the exposure to foreign currency rate fluctuations, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts during the year ended December 31, 2010, but these contracts do not have a material impact on the financial statements.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge part of its revenues where the counter party is a bank. The Company considers the risks of non-performance by the counterparty as not material.

Aggregate contracted principal amounts of contracts outstanding amounted to $40.0 million as of December 31, 2010. The outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts as of December 31, 2010 mature between two to three months. Net Gains/(losses) on foreign exchange forward and options contracts included under the heading ‘Other Income’ in the statement of income amounted to $2.5 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The financial statements filed herewith are set forth on the Index to Financial Statements on page F-1 of the separate financial section which follows page 45 of this Report and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010 and meets the criteria of the Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and for the year then ended included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as part of its audit, has issued its report, included herein, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information set forth in the sections entitled “Proposal 1. Election of Directors” and “Additional information—Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held on or about June 3, 2010 (the “Proxy Statement”) is incorporated herein by reference. The information set forth in the section entitled “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Item 1 of this report is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct applicable to all of the Company’s employees, executive officers and directors. The Code of Ethical Conduct, as currently in effect (together with any amendments that may be adopted from time to time), is posted in the “Investors—Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.syntelinc.com. Amendments to, and any waiver from, any provision of the Code of Ethical Conduct that requires disclosure under applicable SEC rules will be posted on the website at the address specified above.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information set forth under the sections entitled “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Disclosure and Analysis” and “Proposal 1. Election of Directors—Compensation of Directors” in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the section entitled “Additional Information” in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth, with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plans, (i) the number of shares of common stock to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, (ii) the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options and (iii) the number of shares remaining available for future issuance, as of December 31, 2010.

 

Plan Category

   Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(#)
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
($)
     Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance  under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (1))**
 

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders  

     5,473       $ 5.01         4,605,209   

Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders  

     —           —           —     
                          

TOTAL  

     5,473       $ 5.01         4,605,209   
                          

 

** Includes 3,888,074 shares available for future issuance under Syntel’s Stock Option and Incentive Plan and also includes 717,135 shares available under Syntel’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Company’s Code of Ethical Conduct, which are published on the Company’s website, prohibit related person transactions without prior approval by the Board of Directors. Related person transactions are those between the Company and its directors, executive officers, director nominees, large security holders or any immediate family member of any of the foregoing. Immediate family member means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of a director, executive officer, director nominee, or large security holder. As provided in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Audit Committee will review all related person transactions and as provided in the Code of Ethical Conduct, the Board of Directors must approve any waiver of the prohibition against related person transactions. All related person transactions exceeding $120,000 must be disclosed. In 2010, the Company participated, for the benefit of its Chairman, Bharat Desai, in a $123,176,606.70 secondary offering for the sale of 2,715,384 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Desai.

 

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The Board of Directors approved this related person transaction on the condition that Mr. Desai reimburse the Company for all its expenses associated with the secondary offering. Mr. Desai did reimburse the Company. There were no other related person transactions in 2010.

The information set forth under the section entitled “Board Independence” in the Registrant’s Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Crowe Horwath LLP served as the Company’s independent auditors for the consolidated financial statements prepared for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and all the quarters of 2010, 2009 and 2008. The following table lists the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Crowe Horwath LLP for all “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees,” and “All Other Fees” which pertain to the last two years.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     December 31,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

Audit Fees  

   $ 375,626       $ 376,515   

Audit—Related Fees  

     11,975         9,885   

Tax Fees  

     —           4,500   

All Other Fees  

     64,302         4,972   

Audit Fees represent fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC and the audit of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Audit-Related Fees represent professional fees in connection with the statutory audit services relative to the 401K plan for Syntel Inc. Tax Fees represent fees for the services related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. All Other Fees represent consultation on matters related to the consolidation of variable interest entity, secondary offerings, new grant of restricted stock units and other advisory services.

Audit Committee Authorization of Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee has the sole authority to authorize all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent audit firm engaged to conduct the annual statutory audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In addition, the Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures that are detailed as to each particular service to be provided by the independent auditors, and such policies and procedures do not permit the Audit Committee to delegate its responsibilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to management. The Audit Committee pre-approved fees for all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent audit firm during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independent auditor’s independence, and has advised the Company that, in its opinion, the activities performed by Crowe Horwath LLP on the Company’s behalf are compatible with maintaining the independence of such auditors.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) The financial statements and supplementary financial information filed herewith are set forth on the Index to Financial Statements on page F-1 of the separate financial section which follows page 45 of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

(a)(2) The consolidated financial statement schedules of the Company and its subsidiaries have been omitted because they are not required, are not applicable, or are adequately explained in the financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report.

(a)(3) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Report. Those exhibits with an asterisk (*) designate the Registrant’s management contracts or compensation plans or arrangements for its executive officers.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
  3.2    Bylaws of the Registrant filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 8, 2006, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A dated January 3, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.1    Credit Agreement, dated August 3, 2009, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10- Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2    Line of Credit Note, dated August 3, 2009, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10.3    Note Modification Agreement, dated August 25, 2010, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4*    Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.5*    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.6*    Form of Stock Option Agreement, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.7*    [Incentive] Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.8*    Form of Annual Performance Award, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9*    Employment Agreement, dated October 18, 2001, between the Company and Bharat Desai, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.10*    Employment Agreement, dated October 18, 2001, between the Company and Daniel M. Moore, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.11*    Employment Agreement, dated March 9, 2009, between the Company and Arvind Godbole, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.12*    Employment Agreement, dated March 5, 2009, between the Company and Anil Jain, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.13*    Employment Agreement, dated October 18, 2001, between the Company and R. S. Ramdas, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.14*    Employment Agreement, dated May 20, 2005, between the Company and Rakesh Khanna, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.15*    Employment Agreement, dated September 5, 2003, between the Company and Murlidhar Reddy, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.16*    Employment Agreement, dated October 13, 2008, between the Company and V. S. Raj, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.17*    Employment Agreement, dated August 3, 2009, between the Company and Raja Ray, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.18*    Employment Agreement, dated March 15, 2010, between the Company and Prashant Ranade, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.19*    Employment Agreement, dated November 3, 2008, between the Company and Amit Chatterjee, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.20*    Employment Agreement, dated January 10, 2011, between the Company and Rajesh Save.
10.21*    Employment Agreement, dated February 1, 2011, between the Company and Avinash Salelkar.
10.22    Leave and License Agreement, dated June 11, 2004, between Lake View Developers and Syntel Sourcing Pvt. Ltd. filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.23    Lease Deed, dated September 23, 2004 between Arihant Foundation and Housing Ltd. and Syntel Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.24    Lease Deed, dated October 6, 2004, between Arihant Foundation and Housing Ltd. and Syntel Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.25    Shareholders Agreement by and between State Street International Holdings, Syntel Delaware, LLC, and Syntel Solutions (Mauritius) Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.26    First Amendment to the Shareholders Agreement by and Among State Street International Holdings, Syntel Delaware, LLC and State Street Syntel (Mauritius) Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.27    State Street Bank Letter Agreement dated January 28, 2010 regarding the Shareholders Agreement and First Amendment to the Shareholders Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street International Holdings, Syntel Inc. and State Street Syntel Services Private Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.28    Underwriting Agreement by and among Syntel, Inc., Bharat Desai, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Jefferies & Company, Inc. and the several underwriters named on Schedule A thereto dated November 16, 2010 filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.
14    Code of Ethical Conduct filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
21    Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Description

31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.3    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

SYNTEL, INC.
By:  

/s/    P RASHANT R ANADE         

  Prashant Ranade
  Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Dated: March 03, 2011

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/ S /    B HARAT D ESAI        

Bharat Desai

   Chairman and Director   March 03, 2011

/ S /    P RASHANT R ANADE        

Prashant Ranade

   Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   March 03, 2011

/ S /    A RVIND G ODBOLE        

Arvind Godbole

   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Security Officer   March 03, 2011

/ S /    N EERJA S ETHI        

Neerja Sethi

   Director   March 03, 2011

/ S /    P ARITOSH K. C HOKSI        

Paritosh K. Choksi

   Director   March 03, 2011

/ S /    G EORGE M RKONIC        

George Mrkonic

   Director   March 03, 2011

/ S /    T HOMAS D OKE        

Thomas Doke

   Director   March 03, 2011

/ S /    R AJESH M ASHRUWALA        

Rajesh Mashruwala

   Director   March 03, 2011

 

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Index to Financial Statements

 

    

Page(s)

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm as of December  31, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010

     F-2   

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Income

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7 to F-29   

 

F-1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Syntel, Inc.

Troy, Michigan

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included within this Form 10-K Item 9A as Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Oak Brook, Illinois

March 3, 2011

 

F-2


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Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     December 31,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents  

   $ 78,505       $ 87,822   

Short-term investments  

     208,695         112,243   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,090 and $3,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively  

     75,873         48,523   

Revenue earned in excess of billings  

     5,329         5,809   

Deferred income taxes and other current assets  

     43,705         23,739   
                 

Total current assets  

     412,107         278,136   

Property and equipment  

     171,445         143,911   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  

     69,338         54,271   
                 

Property and equipment, net

     102,107         89,640   

Goodwill  

     906         906   

Noncurrent Term Deposits with Banks  

     66         23,337   

Deferred income taxes and other noncurrent assets  

     30,931         20,603   
                 

Total assets  

   $ 546,117       $ 412,622   
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

LIABILITIES

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable  

   $ 10,071       $ 7,879   

Accrued payroll and related costs  

     40,736         26,240   

Income taxes payable  

     2,291         777   

Accrued liabilities  

     16,561         10,484   

Deferred revenue  

     9,783         5,888   

Dividends payable  

     2,752         2,776   
                 

Total current liabilities  

     82,194         54,044   

Other noncurrent liabilities  

     12,453         8,540   
                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     94,647         62,584   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Common Stock, no par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 41,497,733 and 41,380,700 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively  

     1         1   

Restricted stock, 244,317 and 158,374 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively  

     11,008         9,042   

Additional paid-in capital  

     67,420         66,319   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  

     1,415         (14,078

Retained earnings  

     371,626         288,754   
                 

Total shareholders’ equity  

     451,470         350,038   
                 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  

   $ 546,117       $ 412,622   
                 

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

 

F-3


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Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2010      2009      2008  

Net revenues  

   $ 532,133       $ 419,006       $ 410,426   

Cost of revenues  

     320,042         215,154         231,729   
                          

Gross profit  

     212,091         203,852         178,697   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     91,556         78,463         80,347   
                          

Income from operations  

     120,535         125,389         98,350   

Other income, principally interest, net  

     13,126         10,059         2,031   
                          

Income before provision for income taxes  

     133,661         135,448         100,381   

Income tax expense  

     20,068         16,953         13,700   
                          

Net income  

   $ 113,593       $ 118,495       $ 86,681   
                          

Dividend per share  

   $ 0.74       $ 0.24       $ 0.74   

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

        

Basic  

   $ 2.74       $ 2.86       $ 2.10   

Diluted  

   $ 2.73       $ 2.86       $ 2.10   

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic  

     41,524         41,407         41,233   

Diluted  

     41,611         41,491         41,340   

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

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

                            Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total
Shareholders’

Equity
 
    Common Stock     Restricted
Stock
        Unrealized
Investment
Gain/(Loss)
    Unamortized
Actuarial
Gain/(Loss)
    Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
   
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount              

Balance, January 1, 2008  

    41,140      $ 1        297      $ 5,113      $ 64,712      $ 124,049      $ 3,444      $ 42      $ 10,389      $ 207,750   

Net income  

              86,681              86,681   

Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax  

                (3,357     146        (36,949     (40,160
                         

Total Comprehensive Income  

                      46,521   

ESPP & Stock Option Activity  

    8              1,027                1,027   

Restricted stock activity  

    117          (55     2,057                  2,057   

Cumulative effect adjustment related to uncertain tax positions  

                   

Dividends, $0.74 per share  

              (30,525           (30,525
                                                                               

Balance, December 31, 2008  

    41,265        1        242        7,170        65,739        180,205        87        188        (26,560     226,830   
                                                                               

Net income  

              118,495              118,495   

Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax  

                1        (154     12,360        12,207   
                         

Total Comprehensive Income  

                      130,702   

ESPP & Stock Option Activity  

    36              580                580   

Restricted stock activity  

    80          (84     1,872                  1,872   

Dividends, $0.24 per share  

              (9,946           (9,946
                                                                               

Balance, December 31,2009  

    41,381        1        158        9,042        66,319        288,754        88        34        (14,200     350,038   
                                                                               

Net income

              113,593              113,593   

Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax  

                331        (436     15,598        15,493   
                         

Total Comprehensive Income  

                      129,086   

ESPP & Stock Option Activity  

    69              1,101                1,101   

Restricted stock activity  

    48          86        1,966                  1,966   

Dividends, $0.74 per share  

              (30,721           (30,721
                                                                               

Balance, December 31,2010  

    41,498      $ 1        244      $ 11,008      $ 67,420      $ 371,626      $ 419      $ (402   $ 1,398      $ 451,470   
                                                                               

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

 

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Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     2010     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income  

   $ 113,593      $ 118,495        86,681   

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

      

Depreciation and amortization  

     14,413        15,003        13,482   

Bad debt provisions, net  

     65        2,101        91   

Realized gains on sales of short-term investments  

     (1,349     (1,580     (2,173

Deferred income taxes  

     (8,287     (1,998     (3,435

Compensation expense related to restricted stock  

     1,938        1,946        2,349   

Share-based compensation expense  

     0        0        25   

Adjustment related to the uncertain tax positions liabilities and other tax credits  

     (1,284     (4,301     (3,320

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable and revenue earned in excess of billings  

     (20,286     1,717        (16,512

Other current assets  

     (11,844     (29,129     (5,344

Accrued payroll and other liabilities  

     23,224        (6,235     21,331   

Deferred revenues  

     3,829        783        1,523   
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities  

     114,012        96,802        94,698   
                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Property and equipment expenditures  

     (22,546     (25,509     (36,343

Purchases of mutual funds  

     (292,745     (272,861     (141,273

Purchases of term deposits with banks  

     (248,454     (74,201     (42,127

Proceeds from sales of mutual funds  

     289,247        273,475        134,664   

Maturities of term deposits with banks  

     181,007        35,197        24,700   
                        

Net cash used in investing activities  

     (93,491     (63,899     (60,379
                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock  

     947        440        215   

Tax benefit on stock options exercised  

     152        0        60   

Dividends paid  

     (30,697     (9,986     (30,577
                        

Net cash used in financing activities  

     (29,598     (9,546     (30,302
                        

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash  

     (241     (566     (541
                        

Change in cash and cash equivalents  

     (9,317     22,791        3,476   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  

     87,822        65,031        61,555   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  

   $ 78,505      $ 87,822      $ 65,031   
                        

Noncash investing and financing activities

      

Cash dividends declared but unpaid  

   $ 2,490      $ 2,792      $ 2,769   

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information—

      

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 19,403      $ 24,896      $ 12,641   

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

 

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Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Business

Syntel, Inc. and subsidiaries (individually and collectively “Syntel” or the “Company”) provide information technology services such as programming, systems integration, outsourcing and overall project management. The Company provides services to customers primarily in the financial and banking sector, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, retail, and information/communication industries. The Company’s reportable operating segments consist of Applications Outsourcing, Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), e-Business and TeamSourcing.

