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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 ___________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
  ___________________________________________________
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016

OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number 001-36495
 ___________________________________________________
IHS MARKIT LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  
 ___________________________________________________
Bermuda
 
98-1166311
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
4th Floor, Ropemaker Place
25 Ropemaker Street
London, England
EC2Y 9LY
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
+44 20 7260 2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
  
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share
 
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. x   Yes     o   No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. o   Yes     x   No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     x   Yes     o   No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter)


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during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     x   Yes     o   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.      x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
 
x
Accelerated filer
 
o
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
o   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company
 
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     o   Yes     x   No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, based upon the closing price for the common shares as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $3.6 billion . All executive officers, directors, and holders of five percent or more of the outstanding Class A Common Stock of the registrant have been deemed, solely for purposes of the foregoing calculation, to be "affiliates" of the registrant.
As of December 31, 2016 , there were 406,912,344 shares of our common shares outstanding, excluding 25,219,470 outstanding common shares held by the Markit Group Holdings Limited Employee Benefit Trust.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.


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Certain Definitions

The following definitions apply throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K unless the context requires otherwise:
 
 
 
"common shares"
 
The common shares of IHS Markit Ltd., par value $0.01 per share
"IHS"
 
IHS Inc., a Delaware corporation and a subsidiary of IHS Markit, which is the accounting predecessor to IHS Markit in connection with the Merger, and its subsidiaries
"IHS Markit"
 
IHS Markit Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, after completion of the Merger, and its subsidiaries
"Markit"
 
Markit Ltd., which was the name of IHS Markit prior to completion of the
Merger, and its subsidiaries
"Merger"
 
Merger of IHS and Markit, with IHS surviving the merger as an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of IHS Markit, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2016, and completed on July 12, 2016
"We," "Us," "Company," "Group," or "Our"
 
IHS Markit after completion of the Merger, and IHS or Markit, as the context requires, prior to completion of the Merger


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Securities Exchange Act). In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “aim,” “strive,” “believe,” “see,” “project,” “predict,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “target,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding: guidance and predictions relating to expected operating results, such as revenue growth and earnings; strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions, anticipated benefits from strategic actions including the merger between IHS Inc. and Markit Ltd., and our success in integrating acquired businesses; anticipated levels of capital expenditures in future periods; our belief that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our ongoing business operations; expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, contingent liabilities and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings; and our strategy for customer retention, growth, product development, market position, financial results, and reserves. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates; our ability to develop new products and services; our ability to manage system failures or capacity constraints; our ability to successfully manage risks associated with changes in demand for our products and services; our ability to manage our relationships with third party service providers; legislative, regulatory and economic developments, including any new or proposed U.S. Treasury rule changes; the extent to which we are successful in gaining new long-term relationships with customers or retaining existing ones and the level of service failures that could lead customers to use competitors' services; the anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of our operations; our ability to integrate the business successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies; our ability to retain and hire key personnel; our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and our other ongoing business obligations; and the occurrence of any catastrophic events, including acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities. These risks, as well as other risks, are more fully discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, along with our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the

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forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this annual report on Form 10-K is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date of this report. We do not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

Website and Social Media Disclosure
 
We use our website (www.ihsmarkit.com) and corporate Twitter account (@IHSMarkit) as routine channels of distribution of company information, including news releases, analyst presentations, and supplemental financial information, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website and our corporate Twitter account in addition to following press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. Additionally, we provide notifications of news or announcements as part of our investor relations website. Investors and others can receive notifications of new information posted on our investor relations website in real time by signing up for email alerts.

None of the information provided on our website, in our press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts, or through social media channels is incorporated into, or deemed to be a part of, this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website or our social media channels are intended to be inactive textual references only.

IHS Markit Foreign Private Issuer Status and Financial Presentation

IHS Markit currently qualifies as a foreign private issuer (FPI) under the rules of the SEC. IHS Markit will retain FPI status until at least the end of fiscal 2017. However, even while IHS Markit continues to qualify as an FPI, we will report our financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP and have elected to file our annual and interim reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K.

IHS Markit prepares a management proxy statement and related material under Bermuda requirements. As IHS Markit’s management proxy statements is not filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, IHS Markit may not incorporate by reference information required by Part III of this Form 10-K from its management proxy statement. Accordingly, in reliance upon and as permitted by Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, IHS Markit will be filing an amendment to this Form 10-K containing the Part III information no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

Prior to completion of the Merger, Markit operated on a December 31 fiscal year end, while IHS operated on a November 30 fiscal year end. IHS Markit operates on a November 30 fiscal year end. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to an individual year means the fiscal year ended November 30. For example, “ 2016 ” refers to the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 .

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PART I

Item 1. Business

History and Development of the Company

This is the first Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) that IHS Markit has filed since the completion of the Merger on July 12, 2016, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 20, 2016 (the Merger Agreement), between IHS, Markit, and Marvel Merger Sub, Inc., an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of Markit formed for the purpose of facilitating this transaction (Merger Sub). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into IHS, with IHS continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of IHS Markit. Upon completion of the Merger, Markit became the combined group holding company and was renamed IHS Markit Ltd.

In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, IHS stockholders received 3.5566 common shares of IHS Markit for each share of IHS common stock they owned and IHS Inc. common stock was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act. IHS was treated as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes, which is reflected in the results of operations, financial position, financial statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Other sections of this report refer to legacy Markit and legacy IHS, as the context requires, for each of the entities prior to the Merger, and to IHS Markit, the combined company after completion of the Merger.

IHS was in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Markit was founded in 2003 with the goal of increasing transparency in the financial markets. Markit Ltd. was incorporated pursuant to the laws of Bermuda in 2014 to become the holding company for Markit's business in connection with its initial public offering on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ) in June 2014. IHS Markit's common shares are now traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol "INFO."

Our principal executive offices are located at 4th Floor, Ropemaker Place, 25 Ropemaker Street, London, England EC2Y 9LY. Our telephone number at this address is +44 20 7260 2000. We maintain a registered office in Bermuda at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. The telephone number of our registered office is +1 441 295 5950.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be the leading source for critical information, analytics, and insight that powers growth, efficiency, and value for our customers. Our mission is to delight our customers daily by delivering a powerful combination of world-class expertise, knowledge, and solutions so they can make more informed decisions to enable their long-term, sustainable growth.

Our Business

We are a leading globally diversified provider of critical information, analytics, and expertise with deep sources of information, analytics, and solutions for the world’s major industries, financial markets, and governments. Our analytics reveal interdependencies across complex industries, which enhances transparency, reduces risk, and improves operational efficiency for our customers. We are deeply embedded in the systems and workflows of many of our customers and continue to become increasingly important to our customers’ operations. We leverage leading technologies and our industry expertise to create innovative products and services that provide information and insight to our customers to help them be more efficient and make more informed, confident decisions. We are committed to sustainable, profitable growth.

Our core competency is using our expertise to source and transform data into information, analytics, and solutions that our customers can use when making operational and strategic decisions. We are a sought-after resource for those who require and demand the most accurate and robust information available. We are dedicated to providing the information and analysis our customers need to make critical decisions that drive growth and value for their operations.

By integrating and connecting our information and analytics with proprietary and widely used decision-support technology on scalable platforms, we produce critical information and solutions designed to meet our customers’ needs. Our product development teams have also created proprietary Web services and application interfaces that enhance access to our information and allow our customers to integrate our offerings with other data, business processes, and applications (such as computer-aided design, enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management, and product data/lifecycle management).

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Our Objectives

To achieve our vision, we are focusing our efforts primarily on the following objectives:

Improving customer satisfaction (which we refer to as customer delight);
Enabling colleague success;
Delivering on our key financial commitments while continuing to increase our financial strength;
Providing an opportunity for shareholder success relative to our peer group;
Completing critical integration activities for the combined company; and
Maintaining corporate sustainability efforts.

We benchmark our progress annually against these objectives through the use of external and internal metrics. For example, to measure customer delight and colleague success, we use third-party surveys and develop goals based on those metrics.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is to bring together information, research, and analytics to deliver integrated solutions to customers in separate but interconnected industries. We believe that we can best implement our strategy by achieving the following:

Integrate organizational structure. We are in the process of completing key merger integration activities primarily related to our shared services and corporate organization. In terms of commercial operations, we are aligned around an industry- and workflow-focused organizational structure consistent with our segments, as further described below. We intend to integrate our people, platforms, processes, and products in a manner that allows us to take advantage of revenue and cost synergies that will strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of our business operations.

Innovate and develop new product offerings . We work closely with our customers to develop and introduce new offerings that are designed to increase visibility, reduce risk, and improve operational efficiency in their businesses. In recent years, we have launched new offerings addressing a wide array of customer needs, and we expect to continue to create new offerings from our existing data sets, converting core information to higher value analytics. Our investment priorities for new product offerings are primarily in energy, transportation, financial services, and product design, and we intend to continue to invest across the business to increase our customer value proposition.

Simplify capital allocation. In the near term, we are focusing our capital allocation strategy primarily on shareholder return through share repurchases. Longer term, we expect to balance capital allocation between returning capital to shareholders through consistent share repurchases and mergers and acquisitions focused primarily on fewer deals in our core end markets that will allow us to continue to build out our strategic position.

Our Global Organizational Structure

To serve our customers, we are organized into the following four industry- and workflow-focused segments:

Resources , which includes our Energy and Chemicals product offerings;
Transportation, which includes our Automotive; Maritime & Trade; and Aerospace, Defense & Security product offerings;
Consolidated Markets & Solutions, which includes our Product Design; Technology, Media & Telecom; and Economics & Country Risk product offerings; and
Financial Services , which includes our Information; Processing; and Solutions product offerings.

We believe that this sales and operating model helps our customers do business with us by providing a cohesive, consistent, and effective product, sales, and marketing approach by segment.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe that our competitive strengths include the following:

Trusted partner with diversified, global customer base and strong brand recognition. We believe that our customers trust and rely on us for our consultative approach to product development, dedication to customer delight, and ability

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to execute and deliver effective solutions. Our industry expertise allows us to anticipate and understand our customers’ needs in order to provide effective solutions with our product and service offerings. The Merger has increased our capacity to address new markets and opportunities, and our global footprint allows us to serve our customers throughout the world and to introduce our products and services to customers in new markets. Our brand is well established and recognized in multiple industries. We also own a number of well-known brands, including CARFAX, CERAWeek, the Purchasing Managers Index series, and the iBoxx indices.

Breadth and depth of information and analytics. Our customers benefit from a concentration of intellectual wealth and thought leadership in a variety of industries. We believe that our global team of information and industry experts, research analysts, and economists provides our customers with leading strategic information and research. We convert raw data into critical information through a series of transformational steps that reduce the uncertainty that is inherent in unrefined data. Our goal is to ensure that the data we use in our product offerings is correct, current, complete, and consistent; therefore, we place a high degree of emphasis on the data transformation process. With our process, we believe that we are able to provide information and analytics that are both useful to our customers and available where and when needed. Our process also provides the foundation for our integrated solutions that combine our products and services to create differentiated solutions for the customers in our target industries.

Attractive financial model . We believe we have an attractive financial model due to our recurring revenue, margin expansion, cash generation, and capital flexibility characteristics.

Significant recurring revenue. We offer our products and services primarily through recurring fixed and variable fee agreements, and this business model has historically delivered stable revenue and predictable cash flows. For the year ended November 30, 2016, we generated approximately 82 percent of our revenue from recurring revenue streams. Many of our offerings are core to our customers’ business operations, and we have long-term relationships with many of our customers.
Solid margin expansion. Our customer focus and fiscal discipline has permitted us to progressively increase our margins as we streamline our operations and leverage our business model to provide valuable customer support even in a challenging economic environment.
High cash generation. Our business has low capital requirements for product enhancement and new product development, allowing us to generate strong cash flow.
Capital flexibility. Our cash flow model provides us with a significant amount of flexibility in decision-making, allowing us to balance internal resource and investment needs with shareholder return.

Our Growth Strategies

Increase in geographic, product, and customer penetration. We believe there are significant opportunities to increase the use of our products and services by existing customers globally and to add new customers to our products and services. We plan to add new customers and build our relationships with existing customers by leveraging our brand strength, broad portfolio of solutions, global footprint, and industry expertise to anticipate and respond to the changing demands of our end markets.

Introduce innovative offerings and enhancements. To maintain and enhance our position as a leading information services provider, we continuously strive to introduce enhancements to our products and services, as well as launch new products and services. We maintain an active dialogue with our customers and partners to allow us to understand their needs and anticipate market developments. We also seek to develop innovative uses for our existing products and services to generate incremental revenue, find more cost-effective inputs to support our existing products and services, and facilitate development of profitable new products and services.

Pursue strategic acquisitions and partnerships. We selectively evaluate technologies and businesses that we believe have potential to enhance, complement, or expand our product and service offerings and strengthen our value proposition to customers. We target acquisitions and partnerships that can be efficiently integrated into our global sales network, technology infrastructure, and operational delivery model to drive value. We believe we are an acquirer of choice among prospective acquisition targets and a partner of choice among our peers due to our entrepreneurial culture, growth, global scale, strong brand, broad distribution capabilities, and market position.

Our Customers

We have a diverse customer base, with more than 50,000 key business and government customers, including 85 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and 75 percent of the Fortune U.S. 1000. Our customers operate in global interconnected industries and

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financial markets, and we continue to build on our existing scale to integrate our comprehensive content, expertise, tools, technology, and research and analysis to produce a differentiated solution set that makes us an important part of many of our customers’ core workflows. In 2016, no customer or group of affiliated customers represented more than 10 percent of our revenue.

Our Operating Segments

We develop our products and services based on customer needs in the target industries we serve and in the workflows that our customers use. We have organized our business to address the following key industries and workflows:

Resources

Energy and Chemicals. Approximately 90 percent of Resources revenue comes from our Energy offerings, with the remaining 10 percent coming from our Chemicals offerings.

Our Energy offerings are focused on upstream, midstream, downstream, and power/gas/coal/renewables (PGCR) services.

