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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, 2011

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   x     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   x    Accelerated Filer   ¨
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, 2011 , based on the last sale price of $59.12 per share for the Common Stock on The NASDAQ Global Select Market on such date, was approximately $909,984,440.

As of February 13, 2012, the Registrant had 41,824,778 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on or about June 5, 2012 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.   

Mine Safety Disclosures   

     21   

PART II

  
  ITEM 5.   

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

     22   
  ITEM 6.   

Selected Consolidated 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   

     39   
  ITEM 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   

     40   
  ITEM 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   

     40   
  ITEM 9A.   

Controls and Procedures   

     40   
  ITEM 9B.   

Other Information   

     40   

PART III

  
  ITEM 10.   

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance   

     41   
  ITEM 11.   

Executive Compensation   

     41   
  ITEM 12.   

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

     41   
  ITEM 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence   

     41   
  ITEM 14.   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services   

     42   

PART IV

  
  ITEM 15.   

Exhibits   

     43   
    

Financial Statement Schedules (F-1 to F-32)   

     F-1 to F-32   
    

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 other sections of this report, including the allowance for doubtful accounts, contingencies and litigation, potential tax liabilities, interest rate or foreign currency risks, and projections regarding our liquidity and capital resources 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,” of 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 75%, 76% and 73% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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%, for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and 18% for the year ended December 31, 2009 of total consolidated revenues.

Through its e-Business practices, the Company provides advanced technology services in the areas of architecting, implementing and maintaining Web Solutions, Data Warehousing/Business Intelligence, Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), Business Process Management (BPM) and Enterprise Resource Planning solutions. 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 8%, 7% and 7% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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.

 

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TeamSourcing accounted for approximately 2% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

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, customer responsiveness, value focus and a tradition of delivery 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 2011, 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 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 technology and operations 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, 2011, Syntel’s worldwide billable headcount consisted of 13,780 consultants providing professional services to Syntel’s customers.

Over its 31-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 uncertainty 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 and KPO 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.

 

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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.

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’s domain expertise extends to multiple verticals, with particular strength in financial services, insurance and healthcare. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s breakdown by industry vertical for financial services, healthcare, insurance, auto and retail was 57%, 18%, 13%, 3% and 9%, 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

 

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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.

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 81% of services were delivered from offshore centers as of December 31, 2011 versus 79% as of December 31, 2010.

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

 

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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.

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), Business Process Management (BPM) 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, 2011, 2010, and 2009, Applications Outsourcing and e-Business combined accounted for approximately 83% , 83% and 80%, 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%, 15% and 18% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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 2011, 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 were assessed at 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 2011, Syntel also earned a host of media and industry awards, including Top 50 financial Services Provider by FinTech (Rank 32 up 5), Global Services 100 including special mention as a top ADM, KPO and Industry Specific BPO provider, IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 including Top 20 ranking for industry-specific solutions in insurance and healthcare, Top 50 Technology Integrators list on VAR500 (# 46 up from 116 last year), Healthcare Informatics 100 (# 62), 16th on the Top 20 IT-BPO Employers by NASSCOM and # 27 Best Small Company by Forbes. Syntel was also included on the Tech America Foundation’s Cloud Commission.

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

 

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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 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™ 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 2011, the Company provided services to 128 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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company’s top ten customers accounted for approximately 77%, 75% and 75% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively. The Company’s three largest customers in 2011 contributed approximately

 

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27%, 17% and 8%, respectively, of the total revenues. The Company’s largest customer for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was American Express, accounting for approximately 27%, 24% and 21% of the total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Further, the Company’s second-largest customer, State Street Bank, contributed approximately 17%, 16% and 20% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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.

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, Australia.

The sales staff is aligned by industry vertical and geography. The sales team is equipped to sell the entire range of Syntel services to prospective clients. The sales team is supported by marketing, pre-sales, domain and technical subject matter experts from the Company’s practice and delivery teams.

The sales cycle involves multiple stages including cold calling, capability presentations, response 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 pre-sales, 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 size and complexity of the engagement.

 

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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 eighteen months.

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.

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, webinars, sponsorship and attendance of events and conferences, direct email and calling campaigns, publication of white papers, case studies, and public relations activities. The target audience for marketing campaigns is CEOs, CIOs and CFOs of Global 2000 companies.

Syntel’s marketing group manages subscriptions to various market research databases and provided support to the sales team to develop client proposals and presentations.

The marketing team interacts with independent agencies like National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), Chief Information Officer 100 (CIO 100), Financial Insights, Global Services, Healthcare Informatics and International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) which conduct surveys and publish ratings of service providers in various categories. Several notable publications mentioned Syntel in 2011.

Syntel’s marketing team maintains ongoing relationships with leading firms such as Gartner Group and Forrester Research to ensure the analysts have a good understanding of Syntel’s offerings and positioning.

The marketing team has established partnerships with product companies like Duckcreek (insurance software products), ARAS (product lifecycle management software solution), Qlikview (Business Intelligence platform), Pyxis Mobile (mobile application development platform), and Smartstream (financial transaction management software) in 2011. These product partnerships enable Syntel to enhance its technology capability footprint in the marketplace.

The marketing team engages with firms like KPMG, Deloitte, Technology Partnerships International TPI- now part of Information Services Group, International Data Corporation (IDC), and Everest group who provide sourcing advisory services to Syntel’s prospective customers.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The Company believes that its human resources are its most valuable asset. As of December 31, 2011, the Company globally had 19,484 full-time employees including a billable headcount of 13,780 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 including for campus hiring, 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/online tests, interviews and reference checks.

 

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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 HRMS system, 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.

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

 

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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 .

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

 

NAME

   AGE     

POSITION

Bharat Desai  

     59       Chairman and Director

Prashant Ranade  

     59       Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Arvind S. Godbole  

     54       Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Security Officer

Anil Jain  

     53       Senior Vice President, Insurance Business Unit Head

Rakesh Khanna  

     49       Chief Operating Officer

Daniel M. Moore  

     57       Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

V. S. Raj  

     48       Chief Executive Officer, State Street Syntel Services Private Limited

Raja Ray  

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

Murlidhar Reddy  

     42       Senior Vice President of Operations, Healthcare and Life Sciences Business Unit Head

Amit Chatterjee  

     45       Senior Vice President, Europe Head

Avinash Salelkar  

     49       Vice President, Automotive & Manufacturing and PLM & ES Business Unit Head

Rajesh Save  

     46       Global Head—Human Resources

Bharat Desai is a co-founder of the Company 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 the Company’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 Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company in February 2010. He has served as a director of the Company 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.

 

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

Rakesh Khanna was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company in January 2012. He previously served as President, Business Unit Head—Banking and Finance for the Company from July 2005 to December 2011.

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

V. S. Raj was appointed Chief Executive Officer of State Street Syntel Services Private Limited in October 2008. Prior to joining the Company, 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.

Raja Ray was appointed Senior Vice President, Retail, Logistics and Telecom Business Unit in August 2009. Prior to joining the Company, 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 Senior Vice President of Operations, Healthcare and Life Sciences Business Unit Head in October 2011. Prior to that he served the Company as Vice President, Healthcare and Life Sciences Business Unit Head from July 2006 to September 2011 and has been with the Company since November 2003 serving in various other 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.

Avinash Salelkar was appointed Vice President, Automotive & Manufacturing and PLM & ES Business Unit Head in February 2011. Prior to joining the Company, 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 the Company, Mr. Save was Executive Vice President—Human Resources 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’s ten largest clients generated approximately 77%, 75% and 75% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company’s largest client for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was American Express, which generated approximately 27%, 24% and 21% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company’s second largest client is State Street Bank which generated approximately 17%, 16% and 20% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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 57% of the Company’s revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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 Trust Company and its affiliate, for the year, are provided through a joint venture between the Company and State Street Bank Trust and its affiliate. Sales of KPO services only to State Street Bank And Trust Company and its affiliate represented approximately 15% of the Company’s total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011, and approximately 14% and 17% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The current master agreement under which the Company is able to provide KPO services to State Street Bank And Trust Company and its affiliate 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 2017 with the ability to extend by mutual consent for up to three additional one year terms. The State Street Bank and Trust Company, through a separate shareholders agreement between its affiliate and the Company, has the right to purchase the Company’s interest in the joint venture at an agreed upon formula price. This purchase right is exercisable by the affiliate (i) during the 30 day period beginning on the first business day of the 90 day period prior to the expiration of the initial term of the master agreement (February 2017) or the expiration of the renewal term (February 2018), (ii) in the event that the affiliate terminates the master agreement due to the Company’s change in control, insolvency, inadequate financial resources or material breach of the master agreement or the shareholders agreement, (iii) if the State Street Bank and Trust Company and affiliate suffers certain losses under the master agreement that exceed $25 million, or (iv) if the master agreement is required by law or regulation to be terminated. The exercise of this purchase right would have the effect of terminating the Company’s ability to provide KPO services to State Street Bank And Trust Company and its affiliate and transferring some related KPO professionals and assets to the State Street Bank And Trust Company. The State Street Bank And Trust Company’s 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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, annualized voluntary attrition was 16.4%, 14.1% and 12.9%, respectively. For the same periods, the number of net hires was 2,101, 4,816 and 204, 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, 2011, 2,116 IT professionals, representing approximately 11% 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 having units registered as STP(Software Technology park/Export Oriented Unit (EOU)/Special Economic Zone (SEZ) SEZ unit. Units registered with STPI, EOU’s and certain units located in SEZ were 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 was earlier. Certain units located in SEZ are eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate income taxes for the 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 that are operational after April 1, 2005 are eligible for 100% exemption from payment of corporate income taxes for the 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. Under current Indian tax law, export profits after March 31, 2011 from our existing STPs is fully taxable at the Indian statutory rate (33.22% as of December 31, 2011).

 

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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 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. We have relied on the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, the Income-tax Rules, 1962 and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, which are subject to change or modification by subsequent legislation or regulatory changes or administrative pronouncements or judicial decisions. Any such change, which could be prospective, retrospective or retroactive, could affect the validity of the conclusions herein.

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, 2011 and 2010, for various years, the Company has disputed and potentially disputable tax liabilities of $59.66 million and $54.23 million, respectively. Against the above, the Company has recognized tax liabilities, representing the unrecognized tax benefits, of $18.41 million and $19.71 million and the corresponding interest of $0.06 and $0.39 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, 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 $18.24 million and $16.64 million against the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $18.41 million and $19.71 million, as at December 31, 2011 and 2010, 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

 

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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; 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, 2011. 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 39%, 46% and 45% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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.

 

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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 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, 2011, approximately 81% 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

 

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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.

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

 

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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 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.

 

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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 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 based awards to employees and directors.

The Company expenses 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. The Company has issued shares of

 

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incentive restricted stock to its non-employee directors and employees. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $2.7 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 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

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, 2011, 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 $174.3 million. If the Company decided to repatriate all undistributed repatriable earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011, the Company would have accrued taxes of approximately $175.0 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 2017.

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; Dallas, Texas; 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.

 

 

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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 three facilities in Pune, India consisting of approximately 100,491 square feet.

The Company’s India operations are registered in Mumbai. Syntel has multiple leased facilities in Mumbai with a total capacity of nearly 8,700 seats. Syntel leases approximately 414,611 square feet of office space in Mumbai, India, under fourteen leases expiring ranging from January 31, 2012 to March 08, 2016. 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 243,083 square feet of office space in Mumbai, India under five leases expiring on dates ranging between June 04, 2012 to March 08, 2016.

Syntel has two leased facilities Chennai with a total capacity of nearly 1,400 seats. Syntel leases approximately 107,145 square feet of office space in Chennai, India, under three leases expiring on dates ranging from April 01, 2012 to November 06, 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 commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2011. The third software development block is being fitted out and is expected to commence operations in 2012.

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

Syntel acquired 100 acres of land that is classified as a SEZ in Gangikondan Villege, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu, India. The Company plans to start phase 1 of the site’s development consisting of the construction of a 200,000 sqft facility in 2012 with a plan to start operations in 2014.

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. In the opinion of our management, the outcome of such claims and legal actions, if decided adversely, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our quarterly or annual operating results, cash flows or consolidated financial position.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

None.

 

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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 2010 and 2011.

 

Period

   High      Low  

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   

First Quarter, 2011

     59.600         48.490   

Second Quarter, 2011

     59.120         50.000   

Third Quarter, 2011

     61.180         38.990   

Fourth Quarter, 2011

     51.180         42.750   

(b) There were approximately 190 shareholders of record and 13,500 beneficial holders on February 13, 2012.

(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 $ 0.24 and $ 0.74 per share for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, 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, 2006 through December 31, 2011, 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

 

     12/31/2006      12/31/2007      12/31/2008      12/31/2009      12/31/2010      12/31/2011  

Syntel, Inc.

   $ 100.00       $ 139.07       $ 85.27         138.42         175.80         170.18   

S&P 500 Stock Index

   $ 100.00       $ 103.53       $ 63.69       $ 78.62       $ 88.67       $ 88.67   

Peer Group Index

   $ 100.00       $ 108.92       $ 80.08       $ 135.24       $ 158.94       $ 173.37   

 

* Assumes that the value of a simple unweighted average investment in Syntel’s Common Stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2006 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.

 

     2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  

STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA

              

Net revenues

   $ 642,404       $ 532,133       $ 419,006       $ 410,426       $ 337,673   

Cost of revenues

     395,455         320,042         215,154         231,729         205,422   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     246,949         212,091         203,852         178,697         132,251   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     108,721         91,556         78,463         80,347         68,913   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations

     138,228         120,535         125,389         98,350         63,338   

Other income, principally interest

     16,208         13,126         10,059         2,031         7,222   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     154,436         133,661         135,448         100,381         70,560   

Income tax provision

     31,580         20,068         16,953         13,700         7,700   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

     122,856       $ 113,593       $ 118,495       $ 86,681       $ 62,860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share, diluted

   $ 2.94       $ 2.73       $ 2.86       $ 2.10       $ 1.52   

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

     41,717         41,611         41,491         41,340         41,265   

Cash dividends declared per common share

     0.24       $ 0.74       $ 0.24       $ 0.74       $ 0.24   
     AS OF DECEMBER 31,  
     2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  
     ($ In thousands)  

BALANCE SHEET DATA

              

Working capital

   $ 366,421       $ 329,913       $ 224,092       $ 144,379       $ 138,352   

Total assets

     597,248         546,117         412,622         295,571         273,496   

Total shareholders’ equity

     493,189         451,470         350,038         226,830         207,750   

OTHER DATA

              

Billable headcount in U.S.

     2,460         2,243         1,777         1,433         1,492   

Billable headcount in India

     11,166         9,302         7,368         6,963         6,123   

Billable headcount at other locations

     154         165         83         113         94   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total billable headcount

     13,780         11,710         9,228         8,509         7,709   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1. The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $3.5 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. $2.6 million of $3.5 million is related to particular tax position reversed during the year 2011 after netting of the tax of $0.6 million charged during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company also reversed $1.2 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, a $0.6 M reversal of tax reserve has arisen on account of the reversal of a valuation allowance, created in the past, against deferred tax assets recognized on the allowance of doubtful accounts. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reviewed the filing requirements for certain USA State Income Tax returns. The Company has updated the profit apportion method in those certain States. Accordingly, the Company has provided $1.3 million, out of which $0.8 million relates to the prior years. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have been 23.0%.

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 of $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%.

 

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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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues from time-and-materials contracts constituted 61%, 54% and 55%, 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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues from fixed-price application management maintenance and support engagements constituted 25%, 35% and 35%, 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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues from fixed-price application development and integration contracts constituted 14%, 11% and 10%, 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, 2011 and 2010, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $2.4 million and $3.1 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

 

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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 2011, the Company had a favorable adjustment of $3.5 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. $2.6 million of $3.5 million is related to particular tax position reversed during the year 2011 after netting of the tax of $0.6 million charged during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company also reversed $1.2 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, a $0.6 million reversal of tax reserve has arisen on account of the reversal of a valuation allowance, created in the past, against deferred tax assets recognized on the allowance of doubtful accounts. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reviewed the filing requirements for certain USA State Income Tax returns. The Company has updated the profit apportion method in those certain States. Accordingly, the Company has provided $1.3 million, out of which $0.8 million relates to the prior years. These revisions in the above estimates during 2011 had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2011 by $0.10 per share.

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. 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, 2009 by $0.09 and $0.10 per share, respectively.

Accruals for Legal Exposures.

Syntel is party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including litigation and governmental and regulatory controls. The Company has not accrued any liability for legal contingencies as no legal contingency has been deemed to be probable of occurring. Syntel’s estimates regarding legal contingencies are based on information known about the matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. Management has received legal counsel opinion that with respect to pending or threatened litigation matters that unfavorable outcomes are neither probable nor remote and that estimates of possible loss are not able to be made. Although actual amounts could differ from management’s estimate, none of the actions are believed by management to involve future amounts that would be material to Syntel’s financial position or results of operations

The Company estimates the costs associated with known legal exposures and their related legal expenses and accrues reserves for either the probable liability, if that amount can be reasonably estimated, or otherwise the lower end of an estimated range of potential liability. The accrual related to litigation at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was none and $0.5 million, respectively.

Further, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a one-time, non-recurring charge to earnings to resolve all claims brought as part of an arbitration proceeding with a former client arising out of a 2004 engagement, which resulted in a onetime expense of net $12.1 million and an increase in revenue of approximately $0.96 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.

 

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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, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Percent of Total Revenues  
         2011             2010             2009      

Applications Outsourcing

     75     76     73

KPO

     15        15        18   

e-Business

     8        7        7   

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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues from fixed-price development contracts constituted 14%, 11% and 10%, 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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, fixed-price revenues from development and maintenance activity comprised approximately 50%, 56% and 57% of total Applications Outsourcing revenues, respectively.

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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the revenue from KPO engagements comprised approximately 15%, 15% and 18%, 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 2011, 2010 and 2009. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, fixed-price revenues from development and maintenance activity comprised approximately 15%, 30% and 43% 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, 2011, approximately 11% 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

 

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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 77%, 75% and 75% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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 2011, 2010 and 2009 was American Express, contributing approximately 27%, 24% and 21%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues. For the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company’s second largest customer, State Street Bank also contributed 17%, 16% 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.

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,
 
         2011             2010             2009      

Net revenues  

     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of revenues  

     61.6        60.1        51.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit  

     38.4        39.9        48.7   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     16.9        17.2        18.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations  

     21.5     22.7     30.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Below is selected segment financial data for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Company does not allocate assets to operating segments:

 

     2011     2010     2009  
     (In Thousands)  

Net revenues:

      

Applications Outsourcing  

     478,927      $ 402,526      $ 305,931   

KPO  

     97,777        79,589        76,558   

e-Business  

     52,854        38,006        27,092   

TeamSourcing  

     12,846        12,012        9,425   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     642,404        532,133        419,006   

Gross profit:

      

Applications Outsourcing  

     164,812        141,168        132,484   

KPO  

     57,291        50,579        52,228   

e-Business  

     19,899        14,441        14,168   

TeamSourcing  

     4,947        5,903        4,972   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     246,949        212,091        203,852   

Gross profit %:

      

Applications Outsourcing  

     34.4     35.1     43.3

KPO  

     58.6     63.6     68.2

e-Business  

     37.6     38.0     52.3

TeamSourcing  

     38.5     49.1     52.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     38.4     39.9     48.7

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     108,721      $ 91,556      $ 78,463   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations  

   $ 138,228      $ 120,535      $ 125,389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010.

Revenues. Net revenues increased to $642.4 million in 2011 from $532.1 million in 2010, representing a 21% increase. Syntel’s revenues increased primarily due to 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 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, 2011, increased 18% to 13,780 employees as compared to 11,710 employees as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had approximately 81% of its billable workforce in India as compared to 79% as of December 31, 2010. The top five customers accounted for 63% of the Company’s total revenues in 2011, up from 60% of the total revenues in 2010. Moreover, the top 10 customers accounted for 77% & 75% of the Company’s total revenues in the year 2011 and 2010.

Cost of Revenues . The Company’s cost of revenues consists of costs directly associated with billable consultants in the U.S. and offshore, including salaries, payroll taxes, benefits, relocation costs, immigration costs, finder’s fees, trainee compensation and travel. The cost of revenues increased to 61.6% of total revenues in 2011, from 60.1% in 2010. The 1.5% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of revenues in 2011, as compared to 2010, was attributable primarily to increases in headcount, salary increments for employees, benefits, travel cost and immigration expenses, partially offset by increase in revenue and rupee depreciation. Salary increments, are discretionary and determined by management.