Through Applications Outsourcing, the Company provides higher-value outsourcing services for ongoing management, development and maintenance of customers’ business applications. In most Application Outsourcing engagements, the Company assumes responsibility for the management of customer development and support functions. These services may be provided on either a time-and-material basis or on a fixed-price basis.

Through KPO, Syntel provides custom outsourced solutions for a customer’s business processes, providing them with the advantage of a low-cost position and process enhancement through optimal use of technology. Syntel uses a proprietary tool called Identeon TM to assist with strategic assessments of business processes and identifying the right ones for outsourcing.

Through e-Business, the Company provides development and implementation services for a number of emerging and rapidly growing high technology applications, including Web development, Data Warehousing, e-commerce, CRM, as well as partnership arrangements with leading software firms, to provide installation services to their respective customers. These services may be provided on either a time-and-material basis or on a fixed-price basis, in which the Company assumes responsibility for management of the engagement.

Through TeamSourcing, the Company provides professional information technology consulting services directly to customers on a staff augmentation basis. TeamSourcing services include systems specification, design, development, implementation and maintenance of complex information technology applications involving diverse computer hardware, software, data and networking technologies and practices. TeamSourcing consultants, whether working individually or as a team of professionals, generally receive direct supervision from the customer’s management staff. TeamSourcing services are generally invoiced on a time-and-materials basis.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of consolidation

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

The wholly owned subsidiaries of Syntel, Inc. are:

 

 

Syntel Limited, an Indian limited liability company (“Syntel India”);

 

 

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

 

 

Syntel Europe Limited, an United Kingdom limited liability company (“Syntel Europe”);

 

 

Syntel Canada Inc., an Ontario limited liability company;

 

 

Syntel Deutschland GmbH, a German limited liability company;

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

The partially owned joint venture of Syntel Delaware is:

 

 

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

The wholly owned subsidiary of SSSSML is:

 

 

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

The wholly owned subsidiaries of Syntel Mauritius are:

 

 

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

 

 

Syntel Global Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company.

The wholly owned subsidiaries of SHML are:

 

 

Syntel Sterling BestShores Solutions Private Limited, an Indian limited liability company; and

 

 

TriZetto Syntel Services (Mauritius) Limited, a Mauritius limited liability company (“TSSML”).

The wholly owned subsidiary of TSSML is:

 

 

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

The wholly owned subsidiary of Syntel Europe is:

 

 

Intellisourcing, sarl, a French limited liability company.

Revenue recognition

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

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

Revenue on fixed-price, applications development and integration projects in the Company’s application outsourcing and e-Business segments are measured using the proportional performance method of accounting. Performance is generally measured based upon the efforts incurred to date in relation to the total estimated efforts to the completion of the contract. The Company monitors estimates of total contract revenues and costs on a routine basis throughout the delivery period. The cumulative impact of any change in estimates of the contract revenues or costs is reflected in the period in which the changes become known. In the event that a loss is anticipated on a particular contract, provision is made for the estimated loss. The Company issues invoices related to fixed-price contracts based on either the achievement of milestones during a project or other contractual terms. Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue based upon the proportional performance method of accounting are recorded as revenue earned in excess of billings or deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Revenues are reported net of sales incentives to customers.

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

Stock-based employee compensation plans

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

 

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Derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts where the counter party is a bank. The Company purchases foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash flows denominated in certain foreign currencies. These contracts are carried at fair value with resulting gains or losses included in the consolidated statements of income in other income.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional amount of $165.0 million with maturity dates of one to four months. During the year ended December 31, 2010, contracts amounting to $125.0 million expired resulting in a gain of $4.2 million. Gain for the direct customer related contracts is $2.5 million is recorded in other income and gain for the inter company related contracts is $1.7 million. At December 31, 2010, foreign exchange forward contracts amounting $ 40.0 million were outstanding. The fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts at December 31, 2010 is reflected in other current assets with a corresponding credit to income.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company entered into currency option contracts (During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Company entered into currency option contracts with a notional amount of $5.0 million and the same is expired on 31 st  October 2010). There was no gain or loss on currency option contract, as USD-INR was at 44.51 and the contract was not executed by both the parties. (Range of the said contract is Rs. 44.50 (Minimum) to Rs. 46.20 (Maximum)).

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional amount of $67.0 million with maturity dates of one to three months. During the year ended December 31, 2009, contracts amounting to $124.0 million expired resulting in a gain of $0.84 million. Gain for the direct customer related contracts is $0.69 million is recorded in other income and gain for the inter company related contracts is $0.15 million. At December 31, 2009, no foreign exchange forward contracts were outstanding.

During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional amount of $140.0 million with maturity dates of one to eight months. During the year ended December 31, 2008, contracts amounting to $145.0 million expired resulting in a loss of $7.5 million. Loss for the direct customer related contracts is $5.1 million is recorded negative other income and loss for the inter company related contracts is $2.4 million. At December 31, 2008, foreign exchange forward contracts amounting to $57.0 million were outstanding. The fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts at December 31, 2008 is reflected in other current liabilities with a corresponding debit to expense.

Other income

Other income includes interest and dividend income, gains and losses from sale of securities, other investments and hedging transactions.

Cash and cash equivalents

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

At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, approximately $23.3 million and $20.4 million, respectively, are in a money market fund maintained by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. that invests primarily in corporate bonds and treasury notes. Term deposits with original maturity of three months or less held with Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and ICICI were $20.0 million and with Bank of India $11.8 million as at year end December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The remaining amounts of cash and cash equivalents are invested in money market accounts with various banking and financial institutions.

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair values of the Company’s current assets and current liabilities approximate their carrying values because of their short maturities. Such financial instruments are classified as current and are expected to be liquidated within the next twelve months.

Concentration of credit risks

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of investments and accounts receivable. Cash on deposit is held with financial institutions with high credit standings. The Company has cash deposited with financial institutions that, at times, may exceed the federally insured limits.

 

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The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts for known and inherent collection risks related to its accounts receivable. The estimation of the allowance is primarily based on the Company’s assessment of the probable collection from specific customer accounts, the aging of the accounts receivable, analysis of credit data, bad debt write-offs, and other known factors.

Investments

Short-term Investments

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

Short-term investments also include term deposits with an original maturity exceeding three months and whose maturity date is within one year from the date of the balance sheet. Term deposits were $ 175.4 million and $21.8 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Non-current term deposits with banks

Non-current term deposits with banks include deposits with maturity exceeding one year from the date of the balance sheet. As at December 31, 2010 and 2009 non current term deposits with banks were at $0.1 million and $23.3 million, respectively.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:

 

     Years

Office building  

   30

Computer equipment and software  

   3

Furniture, fixtures and other equipment  

   7

Vehicles  

   3

Leasehold improvements  

   Life of lease

Leasehold land  

   Life of lease

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $14.4 million, $15.0 million and $13.5 million, respectively.

Long-lived assets (other than goodwill)

In accordance with guidance on “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” in the FASB Codification, the Company reviews its long-lived assets (other than goodwill) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When factors indicate that such costs should be evaluated for possible impairment, the Company assesses the recoverability of the long-lived assets (other than goodwill) by comparing the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets against their respective carrying amounts. The amount of an impairment charge, if any, is calculated based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. Management believes assets were not impaired at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Goodwill

In accordance with guidance on goodwill impairment in the FASB Codification, goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually. Management believes goodwill was not impaired at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Use of estimates

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

 

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assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Such estimates include, but are not limited to allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, contingencies and litigation, the recognition of revenues and profits based on the proportional performance method and potential tax liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements.

During 2010, the Company had a favorable adjustment of $1.28 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities provided on the “more likely than not” concept and other tax positions, which is based on the expiration of the statute of limitations related to certain global tax contingencies and completion of certain tax audits. The Company also reversed $0.5 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, the Company also recorded a deferred tax asset of $0.2 million and credit of carry back of losses $0.2 million.

The revisions in the above estimates during 2010 had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2010 by $0.05 per share.

During 2009, the Company had a favorable adjustment of $4.3 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities. The Company has also provided valuation allowance of $0.4 million towards deferred tax assets created in earlier years.

During 2009, the Company provided $2.6 million towards allowance for doubtful accounts. At December 31, 2009 the allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.0 million. These estimates are based on management’s assessment of the probable collection from specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable, analysis of credit data, bad debt write-offs, and other known factors.

The revisions in the above estimates during 2009 had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2009 by $0.06 per share.

During 2008, the Company reversed a tax reserve of $3.0 million provided which was comprised of $2.2 million and $0.8 million towards tax and interest, respectively. In determining the tax provisions, the Company also provided for tax contingencies based on the Company’s assessment of future regulatory reviews of filed tax returns. Such reserves, which were recorded in income taxes payable, were based on management’s estimates and accordingly were subject to revision based on additional information. The portion of the reserve that was no longer required for any particular tax year was credited to the income tax provision.

In addition, during 2008 the Company recorded a charge of $1.1 million towards uncertain income tax positions, as well as the related net interest of $0.7 million and interest of $0.4 million. The Company also reversed $1.4 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books.

During 2008, the Company provided $0.3 million towards allowance for doubtful accounts. At December 31, 2008 the allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.4 million. These estimates were based on management’s assessment of the probable collection from specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable, analysis of credit data, bad debt write-offs, and other known factors.

The revisions in the above estimates during 2008 had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 by $0.08 per share.

Foreign currency translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries use the currency of the primary economic environment in which they operate as its functional currency. Revenues and expenses of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at average period exchange rates. Assets and liabilities are translated to U. S. dollars at period-end exchange rates with the effects of these cumulative translation adjustments being reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are reflected within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. During the year ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, foreign exchange loss of $2.0 million, $1.0 million and foreign exchange gain of $5.1 million was included in selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the applicable period.

 

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

Vacation pay

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

The gross charge for unutilized earned leave was $4.0 million, $2.2 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The amounts accrued for unutilized earned leave were $14.5 million and $11.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are included within accrued payroll and related costs.

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax laws is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Recently issued accounting standards

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (ASU 2009-13). ASU 2009-13 amends the criteria for revenue recognition of multi-deliverable arrangements and expands the required disclosures of those arrangements. ASU 2009-13 is effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. We adopted this standard during the second quarter of 2010 and there was no significant impact on our financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-01, which codifies the consensus reached in EITF Issue 09-E. The ASU provides guidance on accounting for distributions to shareholders with components of stock and cash, clarifying that in calculating EPS, an entity should account for the share portion of the distribution as a stock issuance and not as a stock dividend, in accordance with ASC 505 and ASC 260. In other words, the entity will include the shares issued or issuable as part of a distribution that is reflected in basic EPS prospectively. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods. The adoption of ASU 2010-01 did not have any impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, which amends ASC 820 to add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. The ASU also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Further, the ASU amends guidance on employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets under ASC 715 to require that disclosures be provided by classes of assets instead of by major categories of assets. However, unlike the proposed ASU, the final ASU does not require entities to provide sensitivity disclosures. The FASB will consider whether to require sensitivity disclosures jointly with the IASB as part of a new convergence project on fair value measurement and disclosures. The ASU is effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the same on its financial statement disclosures.

In February 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-09, “Subsequent Events (Topic 855)—Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements” (ASU 2010-09). ASU 2010—09, clarifies that an entity that is either an SEC filer,

 

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as defined in the ASU, or a conduit debt obligor for securities traded in a public market should evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued. It eliminates the requirement that an SEC filer disclose that date in its financial statements. The ASU also clarifies that entities that are neither SEC filers nor conduit debt obligors should evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are available to be issued. Dates to be disclosed in revised financial statements by entities that are not SEC filers are also clarified. Except for the use of the issued date for conduit debt obligors, which is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2010, the amendments in the ASU are effective upon issuance. We adopted this standard during the second quarter of 2010 and there was no significant impact on our financial statements.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-13, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades” (ASU 2010-13). This consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) addresses diversity in practice that has developed when entities issue employee share-based payment awards with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades that differs from the functional currency of the employer entity or payroll currency of the employee. Under the existing U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), a share-based payment award containing a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition is required to be classified as a liability. This ASU amends Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, the award should not be classified as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted. We adopted this standard during the second quarter of 2010 and there was no significant impact on our financial statements.