Our upstream offerings provide critical solutions around country E&P risk, plays & basins technical information, costs & technologies, and energy company information for approximately 15,000 assets worldwide including more than 6 million oil and gas wells, 5,000 basins, more than 2,000 rigs and vessels, and a database of almost 50,000 merger and acquisition transactions. We do this through a combination of energy technical information, analytical tools, and market forecasting and consulting. For instance, strategic planners, geoscientists, and engineers use our insight and leading geotechnical database and analytical tools to explore, develop, and produce energy assets.

Our midstream and downstream solutions provide market forecasting, midstream market analysis and supply chain data, refining and marketing economics, and oil product intelligence. For instance, we are a leading provider of pricing information for refined products on spot, rack, and retail markets. This information provides critical reference and benchmark information for buyers and sellers of refined products. We are also a leading supplier of bespoke consulting, providing strategic direction and capital investment advisory services.

Our PGCR offerings provide global and regional outlooks and forecasts for power, coal, gas, and renewable markets. Our market studies provide insight on market trends and fundamentals and are used by both buyers and sellers in these industries.

Our Chemicals offerings include data for manufacturing processes, as well as capital expenditure, cost, price, production, trade, demand, and capacity industry analysis and forecasts for more than 250 chemicals in more than 50 countries. We also have an extensive library of detailed techno-economic analyses of chemicals and refining process technologies. We provide a number of consulting services, including training, strategy development, and project development offerings to the chemical and related industries. Our business information services track current events, supply high-velocity information, and hold conferences related to the chemical industry.

In addition, we leverage our market leadership in these industries to convene global industry, government, and regulatory leaders in global and regional events, such as our annual IHS Markit CERAWeek and World Petrochemical conferences.

Transportation

Our Transportation segment includes our Automotive offerings, which represent about 80 percent of the segment's revenue, and our Maritime & Trade and Aerospace, Defense & Security offerings, which make up the balance of the segment's revenue.

Automotive. We serve the full automotive value chain with a focus on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), parts suppliers, and dealers.

Within the new car market, we provide authoritative analysis and forecasts of sales and production for light vehicles, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, powertrain, components, and technology systems across all major markets. Our comprehensive forecast database covers more than 98 percent of global light vehicle sales and production. We forecast sales and production of nearly 40,000 unique vehicle model variants, as well as more than 100 different vehicle systems, sub-systems, and components. We also provide a wide range of performance measurement tools and marketing solutions for car makers, dealers, and agencies. We continue to develop solutions aimed at addressing

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needs across the value chain, including strategy and planning, marketing, sales, dealer services, and after sales. In the US, our sales and marketing solutions draw on a database of more than 5 billion ownership records, covering 740 million vehicles and more than 200 million US households over a period of 25 years.

Within the used car market, we support dealers, insurers, and consumers through our CARFAX (U.S.) and CARPROOF (Canada) products. These solutions provide critical information for used car dealers and their customers in the used car buying process. For example, CARFAX vehicle history reports provide maintenance, accident, odometer, and commercial use on cars in the United States. This history, based on more than 17 billion records collected from more than 100,000 data sources, provides confidence to dealers and consumers in the car buying process. We are extending our product line under CARFAX to include a used car listing service for dealers and vehicle-specific valuation solutions.

Maritime & Trade (M&T). We have been gathering data on ships since 1764 when the first Lloyd’s Register of Ships was published. We provide, on behalf of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the unique global ID (the IMO number) for all ocean-going ships over 100 gross tons. Our M&T content and analytics provide comprehensive data on close to 200,000 ships over 100 gross tons, as well as monthly import and export statistics on more than 80 countries and tracking and forecasting more than 90 percent of international trade by value.

Aerospace, Defense & Security (AD&S). We are a significant provider of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) for national security organizations and aerospace & defense companies. Our AD&S content and analytics provide specifications for thousands of military vehicles, naval vessels, and aircraft types. Our budget forecasts cover more than 95 percent of global defense spending, and we have analyzed more than 150,000 terrorism-related events, with more analyzed and added each day.

Consolidated Markets & Solutions (CMS)

Our CMS segment includes our Product Design offerings, which represent a little more than 50 percent of the segment's revenue, and our Technology, Media & Telecom and Economics and Country Risk offerings, which make up the balance of the segment's revenue.

Product Design. Our Product Design offerings provide technical professionals with the information and insight required to more effectively design products, optimize engineering projects and outcomes, solve technical problems, and address complex supply chain challenges. Our Product Design offerings include content and analytics on millions of engineering and technical standards, codes, specifications, handbooks, reference books, journals, and other scientific and technical documents, accessed via advanced research tools. Our offerings also include software-based engineering decision engines for innovation, productivity, and quality.

Technology, Media & Telecom. Our Technology, Media & Telecom solutions service the entire technology value chain, including components and devices, performance analytics, and end market intelligence. We deliver comprehensive insight and tools for managing technology parts, leveraging our component database of more than 500 million electronic parts. Our solutions enable customers to optimize their supplier and customer engagement strategy and differentiate their product portfolio from the competition. With our expert research, custom consulting, analytics, and component cost information, we provide insights on technology market share, supply chain, and adoption, as well as forecasts for key technology markets on a geographic, industry, and company level.

Economics and Country Risk (ECR). We provide a vast range of economic and risk data, forecasts and analytic tools to customers for their strategic market planning, procurement and risk management decisions. Our economists and analysts globally monitor economic developments and the risk environment in more than 200 countries and regions.

Financial Services

Our Financial Services segment provides pricing and reference data, indices, valuation and trading services, trade processing, enterprise software, and managed services. Financial Services end users include front- and back-office professionals, such as traders, portfolio managers, risk managers, research professionals and other financial markets participants, as well as operations, compliance, and enterprise data managers. This segment includes our Information offerings, which represent approximately 45 percent of segment revenue; our Processing offerings, which represent approximately 22 percent of segment revenue; and our Solutions offerings, which represent approximately 33 percent of segment revenue.


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Information. Our Information solutions provide enriched content consisting of pricing and reference data, indices, and valuation and trading services across multiple asset classes and geographies through both direct and third-party distribution channels. Our Information products and services are used for independent valuations, research, trading, and liquidity and risk assessments. These products and services help our customers price instruments, comply with relevant regulatory reporting and risk management requirements, and analyze financial markets.

Processing. Our Processing offerings provide trade processing solutions globally for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, foreign exchange (FX), and syndicated loans. Our trade processing services enable buy-side and sell-side firms to process transactions rapidly, which increases efficiency by optimizing post-trade workflow, reducing risk, complying with reporting regulations and improving connectivity. We believe we are the largest provider of end-to-end multiple asset OTC derivatives trade processing services.

Solutions. Our Solutions offerings provide configurable enterprise software platforms, managed services, and hosted digital solutions. Our enterprise software delivers customized solutions to automate our customers’ in-house processing and connectivity for trading and post-trading processing, as well as enterprise risk management solutions to enable customers to calculate risk measures. Our managed services and hosted digital solutions offerings, which are targeted at a broad range of financial services industry participants, help our customers capture, organize, process, display, and analyze information; manage risk; reduce fixed costs; and meet regulatory requirements.

Sales and Marketing

Our sales teams are located throughout the world and are organized within their respective business lines to align with our customers by industry and workflow. We also conduct regular customer surveys to understand both current customer satisfaction levels and potential opportunities for improvement, which we then use to provide additional direction to sales and marketing about key areas of focus.

Our marketing organization defines our marketing strategy and drives operational execution. A primary focus for marketing strategy is to empower IHS Markit brand awareness, revenue acceleration, and market leadership across our key industries and workflows for all products and services globally. Functionally, this includes corporate marketing, product marketing, and field marketing.

Competition

We believe the principal competitive factors in our business include the following:

Depth, breadth, timeliness, and accuracy of information provided
Quality of decision-support tools and services
Quality and relevance of our analysis and insight
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for price
 
We believe that we compete favorably on each of these factors. Although we face competition in specific industries and with respect to specific offerings, we do not believe that we have a direct competitor across all of our workflows and industry solutions due to the depth and breadth of our offerings. Competitors within specific industries or with respect to specific offerings are described below.

Resources. Our Energy and Chemical offerings compete primarily with offerings from Verisk, Drilling Information, GeoScout, Platts (PIRA), Reed Elsevier, and Nexant.

Transportation. In the Automotive market, we primarily compete with offerings from LMC Automotive, Urban Science, and Experian and, with respect to vehicle history reports, principally with Experian and various other providers approved by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System of the United States Department of Justice. In Maritime & Trade markets, we primarily compete with offerings from Informa plc. In AD&S markets, we primarily compete with offerings from Forecast International and TEGNA.

CMS. Our Product Design offerings primarily compete with offerings of SAI Global, Thomson Reuters, Thomas Publishing, and the standards developing organizations (SDOs), among others. Our electronics design offerings primarily compete with offerings from Arrow Electronics and parts manufacturers and distributors. Our Technology,

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Media & Telecom offerings compete principally with offerings from Gartner, and our ECR offerings compete primarily with offerings from the Economist Group and Oxford Economics.

Financial Services. Our Information offerings primarily compete with offerings of Bloomberg, FactSet, IntercontinentalExchange, and Thomson Reuters. Our Processing products and services primarily compete with Bloomberg, IntercontinentalExchange, Traiana, and Thomson Reuters. Our Solutions offerings primarily compete with firms such as BlackRock, Bloomberg, IBM Algorithmics, Thomson Reuters, and global accounting and consulting firms.
  
Government Contracts

We sell our products to various government agencies and entities. No individual contract is significant to our business. Although some of our government contracts are subject to terms that would allow renegotiation of profits or termination at the election of the government, we believe that no renegotiation or termination of any individual contract or subcontract at the election of the government would have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Intellectual Property

We rely heavily on intellectual property, including the intellectual property we own and license. We regard our trademarks, copyrights, licenses, and other intellectual property as valuable assets and use intellectual property laws, as well as license and confidentiality agreements with our employees, customers, channel and strategic partners, and others, to protect our rights. In addition, we exercise reasonable measures to protect our intellectual property rights and enforce these rights when we become aware of any potential or actual violation or misuse.

We use intellectual property licensed from third parties, including SDOs, government agencies, public sources, market data providers, financial institutions, and manufacturers, as a component of our offerings and, in many cases, it cannot be independently replaced or recreated by us or others. We have longstanding relationships with most of the third parties from whom we license information. Almost all of the licenses that we rely upon are nonexclusive and expire within one to two years, unless renewed, although we have longer licenses with some of those third parties, particularly in the Financial Services segment.

We maintain registered trademarks and service marks in jurisdictions around the world. In addition, we have obtained patents and applied for patents in the United States, primarily related to our software portfolio, including our Kingdom and Goldfire products. For more information relating to our intellectual property rights, see "Risk Factors - We may not be able to protect intellectual property rights."

Employees

As of November 30, 2016, we had more than 12,500 employees located in 35 countries around the world.

Seasonality

Our business has seasonal aspects. Our fourth quarter typically generates our highest quarterly levels of revenue and profit. Conversely, our first quarter generally has our lowest quarterly levels of revenue and profit. We also experience event-driven seasonality in our business; for instance, CERAWeek, an annual energy conference, was held in the first quarter of 2016 and will be held in the second quarter of 2017. Another example is the biennial release of the Boiler Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) engineering standard, which generates revenue for us predominantly in the third quarter of every other year. The most recent BPVC release was in the third quarter of 2015 and the next release will be in the third quarter of 2017.

Financial Information about Segments

See "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 19" in Part II of this Form 10-K for information with respect to each segment's revenues, profits, and total assets and for information with respect to our revenues and long-lived assets for the U.S., U.K., and the rest of the world in aggregate. See also "Risk Factors - Our international operations are subject to risks relating to worldwide operations."

Available Information


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IHS Markit files annual, quarterly, and current reports, and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any documents we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information that issuers (including IHS Markit) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is www.sec.gov.

The Company makes available, free of charge through our website, www.ihsmarkit.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our proxy statement, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and Forms 3, 4, and 5 filed on behalf of directors and executive officers, as well as any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Unless specifically incorporated by reference, information on our website is not a part of this Form 10-K.

Our Amended and Restated Bye-laws, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Audit Committee Charter, Risk Committee Charter, Human Resources Committee Charter, Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, Business Code of Conduct, and Code of Conduct Hotline Policy are available on our website, www.ihsmarkit.com, in the Investor Relations section, or upon request. Copies of each of these documents are also available, without charge, from IHS Markit Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112 or by calling (303) 790-0600.


Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information provided in this Form 10-K, you should carefully consider the risks described in this section. The risks described below are not the only risks that could adversely affect our business; other risks currently deemed immaterial or additional risks not currently known to us could also adversely affect us. These and other factors could have a material adverse effect on the value of your investment in our securities, meaning that you could lose all or part of your investment.

Note that this section includes forward-looking statements and future expectations as of the date of this Form 10-K. This discussion of Risk Factors 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 in Part II of this Form 10-K.

Our business performance might not be sufficient for us to meet the full-year financial guidance that we provide publicly.

We provide full-year financial guidance to the public based upon our assumptions regarding our expected financial performance. For example, we provide assumptions regarding our ability to grow revenue and to achieve our profitability targets. While we believe that our annual financial guidance provides investors and analysts with insight to our view of the company's future performance, such financial guidance is based on assumptions that may not always prove to be accurate and may vary from actual results. If we fail to meet the full-year financial guidance that we provide, or if we find it necessary to revise such guidance during the year, the market value of our common shares could be adversely affected.

We operate in competitive markets, which may adversely affect our market share and financial results.

While we do not believe that we have a direct competitor across all of our workflows and industry solutions, we face competition in specific industries and with respect to specific offerings, including by smaller competitors which may be able to adopt new or emerging technologies to address customer requirements more quickly than we can. We may also face competition from organizations and businesses that have not traditionally competed with us but that could adapt their products and services or utilize significant financial and information-gathering resources, recognized brands, or technological expertise to begin competing with us. We believe that competitors are continuously enhancing their products and services, developing new products and services, investing in technology and acquiring new businesses to better serve the needs of their existing customers and to attract new customers. Increased competition could require us to make additional capital investments. Some of our competitors may also choose to sell products competitive with ours at lower prices, which may require us to reduce the prices of our offerings. An increase in our capital investments or price reductions by our competitors could negatively impact our margins and results of operations.

Achieving our growth and profitability objectives may prove unsuccessful.