APPLICATIONS OUTSOURCING REVENUES. Applications Outsourcing revenues increased from $402.5 million, or 76% of total consolidated revenues in 2010, to $478.9 million, or 75% of total consolidated revenues in 2011. The $76.4 million increase is attributable principally to revenue from new engagements contributing $304.04 million and an increase in revenue of approximately $0.96 million resulting out of settlement of an arbitration proceeding with a former client, partially offset by a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $116.67 million and by $111.93 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

 

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compensation. Applications Outsourcing cost of revenues increased to 65.6% of Applications Outsourcing revenues in 2011, from 64.9% in 2010. The 0.7% 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, bonus provision, travel and relocation, partially offset by decreases in contract services and rupee depreciation.

KPO REVENUES. Revenues from this segment were $97.8 million or 15% of total consolidated revenues for 2011 compared to $79.6 million or 15% of total consolidated revenues for 2010. The $18.2 million increase is attributable principally to revenue from new engagements contributing $16.4 million and net increase in revenues from existing projects by $3.3 million, partially offset by $1.5 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, 2011.

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 2011 increased to 41.4% of the segment’s revenues from 36.4% for 2010. The 5.0% 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 $38.0 million in 2010, or 7% of total consolidated revenues, to $52.9 million in 2011, or 8% of total consolidated revenues. The $14.9 million increase is attributable principally to revenue from new engagements contributing $25.3 million, partially offset by a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $4.7 million and by $5.7 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 62.4% of e-Business revenues in 2011, from 62.0% in 2010, an increase of 0.4%. This 0.4% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of total e-Business revenues, was attributable primarily to increases in headcount coupled with salary increments, partially offset by rupee depreciation.

TEAMSOURCING REVENUES. TeamSourcing revenues increased from $12.0 million, or 2% of total consolidated revenues in 2010, to $12.8 million, or 2% of total consolidated revenues in 2011. The $0.8 million increase is principally attributable to revenue from new engagements and increased revenue from SkillBay web portal of $4.8 million partially offset by a $3.2 million reduction in revenues as a result of project completions and a net decrease in revenues from existing projects by $0.8 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 61.5% of TeamSourcing revenues in 2011, from 50.9% in 2010. The 10.6% increase in cost of revenues, as a percent of total TeamSourcing revenues, was primarily attributable to increases in headcount.

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, 2011 were $108.7 million or 16.9% of total revenues, compared to $91.6 million or 17.2% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Selling, general and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2011 were impacted by an increase in revenue of $110.3 million having resulting in a 3.5 percentage decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue.

The said increase in dollar term is primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits of $4.9 million primarily driven by headcount and increments, facility related costs of $9.4 million and corporate expenses of net $4.7 million; inclusive of a one time expense of net $12.1 million incurred to resolve all claims brought as part of an arbitration proceeding with a former client; other increase of $3.3 million; partially offset by foreign exchange gain of $10.7 million. The above increases are partially offset by decreases in training and recruiting expenses of $0.3 million, contract services by $0.4 million, marketing expenses by $0.6 million and other costs by 0.6 million.

 

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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, 2011 was $16.2 million or 2.5% of total revenues, compared to $13.1 million or 2.5% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in other income of $3.1 million was primarily attributable to increase in; interest income of $9.2 million and gain on sale of mutual funds of $1.2 million partially offset by loss on forward contract of $7.3 million.

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 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.

 

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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. 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.

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, 2010 and ended December 31, 2011. 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 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.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company generally has financed its working capital needs through operations. The Mumbai, Chennai, Pune (India) and other expansion programs are financed from internally generated funds. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of certificates of deposit, corporate bonds and treasury notes. These amounts are held by various banking institutions including US-based and India-based banks. As at December 31, 2011, out of the total cash and cash equivalent and short term investment balance of $320.4 million, an amount of $284 million was held by Indian subsidiaries. The Company believes that the amount of cash and cash equivalent outside the U.S. will not have a material impact on liquidity.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $109.1 million, $114.0 million and $96.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The number of days sales outstanding in accounts receivable was approximately 49 days, 50 days and 42 days as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Net cash used in investing activities was $79.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. During 2011, the Company invested $420.0 million to purchase short-term investments and $38.2 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 $378.6 million.

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 financing activities in 2011 was $10.0 million and was principally applied to the dividend distribution of $10.0 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.

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, 2012. 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, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

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.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table sets forth the Company’s known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011:

 

Contractual Obligation

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

Capital Lease  

   $ 939       $ 232       $ 464       $ 243         —     

Operating leases  

   $ 34,396       $ 7,003       $ 11,083       $ 8,201       $ 8,109   

Purchase obligations  

   $ 22,339       $ 22,339         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total  

   $ 57,674       $ 29,574       $ 11,547       $ 8,444       $ 8,109   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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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 were 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. Further, the Company’s four STPI units ceased to enjoy tax exemption effective April 1, 2011 due to expiration of the statutory period for tax exemption. During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company started a Software Development SEZ unit in Airoli, Navi Mumbai.

Syntel KPO units located in Mumbai and Pune were 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. During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Syntel started a KPO SEZ unit in Airoli, Navi Mumbai.

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 $19.1 million, $25.0 million and $28.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, 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, 2011, the Company would have accrued taxes of approximately $175.0 million.

 

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

 

     2011     2010  
     (In Millions)  

Balance as at January 1  

   $ 19.71      $ 14.44   

Additions based on tax positions relate to the current year  

     5.81        5.85   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years  

     (3.46     (1.17

Settlement  

     —          —     

Foreign currency translation effect  

     (3.65     0.59   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31  

   $ 18.41      $ 19.71   

Income taxes Paid, see below  

     (18.24     (16.64
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts, net of Income taxes Paid  

   $ 0.17      $ 3.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

The Company has paid income taxes of $18.24 million and $16.64 million against the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $18.41 million and $19.71 million, as at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company has paid the taxes in order to reduce the possible interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company recognized a tax charge towards interest of approximately none and $0.21 million. Furthermore, during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company reversed $0.33 million and $0.09 million, respectively, towards interest previously accrued.

The Company had accrued approximately $0.06 million and $0.39 million for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

The Company’s amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the tax disputes of $1.2 million and potential tax disputes of $3.5 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.

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 2008 and for State tax examinations for years before 2007. 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 closed the audit for Syntel India’s U.S. Income tax returns for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, after reaching a settlement, for a certain amount, paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 which had no material impact on Syntel’s financial position.

Syntel Limited, the Company’s India subsidiary, has disputed tax matters for the financial years 1996-97 to 2007-08 pending at various levels of tax authorities. Financial year 2008-09 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 2004-05 and onwards.

During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, the effective income tax rate was 20.4%, 15.0% and 12.5%, respectively.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $3.5 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

 

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audits. $2.6 million of $3.5 million is related to particular tax position reversed during the year 2011 after netting of the tax of $0.6 million charged during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company also reversed $1.2 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, a $0.6 million reversal of tax reserve has arisen on account of the reversal of a valuation allowance, created in the past, against deferred tax assets recognized on the allowance of doubtful accounts. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reviewed the filing requirements for certain USA State Income Tax returns. The Company has updated the profit apportion method in those certain States. Accordingly, the Company has provided $1.3 million, out of which $0.8 million relates to the prior years. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have been 23.0%.

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.

Syntel Limited has not provided for disputed Indian income tax liabilities amounting to $2.09 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 2007. During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the Company has reviewed the disputed tax provision for financial year 1995-96, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2001-02 in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment. Accordingly, disputed Indian income tax liabilities were reduced to $1.27 million and the Company reversed a provision of uncertain tax liability of $0.04 million. 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 ITAT and the matter stands in favor of Syntel Limited. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. On July 23, 2009, the Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on the grounds that the tax appeal was filed late. The Income Tax Department has not filed 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 received a favorable order from the ITAT on this appeal. The Income Tax Department filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. On July 23, 2009, the Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on the grounds that the tax appeal was filed late. The Income Tax Department has not filed a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

Syntel Limited had 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 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. The Income Tax Department review petition was rejected due to filing defects. The Income Tax Department may rectify the defects and re-submit the review petition.

Syntel Limited has also not provided for other disputed Indian income tax liabilities aggregating to $4.73 million for the financial years 2001-02 to 2004-05, which is after recognizing tax on certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.01 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

 

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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 2001-02 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 has not filed 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 April 24, 2012.

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 on the aforesaid item 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 19, 2012. 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 has filed 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). During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company received an order for appeal filed with CIT (A) that partially upholds the Company’s contentions. The Company has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax department has filed further appeal for the amounts allowed by the CIT (A).

For the financial year 2006-07, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Syntel KPO entity in respect to particular tax position and the Syntel KPO entity has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the Syntel KPO entity has received order for appeal filed with CIT (A) wherein, the contention of the Company is partially upheld. The Company has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax department has filed further appeal for the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). For the financial year 2007-08, the Income Tax Department has decided against Syntel KPO entity with respect to particular tax position and Syntel KPO entity has file an appeal with the CIT (A). For the financial year 2007-08, the Income Tax Department has also decided against Syntel International Private Limited (SIPL) in respect to particular tax position and SIPL has file an appeal with the CIT (A).

The Company has provided for a tax liability amounting to $3.61 million in the books for the financial years 1996-97 to 2007-08, (except for financial year 1998-99, financial year 1999-2000, financial year 2001-02 and financial year 2004-05) 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. On July 23, 2009, the Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on the grounds that the tax appeal was filed late. The Income Tax Department has not filed a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Syntel Limited has reviewed the disputed tax provision for financial year 1995-96, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2001-02 in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment. Accordingly, during the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Syntel Limited has reversed the provision of uncertain tax liability of $0.83M.

For the financial years 1996-97 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 amount allowed by ITAT. 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 a review petition before the Bombay High Court on June 2, 2010. The Income Tax Department review petition was rejected due to filing defects. The Income Tax Department may rectify the defects and re-submit the review petition.

 

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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 the tax appeal on July 22, 2009. The Income Tax Department has not filed 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). For the financial year 2004-05, 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 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. The appeal is scheduled for a hearing before Bombay High Court on April 19, 2012. 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 has filed 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, a 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. During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company has received order for appeal filed with CIT (A) wherein, the contention of the Company is partially upheld. The Company has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax department has filed further appeal for the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). For the financial year 2007-08, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position and the Company would file an appeal with the CIT(A).

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 certain expenses. However, the Company has contested with the Tax Department that no FBT shall be paid on these expenses. 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. The time of issuing notice for rectification was expired on March 31, 2011 and the Company has received FBT refund along with interest for the Financial Year 2008-09 and likely to receive the FBT refund for Financial Year 2007-08 . Accordingly, Syntel has reversed FBT of $1.066 million.

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.

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.

Further to our reply and information filed earlier, Syntel India has received a letter dated July 13, 2011 from the DC, indicating that the audit objections amounting to $3.0 million, out of the total amount of $3.85 million, have been closed. Syntel is perusing for the closure of the balance audit objections of approximately $0.85 million.

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.

 

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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.

 

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,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

ASSETS

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 104,628       $ 78,505   

Short-term investments

     215,798         208,695   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 320,426       $ 287,200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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, 2011, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the U.S. dollar, by average, by 2.5% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. This rupee depreciation positively impacted the Company’s gross margin by 86 basis points, operating income by 118 basis points and net income by 114 basis points, each as a percentage of revenue. The Indian rupee denominated cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense was 50.6% and 75.3% of the expenses, respectively.

As at December 31, 2011, the Indian rupee has depreciated against the U.S. dollar, by average, 5.7% as compared to the rate at December 31, 2010. This rupee depreciation has adversely impacted the shareholders equity by approximately $73.8 million, as at December 31, 2011.

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, 2011, but these contracts do not have a material impact on the financial statements.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, 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.

 

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Aggregate contracted principal amounts of contracts outstanding amounted to $60.0 million as of December 31, 2011. The outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts as of December 31, 2011 mature between one to three months. Net (losses) on foreign exchange forward and options contracts included under the heading ‘Other Income’ in the statement of income amounted to $4.87 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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, 2011 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, 2011 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 5, 2012 (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, 2011.

 

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  

     —           —           4,529,570   

Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders  

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL  

     —           —           4,529,570   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

** Includes 3,812,435 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. There were no other related person transactions in 2011.

 

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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, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and all the quarters of 2011, 2010 and 2009. 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,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Audit Fees  

   $ 389,372       $ 375,626   

Audit—Related Fees  

     13,370         11,975   

Tax Fees  

     —        

All Other Fees  

     2,500         64,302   

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, 2011 and 2010 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, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
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    Note Modification Agreement, dated August 19, 2011, 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, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.5*    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.
10.6*    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.
10.7*    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.
10.8*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement.
10.9*    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.
10.10*    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.
10.11*    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.
10.12*    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.

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.13*    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.
10.14*    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, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.21*    Employment Agreement, dated February 1, 2011, between the Company and Avinash Salelkar, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.22    Shareholders Agreement effective February 1, 2012 by and between State Street International Holdings, Syntel Delaware, LLC, Syntel Inc. and State Street Syntel Services (Mauritius) Limited.**
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.
101.INS   

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
** Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to the Company’s request to the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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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

(principal executive officer)

Dated: February 27, 2012

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 (principal executive officer)   February 27, 2012

/s/    P RASHANT R ANADE        

Prashant Ranade

   Chief Executive Officer, President and Director   February 27, 2012

/s/    A RVIND G ODBOLE        

Arvind Godbole

   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Security Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)   February 27, 2012

/s/    N EERJA S ETHI        

Neerja Sethi

   Director   February 27, 2012

/s/    P ARITOSH K. C HOKSI        

Paritosh K. Choksi

   Director   February 27, 2012

/s/    G EORGE M RKONIC        

George Mrkonic

   Director   February 27, 2012

/s/    T HOMAS D OKE        

Thomas Doke

   Director   February 27, 2012

/s/    R AJESH M ASHRUWALA        

Rajesh Mashruwala

   Director   February 27, 2012

 

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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, 2011 and 2010 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011

     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-32   

 

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, 2011 and 2010 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, 2011. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, 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, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 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, 2011, 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

February 27, 2012

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     December 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents  

   $ 104,628      $ 78,505   

Short-term investments  

     215,798        208,695   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,407 and $3,090 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively  

     88,573        75,873   

Revenue earned in excess of billings  

     5,131        5,329   

Deferred income taxes and other current assets  

     46,353        43,705   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets  

     460,483        412,107   

Property and equipment  

     179,576        171,445   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  

     73,574        69,338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net  

     106,002        102,107   

Goodwill  

     906        906   

Noncurrent Term Deposits with Banks  

     130        66   

Deferred income taxes and other noncurrent assets  

     29,727        30,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets  

   $ 597,248      $ 546,117   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

LIABILITIES

    

Current liabilities:  

    

Accounts payable  

   $ 12,299      $ 10,071   

Accrued payroll and related costs  

     45,949        40,736   

Income taxes payable  

     3,080        2,291   

Accrued liabilities  

     20,309        16,561   

Deferred revenue  

     9,692        9,783   

Dividends payable  

     2,733        2,752   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities  

     94,062        82,194   

Other noncurrent liabilities  

     9,997        12,453   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     104,059        94,647   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common Stock, no par value per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 41,571,338 and 41,497,733 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively  

     1        1   

Restricted stock, 243,440 and 244,317 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively  

     13,692        11,008   

Additional paid-in capital  

     67,422        67,420   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  

     (72,434     1,415   

Retained earnings  

     484,508        371,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity  

     493,189        451,470   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  

   $ 597,248      $ 546,117   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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Syntel, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2011      2010      2009  

Net revenues  

   $ 642,404       $ 532,133       $ 419,006   

Cost of revenues  

     395,455         320,042         215,154   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit  

     246,949         212,091         203,852   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     108,721         91,556         78,463   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations  

     138,228         120,535         125,389   

Other income, principally interest, net  

     16,208         13,126         10,059   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes  

     154,436         133,661         135,448   

Income tax expense  

     31,580         20,068         16,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income  

   $ 122,856       $ 113,593       $ 118,495   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividend per share  

   $ 0.24       $ 0.74       $ 0.24   

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

        

Basic  

   $ 2.95       $ 2.74       $ 2.86   

Diluted  

   $ 2.94       $ 2.73       $ 2.86   

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic  

     41,619         41,524         41,407   

Diluted  

     41,717         41,611         41,491   

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

 

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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, 2009  

    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   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income  

              122,856              122,856   

Other Comprehensive Income (loss), net of tax  

                (255     315        (73,909     (73,849
                   

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income  

                      49,007   

ESPP & Stock Option Activity  

    1              2                2   

Restricted stock activity  

    72          (1     2,684                  2,684   

Dividends, $0.24 per share  

              (9,974           (9,974
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31,2011  

    41,571      $ 1        243      $ 13,692      $ 67,422      $ 484,508      $ 164        ($87     ($72,511   $ 493,189   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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)

 

     2011     2010     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income  

   $ 122,856      $ 113,593      $ 118,495   

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

      

Depreciation and amortization  

     16,880        14,413        15,003   

Bad debt provisions, net  

     97        65        2,101   

Realized gains on sales of short-term investments  

     (2,539     (1,349     (1,580

Deferred income taxes  

     (4,613     (8,287     (1,998

Compensation expense related to restricted stock  

     2,684        1,938        1,946   

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

     (3,948     (1,284     (4,301

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable and revenue earned in excess of billings  

     (40,907     (20,286     1,717   

Other current assets  

     (9,183     (11,844     (29,129

Accrued payroll and other liabilities  

     27,399        23,224        (6,235

Deferred revenues  

     326        3,829        783   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities  

     109,052        114,012        96,802   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Property and equipment expenditures  

     (38,232     (22,546     (25,509

Purchases of mutual funds  

     (213,829     (292,745     (272,861

Purchases of term deposits with banks  

     (206,201     (248,454     (74,201

Proceeds from sales of mutual funds  

     219,032        289,247        273,475   

Maturities of term deposits with banks  

     159,566        181,007        35,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities  

     (79,664     (93,491     (63,899
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock  

     2        947        440   

Tax benefit on stock options exercised  

     —          152        —     

Dividends paid  

     (9,992     (30,697     (9,986
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities  

     (9,990     (29,598     (9,546
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash  

     6,725        (241     (566
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents  

     26,123        (9,317     22,791   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  

     78,505        87,822        65,031   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  

   $ 104,628      $ 78,505      $ 87,822   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncash investing and financing activities

      

Cash dividends declared but unpaid  

   $ 2,494      $ 2,490      $ 2,792   

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information—

      

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 28,610      $ 19,403      $ 24,896   

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™ 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”);

 

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Table of Contents
 

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

 

 

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 Services 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.

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

 

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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, 2011, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional amount of $185.0 million with maturity dates of one to nine months. During the year ended December 31, 2011, contracts amounting to $165.0 million expired resulting in a loss of $8.95 million. The loss for the direct customer related contracts is $4.87 million is recorded as an offset to other income and loss for the inter company related contracts is $4.08 million. At December 31, 2011, foreign exchange forward contracts amounting $ 60.0 million were outstanding. The fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts of $2.6 million is reflected in other current liabilities in the balance sheet of the Company as at December 31, 2011 with a corresponding debit to offset other income.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company did not enter into currency option contracts.

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. The 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 was 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. The 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.

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, 2011 and December 31, 2010, approximately $17.6 million and $23.3 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 and Punjab National Bank were $43.70 million and with Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and ICICI were $20.0 million as at year end December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The remaining amounts of cash and cash equivalents are invested in money market accounts with various banking and financial institutions.

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, 2012. 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, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

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.

 

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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.

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 $190.8 million and $175.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, 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, 2011 and 2010 non current term deposits with banks were at $0.1 million and $0.1 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, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $16.9 million, $14.4 million and $15.0 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, 2011 and 2010.

 

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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, 2011 and 2010.

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 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 2011, the Company had a favorable adjustment of $3.5 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. $2.6 million of $3.5 million is related to particular tax position reversed during the year 2011 after netting of the tax of $0.6 million charged during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company also reversed $1.2 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, a $0.6 million reversal of tax reserve has arisen on account of the reversal of a valuation allowance, created in the past against deferred tax assets recognized on the allowance of doubtful accounts. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reviewed the filing requirements for certain USA State Income Tax returns. The Company has updated the profit apportion method in those certain States. Accordingly, the Company has provided $1.3 million, out of which $0.8 million relates to the prior years.