In April 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-17, “Revenue Recognition – Milestone Method (Topic 605): Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition” (ASU 2010-17). This update, another consensus of the EITF, provides guidance on defining a milestone and determining when it may be appropriate to apply the milestone method of revenue recognition for research or development transactions. Research and development arrangements frequently include payment provisions whereby some consideration is contingent upon achieving uncertain future events or circumstances but authoritative guidance on the use of the milestone method of revenue recognition did not previously exist. Following the guidance in this ASU, a vendor can recognize consideration that is contingent on achieving a milestone in its entirety as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone meets all of the specified criteria to be considered substantive. Certain disclosures about the overall arrangement and the milestones are required. Use of the milestone method of revenue recognition is a policy election to be made by a vendor; other proportional revenue-recognition methods may be applied as long as they do not result in the recognition of consideration in its entirety in the period the milestone is achieved. The amendments are effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted and a vendor may elect, but is not required, to adopt the amendments retrospectively for all prior periods. We adopted this standard during the second quarter of 2010 and there was no significant impact on our financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-28, “Intangibles- Goodwill and other (Topic 350): When to perform step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with zero or negative carrying amounts” (ASU 2010-28). This Update provides guidance on how an entity with reporting units that have a zero or negative carrying amounts shall consider qualitative factors in addition to the goodwill impairment Step 1 process to determine if Step 2 of the goodwill impairment process shall be completed. If the qualitative factors indicate that events or circumstances exist that indicate it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, a Step 2 goodwill analysis is required even if Step 1 was passed. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of ASU 2010-28, is not expected to have any significant impact on the Company’s financial statement.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-29, “Business Combinations Topic (805): Disclosure of supplementary pro forma Information for Business Combinations” (ASU 2010-29). This update provides clarification on the presentation of pro forma information for business combinations and applies to public entities. The Update specifies that the pro forma disclosure should include revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only if comparative financial statements are presented. It also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of the material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments are effective on a prospective basis for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2010-29, is not expected to have any significant impact on the Company’s financial statement.

 

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3. Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments included the following at December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

     2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Investments in mutual funds at carrying value  

   $ 33,271       $ 27,160   

Term deposits with banks  

     175,424         85,083   
                 

Total  

   $ 208,695       $ 112,243   
                 

Information related to investments in mutual funds (primarily Indian Mutual Funds) is as follows at and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (In thousands)  

Cost  

   $ 32,742       $ 26,919       $ 24,859   

Unrealized gain, net  

     529         241         261   
                          

Carrying value  

   $ 33,271       $ 27,160       $ 25,120   
                          

Gross realized gains  

   $ 1,315       $ 1,565       $ 2,165   

Proceeds on sales of mutual funds  

     289,247         273,475         134,664   

Purchases of mutual funds  

     292,745         272,861         141,273   

Information related to investments in term deposits with banks included the following at and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (In thousands)  

Cost  

   $ 175,424       $ 85,083       $ 42,173   
                          

Maturities of term deposits  

   $ 181,007       $ 35,197       $ 24,700   

Purchases of term deposits  

     248,454         74,201         42,127   

4. Revenue Earned in Excess of Billings and Deferred Revenue

Revenue earned in excess of billings at December 31, 2010 and 2009 is summarized as follows:

 

     2010     2009  
     (In thousands)  

Unbilled revenue for time-and-materials projects  

   $ 10,975      $ 7,605   

Unbilled revenue for fixed-price projects, net of discounts  

     (5,646     (1,796
                
   $ 5,329      $ 5,809   
                

Deferred revenue at December 31, 2009 and 2008 is summarized as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred revenue on uncompleted fixed-price development contracts  

   $ 9,704       $ 5,622   

Other deferred revenue  

     79         266   
                 
   $ 9,783       $ 5,888   
                 

 

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5. Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The movement in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is summarized as follows:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (In thousands)  

Balance, beginning of year  

   $ 3,000       $ 440       $ 499   

Provision  

     15         2,557         297   

Write-offs, net of recoveries  

     75         3         (356
                          

Balance, end of year  

   $ 3,090       $ 3,000       $ 440   
                          

6. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at December 31, 2010 and 2009 is summarized as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Office building  

   $ 38,159       $ 16,764   

Computer equipment and software  

     49,143         42,210   

Furniture, fixtures and other equipment  

     47,007         34,069   

Vehicles  

     946         738   

Leasehold improvements  

     4,762         4,668   

Leasehold land  

     4,228         4,089   

Residential property  

     1,366         1,312   

Capital advances / work in progress  

     25,834         40,061   
                 
     171,445         143,911   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  

     69,338         54,271   
                 
   $ 102,107       $ 89,640   
                 

7. Line of Credit

The Company has a line of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, which provides for borrowings up to $20.0 million and expires on August 31, 2011. The interest shall be paid to the Bank on the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of each Commercial Bank Floating Rate advance at the Commercial Bank Floating Rate plus the applicable margin and each LIBOR rate advance at the adjusted LIBOR rate.

There were no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

8. Leases

The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under operating leases. Current operating lease obligations are expected to be renewed or replaced upon expiration. Future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable leases expiring beyond one year as of December 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

     (In thousands)  

2011  

   $ 32,607   

2012  

     18,038   

2013  

     14,257   

2014  

     11,558   

2015  

     7,411   
        
   $ 83,871   
        

Total rent expense amounted to approximately $9.0 million, $8.1 million and $9.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

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9. Income Taxes

Income before income taxes for the Company’s U.S. and foreign operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was as follows:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (In thousands)  

U.S.  

   $ 12,359       $ 16,216       $ 23,489   

Foreign  

     121,302         119,232         76,892   
                          
   $ 133,661       $ 135,448       $ 100,381   
                          

Income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 consisted of the following:

 

     2010     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Current:

      

Federal  

   $ 2,650      $ 1,402      $ 4,969   

State  

     483        256        1,248   

Foreign  

     23,423        22,315        11,720   
                        

Total current provision  

     26,556        23,973        17,937   
                        

Deferred:

      

Federal  

     651        418        306   

State  

     119        76        56   

Foreign  

     (7,258     (7,514     (4,599
                        

Total deferred provision (benefit)  

     (6,488     (7,020     (4,237
                        

Total provision for income taxes  

   $ 20,068      $ 16,953      $ 13,700   
                        

The components of net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

     2010     2009  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax assets

    

Impairment of investments and capitalized development costs  

   $ 1,601     $ 1,601   

Valuation allowance  

     (1,601     (1,601

Carry forward losses of subsidiaries  

     (486     (612

Minimum alternate tax credit of subsidiaries  

     17,209        10,433   

Property, plant and equipment  

     1,287        971   

Accrued expenses and allowances  

     7,122        5,066   

Advanced billing receipts  

     1,933        1,153   
                

Total deferred tax assets  

     27,065        17,011   
                

Deferred tax liabilities

    

Provision for branch tax on dividend equivalent in India  

     (1,726     (1,726

Provision for tax on unrealized gains in India  

     (115     (178
                

Total deferred tax liabilities  

     (1,841     (1,904
                

Net deferred tax assets  

   $ 25,224      $ 15,107   
                

The balance sheet classification of the net deferred tax asset is summarized as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax asset, current  

   $ 11,054       $ 4,505   

Deferred tax asset, non-current  

     14,170         10,602   
                 
   $ 25,224       $ 15,107   
                 

 

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

Units registered with STPI, EOU’s and certain units located in SEZ are exempt from payment of corporate income taxes for ten years of operations on the profits generated by these units or March 31, 2011 (substituted for “2010” by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2009), whichever is earlier. Certain units located in SEZ are eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes for first five years of operation and 50% exemption for the next two years and further 50% exemption for another three years subject to fulfillment of criteria laid down. New units in SEZ operational after April 1, 2005 are eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes for first five years of operation, 50% exemption for the next five years and further 50% exemption for another five years subject to fulfillment of criteria laid down.

Six SEZ units located at Mumbai have already ceased to enjoy the above-mentioned tax exemption. One SEZ unit located at Mumbai has completed its first five years of 100% exemption from payment of corporate tax and effective April 1, 2007, 50% of the profits of the said unit would only be eligible for tax exemption. Further, three more SEZ units located at Mumbai have completed its first five years of 100% exemption from payment of corporate taxes effective April 1, 2008, 50% of the profits of the said units would only be eligible for tax exemption. Also, the EOU located at Chennai has ceased to enjoy the above-mentioned tax exemption effective April 1, 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2008, Syntel started a Software Development unit in Pune SEZ and during the year 2009, the Company has started one more Software Development unit in Pune SEZ. During the year ended December 31, 2010 Company has started Software Development unit in Syntel-Chennai SEZ.

Syntel KPO units located in Mumbai and Pune are exempt from payment of corporate income taxes on the profits generated by the unit up to March 31, 2011 (substituted for “2010” by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2009). During the year ended December 31, 2008, Syntel started a KPO unit in Pune SEZ.

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

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

The benefit of the tax Holiday under Indian Income Tax was $25.0 million, $28.1 million and $20.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company repatriated cash dividends of $6.2 million out of the retained earnings of its controlled foreign subsidiary, Syntel Europe Limited, to the U.S. The Company recorded a net tax charge of approximately $0.6 million towards U.S. Federal and State taxes.

The Company intends to use remaining accumulated and future earnings of foreign subsidiaries to expand operations outside the United States and accordingly, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States and no provision for U.S. federal and state income tax or applicable dividend distribution tax has been provided thereon. If the Company determines to repatriate all undistributed repatriable earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, the Company would have accrued taxes of approximately $171.0 million.

The following table accounts for the differences between the actual effective tax rate and the statutory U. S. Federal income tax rate of 35% for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

     2010     2009     2008  

Statutory rate  

     35.0     35.0     35.0

State taxes, net of federal benefit  

     0.3     0.4     0.6

Tax-free investment income  

     (0.0 %)      (0.0 %)      (0.1 %) 

Foreign effective tax rates different from U.S. Statutory Rate  

     (19.6 %)      (19.7 %)      (16.5 %) 

Tax reserves  

     (0.7 %)      (2.4 %)      (3.4 %) 

Prior year adjustment  

     (0.0 %)      (0.7 %)      —     

Tax on UK dividend at different rate  

     —          —          (1.6 %) 

Other, net  

     (0.0 %)      (0.1 %)      (0.4 %) 
                        

Effective income tax rate  

     15.0     12.5     13.6
                        

 

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     (In Millions)  

Balance as at January 1  

   $ 14.44       $ 14.43   

Additions based on tax positions relate to the current year  

     5.85         5.57   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years  

     (1.17      (4.34

Settlement  

     —           (1.81

Foreign currency translation effect  

     0.59         0.59   
                 

Balance as at December 31  

   $ 19.71       $ 14.44   

Income taxes Paid, see below  

     (16.64      (11.87
                 

Amounts, net of Income taxes Paid  

   $ 3.07       $ 2.57   
                 

The above table shows the unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

The Company has paid income taxes of $16.64 million and $11.87 million against the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $19.71 million and $14.44 million, as at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company has paid the taxes in order to reduce the possible interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits.

$4.70 million of $16.64 million and $3.06 million of $11.87 million, in paid income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, relate to four units located at SEEPZ, Mumbai which are SEZ units. The Company has made a claim of the Tax benefit in the Tax return such that the aforesaid four units may be treated as units located in Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and no tax provision should be required. It is more likely than not that the aforesaid four units be held to be the SEZ units.

$11.94 million of $16.64 million and $8.81 million of $11.87 million, in paid income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, relate to the alternative claim by the Company, of the tax treatment of interest income in tax free zones, for various tax years which are pending before the Income Tax Department and the Appellate Authorities. It is more likely than not that aforesaid income not to be held to be the income from tax free zones.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company recognized a tax charge towards interest of approximately $0.21 million and $0.10 million. Further during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company reversed $0.09 million and $1.29 million, respectively, towards interest previously accrued.

The Company had accrued approximately $0.39 million and $0.27 million for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

The Company’s amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the tax disputes of $2.4 million and potential tax disputes of $7.8 million could change in the next twelve months as litigations and global tax audits progress. At this time, due to the uncertain nature of this process, it is not reasonably possible to estimate an overall range of possible change.

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

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for years 2004 and 2005 in the first quarter of 2006. During July 2008, the IRS issued a notice of proposed adjustments towards the Company’s transfer pricing tax positions for the year 2004 and the Company had appealed against the IRS position. During first quarter 2009 the Company completed the appeal process with IRS under Fast Track Settlement process and agreed to settle all disagreements with IRS towards the transfer pricing for years 2004, 2005 and 2006 for a certain amount which did not have any negative change to the Company’s financial position. The IRS has completed their audits through tax year 2005 and transfer pricing issues through tax year 2006. The Company does not expect any material issues for the remaining open years.

 

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Syntel Inc. and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in various tax jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2007 and for state tax examinations for years before 2006. During 2010 the IRS had commenced an examination of Syntel Limited’s U.S. income tax return (form 1120F) for the tax year 2007. IRS has now closed the audit for Syntel India’s U.S. Income tax returns for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, with no material impact on Syntel’s financial position.