We seek to achieve our growth objectives by enhancing our offerings to meet the needs of our customers through organic development, including by delivering integrated workflow platforms, cross-selling our products across our existing customer

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base and acquiring new customers, entering into strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and by implementing operational efficiency initiatives. If we are unable to successfully execute on our strategies to achieve our growth objectives or drive operational efficiencies, or if we experience higher than expected operating costs that cannot be adjusted accordingly, our growth and profitability rates could be adversely affected. An additional factor that may adversely affect our growth rates is continued global economic uncertainty, particularly in our energy and financial end markets. Our resources and financial markets segments in particular may continue to be adversely affected by industry dynamics, including decisions on the part of our customers to defer capital spending in uncertain economic environments.

If we are unable to develop successful new products and services or adapt to rapidly changing technology, our business could suffer serious harm.

The information services industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and changing regulatory requirements. Our growth and success depend upon our ability to enhance our existing products and services and to develop and introduce new products and services to keep pace with such changes and developments and to meet changing customer needs. The process of developing our products and services is complex and may become increasingly complex and expensive in the future due to the introduction of new platforms, operating systems and technologies. Current areas of significant technological change include mobility, cloud-based computing, blockchain and the processing and analyzing of large amounts of data. We may find it difficult or costly to update our services and software and to develop new products and services quickly enough to work effectively with new or changed technologies and regulations, to keep the pace with evolving industry standards or to meet our customers’ needs. If we are unable to develop new products or services, or to successfully enhance or update existing products and services, we may not be able to grow our business as quickly as we anticipate.

We could experience system failures or capacity constraints that could negatively impact our business.

Our ability to provide reliable service largely depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex systems, relying on people, processes, and technology to function effectively. Most of our products and services are delivered electronically, and our customers rely on our ability to process and deliver substantial quantities of information and other services on computer-based networks. Some elements of these systems have been outsourced to third-party providers, including critical data inputs received from third-party suppliers. Some of our systems have been consolidated for the purpose of enhancing scalability and efficiency, which increases our dependency on a smaller number of systems. Any failure of, or significant interruption, delay or disruption to, or security breaches affecting, our systems could result in: disruption to our operations; significant expense to repair, replace or remediate systems, equipment or facilities; a loss of customers; legal or regulatory claims, proceedings or fines; damage to our reputation; and harm to our business. System interruption, failures or security breaches could result from a wide variety of causes, including: human error, natural disasters, infrastructure or network failures (including failures at third-party data centers), disruptions to the internet, increased government regulation straining systems, malicious attacks or cyber incidents such as unauthorized access, loss or destruction of data (including confidential and/or personal customer information), account takeovers, computer viruses or other malicious code, and the loss or failure of systems over which we have no control. In addition, significant growth of our customer base or increases in the number of products or services or in the speed at which we are required to provide products and services may also strain our systems in the future. We may also face significant increases in our use of power and data storage and may experience a shortage of capacity and increased costs associated with such usage. Any of the above factors could individually or in the aggregate adversely affect our business, and our insurance may not be adequate to compensate us for all failures, interruptions, delays, disruptions or security breaches.

Design defects, errors, failures or delays associated with our products or services could negatively impact our business.

Despite testing, software, products and services that we develop, license or distribute may contain errors or defects when first released or when major new updates or enhancements are released that cause the product or service to operate incorrectly or less effectively. Many of our products and services also rely on data and services provided by third-party providers over which we have no control and may be provided to us with defects, errors or failures. We may also experience delays while developing and introducing new products and services for various reasons, such as difficulties in licensing data inputs or adapting to particular operating environments. Defects, errors or delays in our products or services that are significant, or are perceived to be significant, could result in rejection or delay in market acceptance, damage to our reputation, loss of revenue, a lower rate of license renewals or upgrades, diversion of development resources, product liability claims or regulatory actions, or increases in service and support costs. We may also need to expend significant capital resources to eliminate or work around defects, errors, failures or delays. In each of these ways, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely impacted.


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We depend on externally obtained content and services to support our offerings, and the inability to continue to obtain access could prove harmful to our business.

We obtain data from a wide variety of external sources that we transform into critical information and analytics and use to create integrated solutions for our customers. Many of our offerings include content and information that is either purchased or licensed from third parties, or obtained using independent contractors. In addition, we often rely on third-party dealers to sell or distribute some of our offerings, such as in locations where we do not maintain a sales office or sales teams or methods of distribution we do not have direct access to.

For instance, our industry standards offerings that are part of our Product Design workflow rely on information licensed from standards developing organizations, and many of our financial institution customers provide us with data which is a critical input for many of our Financial Services offerings. We believe that the content licensed from many of these third parties cannot be obtained from alternate sources on favorable terms, if at all.

Our license agreements with these third parties are often nonexclusive and many are terminable on less than one year's notice. In addition, many of these third parties compete with one another and with us, including by providing data to our competitors, which may cause them to reduce their willingness to supply data and content that are important to our products and services. We could also become subject to legislative, regulatory, judicial or contractual restrictions on the use of data, such as if such data is not collected by the third parties in a way which allows us to process the data or use it legally. We are also limited in our ability to monitor and direct the activities of our independent contractors, but if any actions or business practices of these individuals or entities violate our policies or procedures or are otherwise deemed inappropriate or illegal, we could lose access to the data they collect, as well as be subject to litigation, regulatory sanctions, or reputational damage. If we lose access to, or are restricted in receiving, a significant number of data sources and cannot replace the data through alternative sources or we are unable to obtain information licensed to us consistently or at cost-effective prices, specific products, services and customer solutions may be impacted and our business, reputation, financial condition, operating results and cash flow could be materially adversely affected.

Our relationships with third-party service providers may not be successful or may change, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

We have commercial relationships with third-party service providers whose capabilities complement our own, for integral services, software and technologies. Many of our products and services are developed using third-party service providers’ data or services, or are made available to our customers or are integrated for our customers’ use through integral infrastructure, information and technology solutions provided by such third-party service providers. For example, we outsource certain data hosting functions, as well as certain functions involving our data transformation process, to business partners who we believe offer us deep expertise in these areas, as well as scalability and cost effective services. In some cases, these providers are also our competitors or may in the future become our competitors as we expand our product and service offerings, which could impact our relationships.

The priorities and objectives of these providers may differ from ours, which may make us vulnerable to changes or terminations of our commercial relationships and could reduce our access over time to information and technology. We have little control over these third-party providers, which increases our vulnerability to errors, failures, interruptions or disruptions or problems with their services or technologies. We also face risks that one or more service providers may perform work that deviates from our standards or that we may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property.

Any errors, failures to perform, interruptions, delays or terminations of service experienced in connection with these third-party providers, or if we do not obtain the expected benefits from our relationships with third-party service providers, we may be less competitive, our products and services may be negatively affected, and our results of operations could be adversely impacted.

Fraudulent or unpermitted data access and other security or privacy breaches may negatively impact our business and harm our reputation.

Many of our products and services involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data. Security breaches in our facilities, computer networks, and databases may cause harm to our business and reputation and result in a loss of customers. Our systems may be vulnerable to physical break-ins, computer viruses, attacks by hackers and similar disruptive problems. Third-party contractors and service providers also may experience security or privacy breaches involving the storage, transmission and distribution of proprietary information, including products and services provided to third parties under embargo prior to official release by us. Cybersecurity threats are evolving and include malicious

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software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, information security breaches, or employee or contractor error or malfeasance. Such threats could lead to disruptions in systems, unauthorized release or destruction of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data.

We rely on a system of internal processes and software controls along with policies, procedures and training to protect the confidentiality of information. If users gain improper access to our facilities, systems or networks, or those of our contractors or service providers, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify information included in our products and services or confidential or sensitive customer information that is stored or transmitted on such systems and networks. Any misappropriation and/or misuse of our information, whether inadvertent or deliberate, could result in us, among other things, being in breach of the terms of our agreements and of certain data protection and related legislation, including regulations relating to the privacy of personal or payment card information. Similarly, if any embargoed data is inadvertently disclosed or deliberately misused prior to our authorization, customers and financial markets could be negatively affected, and any resulting need to change our procedures around the provision of embargoed data to any third parties may diminish the value of such offerings.

A security or privacy breach may affect us in the following ways:

deterring customers from using our products or services;
deterring data suppliers from supplying data to us;
harming our reputation;
exposing us to liability;
disclosing valuable trade secrets, know-how, or other confidential information;
increasing expenses to correct problems caused by the breach and to prevent future breaches of a similar nature;
affecting our ability to meet customers’ expectations; or
causing inquiry or penalization from governmental authorities.

Incidents in which customer data has been fraudulently or improperly acquired or viewed, or any other security or privacy breaches, may occur and could go undetected. We have experienced security breaches, unauthorized disclosures and cybersecurity attacks, as have many of our customers, contractors and service providers. While prior cybersecurity attacks have not had a material adverse effect on our financial results, we have taken and are taking reasonable steps to prevent future events, including implementation of system security measures, information back-up and disaster recovery processes. However, these steps may not be effective and there can be no assurance that any such steps can be effective against all possible risks.

Some of the critical information we use in our offerings is publicly available in raw form at little or no cost.

The internet, widespread availability of sophisticated search engines, pervasive wireless data delivery and public sources of free or relatively inexpensive information and solutions have simplified the process of locating, gathering, and disseminating data, potentially diminishing the perceived value of our offerings. While we believe our offerings are distinguished by such factors as currency, accuracy and completeness, and our analysis and other added value, our customers could choose to obtain the information and solutions they need from public, regulatory, governmental or other sources. To the extent that customers become more self-sufficient, demand for our offerings may be reduced, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our use of open source software could result in litigation or impose unanticipated restrictions on our ability to commercialize our products and services.

We use open source software in our technology, most often as small components within a larger product or service. Open source code is also contained in some third-party software we rely on. The terms of many open source licenses are ambiguous and have not been interpreted by U.S. or other courts, and these licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize our products and services, license the software on unfavorable terms, require us to re-engineer our products and services or take other remedial actions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. We could also be subject to suits by parties claiming breach of the terms of licenses, which could be costly for us to defend.

Our brand and reputation are key assets and competitive advantages of our company and our business may be affected by how we are perceived in the marketplace.

Our ability to attract and retain customers is affected by external perceptions of our brand and reputation. We enter into redistribution arrangements that allow other firms to represent certain of our products and services. Reputational damage from

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negative perceptions or publicity could damage our reputation with customers, prospects, and the public generally. Although we monitor developments for areas of potential risk to our reputation and brand, negative perceptions or publicity could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

Cost-cutting pressures and consolidation in our customer markets could lower demand for our products and services.

Our customers are focused on controlling or reducing spending as a result of the continued financial challenges and market uncertainty many of them face. Customers within the financial services, shipping and energy industries in particular strive to reduce their operating costs, and may use strategies that result in a reduction in their spending on our products and service, such as by consolidating their spending with fewer or lower cost vendors or by internally developing products, services and functionality. In addition, mergers or consolidations among our customers could reduce the number of our customers and potential customers, which could cause them to discontinue or reduce their use of our products and services. All such developments could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow.

Declining activity levels in our core end markets, or weak or declining financial performance of companies in our end markets, could lower demand for certain of our products and services.

Many of our products and services are dependent upon the robustness of the core end markets in which we operate, as well as the financial health of the participants in those markets and the general economy. In addition, a proportion of our revenue in our Financial Services segment is variable and depends upon transaction volumes, investment levels, or the number of positions we value. Unfavorable or uncertain economic conditions or lower activity levels in the end markets in which we operate could result in cancellations, reductions, or delays for our products and services and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Some of our products and services typically face long selling cycles to secure new contracts, which require significant resource commitments and result in long lead times before we receive revenue.

For certain new products and services, and especially for complex products and services, we often face long selling cycles to secure new contracts and customers and there can be a long preparation period before we commence providing products and services. For instance, some of our Financial Markets products and services can require active engagement with potential customers and can take 12 months or more to reach deal closure. Some products’ success is also dependent on building a network of users, and may not be profitable while such a network is developing. We can incur significant business development expenses during the selling cycle and we may not succeed in winning a new customer’s business, in which case we receive no revenue and may receive no reimbursement for such expenses. Selling cycle periods have historically lengthened and could lengthen further, causing us to incur even higher business development expenses with no guarantee of winning a new customer’s business. Even if we succeed in developing a relationship with a potential new customer, we may not be successful in obtaining contractual commitments after the selling cycle or in maintaining contractual commitments after the implementation cycle, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The loss of, or the inability to attract and retain, key personnel could impair our future success.

Our future success depends to a large extent on the continued service of our employees, including our experts in research and analysis and other areas, as well as colleagues in sales, marketing, product development, critical operational roles, and management, including our executive officers. We do not carry any “key person” insurance policies that could offset potential loss of service under applicable circumstances. We must maintain our ability to attract, motivate, compensate and retain highly qualified colleagues in order to support our customers and achieve business results. The loss of the services of key personnel and our inability to recruit effective replacements or to otherwise attract, motivate, or retain highly qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

If we are unable to consistently renew and enter into new subscriptions for our offerings, our results could weaken.

The majority of our revenue is recurring, typically based on subscription agreement to our offerings. In 2016, approximately 82 percent of our revenues were recurring fixed and recurring variable revenues. Our operating results depend on our ability to achieve and sustain high renewal rates on our existing subscription base and to enter into new subscription arrangements at acceptable prices and other commercially acceptable terms. Failure to meet one or more of these subscription objectives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.


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Changes in the legislative, regulatory, and commercial environments in which we operate may adversely impact our ability to collect, compile, use, and publish data, subject us to increased regulation of our products and services or prevent us from offering certain products or service, decrease demand for our products and services and impact our financial results.

Our customers rely on many of our products and services to meet their operational, regulatory or compliance needs. All our financial industry customers, in particular, operate within a highly regulated environment and must comply with governmental and quasi-governmental legislation, regulations, directives and standards. In addition, certain types of information we collect, compile, use, and publish, including offerings in our IHS Markit Automotive and CARFAX businesses, are subject to regulation by governmental authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate.