The revisions in the above estimates during 2011 had an after-tax impact of increasing both the basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2011 by $0.10 per share.

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.

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, 2011, December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, foreign exchange gain of $8.7

 

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million and foreign exchange loss of $2.0 million and $1.0 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.

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 $5.6 million, $4.0 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The amounts accrued for unutilized earned leave were $15.4 million and $14.5 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, 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.

Investment in Medivo Inc.

Syntel Inc. had agreed to invest US$ 125,000 in Convertible Debt Promissory Note of Medivo, Inc. (“Medivo”), a Delaware corporation. The investment was to be made US$ 75,000 in cash and US$ 50,000 in kind through efforts made under Master Services Agreement (“MSA”) executed with Medivo. The cash portion of investment was paid on 6th July 2011 and the in-kind portion was to be invested over time as per the terms of MSA. The Letter of Intent (“LOI”) and MSA for the same were signed on 1st July 2011. The note paid 6% interest per annum, payable quarterly for two years and was to be converted to Medivo common stock based on a 30% discount to the next round of financing raised. This debt was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

On 15 Nov 2011, Syntel Inc. received $75,567 from Medivo Inc resulting into surrender and cancellation of Convertible Debt Promissory Note issued to Syntel Inc. The investment was retired as Medivo wanted to consolidate smaller investments and quantum of Syntel’s investment ($75,000) was not seen in client conversations as being strategic. The partnership with Medivo however has been progressing.

Recently issued accounting standards

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

 

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disclosures. The ASU was 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 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption was permitted. The Company adopted this standard during the first quarter of 2011 and there was no significant impact on the Company’s 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 were effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption was not permitted. The adoption of ASU 2010-28, did not 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 were 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, did not have any significant impact on the Company’s financial statement.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, to provide largely identical guidance about fair value measurement and disclosure requirements with the IASB’s new IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement. Issuing this standard completes a major project of the Boards’ joint work to improve and converge of IFRS and U.S. GAAP. The new standard does not extend the use of fair value but, rather, provides guidance about how fair value should be applied where it already is required or permitted under U.S. GAAP. Most of the changes are clarifications of existing guidance or wording changes to align with IFRS 13. A public entity is required to apply the ASU prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted for a public entity. In the period of adoption, a reporting entity will be required to disclose a change, if any, in valuation technique and related inputs that result from applying the ASU and to quantify the total effect, if practicable. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are being evaluated.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05- Presentation of Comprehensive Income—increases the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements. Under this ASU, an entity will have the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. The ASU eliminates the option in U.S. GAAP to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. At the November 8, 2011 FASB meeting, the Board decided to defer the effective date of those changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments to provide the Board with more time to re-deliberate whether to present the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements for all periods presented. ASU 2011- 12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, deferring the effective date of these paragraphs was issued December 23, 2011. The deferral of the presentation requirements for reclassification adjustments does not impact the effective date of other requirements in the ASU. An entity should apply the ASU retrospectively. For a public entity, the ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are being evaluated.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08- Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)- Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This ASU simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. The amendments in the Update permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than

 

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50 percent. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The requirements of this ASU and its impact on the Company are being evaluated.

3. Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments included the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

     2011      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Investments in mutual funds at carrying value  

   $ 25,027       $ 33,271   

Term deposits with banks  

     190,771         175,424   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total  

   $ 215,798       $ 208,695   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Information related to investments in mutual funds (primarily Indian Mutual Funds) is as follows at and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

     2011      2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Cost  

   $ 24,817       $ 32,742       $ 26,919   

Unrealized gain, net  

     210         529         241   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying value  

   $ 25,027       $ 33,271       $ 27,160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross realized gains  

   $ 2,539       $ 1,315       $ 1,565   

Proceeds on sales of mutual funds  

     219,032         289,247         273,475   

Purchases of mutual funds  

     213,829         292,745         272,861   

Information related to investments in term deposits with banks included the following for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

     2011      2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Cost  

   $ 190,771       $ 175,424       $ 85,083   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Maturities of term deposits  

   $ 159,566       $ 181,007       $ 35,197   

Purchases of term deposits  

     206,201         248,454         74,201   

4. Revenue Earned in Excess of Billings and Deferred Revenue

Revenue earned in excess of billings at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is summarized as follows:

 

     2011     2010  
     (In thousands)  

Unbilled revenue for time-and-materials projects  

   $ 8,640      $ 10,975   

Unbilled revenue for fixed-price projects, net of discounts  

     (3,509     (5,646
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 5,131      $ 5,329   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred revenue at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is summarized as follows:

 

     2011      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred revenue on uncompleted fixed-price development contracts  

   $ 8,683       $ 9,704   

Other deferred revenue  

     1,009         79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 9,692       $ 9,783   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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5. Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The movement in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is summarized as follows:

 

     2011     2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Balance, beginning of year  

   $ 3,090      $ 3,000       $ 440   

Provision  

     23        15         2,557   

Write-offs, net of recoveries  

     (706     75         3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year  

   $ 2,407      $ 3,090       $ 3,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

6. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is summarized as follows:

 

     2011      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Office building  

   $ 38,799       $ 38,159   

Computer equipment and software  

     48,584         49,143   

Furniture, fixtures and other equipment  

     52,156         47,007   

Vehicles  

     1,507         946   

Leasehold improvements  

     8,481         4,762   

Leasehold land  

     5,963         4,228   

Residential property  

     1,148         1,366   

Capital advances / work in progress  

     22,938         25,834   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     179,576         171,445   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  

     73,574         69,338   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 106,002       $ 102,107   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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, 2012. 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, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

8. Leases

Operating Lease

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, 2011 are as follows:

 

     (In thousands)  

2012  

   $ 7,003   

2013  

     5,612   

2014  

     5,471   

2015  

     4,778   

2016  

     3,423   
  

 

 

 
   $ 26,287   
  

 

 

 

 

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Total rent expense amounted to approximately $11.1 million, $9.0 million and $8.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Capital Lease

During the year 2011 the Company acquired Lease hold improvements under capital lease. Future minimum annual lease commitments under capital leases as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

     (In thousands)  

2012  

   $ 232   

2013  

     232   

2014  

     232   

2015  

     232   

2016  

     11   
  

 

 

 
   $ 939   

Less: Amount representing interest

     177   
  

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payments

     762   

Less: Current installments of obligations under capital leases

     184   
  

 

 

 
     578   
  

 

 

 

Leasehold improvements under capital lease amounted to $1.12 million and none, recorded under property and equipment, as at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Accumulated depreciation on the capital lease amounted to $0.15 million and none, as at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Depreciation expense under capital lease amounted to approximately $0.17 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and none for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The Capital lease liability of $0.95 million has been recorded under current liability and non current liability, for $0.18 million and $0.77 million, respectively.

9. Income Taxes

Income before income taxes for the Company’s U.S. and foreign operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

 

     2011      2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

U.S.  

   $ 3,577       $ 12,359       $ 16,216   

Foreign  

     150,859         121,302         119,232   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 154,436       $ 133,661       $ 135,448   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 consisted of the following:

 

     2011     2010     2009  
     (In thousands)  

Current:

      

Federal  

   $ 4,501      $ 2,650      $ 1,402   

State  

     821        483        256   

Foreign  

     34,457        23,423        22,315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current provision  

     39,779        26,556        23,973   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred:

      

Federal  

     (3,320     651        418   

State  

     (606     119        76   

Foreign  

     (4,273     (7,258     (7,514
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred provision (benefit)  

     (8,199     (6,488     (7,020
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provision for income taxes  

   $ 31,580      $ 20,068      $ 16,953   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The components of net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

     2011      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax assets

     

Impairment of investments and capitalized development costs  

   $ 0       $ 1,601   

Valuation allowance  

     0         (1,601

Carry forward losses of subsidiaries  

     147         (486

Minimum alternate tax credit of subsidiaries  

     15,796         17,209   

Property, plant and equipment  

     1,589         1,287   

Accrued expenses and allowances  

     7,053         7,122   

Advanced billing receipts  

     0         1,933   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets  

     24,585         27,065   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities  

    

Provision for branch tax on dividend equivalent in India  

     (1,726     (1,726

Provision for tax on unrealized gains in India  

     (77     (115
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities  

     (1,803     (1,841
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets  

   $ 22,782      $ 25,224   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

     2011      2010  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax asset, current  

   $ 7,121       $ 11,054   

Deferred tax asset, non-current  

     15,661         14,170   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 22,782       $ 25,224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 were 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 was 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. Further, the Company’s four STPI units ceased to enjoy tax exemption effective April 1, 2011 due to expiration of the statutory period for tax exemption. During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company started a Software Development SEZ unit in Airoli, Navi Mumbai.

Syntel KPO units located in Mumbai and Pune were 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. During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Syntel started a KPO SEZ unit in Airoli, Navi Mumbai.

 

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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 $19.1 million, $25.0 million and $28.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, 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, 2011, the Company would have accrued taxes of approximately $175.0 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, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

     2011     2010     2009  

Statutory rate  

     35.0     35.0     35.0

State taxes, net of federal benefit  

     0.1     0.3     0.4

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

     (12.0 %)      (19.6 %)      (19.7 %) 

Tax reserves  

     (2.7 %)      (0.7 %)      (2.4 %) 

Prior year adjustment  

     (0.0 %)      (0.0 %)      (0.7 %) 

Other, net  

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

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate  

     20.4     15.0     12.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the effective income tax rates were 20.4%, 15.0% and 12.5%, respectively.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was positively impacted by the reversal of provision of uncertain tax liability of $4.1 million and was adversely impacted due to the effective tax rate impact of tax holidays ceasing to be available to certain offshore facilities effective April 1, 2011.

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

 

     2011     2010  
     (In Millions)  

Balance as at January 1  

   $ 19.71      $ 14.44   

Additions based on tax positions relate to the current year  

     5.81        5.85   

Reductions for tax positions of prior years  

     (3.46     (1.17

Settlement  

     —          —     

Foreign currency translation effect  

     (3.65     0.59   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31  

   $ 18.41      $ 19.71   

Income taxes Paid, see below  

     (18.24     (16.64
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts, net of Income taxes Paid  

   $ 0.17      $ 3.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

The Company has paid income taxes of $18.24 million and $16.64 million against the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $18.41 million and $19.71 million, as at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company has paid the taxes in order to reduce the possible interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits.

 

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The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company recognized a tax charge towards interest of approximately none and $0.21 million, respectively. Furthermore, during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company reversed $0.33 million and $0.09 million, respectively, towards interest previously accrued.

The Company had accrued approximately $0.06 million and $0.39 million for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

The Company’s amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the tax disputes of $1.2 million and potential tax disputes of $3.5 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.

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 2008 and for State tax examinations for years before 2007. 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 closed the audit for Syntel India’s U.S. Income tax returns for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, after reaching a settlement, for a certain amount, paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 which had no material impact on Syntel’s financial position.

Syntel Limited, the Company’s India subsidiary, has disputed tax matters for the financial years 1996-97 to 2007-08 pending at various levels of tax authorities. Financial year 2008-09 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 2004-05 and onwards.

The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $3.5 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. $2.6 million of $3.5 million is related to particular tax position reversed during the year 2011 after netting of the tax of $0.6 million charged during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company also reversed $1.2 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, a $0.6 million reversal of tax reserve has arisen on account of the reversal of a valuation allowance, created in the past, against deferred tax assets recognized on the allowance of doubtful accounts. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reviewed the filing requirements for certain USA State Income Tax returns. The Company has updated the profit apportion method in those certain States. Accordingly, the Company has provided $1.3 million, out of which $0.8 million relates to the prior years. Without the above, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have been 23.0%.

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.

 

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Syntel Limited has not provided for disputed Indian income tax liabilities amounting to $2.09 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 2007. During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the Company has reviewed the disputed tax provision for financial year 1995-96, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2001-02 in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment. Accordingly, disputed Indian income tax liabilities were reduced to $1.27 million and the Company reversed a provision of uncertain tax liability of $0.04 million. 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 ITAT and the matter stands in favor of Syntel Limited. The Income Tax Department has filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. On July 23, 2009, the Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on the grounds that the tax appeal was filed late. The Income Tax Department has not filed 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 received a favorable order from the ITAT on this appeal. The Income Tax Department filed a further appeal before the Bombay High Court. On July 23, 2009, the Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on the grounds that the tax appeal was filed late. The Income Tax Department has not filed a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India.

Syntel Limited had 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 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. The Income Tax Department review petition was rejected due to filing defects. The Income Tax Department may rectify the defects and re-submit the review petition.

Syntel Limited has also not provided for other disputed Indian income tax liabilities aggregating to $4.73 million for the financial years 2001-02 to 2004-05, which is after recognizing tax on certain tax liabilities aggregating $0.01 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 2001-02 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 has not filed 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 April 24, 2012.

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 on the aforesaid item 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 19, 2012. 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,

 

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the Company’s appeal for the financial year 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). 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). During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company received an order for appeal filed with CIT (A) that partially upholds the Company’s contentions. The Company has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax department has filed further appeal for the amounts allowed by the CIT (A).

For the financial year 2006-07, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Syntel KPO entity in respect to particular tax position and the Syntel KPO entity has filed an appeal with the CIT(A). During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the Syntel KPO entity has received order for appeal filed with CIT (A) wherein, the contention of the Company is partially upheld. The Company has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax department has filed further appeal for the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). For the financial year 2007-08, the Income Tax Department has decided against Syntel KPO entity with respect to particular tax position and Syntel KPO entity has file an appeal with the CIT (A). For the financial year 2007-08, the Income Tax Department has also decided against Syntel International Private Limited (SIPL) in respect to particular tax position and SIPL has file an appeal with the CIT (A).

The Company has provided for a tax liability amounting to $3.61 million in the books for the financial years 1996-97 to 2007-08, (except for financial year 1998-99, financial year 1999-2000, financial year 2001-02 and financial year 2004-05) 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. On July 23, 2009, the Bombay High Court dismissed the Income Tax Department Appeal on the grounds that the tax appeal was filed late. The Income Tax Department has not filed a further appeal before the Supreme Court of India. During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Syntel Limited has reviewed the disputed tax provision for financial year 1995-96, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2001-02 in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment. Accordingly, during the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Syntel Limited has reversed the provision of uncertain tax liability of $0.83M.

For the financial years 1996-97 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 amount allowed by ITAT. 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 a review petition before the Bombay High Court on June 2, 2010. The Income Tax Department review petition was rejected due to filing defects. The Income Tax Department may rectify the defects and re-submit the review petition.

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 the tax appeal on July 22, 2009. The Income Tax Department has not filed 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). For the financial year 2004-05 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 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. The appeal is scheduled for a hearing before Bombay High Court on April 19, 2012. 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 has filed 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, a 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. During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company has received order for appeal filed with CIT (A) wherein, the contention of the Company is partially upheld. The Company has gone into further appeal with the ITAT for the amounts not allowed by the CIT (A). The Income Tax department has filed further appeal for the amounts allowed by the CIT (A). For the financial year 2007-08, the Indian Income Tax Department has decided against the Company in respect to a particular tax position and the Company would file an appeal with the CIT(A).

 

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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 certain expenses. However, the Company has contested with the Income Tax Department that no FBT shall be paid on these expenses. 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. The time of issuing notice for rectification was expired on March 31, 2011 and the Company has received FBT refund along with interest for the Financial Year 2008-09 and likely to receive the FBT refund for Financial Year 2007-08. Accordingly, Syntel has reversed FBT of $1.066 million.

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.

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.

Further to our reply and information filed earlier, Syntel India has received a letter dated July 13, 2011 from the DC, indicating that the audit objections amounting to $3.0 million, out of the total amount of $3.85 million, have been closed. Syntel is perusing for the closure of the balance audit objections of approximately $0.85 million.

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.

10. Earnings Per Share

The reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

 

     2011     2010     2009  
     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  

     41,619       $ 2.95        41,524       $ 2.74        41,407       $ 2.86   

Potential dilutive effect of stock options  

     98         (0.01     87         (0.01     84         (0.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share  

     41,717       $ 2.94        41,611       $ 2.73        41,491       $ 2.86   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

11. Dividends

The Company has paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.06 per share during 2011, 2010 and 2009. In addition, the Board of Directors declared and paid a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share during 2010. Per share cash dividends paid in 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $0.24, $0.74 and $0.24, respectively.

 

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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.

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, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $2.7 million, $1.9 million and $1.9 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, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company issued 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.

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.

 

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On different dates during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company issued restricted stock awards of 91,364 and 209,358, respectively, to its non-employee directors and some employees as well as to some employees of its subsidiaries. The restricted stock awards were granted to employees for their future services as a retention tool at a zero exercise price, vest in shares with regards to 25% of the awards issued on or after the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant dates.

For the restricted stock issued during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the dividend is accrued and paid subject to the same restriction as the restriction on transferability. For the restricted stock awards issued during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 no dividend accrues on the restricted stock awards.

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, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     2011      2010      2009  

Cost of revenues  

   $ 742       $ 495       $ 485   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     1,942         1,443         1,461   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,684       $ 1,938       $ 1,946   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0.002 million, $0.95 million and $0.44 million, respectively. New shares were issued for all options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2011.

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,  
     2011      2010      2009  

Assumptions:

        

Risk free interest rate  

     0.85%         2.02%         2.34%   

Expected life  

     5 years         5 years         5 years   

Expected volatility  

     58.26%         59.52%         61.77%   

Expected dividend yield  

     0.51%         1.55%         0.50%   

The Company’s computation of expected volatility for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 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.

Share-Based Payment Award Activity

The following table summarizes activity under our equity incentive plans for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

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

(In
Thousands)
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2011  

     5,473      $ 5.01         

Granted  

     —          —           

Exercised  

     (325     5.00         

Adjustment  

     —          —           

Forfeited  

     —          —           

Expired / Cancelled  

     (5,148     5.01         
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

Outstanding at December 31, 2011  

     0      $ 0.00         0.00       $ 0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options Exercisable at December 31, 2011  

     0      $ 0.00         0.00       $ 0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

     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   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

No options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The aggregate fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were none.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2011, Syntel’s subsidiaries have commitments for capital expenditures (net of advances) of $22.3 million primarily related to the technology campuses being constructed at Pune and Chennai in India.

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.

Syntel is party to various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including litigation and governmental and regulatory controls. The Company has not accrued any liability for legal contingencies as no legal contingency has been deemed to be probable of occurring. Syntel’s estimates regarding legal contingencies are based on information known about the matters and its experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. Management has received legal counsel opinion that with respect to pending or threatened litigation matters that unfavorable outcomes are neither probable nor remote and that estimates of possible loss are not able to be made. Although actual amounts could differ from management’s estimate, none of the actions are believed by management to involve future amounts that would be material to Syntel’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company estimates the costs associated with known legal exposures and their related legal expenses and accrues reserves for either the probable liability, if that amount can be reasonably estimated, or otherwise the lower end of an estimated range of potential liability. The accrual related to litigation at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was none and $0.5 million, respectively.

Further, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a one-time, non-recurring charge to earnings to resolve all claims brought as part of an arbitration proceeding with a former client arising out of a 2004 engagement, which resulted in a onetime expense of net $12.1 million and an increase in revenue of approximately $0.96 million.

 

 

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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 $16,500, 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, 2011, 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 $3.28 million, $2.79 million and $1.98 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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 $5.6 million and $5.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and are included within current and other non-current liabilities, as applicable. Expense recognized by Indian entities under the Gratuity Plan was $2.3 million, $1.45 million and $0.98 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The following table sets forth the funded status of the Gratuity Plan of the Company and the amounts recognized in the Company’s balance sheets and statements of income.

 

     (USD
thousands)
 
     2011     2010  

Accumulated benefit obligation

     2,898        2,690   

Change in projected benefit obligation:

    

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of the year

     5,330        3,496   

Service cost

     1,660        1,079   

Interest cost

     560        378   

Plan Amendment

     —          386   

Actuarial loss/(gain)

     (401     223   

Benefits paid

     (538     (421

Effect of exchange rate changes

     (969     189   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation at end of the year

     5,642        5,330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet consists of:

    

Provision for gratuity (included in total current liabilities)

     610        499   

Provision for gratuity (included in non-current liabilities)

     5,032        4,831   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income:

    

Net Actuarial (Gain)/ Loss

     (253     121   

Net Prior Service (Credit)/Cost

     302        397   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss

     49        518   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expected amortization out of comprehensive income in 2012 is $0.02 million.