Syntel Limited, the Company’s India subsidiary, has disputed tax matters for the financial years 1995-96 to 2006-07 pending at various levels of tax authorities. Financial year 2007-08 and onwards are open for regular tax scrutiny by the Indian tax authorities. However, the tax authorities in India are authorized to reopen the already concluded tax assessments and may re-open the case of Syntel Limited for financial year 2003-04 and onwards.

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the effective income tax rate was 15.0%, 12.5% and 13.6%, respectively.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $1.28 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities provided on the “more likely than not” concept and other tax positions, which is based on the expiration of the statute of limitations related to certain global tax contingencies and completion of certain tax audits. The Company also reversed $0.5 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, the Company also recorded a deferred tax asset of $0.2 million and credit of carry back of losses $0.2 million. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 would have been 16.6%.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $4.3 million as a result of the Company’s review of its global uncertain tax liabilities. Further, Union Budget of India 2009 extended the tax holiday period by one year (i.e. from March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011). This resulted into expensing of the deferred taxes provided for the extended period by $0.49 million. The Company has also provided valuation allowance of $0.4 million towards deferred tax asset created in earlier years.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was impacted by the reversal of a tax reserve of $3.0 million provided earlier towards uncertain income tax positions which comprises $2.2 million and $0.8 million towards tax and interest, respectively. In addition, during 2008 the Company had recorded a charge of $1.1 million towards uncertain income tax positions tax of $0.7 million and interest of $0.4 million. The Company also reversed $1.4 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books and $0.3 million towards refund of Michigan Single Business tax for the years 2001 to 2003. Further, the Company also recorded a net tax charge of $0.6 million towards dividend income from Syntel Europe Limited. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 would have been 16.8%.

Syntel Limited has not provided for disputed Indian income tax liabilities amounting to $2.01 million for the financial years 1995-96 to 2001-02, which is after recognizing certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.04 million provided for uncertain income tax positions during the year 2008. Syntel Limited has obtained an opinion from one independent legal counsel (a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India) for the financial year 1998-99 and opinions from another independent legal counsel (also a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India) for the financial years 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and for subsequent periods, which support Syntel Limited’s position in this matter.

For the financial year 1998-99, the appeal filed by the Income Tax Department has been dismissed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (“ITAT”) and the matter stands in favor of Syntel Limited. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on account of a delay in filing Tax Appeal on July 23 2009. The Income Tax department may file further appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

A similar appeal filed by Syntel Limited with the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) (“CIT(A)”) for the financial year 1999-2000 was, however, dismissed in March 2004. Syntel Limited has appealed this decision with the ITAT. During the year 2007, Syntel Limited has received a favorable order from the ITAT on this appeal. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on account of a delay in filing Tax Appeal on July 23, 2009. The Income Tax Department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

Syntel Limited has also received orders for appeals filed with the CIT(A) against the demands raised by the Income Tax Officer for similar matters relating to the financial years 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2000-01 and 2001-02 and received a favorable decision for 1995-96 and the contention of Syntel Limited was partially upheld for the other years. Syntel Limited has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has appealed the favorable decisions for 1995-96 and the partially favorable decisions for the other years with the ITAT. Syntel Limited has received a favorable order from

 

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ITAT. The Income Tax Department has filed further appeals before the Bombay High Court for the financial years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2000-01. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department appeal and upheld the ITAT orders on December 15, 2009. The Income Tax Department has filed review petition before the Bombay High Court.

Syntel Limited has also not provided for other disputed Indian income tax liabilities aggregating to $5.61 million for the financial years 2001-02 to 2004-05, which is after recognizing tax on certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.03 million provided for uncertain income tax positions during the year 2007, against which Syntel Limited has filed the appeals with the CIT(A). Syntel Limited has obtained opinions from independent legal counsels, which support Syntel Limited’s stand in this matter. Syntel Limited has received an order from the CIT(A) for the financial year 2001-02 and the contention of Syntel Limited was partially upheld. Syntel Limited has gone into further appeal with the ITAT in relation to the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has also filed a further appeal against the relief granted to Syntel Limited by CIT(A). Syntel Limited has received a favorable order from the ITAT on January 24, 2009, wherein the contention of the Company was fully upheld for financial year 2001-02. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court against the order of ITAT in respect to tax on one item only. Accordingly, Company tax disputes are reduced for the financial year by $2.4 million. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on account of a delay in filing the Tax Appeal on July 22, 2009. The Income Tax department may file a further appeal before Supreme Court of India.

Syntel Limited has received the order for appeal filed with CIT(A) relating to financial year 2002-03 and financial year 2003-04, wherein the contention of Syntel Limited is partially upheld. Syntel Limited has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has also filed a further appeal against the relief granted to Syntel Limited by CIT(A). The Syntel Limited and Income Tax Department appeals are re-fixed for hearing before ITAT on March 15, 2011.

For the financial year 2004-05, the appeal of the Company was fully allowed by CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A), except one item. The Income Tax department’s appeal was rejected by ITAT. The Income Tax department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the amounts allowed by the ITAT except an item on which CIT(A) had granted the relief to the Company and the Income Tax department had not filed an appeal before ITAT. Accordingly, the Company has reversed a tax provision of $0.33 million during the year ended December 31, 2010. The Income Tax department Appeal for the financial year 2004-05 is scheduled for a hearing before the Bombay High Court on April 25, 2011. For the financial year 2005-06, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position, and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company’s appeal for the financial year was fully allowed by CIT(A). The Income Tax department may file a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A). For the financial year 2006-07, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A).

Syntel Limited has provided for a tax liability amounting to $3.90 million in the books for the financial years 1995-96 to 2006-07 on a particular tax matter. Syntel Limited has been contending the taxability of the same with the Indian Income Tax department. For the financial years 1998-99 and 1999-2000, the ITAT has held the matter in favor of Syntel Limited. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the amount allowed by ITAT. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department appeal on account of a delay in filing Tax Appeal on July 23, 2009. The Income Tax Department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. For the financial years 1995-96 to 1997-98 and 2000-01, the Company has received a favorable order from the ITAT, wherein the contention of the Company was upheld for these years. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the financial years 1996-97 to 2001-02 for amounts allowed by the ITAT. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the appeals filed by the Income Tax Department for the financial years 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2001-02 on account of a delay in filing the appeal. The Income Tax Department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the appeals filed by the Income Tax Department for the financial years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2000-01 at the admission stage, on the grounds that no substantial question of law arose from the appeals filed by the Income Tax Department, as the ITAT had given a specific finding which was based on facts. The Income Tax Department has filed review petition before the Bombay High Court on June 2, 2010.

For the financial years 2001-02 and 2002-03, the CIT(A) has held against the Company and the Company has filed a further appeal with the ITAT. For the Financial Year 2001-02, Income tax department appeal has been dismissed by ITAT and Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court in respect to one item only. The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Income Tax Department appeal on account of a delay in filing the Tax Appeal on July 22, 2009. The Income Tax department may file a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. For the financial year 2003-04, the CIT(A) has partially allowed the appeal in favor of the Company. The Company has filed an appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT(A). The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A). The Income tax department has filed an appeal against the relief granted to Company by CIT(A) except one item. The Income Tax department’s appeal has been rejected by ITAT. The Income Tax department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court for the amounts allowed by the ITAT, except an item on which CIT(A) had granted relief to the Company and the Income Tax department

 

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had not filed an appeal before ITAT. Accordingly, the Company reversed a tax provision of $0.33 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2010. This appeal is scheduled for a hearing before Bombay High Court on April 25, 2011. For the financial year 2005-06, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company’s appeal for the financial year 2005-06 was fully allowed by CIT(A). The Income Tax department may file a further appeal with ITAT for the amounts allowed by the CIT(A). For the financial year 2006-07, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position, and the Company has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). Based on the tax assessment of financial year 2006-07 and on earlier financial years, tax provision on a potential tax dispute is no longer required. Accordingly, the Company has reversed a tax provision of $0.40 million during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Fringe Benefit Tax (“FBT”) was introduced on April 1, 2005, FBT is payable at the enacted rates for the corporate (taxed @ 33.99% including surcharge, education cess and secondary and higher education cess), on certain expenses calculated at predetermined rates on the expenses incurred. FBT is a separate section in the Indian Income tax and is payable even by a Company which is otherwise not liable to pay Income taxes as per the Computation of Income. Accordingly, Indian entities and the Company had provided towards FBT in Year April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2009. Since FBT is a tax on expenditures the amounts were grouped along with the respective expense heads and not as tax expense by the Company. This was in line with the industry practice.

The Company had provided and paid FBT on expenses incurred outside India. However, the Company has contested with the Tax Department that no FBT shall be paid on expenses incurred outside India. The Income tax department has not issued notice for FBT assessment of Financial Year 2007-08 and Financial Year 2008-09 and the time of issuing notice for the regular assessment expired on September 30, 2010. However, the time of issuing notice for rectification expires on March 31, 2011. Accordingly, Syntel has not reversed FBT of $0.80 million on expenses incurred outside India.

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

On February 28, 2011, the Union Budget of India for the financial year beginning April 1, 2011 was proposed by the Finance Minister in India. The proposals included; reduction in the rate for tax surcharge to 5% from 7.5%, increase in the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) rate, from 19.93% to 20.01% and subjecting the SEZ developers and the SEZ units to taxation under the MAT provisions.

SERVICE TAX AUDIT

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

Syntel India has obtained the views of tax consultant in this matter and has filed an appropriate reply to the audit observations. The letter does not constitute any demand against the Company. Based on the consultant’s advice, the Company will be in a position to defend the objections raised, and therefore no provision has been made in the books.

10. Earnings Per Share

The reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

 

     2010     2009     2008  
     Weighted
-Average
Shares
Out-
standing
     Per
Share
    Weighted
-Average
Shares
Out-
standing
     Per
Share
    Weighted
-Average
Shares
Out-
standing
     Per
Share
 
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Basic earnings per share  

     41,524       $ 2.74        41,407       $ 2.86        41,233       $ 2.10   

Potential dilutive effect of stock options  

     87         (0.01     84         (0.00     107         (0.00
                                                   

Diluted earnings per share  

     41,611       $ 2.73        41,491       $ 2.86        41,340       $ 2.10   
                                                   

 

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For the year ended December 31, 2008 stock options to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock at a weighted-average price per share of $25.89 was not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares and was anti-dilutive.

11. Dividends

The Company has paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.06 per share during 2010, 2009 and 2008. In addition, the Board of Directors declared and paid a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share during 2010 and 2008. Per share cash dividends paid in 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $0.74, $0.24 and $0.74, respectively.

In addition, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Syntel Europe Limited, declared and paid a cash dividend of $6.3 million to Syntel, Inc during 2008.

12. Stock Compensation Plans

Share-Based Compensation

The Company originally established a Stock Option and Incentive Plan in 1997 (the “1997 Plan”). On June 1, 2006, the Company adopted the Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”), which amended and extended the 1997 Plan. Under the plan, a total of 8 million shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance. The dates on which options granted under the Stock Option Plan become first exercisable are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, but generally vest over a four-year period from the date of grant. The term of any option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

For certain options granted during 1997, the exercise price was less than the fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and, accordingly, compensation expense is being recognized over the vesting period for such difference. For the options granted thereafter, the Company grants the options at the fair market value on the date of grant of the options.

The Company accounts for share-based compensation based on the estimated fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Statement of Income. Share-based compensation expense recognized as above for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $1.9 million, $1.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, including a charge for restricted stock.

The shares issued upon the exercise of the options are new share issues.

Restricted Stock

On different dates during the quarter ended June 30, 2004, the Company issued 319,300 shares of incentive restricted stock to its non-employee directors and some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. The shares were granted to employees for their future services as a retention tool at a zero exercise price, with the restrictions on transferability lapsing with regard to 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of the shares issued on or after the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant dates, respectively. The restriction on all stocks described in this paragraph lapsed during the year ended December 31, 2008.

On different dates during the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005, the Company issued 54,806 shares of incentive restricted stock to its non-employee directors and some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. The shares were granted to employees for their future services as a retention tool at a zero exercise price, with the restrictions on transferability lapsing with regard to 25% of the shares issued on or after the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant dates. The restriction on all stocks described in this paragraph lapsed during the year ended December 31, 2009. Generally, the shares to non-employee directors are granted for their future services starting from the date of the annual meeting to the date of the following annual meeting.

On different dates during the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company issued 16,536 shares of incentive restricted stock to its non-employee directors. Generally, the shares to non-employee directors are granted for their future services starting from the date of the annual meeting to the date of the following annual meeting.

On different dates during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company issued 209,358, 12,224, 80,676 and 14,464 shares, respectively, of incentive restricted stock to its non-employee directors and some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. The shares were granted to employees for their future services as a retention tool at a zero exercise price, with the restrictions on transferability lapsing with regard to 25% of the shares issued on or after the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant dates. Generally, the shares to non-employee directors are granted for their future services starting from the date of the annual meeting to the date of the following annual meeting.

 

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In addition to the shares of restricted stock described above, on different dates during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the Company issued 33,000, 66,000 and 57,500 shares, respectively, of incentive restricted stock to some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. The shares were granted to employees for their future services as a retention tool at a zero exercise price, with the restrictions on transferability lapsing with regard to 20% of the shares issued on or after the first, second, third, fourth and fifth anniversary of the grant dates.