Over the past few years, the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions have introduced new legislation and regulation of financial markets, such as The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR”), the new Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID II”) and the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (“MiFIR”) in the European Union. In addition, there is increasing focus among certain advocates and government regulators regarding marketing and privacy matters, particularly as they relate to individual privacy interests. These concerns may result in new or amended laws and regulations, including with respect to the collection, compilation, use, and publication of information and consumer privacy. Similarly, new rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”) and other governmental and quasi-governmental organizations may also affect demand, structure and regulation of the products and services we offer to the financial services industry, such as benchmark administration, intermediating and clearing services, and offerings in which we function as a “third-party service provider.” It is also possible that we could be prohibited or constrained from collecting or disseminating certain types of data or from providing certain products or services. Uncertainty caused by political change in the United States and European Union (particularly Brexit) heightens regulatory uncertainty in these areas. New legislation, or a significant change in rules, regulations, directives or standards could result in some of our products and services becoming obsolete or prohibited, reduce demand for our products and services, increase expenses as we modify our products and services to comply with new requirements and retain relevancy, impose limitations on our operations, and increase compliance or litigation expense, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be exposed to litigation related to content we make available to customers and we may face legal liability or damage to our reputation if our customers are not satisfied with our offerings or if our offerings are misused.

We are significantly dependent on data, technologies and business methods, as well as the intellectual property rights related to them, both with respect to licensing and delivering intellectual property to our customers and obtaining intellectual property from our suppliers.

We may face potential liability for, among other things, breach of contract, defamation, libel, fraud or negligence, with respect to the use of our offerings by our customers, particularly if the information in our offerings was incorrect for any reason, or if it were misused or used inappropriately. In addition, companies in our industry have increasingly pursued patent and other intellectual property protection for their data, technologies and business methods. As we do not actively monitor third-party intellectual property, if any of our data, technologies or business methods are covered or become covered by third-party intellectual property protection and used without license or if we misuse data, technologies or business methods outside the terms of our licenses, we may be subject to claims or threats of infringement, misappropriation or other violation of intellectual property rights, or have the use of our data, technologies and business methods otherwise challenged. We have also in the past been, and may in the future be, called upon to defend partners, customers, suppliers or distributors against such third-party claims under indemnification clauses in our agreements.

Responding to such claims or threats, regardless of merit, can consume valuable time and resources, result in costly or unfavorable litigation or settlements that could exceed the limits of applicable insurance coverage, delay operations of our business, require redesign of our products and services, or require new royalty and licensing agreements. It could also damage our reputation for any reason which could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers, employees, and information suppliers. Any such factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights and confidential information.

Our success depends in part on our proprietary technology, processes, methodologies and information. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade secret, patent and other intellectual property laws and nondisclosure, license, assignment and confidentiality arrangements to establish, maintain and protect our proprietary rights as well as the intellectual

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property rights of third parties whose content we license. However, we cannot assure you that the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights, and the rights of those from whom we license intellectual property, are adequate to prevent unauthorized use, misappropriation, or theft of our intellectual property. Intellectual property laws in various jurisdictions in which we operate are also subject to change at any time and could further restrict our ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights. In particular, a portion of our revenues are derived from jurisdictions where adequately protecting intellectual property rights may prove more challenging or impossible. We may also not be able to detect unauthorized uses or take timely and effective steps to remedy unauthorized conduct. To prevent or respond to unauthorized uses of our intellectual property, we might be required to engage in costly and time-consuming litigation or other proceedings and we may not ultimately prevail. Any failure to establish, maintain or protect our intellectual property or proprietary rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our compliance and risk management methods might not be effective and may result in outcomes that could adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.

Our ability to comply with applicable complex and changing laws and rules is largely dependent on our establishment and maintenance of compliance, surveillance, audit and reporting systems, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance and other risk management personnel. While we have policies and procedures to identify, monitor and manage our risks, we cannot assure you that our policies and procedures will always be effective or that we will always be successful in monitoring or evaluating the risks to which we are or may be exposed. In addition, some of our risk management methods depend upon evaluation of information regarding markets, customers or other matters that are publicly available or otherwise accessible by us. That information may not in all cases be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. In case of non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to investigations and proceedings that may be very expensive to defend and may result in substantial penalties or civil lawsuits, including by customers, for damages which can be significant. Any of these outcomes would adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results. Further, the implementation of new legislation or regulations, or changes in or unfavorable interpretations of existing regulations by courts or regulatory bodies, could require us to incur significant compliance costs and impede our ability to operate, expand and enhance our products and services as necessary to remain competitive and grow our business, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The U.K. electorate voted in favor of a U.K. exit from the E.U. in a referendum, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The U.K. Government held an in-or-out referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union in June 2016, which resulted in the electorate voting in favor of a U.K. exit from the E.U. (Brexit). A process of negotiation will now determine the future terms of the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union. We are headquartered and tax domiciled in the UK and conduct business in Europe primarily through our U.K. subsidiaries. Depending on the terms of Brexit, we could face new regulatory costs and challenges. For instance, the United Kingdom could lose access to the single E.U. market and to the global trade deals negotiated by the European Union on behalf of its members, and we may be required to move certain operations to other European Union members to maintain such access. A decline in trade could affect the attractiveness of the United Kingdom as a global investment center and, as a result, could have a detrimental impact on U.K. growth. Although we have an international customer base, we could be adversely affected by reduced growth and greater volatility in the Pound Sterling and the U.K. economy. Changes to U.K. immigration policy could likewise occur as a result of Brexit. Although the United Kingdom would likely retain its diverse pool of talent, London’s role as a global financial center may decline, particularly if financial institutions shift their operations to the European Union and the E.U. financial services passport is not maintained. Any adjustments we make to our business and operations as of Brexit could result in significant time and expense to complete. Any of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our international operations are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

We operate in many countries around the world and a significant part of our revenue comes from international sales. In 2016, we generated approximately 40 percent of our revenues from sales outside the United States. Approximately 20 percent of our revenue is transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets, and incur liabilities in countries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including the British Pound, the Canadian Dollar, the Indian rupee and the Euro. As we continue to leverage our global delivery model, more of our expenses will likely be incurred in currencies other than those in which we bill for the related products and services. An increase in the value of certain currencies against the U.S. dollar could increase costs for delivery of services at offshore sites by increasing labor and other costs that are denominated in local currency. Because our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate revenues, income, expenses, and the value of assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect during or at the

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end of each reporting period. We may use derivative financial instruments to reduce our net exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations. Nevertheless, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies can materially affect our net operating revenues, operating income, and the value of balance sheet items denominated in other currencies. We expect foreign currency to negatively impact our revenue growth in 2017.

Our international operations are subject to risks relating to worldwide operations.

Operating in many jurisdictions around the world, we may be affected by numerous, and sometimes conflicting, legal and regulatory regimes, including: changes in tax rates and tax laws or their interpretation, including changes related to tax holidays or tax incentives; trade protection laws, policies and measures, and other regulatory requirements affecting trade and investment; unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; social, political, labor, or economic conditions in a specific country or region; and difficulties in staffing and managing local operations. We must also manage: difficulties in penetrating new markets because of established and entrenched competitors, uncertainties of obtaining data and creating products and services that are relevant to particular geographic markets; lack of recognition of our brands, products or services, unavailability of joint venture partners or local companies for acquisition, restrictions or limitations on outsourcing contracts or services abroad, differing levels of data privacy and intellectual property protection in various jurisdictions; potential adverse tax consequences on the repatriation of funds and from taxation reform affecting multinational companies and exposure to adverse government action in countries where we may conduct reporting activities. Because of the varying degrees of development of the legal systems of the countries in which we operate, local laws might be insufficient to protect our rights. Compliance with diverse legal and regulatory requirements is costly, time-consuming and requires significant resources. Violations could result in significant fines or monetary damages, criminal sanctions, prohibitions or restrictions on doing business and damage to our reputation.

In addition, as we operate our business around the world, we must manage the potential conflicts between locally accepted business practices in any given jurisdiction and our obligations to comply with laws and regulations, including anti-corruption laws or regulations applicable to us, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act 2010. We have developed and instituted a corporate compliance program which includes, among other things, employee training and the creation of appropriate policies defining employee behavior that mandate adherence to laws. While we implement policies and procedures intended to promote and facilitate compliance with all applicable laws, our employees, contractors, and agents, as well as those independent companies to which we outsource certain business operations, may take actions in violation of our policies. Any such violation, even if prohibited by our policies, could subject us to criminal or civil enforcement actions or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business and reputation. Our inability to manage some or all of these risks of operating a global business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

International hostilities, terrorist or cyber-terrorist activities, natural disasters, pandemics, and infrastructure disruptions could prevent us from effectively serving our customers and thus adversely affect our results of operations.

Acts of terrorist violence, cyber-terrorism, political unrest, armed regional and international hostilities and international responses to these hostilities, natural disasters, including hurricanes or floods, global health risks or pandemics or the threat of or perceived potential for these events could have a negative impact on us. These events could adversely affect our customers’ levels of business activity and precipitate sudden significant changes in regional and global economic conditions and cycles. These events also pose significant risks to our employees and our physical facilities and operations around the world, whether the facilities are ours or those of our third-party service providers or customers. By disrupting communications and travel and increasing the difficulty of obtaining and retaining highly skilled and qualified personnel, these events could make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver products and services to our customers. Extended disruptions of electricity, other public utilities or network services at our facilities, as well as system failures at our facilities or otherwise, could also adversely affect our ability to serve our customers. We may be unable to protect our employees, facilities and systems against all such occurrences. We generally do not have insurance for losses and interruptions caused by terrorist attacks, conflicts and wars. If these disruptions prevent us from effectively serving our customers, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

If we are unable to successfully identify acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships or alliances or we experience integration or other risks resulting from our acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships or alliances, our financial results may be adversely affected.

As we continue pursuing selective acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships or alliances with third parties to support our business and growth strategy, we seek to be disciplined, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition, strategic investment, partnership or alliance candidates on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, our ability to achieve the expected returns and synergies from our past and future acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships and alliances depends in part upon our ability to effectively integrate the offerings, technology, sales,

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administrative functions, and personnel of these businesses into our business. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in integrating acquired businesses, strategic investments, partnerships or alliances or that they will perform at the levels we anticipate. In addition, our past and future strategic acquisitions, partnerships and alliances may subject us to unanticipated risks or liabilities or disrupt our operations.

We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger.

The success of the Merger will depend on, among other things, our ability to combine the legacy businesses of IHS and Markit in a manner that realizes anticipated synergies and exceeds the projected stand-alone cost savings and revenue growth trends identified by us. We expect to benefit from cost synergies driven by integrating corporate functions, reducing technology spending by optimizing IT infrastructure, using centers of excellence in cost-competitive locations and optimizing real estate and other costs, as well as greater tax efficiencies from global management and global cash movement. We may also enjoy revenue synergies, including product and service cross-selling, a more diversified and expanded product offering and balance across geographic regions.

However, we must successfully combine the legacy businesses of IHS and Markit in a manner that permits these cost savings and synergies to be realized. In addition, we must achieve the anticipated savings and synergies in a timely manner and without adversely affecting current revenues and investments in future growth. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, or the cost to achieve these synergies is greater than expected, we may not realize fully, or at all, the anticipated benefits of the Merger, or it may take longer to realize the benefits than expected.

A variety of factors may adversely affect our ability to realize the currently expected operating synergies, savings and other benefits of the Merger, including the failure to successfully optimize our facilities footprint, the inability to leverage existing customer relationships, the failure to identify and eliminate duplicative programs, the failure to otherwise integrate the legacy businesses of IHS and Markit, unforeseen increased expenses associated with the Merger and possible adverse tax consequences pursuant to changes in applicable tax laws, regulations or other administrative guidance.

We may encounter significant difficulties in combining the legacy IHS and Markit businesses.

The combination of two independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process. As a result, we will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to combining the business practices and operations of the legacy IHS and Markit businesses. This process may disrupt the businesses. The failure to meet the challenges involved in combining the two businesses and to realize the anticipated benefits of the transactions could cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, the activities of the combined company and could adversely affect our results of operations. The overall combination of legacy IHS and Markit businesses may also result in material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses, loss of customer and other business relationships and diversion of management attention. The difficulties of combining the operations of the companies include, among others:

the diversion of management attention to integration matters;
difficulties in integrating operations and systems and maintaining institutional knowledge and procedures;
challenges in conforming standards, controls, procedures and accounting and other policies, business cultures and compensation structures between the two companies;
difficulties in attracting and retaining key personnel;
challenges in keeping existing customers and obtaining new customers;
difficulties in achieving anticipated cost savings, synergies, business opportunities and growth prospects from the combination;
unanticipated transaction and integration expenses;
difficulties in managing the expanded operations of a significantly larger and more complex and geographically diverse company;
contingent liabilities (including contingent tax liabilities) that are larger than expected; and
potential unknown liabilities, adverse consequences and unforeseen increased expenses associated with the Merger, including possible adverse tax consequences to the combined company pursuant to changes in applicable tax laws or regulations.

Many of these factors are outside of our control, and any one of them could result in increased costs, decreased expected revenues and diversion of management time and energy, which could materially impact the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company.

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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Our indebtedness could have significant consequences on our future operations, including:
making it more difficult for us to satisfy our indebtedness obligations and our other ongoing business obligations, which may result in defaults;
events of default if we fail to comply with the financial and other covenants contained in the agreements governing our debt instruments, which could result in all of our debt becoming immediately due and payable or require us to negotiate an amendment to financial or other covenants that could cause us to incur additional fees and expenses;
sensitivity to interest rate increases on our variable rate outstanding indebtedness, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly;
reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for these purposes;
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our business, the industries in which we operate, and the overall economy;
placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to any of our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged; and
increasing our vulnerability to the impact of adverse economic and industry conditions.

Our ability to meet our payment and other obligations under our debt instruments depends on our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our existing or any future credit facilities or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our indebtedness obligations and to fund other liquidity needs. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, for many reasons, including to fund acquisitions. If we add additional indebtedness or other liabilities, the related risks that we face could intensify.

The price of our common shares may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.