    

 

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     (USD thousands)  
     2011     2010  

Reconciliation of Net Amount Recognized

    

Net Amount Recognized as at beginning of the period

     (5,330     (3,496

Company Contributions

     538        421   

Net Periodic Benefit Cost for the period

     (2,256     (1,454

Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

     436        (611

Foreign Currency Translation adjustment

     970        (190
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Amount Recognized as at end of the period

     (5,642     (5,330

Funded status of the plans

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued benefit cost

     (5,642     (5,330
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of net gratuity costs are reflected below:

    

Service Cost

     1,660        1,079   

Interest Cost

     560        378   

Amortization of transition obligation/(assets)

     39        0   

Amortization of Net Actuarial (Gain)/Loss

     24        (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Periodic Benefit costs

     2,283        1,454   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:

 

    

2011

  

2010

Discount rate

   9.30% p.a.    8.75% p.a.

Long-term rate of compensation increase

   11% p.a. for first year & 9% for next two years &7% p.a. thereafter    11% p.a. for first year & 9% for next two years &7% p.a. thereafter

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:

 

    

2011

  

2010

Discount rate

   9.30% p.a.    8.75% p.a.

Long-term rate of compensation increase

   11% p.a. for first year & 9% for next two years &7% thereafter    11% p.a. for first year & 9% for next two years &7% thereafter

Cash Flows

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

     (USD thousands)  

For the year ended December 31, 2011

     Expected contribution   

2012

     608   

2013

     738   

2014

     895   

2015

     1,340   

2016

     1,701   

2017 – 2021

     8,603   

 

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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.

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, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

     2011      2010      2009  
     (In Thousands)  

Net Revenues:

        

Applications Outsourcing  

   $ 478,927       $ 402,526       $ 305,931   

KPO  

     97,777         79,589         76,558   

e-Business  

     52,854         38,006         27,092   

TeamSourcing  

     12,846         12,012         9,425   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     642,404         532,133         419,006   

Gross Profit:

        

Applications Outsourcing  

     164,812         141,168         132,484   

KPO  

     57,291         50,579         52,228   

e-Business  

     19,899         14,441         14,168   

TeamSourcing  

     4,947         5,903         4,972   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     246,949         212,091         203,852   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     108,721         91,556         78,463   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations  

   $ 138,228       $ 120,535       $ 125,389   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s largest customer in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was American Express, which accounted for revenues in excess of 10% of total consolidated revenues. Revenue from this customer was approximately $170.8 million, $127.7 million and $89.6 million, contributing approximately 27%, 24% and 21% of total consolidated revenues during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, accounts receivable from this customer were $19.1 million, $15.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The entire revenue from this customer was generated in the Applications Outsourcing segment.

 

 

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The Company’s second largest customer, State Street Bank, had revenues in excess of 10% of total consolidated revenues for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009. Revenue from this customer was approximately $109.4 million, $87.3 million and $82.6 million, contributing approximately 17%, 16% and 20% of total consolidated revenues during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. At December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, accounts receivable from this customer was $13.7 million, $11.5 million and $9.4 million, respectively. Approximately 75% of the revenue from this customer was generated in the KPO segment and 25% in Applications Outsourcing segment.

16. Geographic Information

The Company’s net revenues and long-lived assets, by geographic area, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

     2011      2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Net revenues (1):

        

North America (2)  

   $ 594,352       $ 492,310       $ 385,433   

India  

     2,603         1,777         3,164   

Europe (3)  

     43,346         35,689         29,172   

Rest of the World  

     2,103         2,357         1,237   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total  

   $ 642,404       $ 532,133       $ 419,006   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2011      2010      2009  

Long-lived assets (4):

        

North America (2)  

   $ 1,558       $ 1,818       $ 1,826   

India  

     105,262         101,145         88,668   

Europe (3)  

     88         50         52   

Rest of the World  

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total  

   $ 106,908       $ 103,013       $ 90,546   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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.

 

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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)  

2011

              

Net revenues  

   $ 145,372       $ 156,985       $ 167,627       $ 172,420       $ 642,404   

Cost of revenues  

     94,560         100,200         100,893         99,802         395,455   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit  

     50,812         56,785         66,734         72,618         246,949   

Selling, general and administrative expenses  

     24,623         27,781         36,679         19,638         108,721   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations  

     26,189         29,004         30,055         52,980         138,228   

Other income net  

     6,119         5,923         1,632         2,534         16,208   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes  

     32,308         34,927         31,687         55,514         154,436   

Income tax expense (1)  

     7,259         7,287         5,480         11,554         31,580   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income  

     25,049         27,640         26,207         43,960         122,856   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share, diluted (a)  

   $ 0.60         0.66         0.63         1.05         2.94   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted  

     41,711         41,696         41,724         41,736         41,717   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 (2)  

     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   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was impacted by a favorable adjustment of $3.5 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. Out of the above, $3.2 million was reversed during the quarter and $0.9 million was reversed during the second quarter, offset by the charge of $0.6 million during the year; amounting to $0.3 million, $0.0 million and $0.3 million, for the first, second and third quarter respectively. The Company also reversed during the third quarter, $1.2 million based on the reconciliation of actual tax liability as per the tax returns and the tax provision as per the books. Further, a $0.6 million reversal of tax reserve was recorded during the third quarter, which had arisen on account of the reversal of a valuation allowance, created in the past, against deferred tax assets recognized on the allowance of doubtful accounts. During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, the Company reviewed the filing requirements for certain USA State Income Tax returns. The Company updated the profit apportion method in those certain States. Accordingly, the Company provided $1.3 million, out of which $0.8 million relates to the prior years.

 

(2) 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 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.

 

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

 

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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%, 14% and 17% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, 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, 2011:

 

     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3      Total  
     (In millions)  

Cash & Cash Equivalents

          

Money Market Funds  

     17.6         —          —           17.6   

Short Term Investments—

          

Available for Sale Securities  

     25.0         —          —           25.0   

Fair value of foreign exchange forward and currency option contracts  

     —           (2.6     —           (2.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets measured at fair value  

     42.6         (2.6     —           40.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in Financial Instruments Measured at Level 3 Fair Value

The following tables present the changes during the period presented in our Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value. The instrument consist of investment classified as available-for–sale with changes in fair value included in OCI.

 

(In Millions)

   Corporate
Notes
    Total  

Balance, January 1, 2011  

   $ —        $ —     

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)  

     0.1        0.1   

Included in other income (expenses)  

     —          —     

Included in other comprehensive Income  

     —          —     

Reduction during the year  

     (0.1     (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011  

   $ 0.0      $ 0.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in other Income (expenses) related to assets held as of December 31, 2011.  

   $ 0      $ 0   

 

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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   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

Balance Sheet Item

   As at
December 31,
2011
     As at
December 31,
2010
 
     (In millions)  

Cash & Cash Equivalents  

     43.7         20.0   

Short Term Investments  

     190.8         175.4   

Non Current Assets  

     0.1         0.1   

Total  

     234.6         195.5   

 

 

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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, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
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    Note Modification Agreement, dated August 19, 2011, 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, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.5*    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.
10.6*    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.
10.7*    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.
10.8*    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement.
10.9*    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.
10.10*    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.
10.11*    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.
10.12*    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.
10.13*    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.
10.14*    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.

 

E-1


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, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.21*    Employment Agreement, dated February 1, 2011, between the Company and Avinash Salelkar, filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.22    Shareholders Agreement effective February 1, 2012 by and between State Street International Holdings, Syntel Delaware, LLC, Syntel, Inc., and State Street Syntel Services (Mauritius) Limited.**
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.
101.INS   

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
** Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to the Company’s request to the Secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

E-2

Exhibit 10.8

THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON LAPSE OF THE RESTRICTION PERIOD WILL

NOT BE RELEASED TO YOU UNTIL ALL APPLICABLE WITHHOLDING TAXES

HAVE BEEN COLLECTED FROM YOU OR HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN PROVIDED FOR

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT

UNDER THE SYNTEL, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT made this              day of                      , 20      by and between Syntel, Inc., a Michigan corporation (“the Corporation”), and                                                   (the “Grantee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Grantee is now employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary of the Corporation, and the Corporation desires to provide additional incentive to the Grantee, to encourage stock ownership by the Grantee, and to encourage the Grantee to remain in the employ of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, and as an inducement thereto, the Corporation has determined to grant to the Grantee a Restricted Stock Unit Award pursuant to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan, a copy of which is available to employees on the SyntraNet;

NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed between the parties as follows:

1. Definitions in Agreement . For purposes of this Agreement, certain words and phrases have the following definitions:

(a) “Award” means the Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Agreement;

(b) “Change in Control” for purposes other than Code Section 409A means, as defined in Section 1.4(e) of the Plan, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the acquisition of ownership by a person, firm or corporation, or a group acting in concert, of fifty-one percent, or more, of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation in a single transaction or a series of related transactions within a one-year period; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to any person, firm or corporation; or (iii) a merger or similar transaction between the Corporation and another entity if shareholders of the Corporation do not won a majority of the voting stock of the corporation surviving the transaction and a majority in value of the total outstanding stock of such surviving corporation after the transaction; provided however , that any such event involving any of the current shareholders of the Corporation as of the date of adoption of this Plan by the Board (or any entity at any time controlled by any such shareholder or shareholders) shall not be included within the meaning of “Change in Control.” “Change in Control” for Code Section 409A purposes shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(f) of the Plan;

(c) “Change in Position” means, as defined in Section 1.4(g) of the Plan, with respect to the Grantee: (i) the Grantee’s involuntary termination of employment; or (ii) a significant reduction in the Grantee’s duties, responsibilities, compensation and/or fringe benefits, or the assignment to the Grantee of duties inconsistent with Grantee’s position (all as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control), whether or not the Grantee voluntarily terminates employment as a result thereof;

(d) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(e) “Committee” means, as defined in Section 1.4(i) of the Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board, or any other committee or sub-committee of the Board, designated by the Board from time to time, comprised solely of two or more Directors who are “Non-Employee Directors,” as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, “Outside Directors” as defined in Code Section 162(m) and Treasury regulations thereunder, and “Independent Directors” for purposes of the rules and regulations of the applicable stock exchange;

(f) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Corporation;

(g) “Corporation” means Syntel, Inc.;

(h) “Employment” (whether or not capitalized) means employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;

(i) “Grant Date” means the date of this Agreement as reflected above;

 

1


(j) “Insider Trading Policy” means the policy adopted by the Board that establishes rules regarding the trading of the Corporation’s securities by its directors, officers, and employees, which policy is available on the SyntraNet;

(k) “Performance Measures” means, as defined in Section 1.4(x) of the Plan, the measures of performance of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries used to determine a Grantee’s entitlement to an Award under the Plan. Such performance measures shall have the same meanings as used in the Corporation’s financial statements, or, if such terms are not used in the Corporation’s financial statements, they shall have the meaning applied pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, or as used generally in the Corporation’s industry. Performance Measures shall be calculated with respect to the Corporation and each Subsidiary consolidated therewith for financial reporting purposes or such division or other business unit as may be selected by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, the Performance Measures shall be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, prior to the accrual or payment of any Award under this Plan for the same performance period and excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) of any change in accounting standards or any extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring item, as determined by the Committee, occurring after the establishment of the performance goals;

(k) “Plan” means the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan;

(l) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right granted under Article IV of the Plan to receive one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit at the time the applicable restrictions lapse, less any shares withheld to satisfy income and employment tax withholding requirements; and

(m) “Restriction Period” means the period of time during which a Grantee’s Restricted Stock Units are subject to restrictions and are nontransferable.

2. Grant of Restricted Stock Units . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Corporation hereby grants to the Grantee             Restricted Stock Units as of the close of business on the Grant Date.

3. Lapse of Restriction Period . The Restriction Period lapses on or after the following anniversaries of the Grant Date as to the following cumulative percentages of the Restricted Stock Units:

 

On or after the first anniversary

   25%

On or after second anniversary

   25% additional

On or after third anniversary

   25% additional

On or after fourth anniversary

   25% additional

In accordance with this schedule, on or after the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date, all restrictions on the Restricted Stock Units shall have lapsed; provided, however, that each of the foregoing anniversaries of the Grant Date shall be deemed automatically extended (1) by the total period of time that the Grantee spends on unpaid leave(s) of absence between the Grant Date and each such anniversary, and (2) for the duration of any regular or special blackout on trading in Common Stock in effect pursuant to the Insider Trading Policy when the anniversary occurs.

4. Certificate or Electronic Balance . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and in Article IV and Section 10.3 of the Plan, and subject to applicable federal and state securities laws, shares covered by Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Grantee and a Common Stock certificate issued or an electronic balance with a brokerage working with the Plan established following the last day of the Restriction Period and after shares have been withheld to satisfy the applicable income and employment tax withholding requirements.

6. Termination of Employment .

(a) If a Grantee terminates employment for any reason (other than as provided in paragraph (b) below, after a Change in Control), the Grantee’s right to shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award that are still subject to a Restriction Period automatically shall terminate and be forfeited by the Grantee.

(b) In the event of the Grantee’s Change in Position subsequent to a Change in Control, the remaining Restriction Period on any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder shall immediately lapse and the shares shall become fully transferable.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (b) above, all Restricted Stock Units for which the applicable Restriction Period has not lapsed as of termination of employment shall be canceled.

(d) A leave of absence with the written consent of the Corporation, or a transfer of the Grantee from one corporation to another among the Corporation, its Parent and any of its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to constitute a termination of employment for purposes of this Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

2


7. Compliance with Securities Laws. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, the Corporation’s obligation to deliver Common Stock under this Agreement is subject to such compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations applying to the authorization, issuance or sale of securities, and applicable stock exchange requirements, as the Corporation deems necessary or advisable. The Corporation shall not be required to deliver Common Stock pursuant hereto unless and until it receives satisfactory proof either that (a) the issuance or transfer of such shares will not violate (i) any of the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, (ii) the rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Corporation’s securities are listed, or (iii) state law governing the sale of securities, or (b) there has been compliance with the provisions of such acts, rules, regulations and state laws. If the Grantee fails to accept delivery for all or any part of the number of shares specified by such notice upon tender of delivery thereof the Grantee’s right to Common Stock with respect to such undelivered shares may be terminated by the Corporation.

8. Non-Assignability . The Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder may not be transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the Restriction Period applicable to the Restricted Stock Unit has lapsed and the applicable number of shares has been withheld to satisfy any income and employment tax withholding requirements.

9. Withholding . The Grantee hereby authorizes the Corporation to withhold from Grantee’s Restricted Stock Unit Award the applicable number of shares of Common Stock necessary to satisfy any requirements for withholding of income and employment taxes arising in connection with the lapsing of the Restriction Period applicable to such Restricted Stock Units. To the extent that the shares withheld from the Award do not satisfy the minimum withholding requirements or if the Grantee is to receive all the shares due upon the lapsing of the Restriction Period applicable to such Restricted Stock Units, Grantee authorizes the Corporation to withhold the difference, or the entire amount due, in cash from other compensation owed by the Corporation to the Grantee. The Grantee shall tender such cash amount for the minimum withholding requirements to the Corporation if the Grantee is not then receiving compensation from the Corporation to cover such amount.

10. Disputes . As a condition to the granting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award granted hereby, the Grantee and the Grantee’s successors and assigns agree that any dispute or disagreement which shall arise under or as a result of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and judgment and that any such determination and any interpretation by the Committee of the terms of this Agreement shall be final and shall be binding and conclusive for all purposes.

11. Adjustments . In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, reclassification, merger, consolidation, or similar transaction affecting the shares of Common Stock associated with this Restricted Stock Unit Award, the rights of the Grantee shall be as provided in Section 9.1 of the Plan and any adjustment therein provided shall be made in accordance with Section 9.1 of the Plan.

12. Rights as Shareholder . During the Restriction Period, Grantee may not exercise voting rights with respect to the Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. No dividend or distribution of shares declared with respect to the Common Stock associated with this Restricted Stock Unit Award will accrue or be paid until after the lapsing of the Restriction Period applicable to the Restricted Stock Units.

13. Notices . Every notice relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and if given by mail shall be given by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. All notices to the Corporation shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the Corporation’s headquarters in Troy, Michigan, or addressed to the Secretary of the Corporation at 525 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, MI 48083. All notices by the Corporation to the Grantee shall be delivered to the Grantee personally or addressed to the Grantee at the Grantee’s last residence address as then contained in the records of the Corporation or such other address as the Grantee may designate. Either party by notice to the other may designate a different address to which notices shall be addressed. Any notice given by the Corporation to the Grantee at the Grantee’s last designated address shall be effective to bind any other person who shall acquire rights hereunder.

14. Foreign Law Restrictions . Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, the Corporation’s obligation to deliver Common Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit grant is subject to compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of any foreign nation applying to the authorization, issuance or sale of securities, providing of compensation, transfer of currencies and other matters, as may apply to the Grantee, if a resident of such foreign nation. To the extent that the Corporation is restricted in accordance with such foreign laws from delivering shares of Common Stock to the Grantee as would otherwise be provided for in this Agreement, the Corporation shall be released from such obligation and shall not be subject to the claims of the Grantee hereunder with respect thereto.

15. Governing Law . This Agreement has been made in and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.

 

3


16. Provisions of Plan Controlling . The provisions hereof are subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, a copy of which is available to the Grantee on the SyntraNet. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

SYNTEL, INC.
By:    
  Daniel M. Moore, Chief Administrative Officer
By:    
  Rajesh Save, Global Head – Human Resources

_____________________________________, Grantee

 

4

EXHIBIT 10.22

** P ORTIONS OF THIS EXHIBIT HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO S YNTEL S REQUEST TO THE S ECRETARY OF THE S ECURITIES AND E XCHANGE C OMMISSION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT PURSUANT TO R ULE 24 B -2 UNDER THE S ECURITIES AND E XCHANGE A CT OF 1934, AS AMENDED .

STATE STREET INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS,

SYNTEL DELAWARE, LLC,

SYNTEL, INC.,

and

STATE STREET SYNTEL SERVICES

(MAURITIUS) LIMITED

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

relating to

STATE STREET SYNTEL SERVICES

(MAURITIUS) LIMITED

 

 

 

As of February 1, 2012


C ONTENTS

 

 

S ECTION        P AGE  
1.   INTERPRETATION      2   
2.   BUSINESS AND NAME OF COMPANY      10   
3.   OPERATION PLAN      10   
4.   EFFECTIVE DATE      11   
5.   PROVISION OF FINANCE      11   
6.   SERVICE PERSONNEL      11   
7.   THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT      12   
8.   SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS      16   
9.   INDEMNIFICATION      17   
10.   INFORMATION      20   
11.   RESERVED MATTERS      20   
12.   TRANSFER OF SHARES      21   
13.   SSIH’S RIGHT TO PUT      22   
14.   SSIH’S RIGHT TO CALL      22   
15.   DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION      24   
16.   REPRESENTATIONS      25   
17.   OPERATING SUBSIDIARY      26   
18.   CONFIDENTIALITY      28   
19.   COSTS      28   
20.   DURATION; TERMINATION      29   
21.   MISCELLANEOUS      29   

Exhibit 1 Deed of Adherence

     38   

Exhibit 2 Minimum Capital Requirement

     42   

Exhibit 3 Core Principles

     43   

Exhibit 4 Reserved Matters

     44   

Exhibit 5 Investment Procedures

     47   


AMENDED AND RESTATED

SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” ) is dated as of February 1, 2012 and made by and among:

 

(1) STATE STREET INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS , a company organized under the authority of Chapter 167F, Section 2(6) of the Massachusetts General Laws and Section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, with its principal office at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA ( “SSIH” );

 

(2) SYNTEL DELAWARE, LLC , a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, and having its registered office at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, USA ( “Syntel DE” );

 

(3)

SYNTEL, INC. , a Michigan corporation with its principal office located at 525 E. Big Beaver Road, 3 rd Floor, Troy, MI 48083, USA ( “Syntel” ); and

 

(4) STATE STREET SYNTEL SERVICES (MAURITIUS) LIMITED (formerly Syntel Solutions (Mauritius) Limited) , a company incorporated in Mauritius, and having its registered office at Rogers House, 5 President John Kennedy Street, P.O. Box 60, Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius (the “Company” ).