During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company issued 153,500 shares of performance restricted stock to some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. Each such performance restricted stock grant is divided in a pre-defined proportion with the vesting (lifting of restriction) of one portion based on the overall annual performance of the Company and the vesting (lifting of restriction) of the other portion based on the achievement of pre-defined long-term goals of the Company. These stocks will vest (have the restrictions lifted) over a period of five years (at each anniversary) in equal installments, subject to meeting the above pre-defined criteria of overall annual performance and achievement of the long-term goal. The stock linked to overall annual performance would lapse (revert to the Company) on non-achievement of the overall annual performance in the given year. However, the stock linked to achievement of the long-term goal would roll over into a common pool and would lapse only on the non-achievement of the long-term goal on or prior to the end of fiscal year 2012.

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company expensed $1.94 million, $1.90 million and $2.20 million, respectively, as compensation on account of the above stock grants.

For the restricted stock issued during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the dividend is accrued and paid subject to the same restriction as the restriction on transferability.

The impact on the Company’s results of operations of recording stock-based compensation (including impact of restricted stock) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010      2009      2008  

Cost of revenues  

   $ 495       $ 485       $ 641   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     1,443         1,461         1,733   
                          
   $ 1,938       $ 1,946       $ 2,374   
                          

Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $0.95 million, $0.44 million and $0.22 million, respectively. New shares were issued for all options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2010.

As of December 31, 2010, there are no non-vested options (excluding restricted stock).

Valuation Assumptions

The Company calculates the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used for each respective period:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010      2009      2008  

Assumptions:

        

Risk free interest rate  

     2.02%         2.34%         1.50%   

Expected life  

     5 years         5 years         5 years   

Expected volatility  

     59.52%         61.77%         62.76%   

Expected dividend yield  

     1.55%         0.50%         3.20%   

The Company’s computation of expected volatility for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is based on historical volatility from exercised options on the Company’s stock. The Company’s computation of expected life was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. The interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the award is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected dividend yield is estimated based on the dividend yield at the time of grant, adjusted for expected dividend increases of historical pay out policy.

 

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Share-Based Payment Award Activity

The following table summarizes activity under our equity incentive plans for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Number Of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(In
Thousands)
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010  

     73,413      $ 13.28         

Granted  

     —          —           

Exercised  

     (67,940     13.95         

Adjustment  

     —          —           

Forfeited  

     —          —           

Expired / Cancelled  

     —          —           
                      

Outstanding at December 31, 2010  

     5,473      $ 5.01         0.05       $ 234   
                                  

Options Exercisable at December 31, 2010  

     5,473      $ 5.01         0.05       $ 234   
                                  

 

     Number Of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(In
Thousands)
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2009  

     126,155      $ 13.60         

Granted  

     —          —           

Exercised  

     (38,138     11.54         

Adjustment  

     253        5.00         

Forfeited  

     —          —           

Expired / Cancelled  

     (14,857     19.99         
                      

Outstanding at December 31, 2009  

     73,413      $ 13.28         2.33       $ 1,847   
                                  

Options Exercisable at December 31, 2009  

     73,413      $ 13.28         2.33       $ 1,847   
                                  

 

     Number Of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(In
Thousands)
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2008  

     129,605      $ 14.05         

Granted  

     —          —           

Exercised  

     (11,075     19.45         

Adjustment  

     8,000        5.81         

Forfeited  

     —          —           

Expired / Cancelled  

     (375     5.00         
                      

Outstanding at December 31, 2008  

     126,155      $ 13.60         3.08       $ 1,209   
                                  

Options Exercisable at December 31, 2008  

     125,555      $ 13.59         3.07       $ 1,206   
                                  

No options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $1.58 million, $0.82 million and $0.16 million, respectively. The aggregate fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was none, none and $0.03 million, respectively.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2010, Syntel’s subsidiaries have commitments for capital expenditures (net of advances) of $40.7 million primarily related to the technology campuses being constructed at Pune and Chennai in India.

 

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The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation and claims which have arisen in the normal course of their activities. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has accrued $0.5 million towards litigation. Although the amount of the Company’s ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these matters cannot be determined with reasonable certainty, management, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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

14. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company maintains a 401(k) retirement plan that covers all regular employees on Syntel’s U.S. payroll. Eligible employees may contribute the lesser of 60% of their compensation or $15,500, subject to certain limitations, to the retirement plan. The Company may make contributions to the plan at the discretion of the Board of Directors; however, through December 31, 2010, no Company contributions have been made.

Eligible employees on Syntel’s Indian payroll receive benefits under the Provident Fund (“PF”), which is a defined contribution plan. Both the employee and the Company make monthly contributions equal to a specified percentage of the covered employee’s salary. The Company has no further obligations under the plan beyond its monthly contributions. The contributions made to the fund are administered and managed by the Government of India. The Company’s monthly contributions are charged to income in the period they are incurred. Provident Fund Contribution expense recognized by Indian entities was $2.79 million, $1.98 million and $2.16 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

In accordance with the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 of India, the Indian subsidiary provides for gratuity, a defined retirement benefit plan (the “Gratuity Plan”) covering eligible employees. The Gratuity Plan provides a lump sum payment to vested employees at retirement, death, incapacitation or termination of employment, based on the respective employee’s salary and the tenure of employment. Liabilities with regard to the Gratuity Plan are determined by actuarial valuation and are charged to income in the period determined. The Gratuity Plan is a non-funded plan. The amounts accrued under this plan are $5.3 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are included within current and other non-current liabilities, as applicable. Expense recognized by Indian entities under the Gratuity Plan was $1.45 million, $0.98 million and $0.97 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

15. Segment Reporting

The Company is organized geographically and by business segment. For management purposes, the Company is primarily organized on a worldwide basis into four business segments:

 

 

Application Outsourcing,

 

 

Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO),

 

 

e-Business and

 

 

TeamSourcing

These segments are the basis on which the Company reports its primary segment information to management.

Through Application Outsourcing, the Company provides higher-value outsourcing services for ongoing management, development and maintenance of customers’ business applications.

Through KPO, Syntel provides outsourced solutions for a customer’s business processes, providing them with the advantage of a low cost position and process enhancement through optimal use of technology. Syntel uses a proprietary tool called Identeon to assist with strategic assessments of business processes and identifying the right ones for outsourcing.

Through e-Business, the Company provides development and implementation services for a number of emerging and rapidly growing high technology applications, including Web development, Data Warehousing, e-commerce, CRM, Oracle, and SAP; as well as partnership agreements with software providers.

 

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Through TeamSourcing, the Company provides professional information technology consulting services directly to customers on a staff augmentation basis. TeamSourcing services include systems specification, design, development, implementation and maintenance of complex information technology applications involving diverse computer hardware, software, data and networking technologies and practices.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those presented in Note 2. Management allocates all corporate expenses to the segments. No balance sheet/identifiable assets data is presented since the Company does not segregate its assets by segment.

The following table presents the segment-wise revenues and gross profits for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (In Thousands)  

Net Revenues:

        

Applications Outsourcing  

   $ 402,526       $ 305,931       $ 274,375   

KPO  

     79,589         76,558         81,287   

e-Business  

     38,006         27,092         45,693   

TeamSourcing  

     12,012         9,425         9,071   
                          
     532,133         419,006         410,426   

Gross Profit:

        

Applications Outsourcing  

     141,168         132,484         103,722   

KPO  

     50,579         52,228         48,053   

e-Business  

     14,441         14,168         23,529   

TeamSourcing  

     5,903         4,972         3,393   
                          
     212,091         203,852         178,697   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     91,556         78,463         80,347   
                          

Income from operations

   $ 120,535       $ 125,389       $ 98,350   
                          

The Company’s largest customer in 2010, 2009 and 2008 was American Express, which accounted for revenues in excess of 10% of total consolidated revenues. Revenue from this customer was approximately $127.7 million, $89.6 million and $81.9 million, contributing approximately 24%, 21% and 20% of total consolidated revenues during 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, accounts receivable from this customer were $15.6 million, $4.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The entire revenue from this customer was generated in the Applications Outsourcing segment.

The Company’s second largest customer, State Street Bank, had revenues in excess of 10% of total consolidated revenues for the years 2010, 2009 and 2008. Revenue from this customer was approximately $87.3 million, $82.6 million and $81.1 million, contributing approximately 16%, 20% and 20% of total consolidated revenues during 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, accounts receivable from this customer was $11.5 million, $9.4 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Approximately 77% of the revenue from this customer was generated in the KPO segment, 22% in Applications Outsourcing segment and 1% in E-Business segment.

16. Geographic Information

The Company’s net revenues and long-lived assets, by geographic area, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (In thousands)  

Net revenues (1):

        

North America (2)  

   $ 492,310       $ 385,433       $ 365,450   

India  

     1,777         3,164         12,080   

Europe (3)  

     35,689         29,172         31,100   

Rest of the World  

     2,357         1,237         1,796   
                          

Total  

   $ 532,133       $ 419,006       $ 410,426   
                          

 

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     2010      2009      2008  

Long-lived assets (4):

        

North America (2)  

   $ 1,818       $ 1,826       $ 2,182   

India  

     101,145         88,668         72,479   

Europe (3)  

     50         52         23   

Rest of the World  

     —           —           —     
                          

Total  

   $ 103,013       $ 90,546       $ 74,684   
                          

Notes for the Geographic Information Disclosure:

 

1. Net revenues are attributed to regions based upon customer location.

 

2. Primarily relates to operations in the United States.

 

3. Primarily relates to operations in the United Kingdom.

 

4. Long-lived assets include property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and goodwill.

17. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Selected financial data by calendar quarter were as follows:

 

     First
Quarter
    Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
     Full Year  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

2010

             

Net revenues  

   $ 116,039      $ 130,649       $ 140,545       $ 144,900       $ 532,133   

Cost of revenues  

     66,800        79,083         84,881         89,278         320,042   
                                           

Gross profit  

     49,239        51,566         55,664         55,622         212,091   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     22,248        19,114         24,924         25,270         91,556   
                                           

Income from operations  

     26,991        32,452         30,740         30,352         120,535   

Other income net  

     2,283        1,959         4,876         4,008         13,126   
                                           

Income before income taxes  

     29,274        34,411         35,616         34,360         133,661   

Income tax expense (1)  

     4,143        6,151         5,177         4,597         20,068   
                                           

Net income  

   $ 25,131      $ 28,260       $ 30,439       $ 29,763       $ 113,593   
                                           

Earnings per share, diluted (a)  

   $ 0.60      $ 0.68       $ 0.73       $ 0.71       $ 2.73   
                                           

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted  

     41,566        41,580         41,618         41,679         41,611   
                                           

2009

             

Net revenues  

   $ 96,434      $ 100,102       $ 104,698       $ 117,772       $ 419,006   

Cost of revenues  

     51,562        51,846         53,088         58,658         215,154   
                                           

Gross profit  

     44,872        48,256         51,610         59,114         203,852   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     18,724        20,845         18,926         19,968         78,463   
                                           

Income from operations  

     26,148        27,411         32,684         39,146         125,389   

Other income, net  

     985        2,325         3,527         3,222         10,059   
                                           

Income before income taxes  

     27,133        29,736         36,211         42,368         135,448   

Income tax (benefit) expense (2)  

     (216     4,624         5,958         6,587         16,953   
                                           

Net income  

   $ 27,349      $ 25,112       $ 30,253       $ 35,781       $ 118,495   
                                           

Earnings per share, diluted (a)  

   $ 0.66      $ 0.61       $ 0.73       $ 0.86       $ 2.86   
                                           

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted  

     41,435        41,479         41,507         41,542         41,491   
                                           

 

(1)

The income tax provisions for the first quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter of 2010 were impacted by reversal of; provisions established for uncertain income tax positions liabilities and other tax positions of $0.33 million, $0.5 million as a result of the

 

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Table of Contents
 

expiration of the statute of limitations related to certain global tax contingencies and completion of certain tax audits and provisions established for uncertain income tax positions liabilities and other tax positions of $0.45 million, respectively.

 

(2) The income tax provision for the first quarter of 2009 was impacted by the reversal of provisions established for uncertain income tax positions liabilities and other tax positions to the tune of $4.3 million.

 

(a) Earnings per share for the quarter are computed independently and may not equal the earnings per share computed for the total year.

18. CONSOLIDATION OF A VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

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

The Company’s KPO services to State Street Bank and two other customers are provided through the above joint venture between the Company and an affiliate of State Street Bank. Sales of KPO services only to these three customers represented approximately 14%, 17% and 16% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

19. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company follows the guidance for fair value measurements and fair value option, on January 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities, which primarily relate to our investments and forward contracts and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities.

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

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (In millions)  

Cash & Cash Equivalents

           

Money Market Funds  

     23.3         —           —           23.3   

Short Term Investments—

           

Available for Sale Securities  

     33.3         —           —           33.3   

Fair value of foreign exchange forward and currency option contracts  

     —           1.0         —           1.0   
                                   

Total Assets measured at fair value  

     56.6         1.0         —           57.6   
                                   

 

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (In millions)  

Cash & Cash Equivalents  

           

Money Market Funds  

     20.4         —           —           20.4   

Short Term Investments—

           

Available for Sale Securities  

     27.2         —           —           27.2   
                                   

Total Assets measured at fair value

     47.6         —           —           47.6   
                                   

The value of each foreign exchange forward contract, at the end of each reporting period is calculated by using the forward contract rates published by Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (F.E.D.A.I). The difference between the current market forward price and the contracted forward price for each foreign exchange contract is calculated which then is applied to each outstanding contract. The market forward rates include a premium or a discount and the credit risk factor. The amounts are aggregated by type of contract and maturity.