Our share price is likely to fluctuate in the future because of the volatility of the stock market in general and a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Market fluctuations could result in volatility in the price of our common shares, one possible outcome of which could be a decline in the value of your investment. In addition, if our operating results fail to meet the expectations of stock analysts or investors, or if we are perceived by the market to suffer material business or reputational damage, we may experience a significant decline in the trading price of our common shares.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our shares to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could depress the market price of our common shares and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We have entered into a registration rights and lock-up agreement with certain of our shareholders. Following the expiration of the lock-up periods set forth in that agreement, these shareholders will have the right to demand that we file a registration statement covering the offer and sale of their securities under the Securities Act, for as long as each holds unregistered securities. Sales of common shares by these or any other shareholders, including through the exercise of options and the sale of shares by our employees, could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common shares. In addition, in February 2016, General Atlantic entered into a loan agreement pursuant to which it pledged 23,275,970 of our common shares to secure a $170.0 million loan. If General Atlantic were to default on its obligations under the loan and not timely post additional collateral, the lender would have the right to sell shares to satisfy General Atlantic’s obligation. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales and issuances of shares would have on the market price of our common shares.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may not agree that, after the Merger, IHS Markit should be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and/or that we are not subject to certain other adverse U.S. federal income tax laws relating to certain transactions that we may undertake in the future. In addition, future changes to U.S. tax laws could adversely affect us.

Although IHS Markit is incorporated in Bermuda and is and has been treated as tax resident in the United Kingdom, the IRS may assert that IHS Markit should be treated as a U.S. corporation (and, therefore, a U.S. tax resident) for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 7874 of the Code (referred to as “Section 7874”). Section 7874 provides that if, following an acquisition of a U.S. corporation by a non-U.S. corporation, at least 80% of the acquiring non-U.S. corporation’s stock (by vote or value) is considered to be held by former shareholders of the U.S. corporation by reason of holding stock of such U.S. corporation (such percentage referred to as the “ownership percentage” and such test referred to as the “ownership

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test”) and the “expanded affiliated group” which includes the acquiring non-U.S. corporation does not have substantial business activities in the country in which the acquiring non-U.S. corporation is created or organized, then the non-U.S. corporation would be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes even though it is a corporation created and organized outside the United States.

Moreover, if the ownership percentage is 60% or more (but less than 80%), the acquired U.S. corporation and its U.S. affiliates could be prohibited from using foreign tax credits or other attributes to offset the income or gain recognized by reason of the transfer of property to a foreign related person or any income received or accrued by reason of a license of any property by the acquired U.S. corporation to a foreign related person. In addition, in such case, a combined company may have a limited ability to integrate certain of its non-U.S. operations or access cash earned by the acquired U.S. corporation’s non-U.S. subsidiaries, in each case without incurring substantial U.S. tax liabilities.
 
We believe that, based on current law, Section 7874 did not to apply to us after the Merger because the former IHS stockholders held, for purposes of the relevant Section 7874 rules, less than 60% of our common shares (by vote and value) after the Merger by reason of holding IHS common stock. However, there is limited guidance regarding the application of Section 7874, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with the position that the former IHS stockholders will be treated as holding less than 60% of our common shares (by vote and value) after the Merger by reason of holding IHS common stock for purposes of the ownership test. Further, a subsequent change in law might cause IHS stockholders to be treated as owning either 60% or more, or 80% or more, of our common shares after the Merger for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including with retroactive effect to the date of the Merger.

If IHS stockholders were treated as having acquired 80% of our common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes, IHS Markit would be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we could be liable for substantial additional U.S. federal income tax on its operations and income following the closing of the Merger. Additionally, non-U.S. shareholders would be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the gross amount of any dividends we pay to such shareholders. If IHS stockholders were treated as having acquired 60% or more (but less than 80%) of our common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes, while IHS Markit would not be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we could be subject to the other adverse tax consequences described above.

Finally, recent legislative proposals have aimed to expand the scope of U.S. corporate tax residence, including in such a way as would cause IHS Markit to be treated as a U.S. corporation if the management and control of IHS Markit and its affiliates were determined to be located primarily in the United States, or would reduce the ownership percentage at or above which IHS Markit would be treated as a U.S. corporation. Thus, the rules under Section 7874 and other relevant provisions of U.S. tax law could change on a prospective or retroactive basis in a manner that could adversely affect us.

Audits, investigations and tax proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to direct and indirect taxes in numerous jurisdictions. We calculate and provide for such taxes in each tax jurisdiction in which we operate. The amount of tax we pay is subject to our interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we file. We have taken and will continue to take tax positions based on our interpretation of tax laws, but tax accounting often involves complex matters and judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for taxes and other tax liabilities. Although we believe that we have complied with all applicable tax laws, we have been and expect to continue to be subject to ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions, and tax authorities have disagreed, and may in the future disagree, with some of our interpretations of applicable tax law. We regularly assess the likely outcomes of these audits to determine the appropriateness of our tax provisions. However, our judgments may not be sustained on completion of these audits, and the amounts ultimately paid could be different from the amounts previously recorded, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Future changes in tax laws, including in the rates of taxation, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our tax liabilities and effective tax rate in the future could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. Tax laws, including tax rates, in the jurisdictions in which we operate may change as a result of macroeconomic, political or other factors, and such changes could have a negative impact on our profitability. For example, the U.S. Congress, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) and other government agencies have had an extended focus on issues related to the taxation of multinational corporations. One example is in the area of “base erosion and profit shifting.” The G20 finance ministers have endorsed a comprehensive plan set forth by the OECD to create an agreed set of

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international rules for fighting base erosion and profit shifting. As a result, the tax laws in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries in which we operate could change on a prospective or retroactive basis, and any such changes could adversely affect us. In addition, changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation or enforcement, may be unpredictable, particularly in less developed markets, and could become more stringent, which could materially adversely affect our tax position. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Bermuda law differs from the laws in effect in the United States and may afford less protection to holders of our common shares, including enforcing judgments against us or our directors and executive officers.

We are organized under the laws of Bermuda, as a Bermuda exempted company. As a result, our corporate affairs and the rights of holders of our common shares are governed by Bermuda law, including the Companies Act 1981 (the “Companies Act”), which differs in some material respects from laws typically applicable to U.S. corporations and shareholders, including the provisions relating to interested directors, amalgamations, mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, shareholder lawsuits and indemnification of directors. Generally, the duties of directors and officers of a Bermuda company are owed to the company only. Shareholders of Bermuda companies typically do not have rights to take action against directors or officers of the company and may only do so in limited circumstances. Class actions are not available under Bermuda law. The circumstances in which derivative actions may be available under Bermuda law are substantially more proscribed and less clear than they would be to shareholders of U.S. corporations. The Bermuda courts, however, would ordinarily be expected to permit a shareholder to commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or illegal, or would result in the violation of the company’s memorandum of association or bye-laws. Furthermore, consideration would be given by a Bermuda court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against the minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than that which actually approved it.

When the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner that is oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of some shareholders, one or more shareholders may apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda, which may make such order as it sees fit, including an order regulating the conduct of the company’s affairs in the future or ordering the purchase of the shares of any shareholders by other shareholders or by the company. Additionally, under our bye-laws and as permitted by Bermuda law, each shareholder has waived any claim or right of action against our directors or officers for any action taken by directors or officers in the performance of their duties, except for actions involving fraud or dishonesty. In addition, the rights of holders of our common shares and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Bermuda law are not as clearly established as under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in jurisdictions in the United States, particularly the State of Delaware. It is also doubtful whether courts in Bermuda will enforce judgments obtained in other jurisdictions, including the United States, against us or our directors or officers under the securities laws of those jurisdictions or entertain actions in Bermuda against us or our directors or officers under the securities laws of other jurisdictions. Therefore, holders of our common shares may have more difficulty protecting their interests than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction within the United States.

We have anti-takeover provisions in our bye-laws that may discourage a change of control.

Our bye-laws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors. These provisions provide for:

a classified board of directors with staggered three-year terms;
directors only to be removed for cause;
restrictions on the time period in which directors may be nominated;
our Board of Directors to determine the powers, preferences and rights of our preference shares and to issue the preference shares without shareholder approval; and
an affirmative vote of 66-2/3% of our voting shares for certain “business combination” transactions which have not been approved by our Board of Directors.

These provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if the third party’s offer may be considered beneficial by many shareholders. As a result, shareholders may be limited in their ability to obtain a premium for their shares.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 2. Properties

Our Facilities

Our colleagues work in offices at 137 locations around the world, comprised of 74 offices in the Americas (59 in the United States), 37 offices in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and 26 offices in the Asia Pacific region. We own the buildings at three of our locations. All of our other facilities are leased with terms ranging from month-to-month at several locations to an expiration date in 2032 for one of our facilities. We believe that our properties, taken as a whole, are in good operating condition, are suitable and adequate for our current business operations, and that additional or alternative space will be available on commercially reasonable terms for future use and expansion.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

See "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 15" in Part II of this Form 10-K for information about legal proceedings.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common shares are traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol "INFO." Prior to the completion of the Merger, our common shares traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol "MRKT." The following table sets forth for the indicated periods the high and low sales prices per common share on the NASDAQ:
Fiscal Year 2016 Quarters Ended:
 
High
 
Low
February 29, 2016
 
$
30.50

 
$
26.01

May 31, 2016
 
35.77

 
27.52

August 31, 2016
 
37.50

 
30.38

November 30, 2016
 
37.85

 
34.13

 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Year 2015 Quarters Ended:
 
High
 
Low
February 28, 2015
 
$
27.39

 
$
24.28

May 31, 2015
 
27.63

 
24.96

August 31, 2015
 
29.98

 
25.36

November 30, 2015
 
30.87

 
27.99


As of December 31, 2016, we had 111 holders of record of our common shares and approximately 45,000 beneficial holders of our common shares.

Our authorized share capital of $30 million consists of 3,000,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, and undesignated shares, par value $0.01 per share, that our Board of Directors is authorized to designate from time to time as common shares or as preference shares. As of November 30, 2016, no preference shares were issued and outstanding. The holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote per share.

Exchange Controls

Under Bermuda law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our common shares.


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We have been designated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes. This designation allows us to engage in transactions in currencies other than the Bermuda dollar, and there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds (other than funds denominated in Bermuda dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to U.S. residents who are holders of our common shares.

Under Bermuda law, “exempted” companies are companies formed for the purpose of conducting business outside Bermuda from a principal place of business in Bermuda. As an exempted company, we may not carry on certain business in Bermuda without a license or consent granted by the Minister responsible for the Companies Act 1981.

Dividend Policy

We have not previously paid a dividend, and we do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides detail about our share repurchases during the three months ended November 30, 2016 . See "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 16" in Part II of this Form 10-K for information regarding our stock repurchase programs.

 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in millions)
September 1 - September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share repurchase programs (1)
2,595,563

 
$
36.95

 
2,595,563

 
$
1,490.3

Employee transactions (2)
1,731

 
$
36.62

 
N/A

 
N/A

October 1 - October 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share repurchase programs (1)
3,159,861

 
$
36.99

 
3,159,861

 
$
1,373.5

Employee transactions (2)
12,958

 
$
36.99

 
N/A

 
N/A

November 1 - November 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share repurchase programs (1)
3,546,943

 
$
35.65

 
3,546,943

 
$
1,247.0

Accelerated share repurchase program  (3)
1,061,950

 
$
32.48

 
1,061,950

 
N/A

Employee transactions (2)
96,544

 
$
35.65

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total share repurchases
10,475,550

 
$
36.06

 
10,364,317

 
 

(1) In February 2016, the Markit Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $500 million of Markit common shares through February 28, 2018. This authorization continued in effect after completion of the Merger. Under this $500 million share repurchase program, management was authorized to repurchase, at its discretion, common shares on the open market from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions, or through accelerated repurchase agreements, subject to the availability of common shares, share price, market conditions, alternative uses of capital, and applicable regulatory requirements. In August 2016, our Board of Directors modified this share repurchase program to terminate on September 29, 2016 and authorized a new share repurchase program (the August 2016 Repurchase Program) of up to $1.5 billion of IHS Markit common shares from September 29, 2016 through November 30, 2017, to be funded using our existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and future cash flows, or through the incurrence of short- or long-term indebtedness, at management's discretion. The August 2016 Repurchase Program was further modified in January 2017 by our Board of Directors to increase its size to up to $2.25 billion of IHS Markit common shares and extend the program through May 31, 2018. The August 2016 Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any set dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time without prior notice. Under the August 2016 Repurchase Program, we are authorized to repurchase our common shares on the open market from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions, or through accelerated repurchase agreements, subject to availability of common shares, price, market conditions, alternative uses of capital, and applicable regulatory requirements, at management’s discretion.

(2) Amounts represent common shares repurchased from employees in an amount equal to the statutory tax liability associated with the vesting of their equity awards. We then pay the statutory tax on behalf of the employee. The IHS Board of Directors initially approved this program in 2006, and our Board of Directors reapproved the program in August 2016 in an effort to reduce the dilutive effects of employee equity grants. This program is separate and additional to the August 2016 Repurchase Program authorized by our Board as described in note (1).

(3) On December 7, 2015, we initiated an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) program to repurchase an aggregate of $200 million of common shares. Upon execution of the ASR program, we received an initial delivery of 5.095 million shares. At the completion of the program on November 30, 2016, we received an additional 1.062 million shares. The average price paid per share presented above reflects the average for the 6.157 million total shares repurchased through the ASR program.

Performance Graph


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The following graph compares our total cumulative stockholder return with the Standard & Poor's Composite Stock Index (S&P 500) and a peer index representing the total price change of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation; Equifax Inc.; FactSet Research Systems Inc.; Gartner, Inc.; Moody’s Corporation; MSCI Inc.; Nielsen Holdings N.V.; S&P Global Inc.; TransUnion; Thomson Reuters Corporation; and Verisk Analytics, Inc.

The graph assumes a $100 cash investment on June 9, 2014 (our first trading day as a public company) and the reinvestment of all dividends (which we did not pay). This graph is not indicative of future financial performance.