Each of SSIH, Syntel DE, Syntel and the Company and any party which subsequently joins as party to this Agreement as aforesaid are hereinafter referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties” .

WHEREAS

 

A. SSIH and Syntel DE together currently own one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Shares (as defined herein below) of the Company;

 

B. The Company owns one hundred percent (100%) (except as set forth in the Subscription Agreement, as defined below) of the issued and outstanding equity voting share capital of State Street Syntel Services Private Limited (formerly, Syntel Sourcing Private Limited), an Indian company incorporated under the (Indian) Companies Act, 1956, as amended ( “Companies Act” ), with its registered office at B/101-104, Delphi, “B” wing, Hiranandani Business Park, Powai, Mumbai 400 076, India ( “Indian Operating Subsidiary” ); and

 

C. SSIH, Syntel DE and the Company are parties to a Shareholders Agreement dated February 1, 2005 in relation to the Company (the “Shareholders Agreement” ), as amended by a First Amendment to Shareholders Agreement dated August 30, 2006 (as so amended, the “Amended Shareholders Agreement” ); and


D. SSIH, Syntel DE, Syntel and the Company wish to add Syntel as a party to the Amended Shareholders Agreement, effect certain additional amendments thereto and to restate such agreement to consolidate the terms and conditions thereof as amended to date.

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1. INTERPRETATION

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:

 

1.1 Definitions

“Action” means any claim, controversy, action, cause of action, suit or litigation;

“Accounting Policies” means the accounting policies in relation to the calculation of profits and losses of the JV Group and for the preparation and presentation of the financial statements for the JV Group, as adopted and agreed by the Shareholders and the Company from time to time;

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with, such person at the time in question, provided, however, that the Company and the Operating Subsidiary shall not be considered Affiliates of SSIH for purposes of this Agreement;

“Agreement” means this Agreement (with all exhibits, schedules and attachments), as amended from time to time;

“Amount in Dispute” means, in relation to the Call Option Price, the amount equal to the amount which Syntel DE reasonably and in good faith has determined to be the Call Option Price less the amount which SSIH reasonably and in good faith has determined to be the Call Option Price, and, in relation to the Claw Back, the amount equal to the amount SSIH reasonably and in good faith has determined to be the Claw Back less the amount Syntel DE reasonably and in good faith has determined to be the Claw Back;

“Auditors” means Ernst & Young or any one of Deloitte, KPMG or PricewaterhouseCoopers, or their respective Affiliates, or other mutually agreed entity, as appointed pursuant to clause 7.12 from time to time;

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company from time to time;

“Business” means the business of the JV Group, as described in Section 2.1;

“Business Day” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for ordinary business;

“Call Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14.2;

“Call Option” means the Call Option as described in Section 14.1;

 

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“Call Option Closing Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14.7;

“Call Option Period” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14.4;

“Call Option Price” means (i) in the event of a Call Notice being issued pursuant to Sections 14.2(a), 14.2(b) or 14.2(c), the price equivalent to **; or (ii) in the event of a Call Notice being issued pursuant to Section 14.2(b)(to the extent resulting from a material breach of the MSA), 14.2(d) or 14.2(e), the price equivalent to **;

“Chairman” means the chairman from time to time of the Board, the Operating Subsidiary Board or of the Operating Committee, as the context requires;

“Class A Common Shares” shall mean those shares designated as “Class A Common Shares”, without par value, in the capital of the Company;

“Class B Common Shares” shall mean those shares designated as “Class B Common Shares”, without par value, in the capital of the Company;

“Class A Directors shall mean the directors nominated by the holder of the Class A Common Shares for appointment to the Board, as described in the Constitution;

“Class B Directors” shall mean the directors nominated by the holder of the Class B Common Shares for appointment to the Board, as described in the Constitution;

“Class A Shareholder” shall mean the holder of the Class A Common Shares;

“Class B Shareholder” shall mean the holder of the Class B Common Shares;

“Claw Back” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14.11;

“Company” has the meaning given to such term in the introduction to this Agreement;

“Company Secretary” means the person performing the office of company secretary of the Company from time to time;

“Constitution” means the constitution of the Company as amended from time to time;

“Control” and its derivatives “Controlled” and “Controlling” mean, with regard to any person: (i) the legal or beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the issued share capital or capital stock of that person (or other ownership interest, if not a corporation); (ii) the ability to control, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power in relation to that person; or (iii) the legal power to direct or cause the direction of the general management and policies of that person, provided that where Control is being determined with respect to a person that is a limited partnership, Control shall be determined by reference to the satisfaction of any of the above tests with respect to the general partner of the limited partnership;

“Core Principles” means the principles set out in Exhibit 3;

 

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“Customer” means any customer of State Street or its Affiliates, including any Affiliates of such customers, and any customer of such customers;

“Damages” means all or any damages, claims, penalties, judgments, fines, costs, amounts paid in settlement, liabilities, obligations, Encumbrances, losses, deficiencies, awards, assessments, reasonable expenses and fees and any Taxes and/or interest, charges, penalties or other amounts imposed with respect to any Tax by any Governmental Authority and otherwise, including, without limitation, court costs, reasonable attorney’s fees, disbursements, and expenses and costs of investigation, litigation, settlement, obtaining judgment, judgment interest and other penalties (to the extent permitted by applicable law);

“Deed of Adherence” means a deed of adherence in the form set out in Exhibit 1;

“Delegate” has the meaning given to such term in the MSA;

“Director” means any Class A Director or Class B Director appointed to the Board from time to time and/or any director appointed to the Operating Subsidiary Board from time to time, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, as the context requires;

“Dispute Notice” means, in relation to any matter in dispute under this Agreement (including any Reserved Matters under Section 11), a written notice setting out in reasonable detail the underlying facts and the nature of the dispute;

“Effective Date” means February 1, 2012;

“Employee” means any natural person employed by the Company or the Operating Subsidiary but excluding temporary or contract workers;

“Encumbrance” means any interest or equity of any person (including, without limitation, any right to acquire, option, right of first refusal or right of pre-emption) and any charge, mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien (including retention of title claims), assignment, power of sale or hypothecation and any rental, hire purchase, creditor, conditional sale or other agreement for payment on deferred terms or any other third party right, restriction or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever (whether or not perfected) and the term Encumber shall be construed accordingly;

“Financial Year” means the twelve (12) month period commencing on April 1 and ending on March 31 (inclusive);

“FTE” has the meaning given to such term in the MSA;

“Governance Process” has the meaning given to such term in the MSA;

“Governmental Authority” means any national government or political subdivision thereof (including any state, province, city, town or municipal authority), any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, or any other government authority, agency, department, board, commission or

 

-4-


instrumentality of United States of America or any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, and any court, tribunal or arbitrator(s) of competent jurisdiction and authority, and, any governmental or non-governmental self-regulatory organization, agency or authority;

Investment Procedures” has the meaning given to such term Section 7.16;

“JV Group” means the Company, the Operating Subsidiary and any other subsidiary of the Company or the Operating Subsidiary or where applicable, its Controlled entities from time to time;

“Material Event” means that:

 

(i) SSIH (or State Street) is required by law or has been instructed or otherwise requested by the United States Federal Reserve (or any successor principal regulator thereto) to:

 

  (A) terminate the relationship with the Class B Shareholder (or any Affiliate thereof) established by this Agreement or

 

  (B) generally to terminate any substantially similar arrangements or:

 

(ii) SSIH (or State Street) has received a written opinion of counsel to the effect that:

 

  (A) pursuant to legal or regulatory requirements, SSIH (or State Street) is prohibited from continuing in the relationship with the Class B Shareholder (or any Affiliate thereof) established by this Agreement or is generally prohibited from continuing any similar arrangements or

 

  (B) legal or regulatory requirements substantially prohibit or restrict the provision of the Services (as defined in the MSA) (or a material portion thereof) on an outsourced basis;

and SSIH (or State Street) has provided written notice to Syntel DE (or Syntel) of the occurrence of a Material Event, together with a copy of such opinion (as applicable), and within ten (10) Business Days of receipt by Syntel DE (or Syntel) of such notice and opinion (as applicable) Syntel DE (or Syntel) either:

 

  (a) notifies SSIH in writing that it wishes jointly with SSIH to retain counsel reasonably acceptable to each party for purposes of providing an independent legal opinion and such jointly retained counsel confirms the analysis set forth in the opinion received by SSIH (or State Street) under paragraph (ii); or

 

  (b) does not notify SSIH that it wishes to jointly appoint counsel pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

“Minimum Capital Requirement” means the minimum capital that the JV Group requires from time to time to carry out the Business and maintain its capital adequacy, for the Company and the Operating Subsidiary to perform their obligations under this Agreement and the MSA,

 

-5-


respectively, and to meet the objectives set out in the Operation Plan (including, in each case, amounts necessary to reserve for contingent liabilities, to cover losses and other liabilities and otherwise maintain capital adequacy), as shall be agreed between the Shareholders no less frequently than annually and included in the Operation Plan and calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto (with such amendments as may be agreed between the Shareholders from time to time);

“MSA” means the Amended and Restated Master Services Agreement by and among State Street, each Affiliate of State Street which becomes a party thereto from time to time, the Operating Subsidiary and Syntel Parent dated on or about the date of this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time;

“MSA Effective Date” means the “Effective Date” as that term is defined in the MSA;

“MSA Term” means the “Term” as that term is defined in the MSA;

“Net Book Value” means the book value of the assets of the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, as the case may be, used in the conduct of the Business, less the value of any intangible assets and any liabilities;

“Nominee Shareholder” has the meaning given to such term in Section 17.1;

“Notice of Election” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9.3(b);

“Operation Plan” means the rolling three (3)–year operation plan for the Company as agreed by the holders from time to time of a majority in number of the Class A Common Shares and the holders of a majority in number of the Class B Common Shares;

“Operating Committee” means the operating committee established by the Operating Subsidiary Board and referred to in Section 17.8(a);

“Operating Subsidiary” has the meaning given to such term in the recitals to this Agreement;

“Operating Subsidiary Board” means the board of directors of the Operating Subsidiary from time to time;

“Operating Subsidiary Price” has the meaning given to such term in Section 14.5;

“Permitted Transferee” has the meaning given to such term in Section 12.2;

“Preferred Shares” means those shares designated as “Preferred Shares”, without par value, in the capital of the Company, the holders of which shall have no rights other than the right to receive dividends and liquidation proceeds up to the value of their initial issue price, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Constitution;

 

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“Press Release” means a press release in the agreed form to be issued by the parties in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement promptly after the date of this Agreement;

“Put Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 13.1;

“Put Option” has the meaning given to such term in Section 13.1;

“Put Option Period” has the meaning given to such term in Section 13.3;

“Put Option Price” has the meaning given to such term in Section 13.2;

“Related-Party Transaction” means any arrangement, undertaking or transaction (written or unwritten) involving the payment of money or the purchase, sale, transfer or exchange of assets or services (with or without monetary or other consideration) between a company or any of its Affiliates and a director, officer or shareholder of such company or any of its Affiliates;

“Reserved Board Matters” means those matters set out in item 2 of Exhibit 4;

“Reserved Matters” means the Reserved Board Matters and/or the Reserved Shareholder Matters, as the case may be.

“Reserved Shareholder Matters” means those matters set out in item 1 of Exhibit 4;

“Service Personnel” has the meaning given to such term in the MSA;

“Share” means Class A Common Shares, Class B Common Shares and/or the Preferred Shares, as the context requires;

“Shareholder” means SSIH and Syntel DE and such other holders of Shares from time to time;

“Shareholder Support” means any undertaking, covenant, guarantee of, performance bond from, pledge of Shares or other assets held by, or any other recourse to the assets of, a Shareholder, and granted or provided by a Shareholder to, or in favor of, any third person in relation to any obligation or liability of the Company or any other member of the JV Group from time to time pursuant to any financing arrangement of the Company or any other member of the JV Group;

“SSIH” has the meaning given to such term in the introduction to this Agreement;

“Standard of Conduct” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6;

“State Street” means State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company with its principal office at One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, United States of America;

“State Street Standard of Conduct/Code of Ethics” means the document with that title, a copy of which was provided to Syntel DE and the Company prior to their entry into this Agreement;

“Surcharge Capital Account” has the meaning given to such term in the MSA;

 

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“Syntel” has the meaning given to such term in the introduction to this Agreement;

“Syntel DE” has the meaning given to such term in the introduction to this Agreement;

“Tax” means all taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority, including, (i) any tax based upon or measured by income, gross receipts, sales use or value added; (ii) any taxes denominated as ad valorem, transfer, franchise, capital shares, payroll, employment excise, occupation, property, windfall profits, environmental, customers, or withholding taxes; and (iii) any interest, penalties, or other amounts imposed with respect to any tax;

“Tax Indemnity” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9.2(b);

“Term” means the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the Termination Date (inclusive);

“Termination Date” means the effective date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 20;

“Third Party” means any person other than Syntel DE, the Operating Subsidiary, SSIH or their respective Affiliates;

“Trademark Licenses” means (i) the Trademark License Agreement dated February 28, 2008 between State Street Corporation and the Operating Subsidiary and (ii) the Trademark License Agreement dated March 26, 2008 between State Street Corporation and the Company, pursuant to which Operating Subsidiary and the Company, respectively, is granted a limited license to use the “State Street” name;

“United States Dollars” , “USD” and “US$” means the lawful currency of the United States of America; and

 

1.2 Construction of certain references

In this Agreement unless otherwise specified:

 

(a) the index and headings are for ease of reference only and shall not be taken into account in construing this Agreement;

 

(b) references to this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to this Agreement or that other document as amended, varied, novated, supplemented or replaced from time to time;

 

(c) references to any recital, Section, paragraph, Schedule or Exhibit are to those contained in this Agreement, and references to a part of a Schedule or Exhibit are to the part of the relevant Schedule or Exhibit in which the reference appears and all Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement are an integral part of this Agreement;

 

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(d) the expression “this Section” shall, unless followed by reference to a specific provision, be deemed to refer to the whole Section (not merely the Section, sub-Section, paragraph or other provision of such Section) in which the expression occurs;

 

(e) references to a Party includes that Party’s successors in title and assigns or transferees permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement provided that the relevant property, right or liability has been properly assigned or transferred to such person;

 

(f) references to a Director shall, where the context allows, include reference to the alternate of such Director;

 

(g) references to any gender shall include the other gender and words in the singular include the plural and vice versa unless the context requires otherwise;

 

(h) law includes any legislation, any common or customary law, constitution, decree, judgment, order, ordinance, treaty or other legislative measure in any jurisdiction and any present or future directive, notification, circular, request, requirement or guideline (in each case, whether or not having the force of law but, if not having the force of law, compliance with which is in accordance with the general practice of persons to whom the directive, notification, circular, request, requirement or guideline is addressed);

 

(i) references to legislation include any statute, by-law, regulation, rule, notification, circular, subordinate or delegated legislation or order; and reference to any legislation is to such legislation or order as amended, modified or consolidated from time to time and to any legislation replacing it or made under it;

 

(j) reference to a person (or to a word importing a person) shall be construed so as to include:

 

  (i) a natural person, firm, partnership, trust, joint venture, company, corporation, body corporate, unincorporated body, association, organization or any Governmental Authority (whether or not in each case having separate legal personality);

 

  (ii) that person’s successors in title and assigns or transferees permitted in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

 

  (iii) references to a person’s representatives shall be to its officers, employees, legal or other professional advisers, sub-contractors, agents, attorneys and other duly authorized representatives;

 

(k) references to writing includes any communication made by letter, fax or e-mail; and

 

(l) capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the MSA unless the context otherwise requires.

 

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2. BUSINESS AND NAME OF COMPANY

2.1 The sole business of the Company shall be to act as an investment holding company and to acquire and manage directly or indirectly the equity controlling interest in the Operating Subsidiary and such other operating subsidiaries as the Company may establish from time to time, whose sole business purpose in each case shall be to provide business process outsourcing services to State Street and its Affiliates in accordance with the MSA (collectively, the “Business” ).

2.2 In relation to any additional operating subsidiaries established by the Company from time to time in connection with the Business, the Parties shall be bound by and comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement that relate to the Operating Subsidiary and each Shareholder undertakes to the other and with the Company that it shall exercise all its powers in relation to the Company so as to procure (insofar as it is able) and the Company undertakes to the Shareholders that it shall ensure that any such additional operating subsidiaries are operated and managed in accordance with the requirements for the operation and management of the Operating Subsidiary, as set out in this Agreement. The Parties shall take all such actions as may be reasonably necessary and may be in their respective power (including by executing Deeds of Adherence, by preparing and executing amendments to the MSA or to this Agreement, by preparing and executing new constituitive documents and services agreements or by causing similar documents to be prepared and executed) to give effect to this Section 2.2.

2.3 SSIH and Syntel DE acknowledge and agree that (i) the relationship between them is not exclusive, (ii) no duty of loyalty or obligation with respect to corporate opportunities exists between them and (iii) each Party and its Affiliates may pursue and enter into joint ventures or other business arrangements with other persons for the receipt or provision of similar or disimilar services anywhere in the world, subject to any restrictions set forth in this Agreement or the MSA.

2.4 If, at any time SSIH (or an Affliate thereof) or Syntel DE (or an Affliate thereof) ceases to own the Class A or Class B Common Shares, respectively the Shareholders and the Company shall, as soon as reasonably possible and in any event by no later than the day being thirty (30) days from such event, take all such steps as are reasonably necessary and as may be in their respective power to change the name of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary to a name that does not in any manner whatsoever include any tradename or trademark of State Street or Syntel, as the case may be, or any words similar thereto in any language. Any such name change shall also be made, as soon as reasonably possible, on all letterhead, signs, logos, literature and any other items of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary that identify the Company, the Operating Subsidiary or their respective businesses as being affiliated with State Street or its Affiliates or Syntel or its Affiliates, as the case may be.

 

3. OPERATION PLAN

3.1 The Shareholders and the Company agree that the Operation Plan of the Company shall be agreed by the Shareholders within sixty (60) days of the Effective Date and shall be subject at all times to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the MSA.

 

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3.2 During the Term, the Shareholders shall cooperate in good faith to:

 

(a) review and update the Operation Plan no less frequently than annually to cover each successive three (3)-year period in each case in accordance with the Core Principles save to the extent otherwise agreed by the Shareholders;

 

(b) submit agreed revisions and updates to the Operation Plan to the Board for approval no later than sixty (60) days prior to the last Business Day of each Financial Year; and

 

(c) procure that the Board approves revisions and updates to the Operation Plan prior to the last Business Day of the Financial Year.

3.3 If the Shareholders or the Board do not agree on any revision or update to the Operation Plan then either Shareholder may deliver to the other a Dispute Notice setting out details of the revision or update which is in dispute and such dispute shall be submitted for resolution in accordance with the Governance Process provided that for so long as any revision or update to the Operation Plan has not been agreed the Shareholders shall exercise their powers in relation to the Company and the Operating Subsidiary to ensure that the business is carried on substantially in accordance with the then current Operation Plan, subject at all times to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the MSA.

 

4. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Agreement shall come into force and effect from the Effective Date.

 

5. PROVISION OF FINANCE

 

5.1 **

 

5.2 **

 

5.3 **

 

5.4 **

 

5.5 If either Shareholder determines at any time that the Minimum Capital Requirement agreed as part of the Operation Plan has become inadequate or is reasonably likely to become inadequate or, as the case may be, has become more than necessary or desirable or is reasonably likely to become more than necessary or desirable in relation to the capital needs of the JV Group or the Business, such Shareholder may develop and submit an updated Operation Plan to the Board proposing an appropriate increase or decrease (as the case may be) in the Minimum Capital Requirement for its consideration and approval.

 

5.6 **

 

5.7 If for any reason the majority of the Board (comprising at least one Class A Director and one Class B Director) does not: (i) agree that the Minimum Capital Requirement has been or is reasonably likely to be breached or on the amount of additional capital required to cure or prevent such a breach following notice under Section 5.4, (ii) approve a proposed update to the Operation Plan under Section 5.5, or (iii) agree that the Minimum Capital Requirement has been exceeded or the amount of that excess for purposes of Section 5.6, then either Shareholder may deliver to the other a Dispute Notice and such dispute shall be submitted for resolution in accordance with the Governance Process, provided that the Minimum Capital Requirement shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit 2.