Foreign currency option contract are valued using third party valuation models based on market observable inputs, including general interest rate, market volatilities, credit risk, cash flow projections and size of the transaction.

In addition to the above the following table summarizes the term deposits with various banks outstanding as at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

Balance Sheet Item

   As at
December 31,
2010
     As at
December 31,
2009
 
     (In millions)  

Cash & Cash Equivalents  

     20.0         21.8   

Short Term Investments  

     175.4         85.1   

Non Current Assets  

     0.1         23.3   

Total  

     195.5         130.2   

20. RECLASSIFICATION

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
  3.2    Bylaws of the Registrant filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 8, 2006, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3/A dated January 3, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.1    Credit Agreement, dated August 3, 2009, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2    Line of Credit Note, dated August 3, 2009, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10.3    Note Modification Agreement, dated August 25, 2010, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4*    Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.5*    Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 1, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.6*    Form of Stock Option Agreement, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.7*    [Incentive] Restricted Stock Grant Agreement, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.8*    Form of Annual Performance Award, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.9*    Employment Agreement, dated October 18, 2001, between the Company and Bharat Desai, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.10*    Employment Agreement, dated October 18, 2001, between the Company and Daniel M. Moore, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 7, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.11*    Employment Agreement, dated March 9, 2009, between the Company and Arvind Godbole, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.12*    Employment Agreement, dated March 5, 2009, between the Company and Anil Jain, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.13*    Employment Agreement, dated October 18, 2001, between the Company and R. S. Ramdas, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.14*    Employment Agreement, dated May 20, 2005, between the Company and Rakesh Khanna, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.15*    Employment Agreement, dated September 5, 2003, between the Company and Murlidhar Reddy, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.16*    Employment Agreement, dated October 13, 2008, between the Company and V. S. Raj, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.17*    Employment Agreement, dated August 3, 2009, between the Company and Raja Ray, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.18*    Employment Agreement, dated March 15, 2010, between the Company and Prashant Ranade, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.19*    Employment Agreement, dated November 3, 2008, between the Company and Amit Chatterjee, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.20*    Employment Agreement, dated January 10, 2011, between the Company and Rajesh Save.
10.21*    Employment Agreement, dated February 1, 2011, between the Company and Avinash Salelkar.
10.22    Leave and License Agreement, dated June 11, 2004, between Lake View Developers and Syntel Sourcing Pvt. Ltd. filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.23    Lease Deed, dated September 23, 2004 between Arihant Foundation and Housing Ltd. and Syntel Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.24    Lease Deed, dated October 6, 2004, between Arihant Foundation and Housing Ltd. and Syntel Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.25    Shareholders Agreement by and between State Street International Holdings, Syntel Delaware, LLC, and Syntel Solutions (Mauritius) Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.26    First Amendment to the Shareholders Agreement by and Among State Street International Holdings, Syntel Delaware, LLC and State Street Syntel (Mauritius) Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.27    State Street Bank Letter Agreement dated January 28, 2010 regarding the Shareholders Agreement and First Amendment to the Shareholders Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street International Holdings, Syntel Inc. and State Street Syntel Services Private Limited filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.28    Underwriting Agreement by and among Syntel, Inc., Bharat Desai, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Jefferies & Company, Inc. and the several underwriters named on Schedule A thereto dated November 16, 2010 filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.
14    Code of Ethical Conduct filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.
21    Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.3    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

 

E-2

EXHIBIT 10.2

Line of Credit Note

$20,000,000.00

Date: August 3, 2009

Promise to Pay. On or before August 31, 2010, for value received, Syntel, Inc. (the “Borrower”) promises to pay to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., whose address is 38105 Mound Road, Suite 201, Sterling Heights, MI 48310 (the “Bank”) or order, in lawful money of the United States of America, the sum of Twenty Million and 11/100 ($20,000,000.00) or so much thereof as may be advanced and outstanding, plus interest on the unpaid principal balance as provided below.

Interest Rate Definitions. As used in this Note, the following terms have the following respective meanings:

“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means, with respect to a LIBOR Rate Advance for the relevant Interest Period, the sum of (i) the Applicable Margin plus (ii) the quotient of (a) the LIBOR Rate applicable to such Interest Period, divided by (b) one minus the Reserve Requirement (expressed as a decimal) applicable to such Interest Period.

“Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate” means, with respect to a CB Floating Rate Advance for any day, the sum of (i) 2.50% per annum plus (ii) the quotient of (a) the interest rate determined by the Bank by reference to the Page to be the rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day for dollar deposits with a maturity equal to one (1) month, divided by (b) one minus the Reserve Requirement (expressed as a decimal) applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market with a maturity equal to one (1) month.

“Advance” means a LIBOR Rate Advance or a CB Floating Rate Advance and “Advances” means all LIBOR Rate Advances and all CB Floating Rate Advances under this Note.

“Applicable Margin” means with respect to any CB Floating Rate Advance, minus 1.00% per annum and with respect to any LIBOR Rate Advance, 1.25% per annum.

“Business Day” means (i) with respect to the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate and any borrowing, payment or rate selection of LIBOR Rate Advances, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks generally are open in Michigan and/or New York for the conduct of substantially all of their commercial lending activities and on which dealings in United States dollars are carried on in the London interbank market and (ii) for all other purposes, a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which national banking associations are authorized to be closed.

“CB Floating Rate” means the Prime Rate; provided that the CB Floating Rate shall, on any day, not be less than the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate. The CB Floating Rate is a variable rate and any change in the CB Floating Rate due to any change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate is effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate, respectively.

 

1


“CB Floating Rate Advance” means any borrowing under this Note when and to the extent that its interest rate is determined by reference to the CB Floating Rate.

“Interest Period” means, with respect to a LIBOR Rate Advance, a period of one (1), three (3) or six (6) month(s) commencing on a Business Day selected by the Borrower pursuant to this Note. Such Interest Period shall end on the day which corresponds numerically to such date one (1), three (3) or six (6) month(s) thereafter, as applicable, provided , however, that if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such first, third or sixth succeeding month(s), as applicable, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such first, third or sixth succeeding month(s), as applicable. If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next succeeding Business day, provided, however, that if said next succeeding Business Day falls in a new calendar month, such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day.

“LIBOR Rate” means with respect to any LIBOR Rate Advance for any Interest Period, the interest rate determined by the Bank by reference to Reuters Screen LIBOR01, formerly known as Page 3750 of the Moneyline Telerate Service (together with any successor or substitute, the “Service” ) or any successor substitute page of the Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of the Service, as determined by the Bank from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market (the “Page” ) to be the rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of the Interest Period for dollar deposits with a maturity equal to such Interest Period. If no LIBOR Rate is available to the Bank, the applicable LIBOR Rate for the relevant Interest Period shall instead be the rate determined by the Bank to be the rate at which the Bank offers to place U.S. dollar deposits having a maturity equal to such Interest Period with first-class banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

“LIBOR Rate Advance” means any borrowing under this Note when and to the extent that its interest rate is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by the Bank as its prime rate. The Prime Rate is a variable rate and each change in the Prime Rate is effective from and including the date the change is announced as being effective. THE PRIME RATE IS A REFERENCE RATE AND MAY NOT BE THE BANK’S LOWEST RATE.

“Principal Payment Date” is defined in the paragraph entitled “Principal Payments” below.

“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor thereto or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to reserve requirements applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

“Reserve Requirement” means the maximum aggregate reserve requirement

 

2


(including all basic, supplemental, marginal and other reserves) which is imposed under Regulation D.

Interest Rates. The Advance(s) evidenced by this Note may be drawn down and remain outstanding as up to five (5) LIBOR Rate Advances and/or a CB Floating Rate Advance. The Borrower shall pay interest to the Bank on the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of each CB Floating Rate Advance at the CB Floating Rate plus the Applicable Margin and each LIBOR Rate Advance at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days. In no event shall the interest rate applicable to any Advance exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. Any interest payment which would for any reason be deemed unlawful under applicable law shall be applied to principal.

Bank Records. The Bank shall, in the ordinary course of business, make notations in its records of the date, amount, interest rate and Interest Period of each Advance hereunder, the amount of each payment on the Advances, and other information. Such records shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as to the outstanding principal balance of and interest rate or rates applicable to this Note.

Notice and Manner of Electing Interest Rates on Advances. The Borrower shall give the Bank written notice (effective upon receipt) of the Borrower’s intent to draw down an Advance under this Note no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, on the date of disbursement, if the full amount of the drawn Advance is to be disbursed as a CB Floating Rate Advance and no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time three (3) Business Days before disbursement, if any part of such Advance is to be disbursed as a LIBOR Rate Advance. The Borrower’s notice must specify: (a) the disbursement date, (b) the amount of each Advance, (c) the type of each Advance (CB Floating Rate Advance or LIBOR Rate Advance), and (d) for each LIBOR Rate Advance, the duration of the applicable Interest Period; provided, however, that the Borrower may not elect an Interest Period ending after the maturity date of this Note. Each LIBOR Rate Advance shall be in a minimum amount of One Million and 00/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00). All notices under this paragraph are irrevocable. By the Bank’s close of business on the disbursement date and upon fulfillment of the conditions set forth herein and in any other of the Related Documents, the Bank shall disburse the requested Advances in immediately available funds by crediting the amount of such Advances to the Borrower’s account with the Bank.

Conversion and Renewals. The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert one type of Advance into another or to renew any Advance by giving the Bank written notice no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, on the date of the conversion into or renewal of a CB Floating Rate Advance and 11:00 a.m. Eastern time three (3) Business Days before conversion into or renewal of a LIBOR Rate Advance, specifying: (a) the renewal or conversion date, (b) the amount of the Advance to be converted or renewed, (c) in the case of conversion, the type of Advance to be converted into (CB Floating Rate Advance or LIBOR Rate Advance), and (d) in the case of renewals of or conversion into a LIBOR Rate Advance, the applicable Interest Period, provided that (i) the minimum principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Advance outstanding after a renewal or conversion shall be One Million and 00/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00); (ii) a LIBOR Rate Advance can only be converted on the last day of the Interest Period for the Advance; and (iii) the Borrower may not elect an Interest Period ending after the maturity date of this Note. All notices given under the paragraph are irrevocable. If the Borrower fails

 

3


to give the Bank the notice specified above for the renewal or conversion of a LIBOR Rate Advance by 11:00 a.m. Eastern time three (3) Business Days before the end of the Interest Period for that Advance, the Advance shall automatically be converted to a CB Floating Rate Advance on the last day of the Interest Period for the Advance.

Interest Payments. Interest on the Advances shall be paid as follows:

A. For each CB Floating Rate Advance, on the twenty-eighth day of each month beginning with the first month following disbursement of the Advance or following conversion of an Advance into a CB Floating Rate Advance, and at the maturity or conversion of the Advance into a LIBOR Rate Advance;

B. For each LIBOR Rate Advance, on the last day of the Interest Period for the Advance and, if the Interest Period is longer than three months, at three-month intervals beginning with the day three months from the date the Advance is disbursed.

Principal Payments. All outstanding principal and interest is due and payable in full on August 31, 2010, which is defined herein as the “Principal Payment Date”.

Default Rate of Interest. After a default has occurred under this Note, whether or not the Bank elects to accelerate the maturity of this Note because of such default, all Advances outstanding under this Note, shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the interest rate being charged on each such Advance plus three percent (3.00%) from the date the Bank elects to impose such rate. Imposition of this rate shall not affect any limitations contained in this Note on the Borrower’s right to repay principal on any LIBOR Rate Advance before the expiration of the Interest Period for each such Advance.

Prepayment/Funding Loss Indemnification. The Borrower may prepay all or any part of any CB Floating Rate Advance at any time without premium or penalty.

The Borrower shall pay the Bank amounts sufficient (in the Bank’s reasonable opinion) to compensate the Bank for any loss, cost, or expense incurred as a result of:

A. Any payment of a LIBOR Rate Advance on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for the Advance, including, without limitation, acceleration of the Advances by the Bank pursuant to this Note or the other Related Documents; or

B. Any failure by the Borrower to borrow or renew a LIBOR Rate Advance on the date specified in the relevant notice from the Borrower to the Bank.

Additional Costs. If any applicable domestic or foreign law, treaty, government rule or regulation now or later in effect (whether or not it now applies to the Bank) or the interpretation or administration thereof by a governmental authority charged with such interpretation or administration, or compliance by the Bank with any guideline, request or directive of such an authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall (a) affect the basis of taxation of payments to the Bank of any amounts payable by the Borrower under this Note or the other Related Documents (other than taxes imposed on the overall net income of the Bank by the jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority of the jurisdiction in which the

 

4


Bank has its principal office), or (b) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement (including, without limitation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance premiums or assessments) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by the Bank, or (c) impose any other condition with respect to this Note or the other Related Documents and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Bank of extending, maintaining or funding any LIBOR Rate Advance or to reduce the amount of any sum receivable by the Bank on any Advance, or (d) affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by the Bank (or any corporation controlling the Bank) and the Bank determines that the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the existence of the Bank’s obligations under this Note or the other Related Documents and the increase has the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Bank’s (or its controlling corporation’s) capital as a consequence of the obligations under this Note or the other Related Documents to a level below that which the Bank (or its controlling corporation) could have achieved but for such circumstances (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by the Bank to be material, then the Borrower shall pay to the Bank, from time to time, upon request by the Bank, additional amounts sufficient to compensate the Bank for the increased cost or reduced sum receivable. Whenever the Bank shall learn of circumstances described in this section which are likely to result in additional costs to the borrower, the Bank shall give prompt written notice to the Borrower of the basis for and the estimated amount of any such anticipated additional costs. A statement as to the amount of the increased cost or reduced sum receivable, prepared in good faith and in reasonable detail by the Bank and submitted by the Bank to the Borrower, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error in computation.