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return Among IHS Markit, S&P 500 Index, and Peer Group

Q41610K_CHART.JPG
TAXATION
The following sets forth material Bermuda and U.K. income tax consequences of owning and disposing of our common shares. It is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof as of the date of this Form 10-K, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not address all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our common shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. federal, state, local, and other tax laws.
Bermuda Tax Considerations
At the present time, there is no Bermuda income or profits tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate duty, or inheritance tax payable by us or by our shareholders in respect of our shares. We have obtained an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax shall not, until March 31, 2035, be applicable to us or to any of our operations or to our shares, debentures, or other obligations except insofar as such tax applies to persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda or is payable by us in respect of real property owned or leased by us in Bermuda.
United Kingdom Taxation
General

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The following is a description of the material U.K. tax consequences of an investment in our common shares. It is intended only as a general guide to the position under current U.K. tax law and what is understood to be the current published practice of HMRC and may not apply to certain classes of investors, such as dealers in securities, persons who acquire (or are deemed to acquire) their securities by reason of an office or employment, insurance companies, and collective investment schemes. Rates of tax, thresholds, and allowances are given for the U.K. tax year 2016-17. Any person who is in doubt as to his tax position is strongly recommended to consult his own professional tax adviser. To the extent this description applies to U.K. resident and, if individuals, domiciled shareholders, it applies only to those shareholders who beneficially hold their shares as an investment (unless expressly stated otherwise). This description does not apply to shareholders to whom split year treatment applies.
The Company
It is the intention of the directors to conduct the affairs of IHS Markit Ltd. so that the central management and control of IHS Markit Ltd. is exercised in the United Kingdom such that IHS Markit Ltd. is treated as resident in the United Kingdom for U.K. tax purposes.
Taxation of dividends
Withholding tax
We will not be required to withhold U.K. tax at source on any dividends paid to shareholders in respect of our common shares.
U.K. resident shareholders
From April 6, 2016, individuals resident in the United Kingdom for taxation purposes will pay no tax on the first £5,000 of dividend income received in a tax year (the “nil rate amount”). The rates of income tax on dividends received above the nil rate amount for the 2016-17 tax year are: (a) 7.5 percent for dividends taxed in the basic rate band; (b) 32.5 percent for dividends taxed in the higher rate band; and (c) 38.1 percent for dividends taxed in the additional rate band. Dividend income that is within the nil rate amount counts towards an individual’s basic or higher rate limits. In calculating into which tax band any dividend income over the nil rate amount falls, dividend income is treated as the highest part of an individual’s income.
A U.K. resident shareholder who holds common shares in an individual savings account will be exempt from income tax on dividends in respect of such shares. Subject to certain exceptions, including for traders in securities and insurance companies, dividends paid by us and received by a corporate shareholder resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes should be within the provisions set out in Part 9A of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 which exempt certain classes of dividend from corporation tax. Each shareholder’s position will depend on its own individual circumstances, although it would normally be expected that the dividends paid by us would fall into an exempt class and will not be subject to corporation tax.
Non-U.K. resident shareholders
Non-U.K. resident shareholders are not subject to tax (including withholding tax) in the United Kingdom on dividends received on our common shares unless they carry on a trade, profession, or vocation in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency (or, in the case of a non-U.K. resident corporate shareholder, a permanent establishment) to which the common shares are attributable.
Taxation of capital gains
U.K. resident shareholders
A disposal of common shares by an individual shareholder who is (at any time in the relevant U.K. tax year) resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes, may give rise to a chargeable gain or an allowable loss for the purposes of U.K. taxation of chargeable gains, depending on the shareholder’s circumstances and subject to any allowable deductions and any available exemption or relief including the annual exempt amount (being £11,100 for 2016-17). Capital gains tax is charged on chargeable gains at a rate of 10 percent or 20 percent (or a combination of both rates) depending on whether the individual is a basic rate taxpayer or a higher or additional rate taxpayer.
For shareholders within the charge to U.K. corporation tax on chargeable gains in respect of the common shares, indexation allowance should generally be available to reduce the amount of any chargeable gain realized on a disposal of common shares (but not to create or increase any loss).
Non-resident shareholders
A shareholder who is not resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes will not be subject to U.K. taxation of capital gains on the disposal or deemed disposal of common shares unless they carry on a trade, profession, or

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vocation in the United Kingdom through a branch or agency (or, in the case of a non-U.K. resident corporate shareholder, a permanent establishment) to which the common shares are attributable, in which case they will be subject to the same rules which apply to U.K. resident shareholders.
A shareholder who is an individual and who is temporarily resident for tax purposes outside the United Kingdom at the date of disposal of common shares may also be liable, on his return, to U.K. taxation of chargeable gains (subject to any available exemption or relief).
Stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax (“SDRT”)
The statements below summarize the current law and are intended as a general guide only to stamp duty and SDRT. Special rules apply to agreements made by broker dealers and market makers in the ordinary course of their business and to transfers, agreements to transfer, or issues to certain categories of person (such as depositaries and clearance services) which may be liable to stamp duty or SDRT at a higher rate.
No stamp duty reserve tax will be payable on any agreement to transfer the common shares, provided that the common shares are not registered in a register kept in the United Kingdom. It is not intended that such a register will be kept in the United Kingdom. Further, no stamp duty will be payable on transfer of the common shares provided that (i) any instrument of transfer is not executed in the United Kingdom; and (ii) such instrument of transfer does not relate to any property situated, or any matter or thing done or to be done, in the United Kingdom.
Inheritance tax
U.K. inheritance tax may be chargeable on the death of, or on a gift of common shares by, a U.K. domiciled shareholder. For inheritance tax purposes, a transfer of assets at less than full market value may be treated as a gift and particular rules apply to gifts where the donor reserves or retains some benefit. Special rules also apply to the trustees of settlements who hold common shares. Potential investors should consult an appropriate professional adviser if they make a gift or transfer at less than full market value or they intend to hold common shares through trust arrangements.
ISA
The common shares are eligible for inclusion in the stocks and shares component of an ISA, subject, where applicable, to the annual subscription limits for new investments into an ISA (for the tax year 2016-17, this is £15,240). Sums received by a shareholder on a disposal of common shares will not count towards the shareholder’s annual limit, but a disposal of common shares held in an ISA will not serve to make available again any part of the annual subscription limit that has already been used by the shareholder in that tax year.


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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

You should read the following selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing in Part II of this Form 10-K.

 
Years Ended November 30,
 
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
 
(in millions, except for per share amounts)
Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
2,734.8

$
2,184.3

$
2,079.8

$
1,692.0

$
1,403.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
143.6

$
188.9

$
178.0

$
116.5

$
143.4

Income from discontinued operations
9.2

51.3

16.5

15.2

14.8

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
152.8

$
240.2

$
194.5

$
131.7

$
158.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.46

$
0.78

$
0.73

$
0.49

$
0.61

Income from discontinued operations
0.03

0.21

0.07

0.06

0.06

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.49

$
0.99

$
0.80

$
0.56

$
0.68

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.45

$
0.77

$
0.72

$
0.49

$
0.60

Income from discontinued operations
0.03

0.21

0.07

0.06

0.06

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.48

$
0.97

$
0.79

$
0.55

$
0.67

 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data (as of period end):
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
138.9

$
291.6

$
153.2

$
258.4

$
345.0

Total assets
$
13,936.6

$
5,577.5

$
5,272.1

$
5,359.6

$
3,549.2

Total long-term debt and capital leases
$
3,279.3

$
2,071.5

$
1,806.1

$
1,779.1

$
890.9

Total stockholders' equity
$
8,084.4

$
2,200.9

$
2,159.5

$
1,907.0

$
1,584.4


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Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion of our financial condition and operating results should be read in conjunction with other information and disclosures elsewhere in this Form 10-K, including “Selected Financial Data,” our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, and "Website and Social Media Disclosure." The following discussion includes forward-looking statements as described in “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Form 10-K. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is outlined under “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K.

This MD&A includes the financial results of Markit Ltd. beginning July 12, 2016. The comparability of our operating results for fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2015 is significantly impacted by the Merger. As a result of the Merger, we have created a new Financial Services segment, which consists entirely of legacy Markit's business, and we have included revenue and expense attributable to legacy Markit in the Financial Services segment from the date of the Merger. In our discussion and analysis of comparative periods, we have quantified the legacy Markit contribution wherever we have deemed such amounts to be meaningful. While identified amounts may provide indications of general trends, the analysis cannot completely address the effects attributable to integration efforts.

Executive Summary

Business Overview

We are a world leader in critical information, analytics, and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. We deliver next-generation information, analytics, and solutions to customers in business, finance, and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. We have more than 50,000 key business and government customers, including 85 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world’s leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, we are committed to sustainable, profitable growth.

On July 12, 2016, the Merger was completed pursuant to the Merger Agreement between IHS, Markit, and Merger Sub, and Merger Sub merged with and into IHS, with IHS continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of IHS Markit. Upon completion of the Merger, Markit became the combined group holding company and was renamed IHS Markit Ltd. In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, IHS stockholders received  3.5566  common shares of IHS Markit for each share of IHS common stock they owned.

To best serve our customers, we are organized into the following four industry- and workflow-focused segments:

Resources , which includes our Energy and Chemicals product offerings;
Transportation, which includes our Automotive; Maritime & Trade; and Aerospace, Defense & Security product offerings;
Consolidated Markets & Solutions, which includes our Product Design; Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT); and Economics & Country Risk (ECR) product offerings; and
Financial Services , which includes the entire Markit set of Information, Processing, and Solutions product offerings.

We believe that this sales and operating model helps our customers do business with us by providing a cohesive, consistent, and effective product, sales, and marketing approach by segment.

Our recurring fixed revenue and recurring variable revenue represented approximately 82 percent of our total revenue in 2016 . Our recurring revenue is generally stable and predictable, and we have long-term relationships with many of our customers.

Our business has seasonal aspects. Our fourth quarter typically generates our highest quarterly levels of revenue and profit. Conversely, our first quarter generally has our lowest quarterly levels of revenue and profit. We also experience event-driven seasonality in our business; for instance, CERAWeek, an annual energy conference, was held in the first quarter of 2016 and will be held in the second quarter of 2017. Another example is the biennial release of the Boiler Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) engineering standard, which generates revenue for us predominantly in the third quarter of every other year. The most recent BPVC release was in the third quarter of 2015 and the next release will be in the third quarter of 2017.

During 2016, we focused on commercial expansion, operational excellence, and strategic acquisitions. For 2017, we expect to focus our efforts on the following actions:

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Integrate organizational structure. We are in the process of completing key merger integration activities primarily related to our shared services and corporate organization. We intend to integrate our people, platforms, processes, and products in a manner that allows us to take advantage of revenue and cost synergies that will strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of our business operations.

Innovate and develop new product offerings . We expect to continue to create new commercial offerings from our existing data sets, converting core information to higher value analytics. Our investment priorities for new product offerings are primarily in energy, transportation, financial services, and product design, and we intend to continue to invest across the business to increase our customer value proposition.

Simplify capital allocation. We are focusing our capital allocation strategy primarily on shareholder return through share repurchases. Longer term, we expect to balance capital allocation between returning capital to shareholders through consistent share repurchases and mergers and acquisitions focused primarily on fewer deals in our core end markets that will allow us to continue to build out our strategic position.

Key Performance Indicators

We believe that revenue growth, Adjusted EBITDA (both in dollars and margin), and free cash flow are key financial measures of our success. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP).

Revenue growth . We review year-over-year revenue growth in our segments as a key measure of our success in addressing customer needs. We measure revenue growth in terms of organic, acquisitive, and foreign currency impacts. We define these components as follows:

Organic – We define organic revenue growth as total revenue growth from continuing operations for all factors other than acquisitions and foreign currency movements. We drive this type of revenue growth through value realization (pricing), expanding wallet share of existing customers through up-selling and cross-selling efforts, securing new customer business, and through the sale of new or enhanced product offerings.

Acquisitive – We define acquisitive revenue as the revenue generated from acquired products and services from the date of acquisition to the first anniversary date of that acquisition. This type of growth comes as a result of our strategy to purchase, integrate, and leverage the value of assets we acquire. We also include the impact of divestitures in this growth metric. Due to the size of the Merger, we have not included Markit's 2016 reported stub period results versus 2015 stub period results in the acquisitive category, but have broken out their results in the organic, acquisitive (for acquisitions within the past 12 months completed by legacy Markit), and foreign currency growth metrics.

Foreign currency – We define the foreign currency impact on revenue as the difference between current revenue at current exchange rates and current revenue at the corresponding prior period exchange rates. Due to the significance of revenue transacted in foreign currencies, we believe it is important to measure the impact of foreign currency movements on revenue.

In addition to measuring and reporting revenue by segment, we also measure and report revenue by transaction type. Understanding revenue by transaction type helps us identify and address broad changes in product mix. We summarize our transaction type revenue into the following three categories:

Recurring fixed revenue represents revenue generated from contracts specifying a fixed fee for services delivered over the life of the contract. The fixed fee is typically paid annually, semiannually, or quarterly in advance. These contracts typically consist of subscriptions to our various information offerings and software maintenance, and the revenue is usually recognized over the life of the contract. The initial term of these contracts is typically annual and non-cancellable for the term of the subscription and may contain provisions for minimum monthly payments.

Recurring variable revenue represents revenue from contracts that specify a fee for services which is typically not fixed. The variable fee is usually paid monthly in arrears. Recurring variable revenue is based on, among other factors, the number of trades processed, assets under management, or the number of positions we value. Many of these contracts do not have a maturity date, while the remainder have an initial term ranging from one to five years. In 2016, this revenue was derived entirely from the Financial Services segment.

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Non-recurring revenue represents consulting (e.g., research and analysis, modeling, and forecasting), services, single-document product sales, software license sales and associated services, conferences and events, and advertising. Our non-recurring products and services are an important part of our business because they complement our recurring business in creating strong and comprehensive customer relationships.