 

5.8 **

 

6. SERVICE PERSONNEL

6.1 At all times during the Term, the Company and the Operating Subsidiary will have in place a set of standards and rules (collectively, the “Standard of Conduct” ) agreed by SSIH (or State Street) and Syntel DE (or Syntel) from time to time which shall apply to any and all

 

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Service Personnel and which shall at all times meet or exceed the State Street Standard of Conduct/Code of Ethics as applicable (to the extent lawful) as amended from time to time. The Shareholders shall cause their respective Directors and their appointees to the Operating Subsidiary Board to cause each of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary to maintain in place and enforce the Standard of Conduct in compliance with the terms of this Section 6. Prior to the commencement of their employment with the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, as the case may be, each Employee shall provide a written undertaking to the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, as applicable, pursuant to which the Employee agrees (i) to perform his or her duties, responsibilities and functions to the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, as the case may be, to the best of his or her abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, professional and efficient manner, and (ii) to comply with the Company’s or the Operating Subsidiary’s policies and procedures, as applicable, including, without limitation, the Standard of Conduct. The Company shall require, and shall procure that the Operating Subsidiary requires, all Service Personnel employed by an approved Affiliate or Delegate to provide the aforementioned written undertaking prior to the conduct of any activity for or on their behalf.

 

7. THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT

 

7.1 Action by the Board

**

 

7.2 Directors

 

(a) The Board shall consist of ** Directors, ** of whom (including one Mauritian resident Director) shall be nominated and elected by the Class A Shareholder and considered “Class A Directors” and ** of whom (including one Mauritian resident Director) shall be nominated and elected by the Class B Shareholder and considered “Class B Directors”. Once nominated, the Shareholders agree to take all action necessary or desirable so as to cause the number of Directors and the members of the Board to be as set forth herein and in the Constitution. Any person nominated as a Director by a Shareholder shall be appointed and may be removed from such office only by the relevant nominating Shareholder, by a memorandum signed in writing by such Shareholder, which shall take effect from the date stated in such memorandum or, if no such date shall be stated, from the date when such memorandum is lodged at the registered office of the Company. Unless otherwise required by the Constitution, no further action shall be required by the Board to effect the removal and replacement of a Director. For the avoidance of doubt, a Director shall be removed from office without notice if he is guilty of any gross default or misconduct in connection with or affecting the Business, or is guilty of fraud, dishonesty or any criminal offence or in the event he ceases to be employed by a Shareholder (or one of their Affiliates) (excluding the Mauritian resident Directors), provided, in each case, that a replacement Director shall be promptly nominated by the Class A Shareholder or Class B Shareholder, as applicable.

 

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(b) If either Shareholder removes a Director in accordance with its rights to do so under this Agreement and the Constitution, it shall be responsible for and indemnify the other Shareholder and the Company against any and all claims by such Director for unfair or wrongful dismissal or other compensation arising out of such removal and against any losses, costs or expenses suffered or reasonably incurred as a result thereof.

 

7.3 Alternate Directors

Subject to Section 7.2, any Director appointed to the Board shall be entitled to nominate an alternate to attend and vote at Board meetings in his or her absence.

 

7.4 Chairman

**

 

7.5 Board Meetings

Board meetings shall be held at the registered office of the Company and the Board shall meet at least once in every calendar quarter, or as otherwise prescribed by law, and any gap between each meeting shall not exceed five (5) calendar months. Except as otherwise agreed by all the Directors:

 

(a) Board meetings shall be convened by any Director or the Company Secretary by not less than five (5) Business Days’ notice, or where the particular circumstances require a shorter period, such shorter period as the circumstances reasonably require, sent to each Director;

 

(b) notice shall be sent to each Director at the address, fax number and/or e-mail address notified to the Company for these purposes;

 

(c) each notice of a Board meeting shall be accompanied by a full agenda and all supporting papers;

 

(d) each Board meeting shall deal with the business set out in the agenda which accompanied the notice convening that Board meeting and, in the event any other business is raised at such meeting, it shall only be considered to the extent it is so approved by at least one Class A Director and one Class B Director (who are not also Mauritian resident Directors);

 

(e) minutes of each meeting of the Board shall be taken and kept by the Company Secretary in the books of the Company. Copies of the minutes of each such meeting shall be delivered to each member of the Board as soon as practicable. If a member has not been present at the meeting, copies of all papers considered by the Board at the meeting shall be sent to him with the minutes;

 

(f) any Director may participate in a Board meeting by means of a telephone or video conference, and the Chairman may appoint any Director who is physically present in Mauritius to chair any such meeting; provided that if the Chairman is not present at a meeting, and where a chairman of the meeting has not been appointed by the Chairman, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting; and

 

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(g) notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 7, a resolution in writing signed by all Directors (which resolution may consist of several counterparts) shall be as valid and effective as if it had been adopted by a duly convened meeting of the Board.

 

7.6 Quorum

The quorum for a Board meeting shall be one Mauritian resident Class A Director and one Mauritian resident Class B Director, or their alternates, present in Mauritius in person and one Class A Director and Class B Director (neither of whom are Mauritian resident Directors), or their alternates, present in Mauritius in person or participating by means of telephone or video conference. If within thirty (30) minutes of the time appointed for a Board meeting there is no quorum, the Director(s) present shall adjourn the meeting to such date, time and place as they may determine, provided that at such adjourned meeting the same quorum requirement shall apply.

 

7.7 Board Committees

Subject to the Constitution and Exhibit 4 hereto, the Board may function through one or more committees, comprised of Board and non-Board members, as the Board deems appropriate, provided that no meeting of any such committee shall be validly constituted unless a prior written notice of such meeting is provided to all committee members, including an appointee of each of the Class A and Class B Shareholders specified for the purpose of this Section 7.7 by the Shareholders in writing from time to time. Every such notice of a meeting shall specify the place and the day and hour of the meeting and shall contain a statement of the business to be transacted thereat.

 

7.8 Shareholders to Procure Director’s Resignation

In the event that SSIH exercises the Call Option or Put Option, as the case may be, then the Shareholder selling its Shares shall procure the resignation of the Directors appointed by it and shall procure that such Directors resign promptly and without cost to the Company.

 

7.9 Directors may pass information to their Appointer

A Director may from time to time disclose to the Shareholder who appointed him and its representatives such information regarding the Business as may be reasonably required by such Shareholder for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement provided that the receipt and use of such information shall be subject to the provisions of Section 18 hereof.

 

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7.10 Directors’ Expenses

The Class A Shareholder shall reimburse each Class A Director and the Class B Shareholder reimburse each Class B Director for all reasonable travel, hotel and other expenses incurred by that Director in attending Board and committee meetings or otherwise in representing the Company provided that the Company may, at the sole discretion of the majority of the Board (comprising at least one Class A Director and one Class B Director), reimburse any such Director for such expenses.

 

7.11 Officers

Subject to the terms of the MSA, as applicable, the senior managers and executives of the Company (which, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include the Directors) ( “Officers” ), shall be mutually agreed by the parties and shall be nominated for appointment and removal by the Class B Shareholder by notice in writing to the Company. The Officers shall be appointed and may be removed by simple majority vote of the Board.

 

7.12 Auditors

The Class A Directors shall be entitled to designate the Auditors to be appointed for the Company and the Operating Subsidiary from time to time, and the Shareholders shall cause their respective Directors and their appointees to the Operating Subsidiary Board to vote in favor of the Auditors so recommended.

 

7.13 Allocation of Profits and Losses

 

(a) The Shareholders shall procure that the Board adopts the policy set out in this Section 7.13 with respect to the allocation of profits and losses of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary during the Term.

 

(b) **

 

(c) **

 

(d) Each of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary shall adopt the Accounting Policies in relation to the calculation of profits and losses for the JV Group and in respect of the preparation and presentation of the financial statements for all members of the JV Group.

 

(e) **

 

(f) **

 

7.14 Insurance

The Shareholders shall procure that their respective Directors and their appointees to the Operating Subsidiary Board cause each of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary to maintain in place insurance meeting the policy and coverage requirements set forth in Section 5.15 the MSA with respect to both the Company and the Operating Subsidiary.

 

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7.15 Affiliated and Related Party Transactions

Subject at all times to compliance with Section 11, the Shareholders shall cause their respective Directors and their appointees to the Operating Subsidiary Board to cause each of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary to ensure that all transactions and business dealings (i) between the Company and the Operating Subsidiary, (ii) between either the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any Affiliate thereof, on the other hand, or (iii) that constitute Related-Party Transactions, are undertaken and effected at arms length terms and conditions and reflect prevailing market rates for the applicable assets or services involved.

 

7.16 Investment of Surplus Capital and Retained Earnings

In order to ensure SSIH and its Affiliates maintain compliance with Regulation K of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, the Company shall comply, and shall procure that the Operating Subsidiary complies, with the investment procedures ( “Investment Procedures” ) attached hereto as 0.

 

8. SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS

 

8.1 Notice of Shareholder Meetings

Written notice of the time and place of a meeting of Shareholders shall be sent in accordance with Section 21.1 to every Shareholder entitled to receive notice of such meetings, to the Auditors and to every Director and Company Secretary of the Company, in each case at the number or address provided for such purpose to the Company Secretary.

 

8.2 Quorum for Shareholder Meetings

The quorum for a Shareholders’ meeting of the Company shall be an authorized representative or authorized representatives together representing the Class A Shareholder and the Class B Shareholder and together holding more than fifty one percent (51%) of the Company’s share capital having a voting right. If within thirty (30) minutes of the time appointed for a Shareholders’ meeting of the Company there is no quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned to such date, time and place as the Directors may appoint; provided that at such adjourned meeting the quorum shall be an authorized representative or representatives together representing a member or members holding more than fifty one percent (51%) of the Company’s share capital having a voting right, present in person or represented by proxy(ies).

 

8.3 Chairman of Shareholder Meetings

The chairman of any Shareholders’ meeting of the Company shall be the Chairman but such chairman shall not be entitled to any voting rights (except to the extent he or she acts as a proxy). In the event the Chairman is absent from any Shareholders’ meeting, the Shareholders present at that meeting shall elect a chairman to act as such at that meeting.

 

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8.4 Resolution in Writing

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 8, a resolution in writing signed by all Shareholders (which resolution may consist of several counterparts) shall be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a duly convened Shareholders’ meeting.

 

9. INDEMNIFICATION

 

9.1 Indemnification by SSIH

SSIH shall, subject to the further provisions of this Section 9, indemnify, defend and hold Syntel DE, its Affiliates, the Company and Syntel DE’s successors and permitted assigns harmless from and against any and all Damages incurred by any of them as a result of, arising from, or in connection with, or relating to any breach by SSIH of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations contained in this Agreement except to the extent any such Damages result or arise from or are connected or relate to:

 

(a) a breach of this Agreement by Syntel DE, or the negligence, fraud, wilful or intentional default of the Company or Syntel DE or any of its Affiliates; or

 

(b) a breach by any Class B Director or any director of the Operating Subsidiary appointed by the Class B Shareholder of his or her fiduciary duties to the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the negligence, fraud, willful or intentional default of any such director.

 

9.2 Indemnification by Syntel DE

 

(a) Syntel DE shall, subject to the further provisions of this Section 9, indemnify, defend and hold SSIH, its Affiliates and and SSIH’s successors and permitted assigns (including, without limitation, the Company), harmless from and against any and all Damages incurred by any of them as a result of, arising from, or in connection with, or relating to any breach by the Company or Syntel DE of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations contained in this Agreement, except to the extent any such Damages result or arise from, or are connected or relate to:

 

  (i) a breach of this Agreement by SSIH, or the negligence, fraud, willful or intentional default of, SSIH or any of its Affiliates; or

 

  (ii) a breach by any Class A Director (excluding any Mauritius resident director) or any director of the Operating Subsidiary appointed by the Class A Shareholder of his or her fiduciary duties to the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the negligence, fraud, willful or intentional default of any such director or

 

  (iii) (excluding and without prejudice to the obligations of Syntel DE under Section 5 above or any obligations of Syntel under the MSA), any claim arising under the MSA.

 

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(b) **

 

(c) Syntel shall, subject to the further provisions of this Section 9, indemnify, defend and hold SSIH, its Affiliates and SSIH’s successors and permitted assigns (including, for avoidance of doubt, the Class A Directors and the directors of the Operating Subsidiary Board appointed by the Class A Shareholder), harmless from and against any and all Damages incurred by any of them as a result of, arising from, or in connection with, or relating to the ownership, management, operation and/or conduct of the business of the Company or the Operating Subsidiary resulting or arising from or connected or related to events, facts or circumstances occurring prior to the Call Option Closing Date (if any), including, for avoidance of doubt, any Damages incurred on or after the Call Option Closing Date to the extent that such Damages result or arise from or are connected or related to events, facts or circumstances occurring prior to the Call Option Closing Date, excluding any Damages to the exent they result or arise from or are connected or related to a breach by any Class A Director or any director of the Operating Subsidiary appointed by the Class A Shareholder of his or her fiduciary duties to the Company or the Operating Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the negligence, fraud, willful or intentional default of any such director.

 

9.3 Indemnification Procedures

 

(a) With respect to Third Party claims involving a formal civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action or proceeding, the procedures set forth in sub-sections (a) through (d) below shall apply.

 

(b) Promptly after receipt of notice of the commencement or threatened commencement of such a Third Party claim for which an indemnitee will seek indemnification pursuant to any part of this Section 9, the relevant indemnitee will notify the indemnitor of such claim in writing. No failure to so notify the indemnitor will relieve it of its obligations under this Agreement except to the extent that it can demonstrate material prejudice attributable to such failure. Within fifteen (15) days following receipt of written notice from the indemnitee relating to any claim, the indemnitor will notify the indemnitee in writing if the indemnitor elects to assume control over the defense and settlement of that claim (a “Notice of Election” ).

 

(c) If the indemnifying party delivers a Notice of Election relating to any claim within the required notice period, the indemnitor will be entitled to control in good faith the defense and settlement of such claim and will be entitled to employ counsel at its own expense to undertake the handling of the claim. Notwithstanding the indemnitor’s right to control the defense and settlement of the claim, the indemnitee shall retain the right to participate in the defense of the claim and the indemnitor shall not settle, compromise or consent to entry of any judgment relating to such claim without the express written consent of the indemnitee (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) if the terms of such settlement or compromise (i) involve any remedy other than the payment of money damages, (ii) include any admission of fault or liability or adversely affect the rights or obligations of the indemnitee or (iii) do not include a full and unconditional release of all liability in respect of such claim in favor of the indemnitee.

 

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(d) If the indemnitor does not deliver a Notice of Election relating to any claim within the required notice period, the indemnitee will have the right to defend the claim in such manner as it may deem appropriate without the participation of the indemnitor, provided that it will not settle, compromise or consent to entry of any judgment relating to such claim without the express written consent of the indemnitor, which consent will not be unreasonable withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(e) Any indemnifiable claim under this Agreement that is not a Third Party claim must be asserted by the indemnified party by delivery of written notice thereof as soon as possible and, in any event within ten (10) Business Days of becoming aware of the indemnifiable claim, to the indemnifying party. The failure by the indemnified party to notify an indemnifying party of such a claim shall not relieve the indemnifying party of any indemnification responsibility under this Section 9, except to the extent such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party with respect to such claim.

 

9.4 Right to Indemnification Not Affected by Knowledge

The right to indemnification, payment of Damages or other remedy based on the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement shall not be affected by any investigation conducted with respect to, or any knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether before or after the Effective Date, with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance or non-compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or agreement.

 

9.5 Exclusion of Consequential Damages

None of SSIH, Syntel DE or Syntel (nor any of their Affiliates) will be liable under or in connection with this Agreement for indirect, special or consequential damages, including any lost profits of the Shareholders (or any of their Affiliates), except to the extent resulting from (i) its gross negligence, fraud or willful or intentional default (ii) breach of its confidentiality or data protection obligations, or (iii) infringement of intellectual property or third party rights.

 

9.6 Dollar Cap on Liability

Except for Losses arising from a Party’s fraud, gross negligence or willful or intentional default, each Party’s (which in the case of Syntel DE, Syntel and the Company shall be deemed to refer to them collectively) total aggregate liability for Losses arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and their or their respective Affiliates’ under the MSA regardless of the form of the action or the theory of recovery (whether in contract, tort (including breach of warranty, negligence, or strict liability), indemnity or other legal or equitable theory), shall be limited to and shall not exceed:

 

(a) **

 

(b) **

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, the liability limitations in this Section 9.6 apply in the aggregate to each Party and its Affiliates liability for any and all claims brought under the MSA and the Shareholders Agreement and shall survive failure of an exclusive remedy.

 

10. INFORMATION

10.1 Subject to the provisions of Section 18 hereof, the Company shall provide to each Shareholder and the Directors and, where requested, to their representatives, copies of all financial statements, business plans, audit reports and other information which the Company receives from the Operating Subsidiary and, without prejudice to the foregoing, the Company shall keep the Shareholders fully and promptly informed of all material developments regarding the financial and business affairs and all significant events (including any material litigation or arbitration) which will or may have a material adverse effect on any Party.

10.2 The Shareholders shall use their reasonable endeavors to procure and the Company shall procure that the Operating Subsidiary produces such analyses and reports on its conditions and activities (financial, operational or otherwise) as may be requested by the Chairman from time to time.

 

1 1. RESERVED MATTERS

The Shareholders shall procure, so far as they are legally able, that no action or decision is taken (whether by the Company, the Operating Subsidiary, the Directors of those entities, the Operating Committee or any other member of the JV Group), as the case applies, in respect of the matters specified:

 

(a) in item 1 of Exhibit 4, being the Reserved Shareholder Matters, unless:

 

  (i) in the case of a matter relating to the Company, it is approved by both the Class A Shareholder and the Class B Shareholder; and

 

  (ii) in the case of a matter relating to the Operating Subsidiary, it is approved by the Company acting by a majority of the Board (and provided that the Directors approving the relevant matter comprise at least one Class A Director and at least One Class B Director);

 

(b) in item 2 of Exhibit 4, being the Reserved Board Matters, unless:

 

  (i) in the case of a matter relating to the Company, it is approved by a majority of the Directors and provided that the Directors approving the relevant matter comprise a majority of the Class A Directors and a majority of the Class B Directors;

 

  (ii) in the case of a matter relating to the Operating Subsidiary, it is approved by a majority of the directors of the Operating Subsidiary, and provided that the directors approving the relevant matter comprise a majority of Class A Shareholder appointees and a majority of Class B Shareholder appointees.

 

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12. TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

12.1 Restrictions on Transfer

 

(a) No Shareholder shall assign, transfer, exchange, Encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares held by it or any interest in them except:

 

  (i) with the prior written consent of both the Class A Shareholder and the Class B Shareholder; or

 

  (ii) in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.2.

 

(b) The Company shall not assign, transfer, exchange, Encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the shares held by it in the Operating Subsidiary or any interest in them except with the prior written consent of the Class A Shareholder and the Class B Shareholder. The Shareholders shall procure compliance by the Company with this Section 12.1(b).

 

12.2 Permitted Transfers

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.1, a Shareholder may transfer all or part of its Shares to any of its wholly-owned direct or indirect Affiliates (a “Permitted Transferee” ) provided that:

 

(a) the transferring Shareholder shall remain jointly and severally liable for any and all of the transferring Shareholder’s and the Permitted Transferee’s obligations under this Agreement and any Shareholder Support arrangements entered into by the Permitted Transferee in connection with this Agreement;

 

(b) the Permitted Transferee shall immediately transfer all of its Shares to the transferor Shareholder or to another Permitted Transferee of the transferor Shareholder immediately upon the Permitted Transferee ceasing to be an Affiliate of the transferor Shareholder; and

 

(c) the Permitted Transferee shall enter into a Deed of Adherence substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 under which it agrees to become Party to and to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. Thereafter any reference to a Party or Shareholder herein shall be deemed to include a reference to such transferee as if named herein as a Party.

 

12.3 Directors’ Right to Verify Transfers

The Shareholders shall procure that their respective appointees to the Board shall refuse to register a transfer of Shares until they are supplied with evidence sufficient to verify that such transfer is to a Permitted Transferee and that the other conditions set forth in Section 12.2 have been satisfied in full.