Illegality. If any applicable domestic or foreign law, treaty, rule or regulation now or later in effect (Whether or not it now applies to the Bank) or the interpretation or administration thereof by a governmental authority charged with such interpretation or administration, or compliance by the Bank with any guideline, request or directive of such an authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall make it unlawful or impossible for the Bank to maintain or fund the LIBOR Rate Advances, then, upon notice to the Borrower by the Bank, the outstanding principal amount of the LIBOR Rate Advances, together with accrued interest and any other amounts payable to the Bank under this Note or the other Related Documents on account of the LIBOR Rate Advances shall be repaid (a) immediately upon the Bank’s demand if such change or compliance with such requests, in the Bank’s judgment, requires immediate repayment, or (b) at the expiration of the last Interest Period to expire before the effective date of any such change or request provided, however, that subject to the terms and conditions of this Note and the other Related Documents the Borrower shall be entitled to simultaneously replace the entire outstanding balance of any LIBOR Rate Advance repaid in accordance with this section with a CB Floating Rate Advance in the same amount.

Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If the Bank determines that (a) quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate are not being provided for purposes of determining the interest rate on a LIBOR Rate Advance as provided in this Note, or (b) the relevant interest rates referred to in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate do not accurately cover the cost to the Bank of making, funding or maintaining LIBOR Rate Advances, then the Bank shall at the Bank’s option, give notice of such circumstances to the Borrower, whereupon (i) the obligation of the Bank to make LIBOR Rate Advances shall be suspended until

 

5


the Bank notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to the suspension no longer exists, and (ii) the Borrower shall repay in full the then outstanding principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Advance, together with accrued interest, on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to the LIBOR Rate Advance, provided, however, that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Note and the other Related Documents, the Borrower shall be entitled to simultaneously replace the entire outstanding balance of any LIBOR Rate Advance repaid in accordance with this section with an Advance bearing interest at the CB Floating Rate plus the Applicable Margin for CB Floating Rate Advances in the same amount. If the Bank determines on any day that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate are not being provided for purposes of determining the interest rate on any CB Floating Rate Advance on any day, then each CB Floating Rate Advance shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus the Applicable Margin for CB Floating Rate Advances until the Bank determines that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate are being provided.

Obligations Due on Non-Business Day. Whenever any payment under this Note becomes due and payable on a day that is not a Business Day, if no default then exists under this Note, the maturity of the payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, except, in the case of a LIBOR Rate Advance, if the result of the extension would be to extend the payment into another calendar month, the payment must be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.

Matters Regarding Payment. The Borrower will pay the Bank at the Bank’s address shown above or at such other place as the Bank may designate. Payments shall be allocated among principal, interest and fees at the discretion of the Bank unless otherwise agreed or required by applicable law. Acceptance by the Bank of any payment which is less than the payment due at the time shall not constitute a waiver of the Bank’s right to receive payment in full at that time or any other time.

Authorization for Direct Payments (ACH Debits). To effectuate any payment due under this Note or under any other Related Documents, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Bank to initiate debit entries to Account Number                      at the Bank and to debit the same to such account. This authorization to initiate debit entries shall remain in full force and effect until the Bank has received written notification of its termination in such time and in such manner as to afford the Bank a reasonable opportunity to act on it. The Borrower represents that the Borrower is and will be the owner of all funds in such account. The Borrower acknowledges: (1) that such debit entries may cause an overdraft of such account which may result in the Bank’s refusal to honor items drawn on such account until adequate deposits are made to such account; (2) that the Bank is under no duty or obligation to initiate any debit entry for any purpose; and (3) that if a debit is not made because the above-referenced account does not have a sufficient balance, or otherwise, the payment may be late or past due.

Late Fee. Any principal or interest which is not paid within 10 days after its due date (whether as stated, by acceleration or otherwise) shall be subject to a late payment charge of five percent (5.00%) of the total payment due, in addition to the payment of interest, up to the maximum amount of One Thousand Five Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($1,500) per late charge. The Borrower agrees to pay and stipulates that five percent (5.00%) of the total

 

6


payment due is a reasonable amount for a late payment charge. The Borrower shall pay the late payment charge upon demand by the Bank or, if billed, within the time specified.

Purpose of Loan. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that this Note evidences a loan for a business, commercial, agricultural or similar commercial enterprise purpose, and that no advance shall be used for any personal, family or household purpose. The proceeds of the loan shall be used only for to refinance the Borrower’s indebtedness to Bank and the Borrower’s working capital.

Credit Facility. The Bank has approved a credit facility to the Borrower in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of this Note. The credit facility is in the form of advances made from time to time by the Bank to the Borrower. This Note evidences the Borrower’s obligation to repay those advances. The aggregate principal amount of debt evidenced by this Note is the amount reflected from time to time in the records of the Bank. Until the earliest to occur of maturity, any default, event of default, or any event that would constitute a default or event of default but for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, the Borrower may borrow, pay down and reborrow under this Note subject to the terms of the Related Documents.

Renewal and Extension. This Note is given in replacement, renewal and/or extension of, but not in extinguishment of the indebtedness evidenced by, that Line of Credit Note dated August 19, 2004 executed by the Borrower in the original principal amount of Twenty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($20,000,000.00), including previous renewals or modifications thereof, if any (the “Prior Note” and together with all loan agreements, credit agreements, reimbursement agreements, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, pledge agreements, assignments, guaranties, and any other instrument or document executed in connection with the Prior Note, the “Prior Related Documents”), and is not a novation thereof. All interest evidenced by the Prior Note shall continue to be due and payable until paid. The Borrower fully, finally, and forever releases and discharges the Bank and its successors, assigns, directors, officers, employees, agents, and representatives (each a “Bank Party”) from any and all causes of action, claims, debts, demands and liabilities, of whatever kind or nature in law or equity, of the Borrower, whether now known or unknown to the Borrower (i) in respect of the Liabilities evidenced by the Prior Note and the Prior Related Documents, or of the actions or omissions of any Bank Party in any manner related to the Liabilities evidenced by the Prior Note or the Prior Related Documents and (ii) arising from events occurring prior to the date of this Note. If applicable, all Collateral continues to secure the payment of this Note and the Liabilities. The provisions of the Note are effective on the date that this Note has been executed by all of the signers and delivered to the Bank.

Miscellaneous. This Note binds the Borrower and its successors, and benefits the Bank, its successors and assigns. Any reference to the Bank includes any holder of this Note. This Note is subject to that certain Credit Agreement by and between the Borrower and the Bank, dated October 15, 2002, and all amendments, restatements and replacements thereof (the “Credit Agreement”) to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement of the terms and conditions under which the loan evidenced hereby is made and is to be repaid. The terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated and made a part hereof by this reference thereto with the same force and effect as if set forth at length herein. No reference to the Credit Agreement and

 

7


no provisions of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or impair the absolute and unconditional obligation of the Borrower to pay the principal and interest on this Note as herein prescribed. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

    Borrower:
Address:  

525 East Big Beaver Road

Troy, MI 48083

    Syntel, Inc.
      By:   /s/ Bharat Desai
        Bharat Desai, Chairman
        Printed Name             Title
      Date Signed: 08-15-2009
      By:   /s/ R. S. Ramdas
        R. S. Ramdas, SVP
        Printed Name             Title
      Date Signed: 08/15/09

 

8

Exhibit 10.20

Terms and Conditions:

1.0 WORK RELATED

1.1 You will devote full time to the work of SYNTEL Ltd. (herein referred as SL ), and shall not undertake any direct / indirect business / work / assignment etc. even on part-time basis whether for any consideration or not, save with the prior written permission from the Company.

1.2 You will use your best efforts in the performance of employment duties assigned to you from time to time and to, at all times, act in good faith and in the best interests of SL, you will comply with all rules, regulations and procedures established by SL.

1.3 You will retire from the SL’s services on reaching the age of 60 yrs or earlier if found medically unfit. The age or date of birth already given by you in your application form would be treated a binding and final. The actual date of retirement shall be the last date of the calendar month in which you were born.

2.0 SOFTWARE RELATED

You are strictly prohibited from bringing any unauthorized / infringed copies of software in the office premises, from any external sources or copying software from one computer system to another which may include any violation of the provisions of the Copyrights Act. Non-compliance of this rule will be regarded as a serious offense and you will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.

3.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

3.1 You will agree to inform SL of full details of all your inventions, discoveries, concepts and ideas (collectively called “Developments”), whether patentable or not, including but not limited to, hardware and apparatus, products, processes and methods, formulae, computer programs and techniques, as well as any improvements and related knowledge, which you conceive, improve, complete, or put in to practice (whether alone or jointly with others) while you continue in the employment of SL; and which relate to the present or prospective business, work or investigations of SL; or which result from any work you do using any equipment, facilities, materials or personnel of SL; or which has or have been developed by you or under your supervision, or which result from or are suggested by any work, which you do or may do for SL.

3.2 The ownership of all “developmental” work and documentation created by you shall from the moment of its creation, vest in SL. Thus, you agree to assign and do hereby assign to SL, SL’s nominee, your entire right, title and interest in -

 

   

all Developments;

 

   

all trademarks, copyrights and mast work rights in the developments; and

 

   

all patent applications filed, patents granted on any development, including those in foreign countries, which you conceive or make (whether alone or with others) while employed by SL or within two (2) years of the end of your employment (if conceived as a result of your Employment).

 

Page 1 of 4


3.3 You acknowledge existence of SL’s present and future products, know how, processes, software products, programs, codes, documentation and flowcharts in any form and agree to abide by the procedures of the Copyright Law in force in India and foreign countries, which prohibits the reproduction of such protected works, in whole or in part, or in any form or by any other means without the prior written permission of SL.

3.4 You will assign to SL your entire right, title and interest in any invention or improvement that you might make solely or jointly with others, during the course of your employment with SL relating to any and all products / services / software / software tools marketed or manufactured or developed and that you will perform any acts and execute such documents without expenses to you which, in the judgements of SL or its attorneys may be needful or desirable to secure to the Company patent protection and any / all rights relating to such invention or improvement.

4.0 NONSOLICITATION / NONCOMPLETE / NONDIVERSION

4.1 During the term of this Employment Agreement and for a period of two (2) years subsequent to the termination of this Agreement, you will not, without the prior written consent of SL, directly, indirectly, or through any other party solicit business from or perform services for any direct or indirect SL customer or any prospective SL customer whom you had any contact with or exposure to, at any time during the term of this Employment Agreement.

4.2 During the term of this Employment Agreement and for a period of two (2) years subsequent to the termination of this Agreement, you will not, without the prior written consent of SL, seek engagement or employment, either full-time or contractually with any organization that is likely to deploy you on project / assignment in Offshore or Onsite client engagement where SL is already working for the same client and where you have been engaged in a project with the client organization for a period exceeding one month. This clause does not apply if a period of one year has already exceeded from the last date of working with the specific client.

4.3 During the term of this Employment Agreement and for a period of two (2) years subsequent to the termination of this Agreement, you will not, without the prior written consent of SL directly, indirectly, or through any other party solicit, offer to, or accept the employment of, persons who are then, or were during the previous six (6) months, employees of SL or any SL subsidiary / associate / affiliate.

5.0 SPECIALIZED TRAINING and KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION

5.1 If you have to undergo any specialized training in SL or arranged by SL , you will have to undertake a training agreement to serve SL for a minimum period of one year from the date of undergoing the specialized training. Liquidated damages in case of breach of agreement in this regard would be Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lac Only). During this training period if your performance if found to be unsatisfactory, the Company reserves the right to terminate you from this employment.

 

Page 2 of 4


5.2 On deputation to a client site for knowledge Acquisition and subsequent knowledge Transfer on a client’s application, either for development, enhancement, maintenance or support, you will be understood to have gathered intellectual property on behalf of SL while on such deputation. As a consequence, you shall commit to serving SL for a minimum period of six months from the date of return to India from the Onsite engagement. This clause does not apply in the event that you are transferred, within SL, to another client engagement where the value of the initial knowledge acquisition has diminished and therefore does not constitute knowledge attrition.

6.0 CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 In connection with your providing certain products and / or services to SL and / or on behalf of SL, you will have access to information concerning SL and SL’s clients. As a condition to your being given access to such information, you agree to treat any information concerning SL and / or SL’s clients (whether prepared by SL, its advisors or otherwise) which is furnished to you by or on behalf of SL and / or SL’s clients (herein collectively referred to as the “Confidential Information”) in accordance with the provisions of this letter and to take or abstain from taking certain other actions herein set forth. The term “Confidential Information” does not include information which (i) is already in your possession, or (ii) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by you or (iii) becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source other than SL and / or SL’s clients. The confidential Information shall be solely used for the purpose of and on behalf of SL and you further agree that disclosure of the same shall be with prior permission of SL.

6.2 You agree to promptly redeliver to SL, upon request, all Confidential Information including all Intellectual property rights, whether registered or unregistered on any tangible media and that you will not retain any copies, extracts or other reproductions in whole or in part of such material. You further agree that breach of this confidentiality letter agreement could cause irreparable harm to SL and that SL shall be entitled to any and all injunctive relief, as well as monetary damages, including reasonable attorney fees, for such breach.

7.0 ARBITRATION

All disputes or difference what so ever arising between the parties out of or related to this contract or the construction or meaning and operation or effect of this contract or the breach thereof shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with rules of arbitration of the Indian Merchant Chambers and award made in pursuant thereof shall be binding on the parties.