Non-GAAP measures . We use non-GAAP financial measures such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow in our operational and financial decision-making. We believe that such measures allow us to focus on what we deem to be more reliable indicators of ongoing operating performance (Adjusted EBITDA) and our ability to generate cash flow from operations (free cash flow). We also believe that investors may find these non-GAAP financial measures useful for the same reasons, although we caution readers that non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for U.S. GAAP financial measures or disclosures. None of these non-GAAP financial measures are recognized terms under U.S. GAAP and do not purport to be an alternative to net income or operating cash flow as an indicator of operating performance or any other U.S. GAAP measure. Throughout this MD&A, we provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA . EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are used by many of our investors, research analysts, investment bankers, and lenders to assess our operating performance. For example, a measure similar to Adjusted EBITDA is required by the lenders under our term loan and revolving credit agreements. We define EBITDA as net income plus or minus net interest, plus provision for income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA further excludes primarily non-cash items and other items that we do not consider to be useful in assessing our operating performance (e.g., stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, acquisition-related costs, exceptional litigation, net other gains and losses, pension mark-to-market and settlement expense, the impact of joint ventures and noncontrolling interests, and discontinued operations).

Free Cash Flow . We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

Non-GAAP measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies comparable to us, many of which present non-GAAP measures when reporting their results. These measures can be useful in evaluating our performance against our peer companies because we believe the measures provide users with valuable insight into key components of U.S. GAAP financial disclosures. For example, a company with higher U.S. GAAP net income may not be as appealing to investors if its net income is more heavily comprised of gains on asset sales. Likewise, excluding the effects of interest income and expense moderates the impact of a company’s capital structure on its performance. However, non-GAAP measures have limitations as an analytical tool. Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. They are not presentations made in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are not measures of financial condition or liquidity, and should not be considered as an alternative to profit or loss for the period determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP or operating cash flows determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As a result, these performance measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Strategic Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions continue to be an important part of our growth strategy. In addition to the Merger, we completed two other acquisitions during the year ended November 30, 2016 . We paid a total purchase price of approximately $1.1 billion for those two acquisitions. We paid a total purchase price of approximately $370 million for acquisitions we completed during the year ended November 30, 2015 , and we paid a total purchase price of approximately $210 million for acquisitions we completed during the year ended November 30, 2014 . Our consolidated financial statements include the results of operations and cash flows for these business combinations beginning on their respective dates of acquisition. For a more detailed description of our recent acquisition activity, see "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 3" in Part II of this Form 10-K.

During 2015, we conducted a complete review of our entire business portfolio. As a result of that review, we determined that the OE&RM and GlobalSpec product offerings no longer fit with our strategic goals, and in the fourth quarter of 2015, we decided to divest those product groups. In the second quarter of 2016, we completed the sale of both of these product groups. We have entered into transition services agreements (TSAs) with the GlobalSpec and OE&RM buyers to facilitate an orderly transition process. The results of these product groups have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements and footnotes. We will continue to evaluate the long-term potential and strategic fit of all of our assets.


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Global Operations

Approximately 40 percent of our revenue is transacted outside of the United States; however, only about 20 percent of our revenue is transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As a result, a strengthening U.S. dollar relative to certain currencies has historically resulted in a negative impact on our revenue; conversely, a weakening U.S. dollar has historically resulted in a positive impact on our revenue. However, the impact on operating income is diminished due to certain operating expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Our largest foreign currency exposures are the British Pound, Euro, Canadian Dollar, Singapore Dollar, and Indian Rupee. See "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk" for additional discussion of the impacts of foreign currencies on our operations.

Pricing information

We customize many of our sales offerings to meet individual customer needs and base our pricing on a number of factors, including various price segmentation models which utilize customer attributes, value attributes, and other data sources.  Attributes can include a proxy for customer size (e.g., barrels of oil equivalent and annual revenue), industry, users, usage, breadth of the content to be included in the offering, and multiple other factors. Because of the level of offering customization we employ, it is difficult for us to evaluate pricing impacts on a period-to-period basis with absolute certainty. This analysis is further complicated by the fact that the offering sets purchased by customers are often not constant between periods. As a result, we are not able to precisely differentiate between pricing and volume impacts on changes in revenue comprehensively across the business.

Other Items

Cost of operating our business. We incur our cost of revenue primarily through acquiring, managing, and delivering our offerings. These costs include personnel, information technology, data acquisition, and occupancy costs, as well as royalty payments to third-party information providers. Our sales, general, and administrative expenses include wages and other personnel costs, commissions, corporate occupancy costs, and marketing costs. A large portion of our operating expenses are not directly commensurate with volume sold, particularly in our recurring revenue business model.

Stock-based compensation expense. We issue equity awards to our employees primarily in the form of restricted stock units, performance stock units, and stock options, for which we record cost over the respective vesting periods. The typical vesting period is three years. As of November 30, 2016 , we had approximately 11.7 million unvested RSUs/RSAs and 22.8 million unvested stock options outstanding.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In applying U.S. GAAP, we make significant estimates and judgments that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe that our accounting estimates and judgments are reasonable when made, but in many instances, alternative estimates and judgments would also be acceptable. In addition, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from our estimates. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations will be affected. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable, and we evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis. We refer to accounting estimates of this type as critical accounting policies and estimates, which are discussed further below.

Revenue Recognition. The majority of our offerings are provided under agreements containing standard terms and conditions. Approximately 82 percent of our 2016 revenue was derived from recurring revenue arrangements, which are initially deferred and then recognized ratably as delivered over the term of the agreement for annual contractual periods billed up front, or is billed and recognized on a monthly basis. These standard agreements typically do not require any significant judgments about when revenue should be recognized. For non-standard agreements, we generally make judgments about revenue recognition matters such as whether sufficient legally binding terms and conditions exist and whether customer acceptance has been received.

We review customer agreements and utilize advice from legal counsel, as appropriate, in evaluating the binding nature of contract terms and conditions, as well as whether customer acceptance has been achieved. We estimate progress on consulting project deliverables based on our knowledge and judgment about the current status of individual consulting engagements.


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Historically, our judgments and estimates have been reasonably accurate, as we have not experienced significant disputes with our customers regarding the timing and acceptance of delivered products and services. However, our actual experience in future periods with respect to binding terms and conditions and customer acceptance may differ from our historical experience.
 
Business Combinations. We allocate the total cost of an acquisition to the underlying net assets based on their respective estimated fair values. As part of this allocation process, we identify and attribute values and estimated lives to the intangible assets acquired. These determinations involve significant estimates and assumptions about several highly subjective variables, including future cash flows, discount rates, and asset lives. There are also different valuation models for each component, the selection of which requires considerable judgment. Our estimates and assumptions may be based, in part, on the availability of listed market prices or other transparent market data. These determinations will affect the amount of amortization expense recognized in future periods. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe are reasonable, but recognize that the assumptions are inherently uncertain. Depending on the size of the purchase price of a particular acquisition and the mix of intangible assets acquired, the purchase price allocation could be materially impacted by applying a different set of assumptions and estimates.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We make various assumptions about our goodwill and other intangible assets, including their estimated useful lives and whether any potential impairment events have occurred. We perform impairment analyses on the carrying values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually. Additionally, we review the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Examples of such events or changes in circumstances, many of which are subjective in nature, include the following:

Significant negative industry or economic trends;
A significant change in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or our strategy;
A significant decrease in the market value of the asset;
A significant change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of the asset; and
A change in segments.

If an impairment indicator is present, we perform an analysis to confirm whether an impairment has actually occurred and if so, the amount of the required charge.

For finite-lived intangible assets, we review the carrying amount at least annually to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate a triggering event which could require an adjustment to the carrying amount. A finite-lived intangible asset is considered to be impaired if its carrying value exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from it. We exercise judgment in selecting the assumptions used in the estimated future undiscounted cash flows analysis. Any impairment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such assets exceeds their fair value.
 
For indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill, we use both qualitative and quantitative analysis to determine whether we believe it is more likely than not that an asset has been impaired. If we believe an impairment has occurred, we then evaluate for impairment by comparing the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value, primarily based on estimated discounted cash flows. We exercise judgment in selecting the assumptions used in the estimated discounted cash flows analysis.

For goodwill, we determine the fair value of each reporting unit, then compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If carrying value exceeds fair value for any reporting unit, then we calculate and compare the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying amount of goodwill and record an impairment charge for any excess of carrying value over implied fair value.

The determination of fair value requires a number of significant assumptions and judgments, including assumptions about future economic conditions, revenue growth, operating margins, and discount rates. The use of different estimates or assumptions within our projected future cash flows model, or the use of a methodology other than a projected future cash flow model, could result in significantly different fair values for our goodwill and other intangible assets.
 
Income Taxes. We exercise significant judgment in determining our provision for income taxes, current tax assets and liabilities, deferred tax assets and liabilities, future taxable income (for purposes of assessing our ability to realize future benefit from our deferred tax assets), our permanent reinvestment assertion regarding foreign earnings, and recorded reserves related to uncertain tax positions. A valuation allowance is established to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is considered more likely than not to be realized through the generation of future taxable income and other tax planning opportunities. To the

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extent that a determination is made to establish or adjust a valuation allowance, the expense or benefit is recorded in the period in which the determination is made.
 
If actual results differ from estimates we have used, or if we adjust these estimates in future periods, our operating results and financial position could be materially affected.
 
Pension Accounting. During the fourth quarter of each fiscal year (or upon any remeasurement date), we immediately recognize net actuarial gains or losses in excess of a corridor in our operating results. The corridor amount is equivalent to 10 percent of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the plan's benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. We use the actual fair value of plan assets at the measurement date as the measure of the market-related value of plan assets.

Our pension expense and associated pension liability requires the use of judgment in determining assumptions about the estimated long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate, as well as various demographic assumptions. Our pension investment strategy is designed to align the majority of our pension assets with the underlying pension liability, which should minimize volatility caused by changes in asset returns and discount rates. Our pension expense estimates are updated for actual experience through the remeasurement process in the fourth quarter, or sooner if earlier remeasurements are required. For 2016, we used a 5.0 percent expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and a 4.5 percent discount rate for the U.S. Retirement Income Plan (RIP). The actual return on U.S. RIP plan assets during 2016 was 5.1 percent.

Our pension assumptions are determined as follows:

We utilize a bond matching model that averages a bond universe of about 500 AA-graded non-callable bonds between the 10th and 90th percentiles for each maturity group as a proxy for setting the discount rate at year-end.
Asset returns are based upon the anticipated average rate of earnings expected on invested funds of the plan over the long-term. We determined our expected return on plan assets by using the discount rate (which approximates the return on the debt securities in our portfolio) with a slight uplift for the impact of the portion of plan assets invested in equity securities.
Demographic assumptions (such as turnover, retirement, and disability) are based upon historical experience and are monitored on a continuing basis to determine if adjustments to these assumptions are warranted in order to better reflect anticipated future experience.
Mortality assumptions are based on recognized actuarial tables.

Depending on the assumptions and estimates used, our net periodic pension expense could vary significantly within a range of possible outcomes and could have a material impact on our financial results.

Discount rates and expected rates of return on plan assets are selected at the end of a given fiscal year and will impact expense in the subsequent year. A 50-basis-point change in certain assumptions made at the beginning of 2016 would have resulted in the following effects on 2016 pension expense and the projected benefit obligation (PBO) as of November 30, 2016 for the U.S. and U.K. RIP plans (in millions):
 
 
Impact to Pension Results - U.S. and U.K. RIP
Change in assumption
 
Increase/(Decrease) to 2016 Pre-Tax Expense
 
Increase/(Decrease) to November 30, 2016 PBO
50-basis-point decrease in discount rate
 
$
11.7

 
$
13.4

50-basis-point increase in discount rate
 
(8.0
)
 
(12.2
)
50-basis-point decrease in expected return on assets
 
0.8

 

50-basis-point increase in expected return on assets
 
(0.8
)
 


Stock-Based Compensation. Our stock plans provide for the grant of various equity awards, including performance-based awards. For time-based restricted stock unit grants, we calculate stock-based compensation cost by multiplying the grant date fair market value by the number of shares granted, reduced for estimated forfeitures. For time-based stock option grants, we calculate stock-based compensation cost by multiplying the grant date fair market value by the number of option shares granted, reduced for estimated forfeitures. The estimated forfeiture rate is based on historical experience, and we periodically review our forfeiture assumptions based on actual experience.
 

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For performance-based restricted stock unit grants, we calculate stock-based compensation cost by multiplying the grant date fair market value by the number of shares granted, reduced for estimated forfeitures. Each quarter, we evaluate the probability of the number of shares that are expected to vest and adjust our stock-based compensation expense accordingly.

Results of Operations

Total Revenue

Total revenue for 2016 increased 25 percent compared to the same period of 2015 . Total revenue for 2015 increased 5 percent compared to the same period in 2014 . The table below displays the percentage point change in revenue due to organic, acquisitive, and foreign currency factors when comparing 2016 to 2015 and 2015 to 2014 . Markit's revenue from July 12, 2016 to November 30, 2016 of approximately $449 million, less the $9 million change from the comparable 2015 stub period, has been included in the calculation of acquisitive growth in the table below, and then the components of Markit's $9 million revenue growth in the period from July 12, 2016 to November 30, 2016 versus the prior year have been included in their related factors in the table below.
 
 
Increase (Decrease) in Total Revenue
(All amounts represent percentage points)
 
Organic
 
Acquisitive
 
Foreign
Currency
2016 vs. 2015
 
%
 
27
%
 
(2
)%
2015 vs. 2014
 
2
%
 
5
%
 
(2
)%

Organic revenue growth for both 2016 and 2015 was primarily attributable to recurring revenue results, which were flat in 2016 and grew 5 percent in 2015. The recurring-based business represented 82 percent of total revenue in 2016 and 81 percent of total revenue in 2015. The non-recurring business decreased organically by 3 percent in 2016 and by 9 percent in 2015, with both years being adversely impacted by lower consulting, software, and services revenue, mostly in our Resources segment. The non-recurring revenue decline in 2016 was also partially due to the timing of the biennial cycle of the BPVC standard, which had revenue of approximately $10 million in the 2015 results, with no comparable benefit in 2016.

Acquisition-related revenue growth for 2016 was primarily due to the Merger in the third quarter of 2016, as well as the acquisitions of CARPROOF and OPIS in the first quarter of 2016 and the run-out of our 2015 acquisitions. Our 2015 acquisitions included the following:

JOC Group, Infonetics, and Rushmore Reviews in the first quarter of 2015; and
Dataium and RootMetrics in the second quarter of 2015.