 

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12.4 General Consent under the Constitution

Each of the Parties expressly understands and agrees to give effect to each transfer made in accordance with this Section 12 and agrees to cause the Board to register each such transfer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

13. SSIH’S RIGHT TO PUT

13.1 During the Term SSIH shall have the right to give a notice ( “Put Notice” ) to Syntel DE at any time after the date on which State Street or an Affiliate of State Street becomes entitled to terminate the MSA, requiring Syntel DE to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares of the Company owned by SSIH or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees at that time free and clear of all Encumbrances (the “Put Option” ).

13.2 The price payable by Syntel DE for the Shares of the Company which are the subject of the Put Option (the “Put Option Shares” ) shall be an amount equal to ** (the “Put Option Price” ).

13.3 Within thirty (30) days of a Put Notice being given (the “Put Option Period” ), Syntel DE shall be obligated to purchase, and SSIH or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees shall be obligated to sell, free and clear of all Encumbrances, the Put Option Shares as specified in the Put Notice at the Put Option Price of such Shares (together with any stamp duty payable under the then applicable laws and any transfer fees payable under the constitutive documents for the Company which shall be paid by Syntel DE on or before completion of the transfer).

13.4 In the event that SSIH exercises the Put Option, Syntel DE shall also be obligated to and shall at the same time purchase, at a price not exceeding ** (together with any stamp duty payable under the then applicable laws and any transfer fees payable under the articles of association of the Operating Subsidiary which shall be paid by Syntel DE on or before completion of the transfer), all, but not less than all, of the nominee shares of the Operating Subsidiary held by SSIH or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees at that time.

13.5 The purchase and sale of the Put Option Shares (and any nominee shares of the Operating Subsidiary) shall be completed within the Put Option Period, subject to receipt of applicable governmental, regulatory or corporate approvals and/or filings that may be required under applicable laws.

 

14. SSIH’S RIGHT TO CALL

14.1 In accordance with the terms of this Section 14, SSIH shall have the right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares of the Company owned by Syntel DE or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees, free and clear of all Encumbrances, at the relevant Call Option Price (the “Call Option” ).

 

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14.2 Notwithstanding Section 12.1, SSIH shall have the right to issue a notice ( “Call Notice” ) to Syntel DE exercising the Call Option:

 

(a) for a period of thirty (30) days commencing on the first Business Day of the ninety (90)-day period immediately preceding the expiration of the Initial Term (as defined in the MSA) or, if extended pursuant to Section 16.2 of the MSA, the Renewal Term (as defined in the MSA);

 

(b) upon notice to Syntel DE in writing, at any time after the date on which State Street (or an Affiliate of State Street) becomes entitled to terminate the MSA (other than pursuant to Section 16.3), except that if the termination event is under Sections 16.4.1, 16.4.2 or 16.4.3 thereof, the cure periods provided thereunder shall be extended for an additional ten (10) Business Days solely for the purpose of determining when the Call Option may be exercised by SSIH under this Section (b);

 

(c) upon the occurrence of a Material Event;

 

(d) in the event that cumulative Losses (as defined in the MSA) suffered by State Street (and its Affiliates) under the MSA exceed twenty five million US dollars (USD$25,000,000) at any time during the MSA Term following the MSA Effective Date; and/or

 

(e) upon notice to Syntel DE in writing, at any time after the date on which Syntel or any of its Affiliates:

 

  (i) commits a material breach of any of its confidentiality obligations owed to State Street, SSIH or any of their Affiliates under this Agreement or the MSA; or

 

  (ii) materially infringes the intellectual property rights of State Street, SSIH or their Affiliates under the MSA or either of the Trademark Licenses.

14.3 **

14.4 Subject to section 14.6, within sixty (60) days of the Call Notice being given (the “Call Option Period” ), Syntel DE shall sell (or cause to be sold) and SSIH or any of its Affiliates shall purchase all of the Shares of the Company beneficially owned by Syntel DE or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees at such time, free and clear of all Encumbrances, at the Call Option Price (together with any stamp duty payable under the then applicable laws and any transfer fees payable under the constitutive documents for the Company which shall be paid by SSIH on or before completion of the transfer).

14.5 In the event that SSIH exercises the Call Option, SSIH shall also have the right to purchase and Syntel DE shall be obligated to and shall at the same time sell, at a price not exceeding ** (together with any stamp duty payable under the then applicable laws and any transfer fees payable under the articles of association of the Operating Subsidiary which shall be paid by SSIH on or before completion of the transfer) (the “Operating Subsidiary Price” ), all, but not less than all, of the nominee shares of the Operating Subsidiary held by Syntel DE or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees at that time, if any, free and clear of all Encumbrances.

 

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14.6 In the event that SSIH exercises the Call Option, the Company shall also be obligated to and shall, prior to the Call Option Closing Date, redeem any and all Preferred Shares which may be outstanding.

14.7 Payment of the Call Option Price shall, if applicable, be subject to the hold back and claw back provisions described in more detail in Sections 14.10 and 14.11 below. The transaction of purchase and sale shall be completed prior to the expiry of the Call Option Period, subject to the receipt of any applicable governmental, regulatory or corporate approvals and/or filings that may be required under applicable laws (the “Call Option Closing Date” ).

14.8 As soon as reasonably practicable after issuance of the Call Notice and in no event later than ten (10) Business Days thereafter, SSIH and Syntel DE shall agree on ** for purposes of calculating the Call Option Price. **

14.9 **

14.10 In the event of any dispute between the SSIH and Syntel DE regarding the amount of the Call Option Price, the relevant Amount in Dispute shall be withheld by SSIH and Syntel DE and SSIH shall complete the purchase and sale of the Shares and nominee shares as contemplated and within the timeframe required by Section 14.4, notwithstanding such dispute, provided that SSIH pays the undisputed portion of the Call Option Price and the Operating Subsidiary Price (if applicable) to Syntel DE. SSIH and Syntel DE shall seek to resolve any such dispute in accordance with Section 21.13 hereof. Within five (5) Business Days following the resolution of any such dispute (whether by mutual agreement, binding arbitral decision or judicial order), SSIH shall pay to Syntel DE that portion of the Amount in Dispute which has been determined to be included in the Call Option Price.

14.11 SSIH shall be entitled to clawback from the Call Option Price the amount equal to ** (the “Claw Back” ). **

14.12 **

14.13 Notwithstanding any term or provision of this Agreement which purports to restrict the transfer or assignment of rights and obligations hereunder, SSIH shall have the right to assign its rights and obligations under this Section 14 to an Affiliate without notice to or the approval or consent of Syntel DE, the Company or the Board.

 

15. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

15.1 The Company shall be liquidated in accordance with Section 15.2 at any time upon the unanimous consent of the Shareholders.

15.2 In the event of any winding-up and liquidation of the Company during the Term pursuant to this Section 15, the Shareholders shall take all such action as may be necessary to terminate this Agreement and, subject to the provisions of this Section 15, the Company shall be dissolved, wound up and liquidated in accordance with applicable law. In any dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Company, any tangible or intangible properties or assets of the Company

 

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which may be distributable under applicable law shall, upon such dissolution, winding-up and liquidation of the Company, be divided and distributed among the Shareholders in proportion to their respective share ownership in the Company and in accordance with clause 7.13(c) at the time of such distribution; provided, however, that the rights to all Employees of the Company and the assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Class B Shareholder. Upon any such dissolution, winding-up and liquidation, the Shareholders shall cause the Auditors engaged by the Company (whose determination shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Shareholders) to prepare and deliver to the Shareholders a final accounting statement as soon as reasonably practicable after all of the activities of the Company have been concluded, all monies payable to the Company have been received and all expenses and obligations of the Company have been paid, satisfied or otherwise provided for, and upon delivery of such accounting statement, this Agreement shall forthwith terminate and be of no further force and effect (except to the extent of any liability or obligation of a Shareholder which accrued prior to any such termination or any provisions herein which are expressly provided to survive any termination hereof). Any costs, fees and other expenses of any kind (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) relating to the dissolution and liquidation of the Company during the Term shall be borne by the Class B Shareholder.

 

16. REPRESENTATIONS

 

16.1 Representations by Syntel DE

Syntel DE represents to SSIH and to the Company as follows:

 

(a) it is a limited liability company organized and validly existing under the laws of State of Delaware, USA;

 

(b) the signature, execution and performance of this Agreement and all ancillary documents by it have been duly authorized and are within its corporate power, constitute binding obligations in accordance with their terms and will not give rise to any breach of any instrument, agreement, law, order, judgment or decree by which it is bound; and

 

(c) all consents, licenses or approvals required by law or regulation in order for it to enter into and perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement have been obtained without conditions or limitations which would limit its performance of this Agreement.

 

16.2 Representations by Syntel

Syntel represents to SSIH and to the Company as follows:

 

(a) it is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of State of Michigan, USA;

 

(b) the signature, execution and performance of this Agreement and all ancillary documents by it have been duly authorized and are within its corporate power, constitute binding obligations in accordance with their terms and will not give rise to any breach of any instrument, agreement, law, order, judgment or decree by which it is bound; and

 

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(c) all consents, licenses or approvals required by law or regulation in order for it to enter into and perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement have been obtained without conditions or limitations which would limit its performance of this Agreement.

 

16.3 Representations by SSIH

SSIH represents to Syntel, Syntel DE and to the Company as follows:

 

(a) SSIH is a company organized and validly existing under the authority of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America;

 

(b) the signature, execution and performance of this Agreement and all ancillary documents by SSIH have been duly authorized and are within the corporate power of SSIH, constitute binding obligations on SSIH in accordance with their terms and will not give rise to any breach of any instrument, agreement, law, order, judgment or decree by which SSIH is bound; and

 

(c) all consents, licenses or approvals required by law or regulation in order for SSIH to enter into and perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement have been obtained without conditions or limitations which would limit SSIH’s performance of this Agreement.

 

17. OPERATING SUBSIDIARY

 

17.1 Nominee Shareholders

In respect of any shareholders of the Operating Subsidiary other than the Company (each an “Nominee Shareholder”, and collectively, the “Nominee Shareholders” ), each of the Class A Shareholder and the Class B Shareholder shall, and shall cause the Company to ensure that:

 

(a) each Nominee Shareholder is and always shall be during the Term either the Class A Shareholder or an appointee of or a nominee approved by the Class A Shareholder and Class B Shareholder;

 

(b) each Nominee Shareholder undertakes in writing to the Shareholders, the Company and the Operating Subsidiary that:

 

  (i) it shall not assign, transfer, exchange, Encumber or otherwise dispose of any share held by such Nominee Shareholder in the Operating Subsidiary (or any interest in therein) without the prior written consent of the Class A Shareholder; and

 

  (ii) it shall vote any shares held by it in the Operating Subsidiary as directed by the Company;

and

 

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(c) each Nominee Shareholder is and always shall be during the Term a corporation or other entity formed outside of India.

Any purported action taken by a Nominee Shareholder in contravention of the terms of this Section 17.1 shall be deemed to be null and void and shall not be recognized by the Shareholders, the Company or the Operating Subsidiary.

 

17.2 General Meetings

The Company shall as soon as practicable after the Company receives notice of any general meeting of shareholders of the Operating Subsidiary, convene a Board meeting in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.5(a) and pass to the Shareholders copies of such notice and any written materials relating to such general meeting. Subject to the provisions of Exhibit 4, the Board shall resolve how the shares in the Operating Subsidiary held directly or indirectly by the Company (and any Nominee Shareholders) shall be voted at the relevant general meeting.

 

17.3 Representative for General Meetings of the Operating Subsidiary

At any general meeting of the shareholders of the Operating Subsidiary, the authorized representative of the Company (and any Nominee Shareholders) who shall be duly appointed by the Board to represent the Company (and any Nominee Shareholders) at any such meeting shall always be an appointee of the Class A Shareholder.

 

17.4 Operating Subsidiary Board

 

(a) The Operating Subsidiary Board shall initially consist of ** directors (or such number as said board may unanimously determine from time to time, provided, however that the number of directors of the Operating Subsidiary Board shall in no event be less than ** nor more than **

 

(b) Subject to Section 11 and unless prohibited by law or the constitutive documents of the Operating Subsidiary, the Operating Subsidiary Board shall act by simple majority vote

 

(c) **

 

(d) Each of the Class A Shareholder and the Class B Shareholder agree to cause the Company and the Company shall vote the shares of the Operating Subsidiary held by it to elect and appoint as directors on the Operating Subsidiary Board, the nominees of the Class A Shareholder and the nominees of the Class B Shareholder in the proportion set forth in sub-Sections (a) and (c) of this Section 17.4.

 

17.5 Chairman

**

 

17.6 Conduct of Operating Subsidiary Board

 

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The provisions of Sections 7.2(b), 7.3 and 7.5 through 7.10 above shall apply to the conduct of the affairs of the Operating Subsidiary Board as if the provisions set forth therein were set forth herein mutatis mutandi .

 

17.7 Transfer of any shares of the Operating Subsidiary

The Company shall not assign, transfer, exchange, Encumber or otherwise dispose of any share of the Operating Subsidiary held by it without the prior written consent of each of the Class A Shareholder and the Class B Shareholder. A purported action taken by the Company in contravention of the terms of this Section 17.6 shall be deemed to be null and void and shall not be recognized by the Shareholders or the Board.

 

17.8 Operating Committee

 

(a) Subject to all rights and powers which the Operating Subsidiary is required to retain under Indian law and to the terms of this Agreement and the MSA, the Shareholders and the Company shall procure that the Operating Subsidiary Board shall establish an Operating Committee which shall:

 

  (i) have delegated to it responsibility for the day-to-day operations and service delivery of the Operating Subsidiary under the MSA;

 

  (ii) have delegated to it responsibility for determining what (if any) action that the Operating Subsidiary shall take in relation to the enforcement of its rights under the MSA (including but not limited to any permitted legal remedies); and

 

  (iii) report monthly to the Operating Subsidiary Board on its activities.

 

(b) **

 

(c) The quorum for transacting business at any meeting of the Operating Committee (including an adjourned meeting) shall such number as the Operating Committee agrees at its first meeting, present when the relevant business is transacted. Subject to Section 11 and unless prohibited by law or the constitutive documents for the Operating Subsidiary, the Operating Committee shall act by simple majority vote.

 

18. CONFIDENTIALITY

For all purposes relating to this Agreement and the matters contemplated hereby, SSIH shall comply with the obligations of State Street and Syntel DE and Syntel shall comply with the obligations of Syntel, respectively, under Section 18 of the MSA, as if the obligations set forth therein were set forth in this Agreement, mutatis mutandi .

 

19. COSTS

Each Party shall bear the legal costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the preparation, negotiation and implementation of this Agreement.

 

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20. DURATION; TERMINATION

20.1 This Agreement shall continue in force and effect from the Effective Date until the earlier of:

 

(a) the date that all of the Shares of the Company and all of the nominee shares of the Operating Subsidiary beneficially owned by a Shareholder (or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees) are transferred to the other Shareholder (or its Affiliates or their designees or nominees) in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; or

 

(b) dissolution or liquidation of the Company in accordance with Section 15.

20.2 Subject to Section 12.2, the rights and obligations of each Shareholder shall continue and be enforceable by or against it only while it is a Shareholder of the Company save for:

 

(a) rights and obligations in respect of Sections 7.14 (Insurance), 9 (Indemnification), 14 (Call Option), 18 (Confidentiality), 20 (Duration; Termination), 21.1 (Notices), 21.2 (No Third Party Beneficiaries), 21.4 (No Partnership or Agency), 21.6 (Further Assurance), 21.7 (Amendments and Waivers), 21.8 (Remedies Cumulative), 21.9 (Reproduction of Documents), 21.11 (Severability), 21.12 (Construction), 21.13 (Dispute Resolution), 21.14 (Governing Law), 21.15 (Arbitration), 21.16 (Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process), 21.17 (Specific Performance), 21.18 (Entire Agreement) and 21.19 (Counterparts) which shall continue to have effect notwithstanding a Party ceasing to be a Shareholder or termination of this Agreement; and

 

(b) with respect to any liability which at the time a Party ceases to be a Shareholder or at the time of termination of this Agreement has already accrued or any liability for Damages suffered or incurred by a Party after such time to the extent arising or resulting from or related or connected to any event, act and omission occurring prior to such time.

20.3 Notwithstanding Section 20.2 above, the provisions herein regarding reproduction of documents, infringement, indemnification, liability and limits thereon will survive the termination of this Agreement to the extent relating to any claim or right of action arising in connection with the performance of this Agreement and the Parties will enter into such documents as will be reasonably necessary to ensure the survival of the same.

 

20.4 Termination of this Agreement shall not:

 

(a) relieve any Party from any liability or obligation for any matter, undertaking or condition which has not been done, observed or performed by that Party before termination; or

 

(b) affect the terms of any agreement replacing this Agreement entered into by SSIH and Syntel DE, or any successor of either of them holding Shares.

21. MISCELLANEOUS

21.1 Notices

 

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All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement (other than routine operational communications), will be in writing and will be deemed duly given (i) when delivered by hand, (ii) on the next business day after being sent by overnight courier service for next business day delivery, (iii) on the third business day after being sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable Party at the address specified below (or such other address as a Party may specify by written notice in accordance with this Section 21.1 from time to time), (iv) when transmitted by facsimile (subject to acknowledgement or confirmation of receipt by the addressee) and (v) when transmitted via e-mail (subject to acknowledgement or confirmation of receipt by the addressee):

If to SSIH:

**

with a copy to:

**

If to Syntel, Syntel DE or the Company:

**

 

21.2 No Third Party Beneficiaries

No Customer or other Third Party will constitute, or will be entitled to claim any rights as, a third party beneficiary of this Agreement or have any rights under any applicable law to enforce any of its terms.

 

21.3 Shareholders’ Procurement Obligation

Each of the Shareholders agrees it shall exercise its rights hereunder and as a Shareholder in the Company in such manner as could reasonably be expected to prevent, and shall not exercise those rights in any manner which could reasonably be expected to result in, a breach by the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any restrictions imposed upon it under its Constitution (whether or not enforceable against the Company itself).

 

21.4 No Partnership or Agency

Nothing in this Agreement will be construed as creating a partnership between Syntel DE and SSIH or as constituting any Party the agent of another Party or such Party’s Affiliates for any purpose whatsoever and no Party will have the authority or power to bind another Party such Party’s Affiliates or to contract in the name of or create a liability against another Party such Party’s Affiliates in any way or for any purpose.

 

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21.5 Publicity

Except in connection with the release of the Press Release, none of Syntel DE, Syntel, the Company or their Affiliates shall use the name “State Street” or the name of any affiliated entity (in any form) in any marketing or advertising materials without SSIH’s prior written approval, which approval may be withheld by SSIH for any reason, unless such use or disclosure is required by law or regulation (including but not limited to the regulations of the Indian Stock Exchange). To the extent that it is lawfully entitled to do so, Syntel shall provide SSIH with prior written notice and a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any use or disclosure of the name “State Street” or the name of any affiliated entity in any required legal or regulatory filing other than any such required legal or regulatory filing which merely names State Street as a material client. SSIH or any of its Affiliates may disclose to customers or potential customers that they are contracting with Syntel DE, Syntel, the Company or their Affiliates, but may not otherwise use the name of Syntel DE, Syntel, the Company or their Affiliates in any general marketing or advertising materials without Syntel DE’s prior written approval, which approval may be withheld by Syntel DE for any reason, unless such use or disclosure is required by law or regulation.

 

21.6 Further Assurance

Each Party to this Agreement will do and execute or procure to be done and executed all necessary acts, deeds, documents and things reasonably in its power to give effect to this Agreement.

 

21.7 Amendments and Waivers

The failure of a Party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion or the failure of a Party to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any right implied by law) will not constitute a waiver of any such term, right or remedy or a waiver of any other rights or remedies and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement will prevent any further exercise of the right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be valid and binding unless it is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by all Parties, or in the case of a waiver, by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No waiver by any Party of any breach or violation or, default under this Agreement or inaccuracy in any representation, warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, will be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent breach, violation, default of this Agreement, or inaccuracy in, any such representation, warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. No delay or omission on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof.

 

21.8 Remedies are Cumulative

Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and remedies contained in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided hereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise.

 

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21.9 Reproduction of Documents

This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The Parties hereto each agree that any such reproduction will be admissible in evidence as the original itself (subject to any challenge on the grounds that the reproduction has been altered so that it differs materially from the original document), in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a Party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction will likewise be admissible in evidence.