You or SL may demand arbitration by giving a written notice to the other party stating the nature of the controversy.

8.0 GOVERNING LAW

The validity, constructing, interpretation and performance of this Contract will be governed by Indian Laws and adjudicated upon by a competent Court in Mumbai.

 

Page 3 of 4


9.0 REMEDIES

9.1 Notwithstanding paragraph (Arbitration clause), you agree that your failure or neglect to perform, keep, or observe any term, provision, condition, covenant, warranty, or representation contained in this Contract, the confidentiality Contract or any other agreement between you and SL will cause SL immediate and irreparable harm and that SILL is, in addition to all other remedies available to it, entitled to immediate injunctive and equitable relief from a court having jurisdiction to prevent any breach and to secure the enforcement of its rights hereunder.

9.2 Remedies for damages procuring prior to SL’s knowledge of breach or until action in breach ends and related in any way to the effects of the breach shall include but not be limited to monetary damage, liquidated damage, attorney’s fees and other cause related to the action.

10.0 OTHERS

10.1 You will also be covered by the Company’s Mediclaim and Accident Insurance Policy.

10.2 This appointment is being made in good faith on the basis of your CV and other information provided by you during the course of SL and you mutual discussions. Any data, which is not in consonance with the information provided by you, shall result in termination of employment forthwith and you shall indemnify SL in full, for any losses suffered by SL. SILL reserves the right to make suitable formal / informal checks with your educational institutions and previous employers as may be applicable. You are requested to produce all the documents as mentioned in the checklist attached on your date of joining.

10.3 You shall not accept any presents, commissions, or any kind of gratification in cash or kind from any person, party, firm or company having dealings with SL group of if any companies and if you are offered you will report the same immediately to SL.

10.4 On matters not specifically covered in this Employment Contract, you shall be governed by SL’s service rules, practices, etc. which are liable for modifications, additions, total or partial withdrawal, suspension / revocation, etc. from time to time. SL’s decision on all such matters shall be final and binding on you.

11.0 SEVERABILITY

If any clause in this agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, that provision shall be severed and the remainder of the provisions of this agreement will continue in full force and effect as if this agreement had been executed without such invalid provision.

 

For, SYNTEL Ltd.     Confirmed and Agreed to
Signature   /s/ Sujay Puthran     Signature   /s/ Rajesh Save
Name   Sujay Puthran     Your Name   Rajesh Save
DATE:   10/01/11     DATE:   Jan. 10, 2011

 

Page 4 of 4

Exhibit 10.21

Terms and Conditions:

1.0 WORK RELATED

1.1 You will devote full time to the work of SYNTEL Ltd. (herein referred as SL ), and shall not undertake any direct / indirect business / work / assignment etc. even on part-time basis whether for any consideration or not, save with the prior written permission from the Company.

1.2 You will use your best efforts in the performance of employment duties assigned to you from time to time and to, at all times, act in good faith and in the best interests of SL, you will comply with all rules, regulations and procedures established by SL.

1.3 You will retire from the SL’s services on reaching the age of 60 yrs or earlier if found medically unfit. The age or date of birth already given by you in your application form would be treated a binding and final. The actual date of retirement shall be the last date of the calendar month in which you were born.

2.0 SOFTWARE RELATED

You are strictly prohibited from bringing any unauthorized / infringed copies of software in the office premises, from any external sources or copying software from one computer system to another which may include any violation of the provisions of the Copyrights Act. Non-compliance of this rule will be regarded as a serious offense and you will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.

3.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

3.1 You will agree to inform SL of full details of all your inventions, discoveries, concepts and ideas (collectively called “Developments”), whether patentable or not, including but not limited to, hardware and apparatus, products, processes and methods, formulae, computer programs and techniques, as well as any improvements and related knowledge, which you conceive, improve, complete, or put in to practice (whether alone or jointly with others) while you continue in the employment of SL; and which relate to the present or prospective business, work or investigations of SL; or which result from any work you do using any equipment, facilities, materials or personnel of SL; or which has or have been developed by you or under your supervision, or which result from or are suggested by any work, which you do or may do for SL.

3.2 The ownership of all “developmental” work and documentation created by you shall from the moment of its creation, vest in SL. Thus, you agree to assign and do hereby assign to SL, SL’s nominee, your entire right, title and interest in -

 

   

all Developments;

 

   

all trademarks, copyrights and mast work rights in the developments; and

 

   

all patent applications filed, patents granted on any development, including those in foreign countries, which you conceive or make (whether alone or with others) while employed by SL or within two (2) years of the end of your employment (if conceived as a result of your Employment).

 

Page 1 of 4


3.3 You acknowledge existence of SL’s present and future products, know how, processes, software products, programs, codes, documentation and flowcharts in any form and agree to abide by the procedures of the Copyright Law in force in India and foreign countries, which prohibits the reproduction of such protected works, in whole or in part, or in any form or by any other means without the prior written permission of SL.

3.4 You will assign to SL your entire right, title and interest in any invention or improvement that you might make solely or jointly with others, during the course of your employment with SL relating to any and all products / services / software / software tools marketed or manufactured or developed and that you will perform any acts and execute such documents without expenses to you which, in the judgements of SL or its attorneys may be needful or desirable to secure to the Company patent protection and any / all rights relating to such invention or improvement.

4.0 NONSOLICITATION / NONCOMPLETE / NONDIVERSION

4.1 During the term of this Employment Agreement and for a period of two (2) years subsequent to the termination of this Agreement, you will not, without the prior written consent of SL, directly, indirectly, or through any other party solicit business from or perform services for any direct or indirect SL customer or any prospective SL customer whom you had any contact with or exposure to, at any time during the term of this Employment Agreement.

4.2 During the term of this Employment Agreement and for a period of two (2) years subsequent to the termination of this Agreement, you will not, without the prior written consent of SL, seek engagement or employment, either full-time or contractually with any organization that is likely to deploy you on project / assignment in Offshore or Onsite client engagement where SL is already working for the same client and where you have been engaged in a project with the client organization for a period exceeding one month. This clause does not apply if a period of one year has already exceeded from the last date of working with the specific client.

4.3 During the term of this Employment Agreement and for a period of two (2) years subsequent to the termination of this Agreement, you will not, without the prior written consent of SL directly, indirectly, or through any other party solicit, offer to, or accept the employment of, persons who are then, or were during the previous six (6) months, employees of SL or any SL subsidiary / associate / affiliate.

5.0 SPECIALIZED TRAINING and KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION

5.1 If you have to undergo any specialized training in SL or arranged by SL , you will have to undertake a training agreement to serve SL for a minimum period of one year from the date of undergoing the specialized training. Liquidated damages in case of breach of agreement in this regard would be Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lac Only). During this training period if your performance if found to be unsatisfactory, the Company reserves the right to terminate you from this employment.

 

Page 2 of 4


5.2 On deputation to a client site for knowledge Acquisition and subsequent knowledge Transfer on a client’s application, either for development, enhancement, maintenance or support, you will be understood to have gathered intellectual property on behalf of SL while on such deputation. As a consequence, you shall commit to serving SL for a minimum period of six months from the date of return to India from the Onsite engagement. This clause does not apply in the event that you are transferred, within SL, to another client engagement where the value of the initial knowledge acquisition has diminished and therefore does not constitute knowledge attrition.

6.0 CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 In connection with your providing certain products and / or services to SL and / or on behalf of SL, you will have access to information concerning SL and SL’s clients. As a condition to your being given access to such information, you agree to treat any information concerning SL and / or SL’s clients (whether prepared by SL, its advisors or otherwise) which is furnished to you by or on behalf of SL and / or SL’s clients (herein collectively referred to as the “Confidential Information”) in accordance with the provisions of this letter and to take or abstain from taking certain other actions herein set forth. The term “Confidential Information” does not include information which (i) is already in your possession, or (ii) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by you or (iii) becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source other than SL and / or SL’s clients. The confidential Information shall be solely used for the purpose of and on behalf of SL and you further agree that disclosure of the same shall be with prior permission of SL.

6.2 You agree to promptly redeliver to SL, upon request, all Confidential Information including all Intellectual property rights, whether registered or unregistered on any tangible media and that you will not retain any copies, extracts or other reproductions in whole or in part of such material. You further agree that breach of this confidentiality letter agreement could cause irreparable harm to SL and that SL shall be entitled to any and all injunctive relief, as well as monetary damages, including reasonable attorney fees, for such breach.

7.0 ARBITRATION

All disputes or difference what so ever arising between the parties out of or related to this contract or the construction or meaning and operation or effect of this contract or the breach thereof shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with rules of arbitration of the Indian Merchant Chambers and award made in pursuant thereof shall be binding on the parties.

You or SL may demand arbitration by giving a written notice to the other party stating the nature of the controversy.

8.0 GOVERNING LAW

The validity, constructing, interpretation and performance of this Contract will be governed by Indian Laws and adjudicated upon by a competent Court in Mumbai.

 

Page 3 of 4


9.0 REMEDIES

9.1 Notwithstanding paragraph (Arbitration clause), you agree that your failure or neglect to perform, keep, or observe any term, provision, condition, covenant, warranty, or representation contained in this Contract, the confidentiality Contract or any other agreement between you and SL will cause SL immediate and irreparable harm and that SILL is, in addition to all other remedies available to it, entitled to immediate injunctive and equitable relief from a court having jurisdiction to prevent any breach and to secure the enforcement of its rights hereunder.

9.2 Remedies for damages procuring prior to SL’s knowledge of breach or until action in breach ends and related in any way to the effects of the breach shall include but not be limited to monetary damage, liquidated damage, attorney’s fees and other cause related to the action.

10.0 OTHERS

10.1 You will also be covered by the Company’s Mediclaim and Accident Insurance Policy.

10.2 This appointment is being made in good faith on the basis of your CV and other information provided by you during the course of SL and you mutual discussions. Any data, which is not in consonance with the information provided by you, shall result in termination of employment forthwith and you shall indemnify SL in full, for any losses suffered by SL. SILL reserves the right to make suitable formal / informal checks with your educational institutions and previous employers as may be applicable. You are requested to produce all the documents as mentioned in the checklist attached on your date of joining.

10.3 You shall not accept any presents, commissions, or any kind of gratification in cash or kind from any person, party, firm or company having dealings with SL group of if any companies and if you are offered you will report the same immediately to SL.

10.4 On matters not specifically covered in this Employment Contract, you shall be governed by SL’s service rules, practices, etc. which are liable for modifications, additions, total or partial withdrawal, suspension / revocation, etc. from time to time. SL’s decision on all such matters shall be final and binding on you.

11.0 SEVERABILITY

If any clause in this agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, that provision shall be severed and the remainder of the provisions of this agreement will continue in full force and effect as if this agreement had been executed without such invalid provision.

 

For, SYNTEL Ltd.     Confirmed and Agreed to
Signature   /s/ Kirti K     Signature   /s/ Avinash Salelkar
Name   Kirti K     Your Name   Avinash Salelkar
DATE:   1/2/11     DATE:   01 Feb 2011

 

Page 4 of 4

EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

 

Name

  

State or Other Jurisdiction

of incorporation or Organization

Syntel Limited

   India

Syntel Europe Limited

   England

Intellisourcing, sarl

   France

Syntel Deutschland GmbH

   Germany

Syntel (Singapore) PTE. Limited.

   Singapore

Syntel Canada Inc.

   Canada

Syntel (Hong Kong) Limited.

   Hong Kong

Syntel (Mauritius) Limited.

   Mauritius

Syntel (Australia) Pty. Limited

   Australia

SkillBay LLC

   Michigan

Syntel Delaware LLC

   Delaware

Syntel Global Private Limited

   India

Syntel International Private Limited

   India

State Street Syntel Services (Mauritius) Limited

   Mauritius

State Street Syntel Services Private Limited

   India

Syntel Consulting Inc.

   Michigan

Syntel Sterling BestShores Solutions Private Limited

   India

Syntel Holding (Mauritius) Limited

   Mauritius

Syntel Worldwide (Mauritius) Limited

   Mauritius

TriZetto Syntel Services (Mauritius) Limited

   Mauritius

TriZetto Syntel Services (India) Private Limited

   India

EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-136821 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Syntel, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan, Syntel Inc., Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Registration Statement No. 333-162060 on Form S-3A pertaining to Syntel, Inc. of our report dated March 03, 2011 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Syntel, Inc. and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for Syntel, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2010.

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Oak Brook, Illinois

March 03, 2011

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Prashant Ranade, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Syntel, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

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

 

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

 

Date: March 03, 2011
/s/ Prashant Ranade
Prashant Ranade, Chief Executive Officer and President

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Bharat Desai, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Syntel, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

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

 

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

 

Date: March 03, 2011
/s/ Bharat Desai
Bharat Desai, Chairman

EXHIBIT 31.3

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Arvind Godbole, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Syntel, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

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

 

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

 

Date: March 03, 2011
/s/ Arvind Godbole
Arvind Godbole, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Information Security Officer

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Syntel, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Bharat Desai, Chairman of the Company, Prashant Ranade, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and Arvind Godbole, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Information Security Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Bharat Desai
Bharat Desai
Syntel, Inc. Chairman
March 03, 2011

 

/s/ Prashant Ranade
Prashant Ranade
Syntel, Inc. Chief Executive Officer and President
March 03, 2011

 

/s/ Arvind Godbole
Arvind Godbole
Syntel, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Information Security Officer
March 03, 2011

A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company, and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.