 

21.10   Assignability

Subject to the immediately following sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, each of which such successors and permitted assigns will be deemed to be a Party hereto for all purposes hereof. Except as results from a transfer of Shares as permitted under this Agreement, no Party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior consent in writing of the other Parties, except that SSIH may assign and delegate this Agreement to an Affiliate or to a successor to all or substantially all of its business (whether by means of assets acquisition, merger, reorganization or similar corporate transaction) without the consent of the other Party(ies). Any purported assignment, delegation or other transfer in contravention of this Section 21.10 will be null and void.

 

21.11   Severability

Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction will not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. In the event that any provision hereof would, under applicable law, be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, each Party hereto intends that such provision will be construed by modifying or limiting it so as to be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with, and possible under, applicable law.

 

21.12   Construction

The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Parties intend that each representation, warranty and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any Party has breached or violated, or if there is an inaccuracy in, any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the Party has not breached or violated, or in respect of which there is not an inaccuracy, will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the Party has breached or violated, or there is an inaccuracy in, the first representation, warranty or covenant.

 

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21.13 Dispute Resolution

All disputes, controversies or claims arising in connection with this Agreement shall be handled in accordance with the Governance Process.

 

21.14 Governing Law

This Agreement, the rights of the Parties and all claims arising under or in connection herewith, will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States of America, without regard to any choice or conflict of law principles that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

21.15 Arbitration

All disputes, controversies or claims arising in connection with this Agreement that are not resolved through the Governance Process (or any escalation procedure agreed pursuant thereto) shall be settled under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association ( “AAA” ) by an arbitration panel composed of three arbitrators appointed in accordance with said rules. Syntel DE and SSIH shall nominate one arbitrator and the two shall agree on a third arbitrator to chair the panel. Failing the nomination of the three arbitrators within twenty (20) days, the three arbitrators shall be appointed by the AAA. The place of arbitration shall be Boston, Massachusetts. For purposes of entering judgment on the award, the Parties will consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of Massachusetts or any court which has jurisdiction over the Parties or their assets. If any dispute arises under this Agreement, the Subscription Agreement, the MSA or the Escrow Agreement such dispute shall be resolved in a consolidated proceeding by a single arbitration panel appointed as provided above. Nothing contained in this Section 21.15 shall prevent either Party from (i) seeking interim measures of protection in the form of pre-award attachment of assets, (ii) from seeking injunctive relief from courts of competent jurisdiction or (iii) from commencing an action for arbitration regardless of the applicability of the Governance Process or other dispute resolution process adopted; provided that reasonable prior notice of the action is given to the extent practicable.

 

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21.16 Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process

 

(a) Jurisdiction

Each Party by its execution hereof, (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the United States District Court located in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purpose of any permitted Action between the Parties arising in whole or in part under or in connection with this Agreement, (b) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such Action brought in one of the above-named courts should be dismissed on grounds of forum non conveniens, should be transferred or removed to any court other than one of the above-named courts, or should be stayed by reason of the pendency of some other proceeding in any other court other than one of the above-named courts, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (c) hereby agrees not to commence any such Action other than before one of the above-named courts. Notwithstanding the previous sentence a Party may commence any Action in a court other than the above-named courts solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by one of the above-named courts.

 

(b) Venue

Each Party agrees that for any permitted Action between the Parties arising in whole or in part under or in connection with this Agreement, such Party may bring such Actions only in the City of Boston, Massachusetts. Each Party further waives any claim and will not assert that venue should properly lie in any other location within the selected jurisdiction.

 

(c) Service of Process

Each Party hereby (a) consents to service of process in any permitted Action between the Parties arising in whole or in part under or in connection with this Agreement in any manner permitted by Massachusetts law, (b) agrees that service of process made in accordance with clause (a) or made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 21.1, will constitute good and valid service of process in any such Action and (c) waives and agrees not to assert (by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise) in any such Action any claim that service of process made in accordance with clause (a) or (b) does not constitute good and valid service of process.

 

21.17 Specific Performance

Each party acknowledges and agrees that each other party may be damaged irreparably in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise are breached or violated. Accordingly, each party agrees that, without posting bond or other undertaking, each other party will be entitled to seek an injunction or

 

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injunctions to prevent breaches or violations of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof having jurisdiction over any such party and the matter in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity. Each party further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach or violation, it will not assert as a defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

21.18 Entire Agreement

 

(a) This Agreement, together with any documents, instruments and certificates explicitly referred to herein (including the MSA, the Share Subscription Agreement, the Deed of Adherence and the Escrow Agreement), constitute the entire agreement among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior discussions, negotiations, proposals, undertakings, understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, with respect thereto.

 

(b) Each Party acknowledges that:

 

  (i) in entering into this Agreement, it does not rely on, and shall have no remedy in respect of, any representation (whether negligent or otherwise), warranty or undertaking made to it by any person (whether a Party to this Agreement or not) which is not expressly set out or referred to in this Agreement; and

 

  (ii) it has received independent legal advice relating to all the matters provided for in this Agreement, including the provisions of this Section 21.18, and agrees, having considered the terms of this Section 21.18 and the Agreement as a whole, that the provisions of this Section are fair and reasonable.

 

(c) The Parties intend that the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail over the Constitution in the event of conflict and, accordingly, the Shareholders shall, if necessary, exercise all voting and other rights and powers available to them as Shareholders or under this Agreement, and shall cause their appointees on the Board, to procure any amendment to the Constitution and the constituting documents of the Operating Subsidiary required to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

21.19 Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, any of which may be delivered by facsimile transmission, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when duly executed by each Party hereto.

 

21.20 Continuous Effect

This amendment and restatement of the Amended Shareholders Agreement shall not be construed to terminate, modify or otherwise limit any accrued rights, obligations or entitlements of the Parties under the Amended Shareholders Agreement or any terms and conditions thereof

 

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unless expressly provided by the terms of this Agreement and except as so provided or to the extent this Agreement adds new rights, obligations or entitlements or new terms and conditions (which, in each case, shall be effective in accordance with their terms), all rights, obligations or entitlements of the Parties under this Agreement and all terms and conditions hereof shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on a continuous basis since February 1, 2005.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement under seal effective as of the date first written above.

 

STATE STREET INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS
By:                                                                          
Name:
Title:
SYNTEL DELAWARE, LLC
By:                                                                          
Name:  
Title:  
SYNTEL, INC.
By:                                                                          
Name:  
Title:  
STATE STREET SYNTEL SERVICES (MAURITIUS) LIMITED
By:                                                                          
Name:  
Title:  

 

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Execution Version

EXHIBIT 1

DEED OF ADHERENCE

This Deed of Adherence (this “Deed” ) is dated [ ], and made by and among:

[ ] [ insert name of transferee ] (the “New Shareholder” ) a company incorporated in [ ] with registered number [ ] and having its registered office at [ ] ;

STATE STREET INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS , a company organized under the authority of Chapter 167F, Section 2(6) of the Massachusetts General Laws and Section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and with its principal office at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA ( SSIH );

SYNTEL DELAWARE, LLC , a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, and having its registered office at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, USA ( “Syntel DE” );

SYNTEL, INC. , a Michigan corporation with its principal office located at 525 E. Big Beaver Road, 3 rd Floor, Troy, MI 48083, USA ( “Syntel” ); and

STATE STREET SYNTEL SERVICES (MAURITIUS) LIMITED (formerly Syntel Solutions (Mauritius) Limited) , a company incorporated in Mauritius, and having its registered office at Rogers House, 5 President John Kennedy Street, P.O. Box 60, Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius (the “Company” ).

[ ] [ Any other person becoming bound by the Agreement ] .

WHEREAS this Deed is entered into in compliance with the terms of Section 12.2(c) of the Agreement; and

WHEREAS by virtue of the transfer referred to in the Exhibit to this Deed the New Shareholder became entitled subject, inter alia, to the execution of this Deed, to the Shares in the capital of the Company referred to in the Schedule.

NOW THIS DEED WITNESSETH as follows:

1. In this Deed (including the recitals to this Deed):

 

(a) the Agreement means the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated as of February 1, 2012 and made by and among SSIH, Syntel, Syntel DE and the Company ( Shareholders Agreement ); and

 

(b) terms and expression defined in the Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this Deed unless the context requires or admits otherwise.

2. The New Shareholder hereby covenants with and undertakes to each other party to this Deed and to the Company as trustee for all other parties who hereafter become bound by the

 

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Agreement pursuant to a deed in a similar form to this Deed and entered into pursuant to the Agreement, to adhere to and be bound by the provisions of the Agreement as if the New Shareholder had been an original party to the Agreement.

3. The New Shareholder represents and warrants to the other parties to this Deed and to the Company as trustee for all other parties who hereafter become bound by the Agreement pursuant to a deed in a similar form to this Deed and entered into pursuant to the Agreement the following:

 

(a) the New Shareholder is duly incorporated as a company in [ ].

 

(b) the signature, execution and performance of this Deed and all ancillary documents by the New Shareholder have been duly authorized and are within the corporate power of the New Shareholder, constitute binding obligations on the New Shareholder in accordance with their terms and will not give rise to any breach of any instrument, agreement, law, order, judgment or decree by which the New Shareholder is bound; and

 

(c) all consents, licenses or approvals required by law or regulation in order for the New Shareholder to enter into and perform its obligations pursuant to this Deed have been obtained without conditions or limitations which would limit the New Shareholder’s performance of this Deed.

4. The address and facsimile number of the New Shareholder for the purposes of any notice (which shall be governed by the provisions of Section 21.14 of the Agreement) are as follows:

 

 

[New Shareholder]

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
  Fax No.:  

 

 
  Attention:  

 

 

5. The New Shareholder hereby covenants that it shall do nothing that derogates from the provisions of the Agreement.

6. This Deed may be entered into in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of counterparts may be by facsimile or email transmission. Any party may enter into this Deed by signing any such counterpart but the Deed shall not be effective until each party has executed at least one counterpart.

7. The provisions of this Deed shall not have any effect until this document has been dated.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Deed under seal effective as of the date first written above.

STATE STREET INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

By:  

 

Name:
Title:
SYNTEL DELAWARE, LLC
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
SYNTEL, INC.
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

STATE STREET SYNTEL SERVICES (MAURITIUS) LIMITED

By:  

 

Name:
Title:
[NEW SHAREHOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

 

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Exhibit

 

Transferor   Transferee   Shares   Price
[ ]   [ ]   [ ]   [ ]

 

-41-


Execution Version

EXHIBIT 2

MINIMUM CAPITAL REQUIREMENT

Minimum Capital Requirement = **

The Minimum Capital Requirement will be calculated on a monthly basis and reported no less frequently than quarterly to the Board. On an annual and quarterly basis, the Company will prepare and provide to the Board a Minimum Capital Requirement forecast for the upcoming year and quarter, as the case may be, and an analysis of the actual Minimum Capital Requirement for the preceding period against the relevant forecast for such period.

 

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EXHIBIT 3

CORE PRINCIPLES

Subject to compliance in each case with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the MSA, the Shareholders have agreed that the business of the JV Group should be conducted in accordance with the Core Principles set out below.

 

1. It is the intention of the Shareholders that the JV Group shall provide the Services to State Street and its Affiliates and conduct the business of the JV Group in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Support Agreement, this Agreement and the MSA.

 

2. No member of the JV Group shall take any action or omit to take any action which is intended or would have the effect of frustrating the intended operation of the Put Option or the Call Option.

 

3. The Operating Committee shall have the flexibility to manage the day-to-day conduct of the business of the Operating Subsidiary as it determines in its reasonable discretion including but not limited to the items listed in paragraph 4.

 

4. Subject to the requirements and restrictions of the MSA and this Agreement (including the Reserved Matters) and to any consent or approval rights of the Class A Shareholder or its Affiliates thereunder, the Operating Committee shall have discretion to determine:

 

  4.1 Which individuals to engage as employees of the JV Group and their terms and conditions of employment.

 

  4.2 Which premises shall be used by the JV Group and the terms of conditions of any lease or license entered in to by any member of the JV Group in connection with such premises.

 

  4.3 Which shared services (including but not limited to HR, IT, Tax and Accounting services) the JV Group may procure from Syntel or any of its Affiliates from time to time and the terms and conditions of such use.

 

  4.4 Which delivery support services the JV Group may procure from Syntel, any of its Affiliates and/or subcontractors (as the case may be) from time to time and the terms and conditions of such use.

 

  4.5 The level of management support fees which may be payable from time to time by any member of the JV Group to Syntel and/or any of its Affiliates (provided that such management support fees shall in any event cease on the Call Option Closing Date).

 

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EXHIBIT 4

RESERVED MATTERS

 

1. R ESERVED S HAREHOLDER MATTERS

Unless the Agreement or the law expressly provides otherwise, the following are Reserved Shareholder Matters in respect of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary (each a “company” as the case applies below):

 

(a) any amendment to the constitutive documents of the company;

 

(b) any increase or decrease in the number of directors that shall constitute the board of the company;

 

(c) any material change in the nature of the business of the company;

 

(d) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the company or any reorganization, consolidation or merger (or similar transaction or series of transactions) of the company with another entity;

 

(e) any voluntary insolvency or bankruptcy filing or arrangement with creditors or any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company;

 

(f) the authorization, creation or issuance of any stock of the company (other than the issuance of the originally authorized class of preferred shares in the Company to the extent necessary to enable Syntel DE to comply with its obligation under Section 5 to maintain the Minimum Capital Requirement, which issuance shall require approval of a simple majority of the Board of the Company);

 

(g) the authorization, creation or issuance of any options, warrants or other derivative rights in relation to any stock of the company;

 

(h) any consolidation, subdivision or other alteration of any rights relating or attaching to any stock of the company;

 

(i) repurchase or redemption of any stock of the company; and

 

(j) any amendment to this Agreement (including provisions thereof addressing the governance and administration of the company).

 

2. R ESERVED B OARD MATTERS

Unless the Agreement or the law expressly provides otherwise, the following are Reserved Board Matters in respect of the Company and the Operating Subsidiary (each a “company” as the case applies below):

 

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(a) any change, variation or update to the Operation Plan (including the Minimum Capital Requirement), subject to Syntel DE’s ability to consolidate the Operating Subsidiary for financial reporting purposes;

 

(b) the creation of any committee of any board or change in the powers or rights of any board committee;

 

(c) the membership of any board committee or any change in the membership of any such committee;

 

(d) any material change in the Accounting Policies of the company or in the manner that the company maintains its books and records of account;

 

(e) any change in the name of the company or any assumed name of the company;

 

(f) any lease (or sub-lease or license) or purchase of real property;

 

(g) any capital expenditure in any calendar year, whether on an individual or aggregate basis, in excess of ** unless otherwise expressly authorised as part of the approved Operation Plan;

 

(h) any financial or contractual commitment that carries on-going payment or performance obligations for a period of 12 months or more unless otherwise expressly authorised as part of the approved Operation Plan;

 

(i) any financial or contractual commitment that carries payment obligations in excess of ** unless otherwise expressly authorised as part of the approved Operation Plan;

 

(j) any incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of ** unless otherwise expressly authorised as part of the approved Operation Plan;

 

(k) any sale of assets in excess of ** in value (excluding any such sale requiring shareholder approval);

 

(l) any acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of another entity;

 

(m) the incorporation of a subsidiary;

 

(n) the creation or establishment of any partnership, joint venture or other cooperative business arrangement with any other person (natural or legal);

 

(o) **

 

(p) **

 

(q) any Related-Party Transaction;

 

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(r) any contract or arrangement between the company and any third party that includes a right of termination triggered by the termination of the joint-venture or a change of control of the company;

 

(s) any contract or arrangement between the company as the case may be, and any third party that includes a right for the third party to increase fees for the relevant goods or services triggered by the termination of the joint-venture or a change of control of the company;

 

(t) any acceleration of the vesting schedule or payment date of or any increase in employee compensation or employee benefits (including any retention or severance payments) triggered by the termination of the joint-venture or a change of control of the company or the adoption of any employee benefits plan(s) that confer any such rights;

 

(u) any employment contract which includes a termination right or an increase in employee compensation or employee benefits triggered by the termination of the joint-venture or a change of control of the company;

 

(v) any extension, restatement, amendment, modification, revision, variation or other change to or in any action, commitment, contract or other arrangement requiring board approval as listed above;

 

(w) any decision which, if taken, would override or materially conflict with any action or decision of the Operating Committee that was undertaken within its delegated scope of authority or control;

 

(x) permitting or granting any Encumbrance of any kind over the material assets of the company or over any shares in the company; and

 

(y) the commencement or settlement of any material Action between the company and any Third Party and any material decision made in relation to the conduct thereof; provided , however , that the Class A Shareholder shall be notified of all Actions even if not material.

 

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EXHIBIT 5

INVESTMENT PROCEDURES

I. Introduction

In order to ensure that State Street and its Affiliates remain in compliance with certain U.S. Laws and Regulations, the Operating Subsidiary and the Company shall comply with the following procedures in connection with any investment in equity (incl., e.g., mutual funds) and/or debt instruments (each, an “ Investment ”) or before making any loan (each, a “ Loan ”). 1 Deposits of cash with banks are outside the scope of these procedures. ** Notwithstanding the foregoing, State Street shall retain the right to request additional information about any Investment or proposed Investment, whether made before or after the Effective Date.

II. Notice of Request to Make an Investment

At least 30 days prior to making any Investment (other than any Investment made by the Operating Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, prior to the Effective Date), the Operating Subsidiary and/or the Company, as applicable (the “ Investor ”), shall provide State Street its designee with the following information (as applicable):

**

Right to Request Additional Information

The Investor shall be required to promptly provide such additional information as State Street may request as part of its evaluation of the permissibility of the Investment.

III. Notice of Request to Make a Loan

At least 30 days prior to making any Loan (other than any Loan made by the Operating Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, prior to the Effective Date), the Investor shall provide State Street with the following information:

**

Right to Request Additional Information

The Investor shall be required to promptly provide such additional information as State Street may request as part of its evaluation of the permissibility of the Loan.

 

1  

For the purposes of these procedures an Investment or Loan shall be deemed to have been made at the earlier of (i) the time the Investor enters into a binding commitment to make the Investment or Loan or (ii) the Investor funds the Investment or Loan.

 

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IV. Prior Written Approval of State Street

The Investor may not make the proposed Investment or Loan until it has received

 

** prior written approval of State Street.

In the event the Investor fails to produce any or all of the information listed above or any additional information requested by State Street, in each case with respect to any Investment or Loan, State Street reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to withhold its approval of such Investment or Loan.

V. Periodic/Additional Reporting

On a monthly basis, each Investor shall provide State Street ** with a report of all of its Investments and Loans, as applicable,

**

The Investor shall be required to promptly provide such additional reports as State Street may request as part of its evaluation and monitoring of (i) the permissibility of any Investment or Loan or (ii) the Investor’s compliance with these Procedures.

VI. Board Reporting

The applicable Investor shall provide confirmation to its Board of Directors on an annual basis that no Director or officer of the Investor holds a seat on the governing board or management company of any vehicle (excluding the Operating Subsidiary), in which the Investor is invested.

At each regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of its Board of Directors (or more frequently if requested by the Board), the applicable Investor will report on all Investments and Loans, the amount of such Investments and Loans and any changes to the Director certifications referred to above since the prior Board meeting.

The Investor shall be required to promptly provide such additional reports, certifications or documentation as the Board of Directors or State Street may request.

VII. Obligation to Divest

Upon notice from State Street of its knowledge or reasonable belief that the Investor has violated these Procedures ** or that the existence of a Investment or Loan would cause State Street to violate applicable U.S. Law or Regulation, the Investor shall immediately take such efforts as are requested by State Street to remedy any such violation, including but not limited to, ceasing the investment activities contemplated herein or unwinding the relevant Investment or Loan.

**

 

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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. Ltd.

   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 Services 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 February 27, 2012 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, 2011.

/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Oak Brook, Illinois

February 27, 2012

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: February 27, 2012
/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: February 27, 2012
/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: February 27, 2012
/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, 2011 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
February 27, 2012
/s/ Prashant Ranade
Prashant Ranade
Syntel, Inc. Chief Executive Officer and President
February 27, 2012
/s/ Arvind Godbole
Arvind Godbole
Syntel, Inc. Chief Financial Officer
& Chief Information Security Officer
February 27, 2012

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.