Acquisition-related revenue growth for 2015 was primarily due to the 2015 acquisitions, as well as the run-out of our 2014 acquisitions. Our 2014 acquisitions included the following:

Global Trade Information Services and PCI Acrylonitrile in August 2014, and
DisplaySearch, Solarbuzz, and PacWest Consulting Partners in November 2014.

Foreign currency movements had a significant adverse impact on our 2016 and 2015 revenue growth as the U.S. dollar continued to maintain its strength against foreign currencies. We continue to see significant uncertainty in the foreign currency markets. Due to the extent of our global operations, foreign currency movements could continue to have an adverse impact on our results in the future.

Revenue by Segment
 
 
Year ended November 30,
 
% Change 2016 vs. 2015
 
% Change 2015 vs. 2014
(In millions, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Resources
 
$
860.8

 
$
884.6

 
$
927.2

 
(3
)%
 
(5
)%
Transportation
 
892.8

 
758.4

 
662.6

 
18
 %
 
14
 %
CMS
 
532.2

 
541.3

 
490.0

 
(2
)%
 
10
 %
Financial Services
 
449.0

 

 

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total revenue
 
$
2,734.8

 
$
2,184.3

 
$
2,079.8

 
25
 %
 
5
 %

36



The percentage change in revenue for each segment is due to the factors described in the following table.
 
2016 vs. 2015
 
2015 vs. 2014
(All amounts represent percentage points)
Organic
 
Acquisitive
 
Foreign
Currency
 
Organic
 
Acquisitive
 
Foreign
Currency
Resources revenue
(9
)%
 
8
%
 
(1
)%
 
(4
)%
 
1
%
 
(2
)%
Transportation revenue
10
 %
 
8
%
 
(1
)%
 
9
 %
 
7
%
 
(2
)%
CMS revenue
(2
)%
 
2
%
 
(2
)%
 
4
 %
 
9
%
 
(3
)%
Financial Services revenue
4
 %
 
2
%
 
(4
)%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A


Resources revenue has encountered significant energy industry headwinds in 2015 and 2016 due to lower energy prices and reduced industry spending, with recurring revenue growth moving from a 2 percent organic growth rate in 2015 to a 9 percent organic revenue decline in 2016. During 2015, on a constant currency basis, our Resources annual contract value (ACV), which represents the annualized value of recurring revenue contracts, declined approximately 5 percent, and in 2016, the constant currency ACV decline was approximately 10 percent. We did begin to see modest slowing of ACV decline in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to prior quarters, although we expect to see ACV pressure again in the first quarter of 2017 due to multi-year agreements that will have some renewal pressure in the period. Economic challenges in the energy industry also contributed to difficulties in our organic non-recurring revenue results for 2015 and 2016, with a 27 percent decline in 2015 moderating to a 12 percent decline in 2016.

Transportation revenue increases for 2015 and 2016 were driven by continued solid organic recurring and non-recurring growth, led by our automotive product offerings, with stable growth in the other transportation product categories as well. We continue to see strong organic growth in our automotive product category due to continued penetration and new products within our used car product offerings, as well as benefits in new car product offerings due to new automotive technologies, global regulatory pressure to curb fuel consumption and emissions, and the increasing use of digital marketing, as well as recall activity. We expect to continue to see stable organic growth in the other Transportation product categories.

The CMS organic revenue decline in 2016 was primarily due to the prior year BPVC release, as well as the loss of a large RootMetrics customer contract and product rationalization within our Technology, Media & Telecom product offerings. The CMS organic revenue growth in 2015 was primarily due to growth in our Product Design offerings, including the BPVC release that year. Revenue from our Product Design offerings continues to grow in the low- to mid-single digit range.

Financial Services revenue included Markit revenue for the period from the completion date of the Merger until November 30, 2016. Within our Information product offerings, our 4 percent organic growth was primarily due to the strong performance of our indices business and our loan and bond pricing data products. Our Processing offerings delivered 6 percent organic revenue growth, with strength in our loans processing products driven by the strong leveraged finance and syndicated loans markets. Derivatives processing had negative organic revenue growth due to lower credit volumes, but we did experience higher rate volumes in the fourth quarter. Solutions organic revenue growth of 2 percent was due to solid managed services revenue, partially offset by lower enterprise software revenue due to a strong prior year comparison following the recognition of several non-recurring software license deals.

Revenue by Transaction Type
 
 
Year ended November 30,
 
% Change 2016 vs. 2015
 
% Change 2015 vs. 2014
(In millions, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring fixed
 
$
2,074.5

 
$
1,768.5

 
$
1,643.9

 
17
%
 
8
 %
Recurring variable
 
164.1

 

 

 
N/A

 
N/A

Non-recurring
 
496.2

 
415.8

 
435.9

 
19
%
 
(5
)%
Total revenue
 
$
2,734.8

 
$
2,184.3

 
$
2,079.8

 
25
%
 
5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As a percent of total revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring fixed
 
76
%
 
81
%
 
79
%
 
 
 
 
Recurring variable
 
6
%
 
%
 
%
 
 
 
 
Non-recurring
 
18
%
 
19
%
 
21
%
 
 
 
 


37


Recurring revenue represents a steady and predictable source of revenue for us. Recurring fixed revenue was flat organically for 2016, compared to 2015, and increased 5 percent for 2015, compared to 2014. This trend is especially important for us, as recurring revenue is at the core of our business model. Transportation recurring revenue offerings provided the largest contribution to the growth, at 10 percent growth in 2016 and 11 percent growth in 2015. CMS recurring offerings were steady at approximately 2 percent organic growth in 2016 and 4 percent growth in 2015. Resources recurring offerings declined 9 percent in 2016 as a result of the reduction in the energy ACV base, with chemicals offerings partially offsetting the energy performance. Financial Services recurring fixed revenue provided stub period organic growth of 2 percent.

Recurring variable revenue was composed entirely of Financial Services revenue for the stub period of July 12, 2016 through November 30, 2016. This type of revenue grew organically by 8 percent.

Non-recurring organic revenue decreased 3 percent in 2016 and 9 percent in 2015. The decline in 2016 was partially due to the prior year BPVC release, which only occurs every other year, as well as lower software sales in our energy offerings and reduced sales of our technology offerings, due in part to our continued product rationalization efforts. The 2016 decline was partially offset by the strength of the Transportation segment's results. The negative non-recurring organic growth for 2015 was primarily due to the significant decline in Resources organic growth, partially offset by Transportation's organic growth and flat CMS non-recurring revenue.

Operating Expenses

The following table shows our operating expenses and the associated percentages of revenue.
 
Year ended November 30,
 
% Change 2016 vs. 2015
 
% Change 2015 vs. 2014
(In millions, except percentages)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
$
1,037.7

 
$
819.2

 
$
815.2

 
27
%
 
%
SG&A expense
907.1

 
795.3

 
789.8

 
14
%
 
1
%
Total cost of revenue and SG&A expense
$
1,944.8

 
$
1,614.5

 
$
1,605.0

 
20
%
 
1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
$
335.7

 
$
215.1

 
$
181.2

 
56
%
 
19
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As a percent of revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cost of revenue and SG&A expense
71
%
 
74
%
 
77
%
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
12
%
 
10
%
 
9
%
 
 
 
 

Cost of Revenue and SG&A Expense

In managing our business, we evaluate our costs by type (e.g., salaries) rather than by income statement classification. The significant increase in absolute total costs in 2016 was due to the Merger and 2016 acquisitions. As a percent of revenue, cost of revenue and SG&A expense have steadily decreased since 2014, primarily as a result of ongoing cost management in a lower revenue growth environment, as well as rationalization efforts associated with acquisition integration. We expect to continue to see this percentage decrease in the future as we benefit from the higher margin Financial Services segment and take advantage of revenue and cost synergy opportunities from the Merger.

Within our cost of revenue and SG&A expense, stock-based compensation expense as a percentage of revenue was 7 percent, 6 percent, and 8 percent for the years ended November 30, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The increase in 2016 stock-based compensation expense is primarily due to the assumption and revaluation of legacy Markit outstanding awards at the Merger date and the acceleration of certain share awards associated with severance activities post-Merger.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation expense has been increasing primarily as a result of increases in capital expenditures for our various infrastructure and software development initiatives, as well as assets acquired through the Merger. Amortization expense has been increasing due to continued acquisition-related activity, particularly the Merger.

Restructuring Charges

38



We incurred $23 million of restructuring charges during 2016 , primarily for severance related to resource refinement and alignment across our segment structure, as well as other restructuring costs related to lease abandonments. We incurred $39 million of restructuring charges in 2015 associated with the consolidation of positions, locations, and data centers, and we incurred $9 million of similar restructuring charges in 2014. We continue to realize benefits with respect to our infrastructure initiatives that allow us to simplify our processes and standardize our platforms in order to enable our existing workforce to accomplish more with the same or fewer resources.

Acquisition-related Costs

In 2016 , we incurred $161 million of costs associated with acquisitions, primarily the Merger. Approximately $90 million of the costs were related to advisory and banker fees from the Merger, and another $60 million was for costs to achieve Merger synergy targets, including employee severance and retention costs, as well as contract termination costs primarily related to the consolidation of our legacy facilities. We incurred $2 million of acquisition-related costs in 2015 and $2 million of acquisition-related costs in 2014. The 2016 acquisition-related costs were significantly higher than prior years because of the Merger. We expect to incur additional acquisition-related costs related to the Merger in 2017 as we continue to integrate the two companies.

Pension and Postretirement Expense

The following table shows the components of net periodic pension and postretirement expense:
 
 
Year ended November 30,
(In millions)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net benefit cost
 
$
1.7

 
$
2.0

 
$
5.2

Fourth quarter mark-to-market adjustment
 
8.3

 
2.5

 
1.5

Total
 
$
10.0

 
$
4.5

 
$
6.7


Net service cost decreased in 2015 and 2016 due to the July 2014 decision to discontinue future service accruals to the U.S. RIP and SIP. The fourth quarter mark-to-market adjustments in all three years were largely due to updated actuarial census data assumptions, as well as lower asset performance due to performance measurement timing and post-election year-end market volatility. We exclude the fourth quarter mark-to-market adjustment from our Adjusted EBITDA metric, as we do not regard that item to be indicative of ongoing operating performance.

We expect 2017 net service cost, prior to any fourth quarter mark-to-market adjustments, to be approximately $2 million. 

Segment Adjusted EBITDA
 
Year ended November 30,
 
% Change 2016 vs. 2015
 
% Change 2015 vs. 2014
(In millions, except percentages)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Resources
$
367.8

 
$
356.8

 
$
370.9

 
3
%
 
(4
)%
Transportation
353.3

 
282.7

 
234.3

 
25
%
 
21
 %
CMS
127.5

 
106.8

 
88.0

 
19
%
 
21
 %
Financial Services
190.4

 

 

 
N/A

 
N/A

Shared services
(51.3
)
 
(49.9
)
 
(59.0
)
 
3
%
 
(15
)%
Total Adjusted EBITDA
$
987.7

 
$
696.4

 
$
634.2

 
42
%
 
10
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As a percent of segment revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Resources
43
%
 
40
%
 
40
%
 
 
 
 
Transportation
40
%
 
37
%
 
35
%
 
 
 
 
CMS
24
%
 
20
%
 
18
%
 
 
 
 
Financial Services
42
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 


39


For 2016, Adjusted EBITDA increased due to the Merger, acquisitions in the first quarter of 2016, and cost management efforts in a lower revenue growth environment. For 2015, Adjusted EBITDA increased primarily through cost management efforts, as well as profit delivery from revenue growth in the Transportation and CMS segments and 2015 acquisitions.

As a percentage of revenue, Adjusted EBITDA for all segments improved in 2016 due to the transition to our business line operating model and associated simplification and reduction of our centralized marketing, sales support, and shared service cost structures. Resources segment Adjusted EBITDA margin further increased due to cost reductions that aligned resources with current business opportunities, and Transportation segment Adjusted EBITDA margin for 2016 and 2015 was also aided by margin flow through from high revenue growth in that segment.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for continuing operations for the year ended November 30, 2016 was negative 3.6 percent , compared to 20.6 percent in 2015 and 20.2 percent in 2014 . The decrease in the 2016 effective tax rate is due to the Merger and the associated tax benefits related to merger costs, acquired intangibles, the new capital structure, and the U.K. tax rate reduction.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)

 
Year ended November 30,
 
% Change 2016 vs. 2015
 
% Change 2015 vs. 2014
(In millions, except percentages)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
152.8

 
$
240.2

 
$
194.5

 
(36
)%
 
23
%
Interest income
(1.3
)
 
(0.9
)
 
(1.0
)
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
119.4

 
70.9

 
55.4

 
 
 
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(5.1
)
 
48.9

 
45.1

 
 
 
 
Depreciation
114.8

 
85.0

 
65.0

 
 
 
 
Amortization
220.9

 
130.1

 
116.3

 
 
 
 
EBITDA
$
601.5

 
$
574.2

 
$
475.3

 
5
 %
 
21
%
Stock-based compensation expense
203.9

 
128.9

 
159.3

 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
22.8

 
39.4

 
8.8

 
 
 
 
Acquisition-related costs
161.2

 
1.5

 
1.9

 
 
 
 
Litigation charges related to class action suit
0.1

 

 

 
 
 
 
Loss on debt extinguishment
0.6

 

 
1.3

 
 
 
 
Impairment of assets

 
1.2

 

 
 
 
 
Loss (Gain) on sale of assets
(0.7
)
 

 
2.6

 
 
 
 
Pension mark-to-market expense
8.4

 
2.5

 
1.5

 
 
 
 
Share of joint venture results not attributable to Adjusted EBITDA
0.3

 

 

 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest
(1.2
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations, net
(9.2
)
 
(51.3
)
 
(16.5
)
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
987.7

 
$
696.4

 
$
634.2

 
42
 %
 
10
%
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue
36.1
%
 
31.9
%
 
30.5
%
 
 
 
 

Our Adjusted EBITDA margin performance increased primarily because of the Merger, the acquisitions in the first quarter of 2016, and our cost management efforts in a lower revenue growth environment. We expect to continue to drive margin improvement versus the prior year as a result of the recent realignment to our new segment structure and other operating efficiencies, as well as the Merger.

Financial Condition

40


(In millions, except percentages)
As of November 30, 2016
 
As of November 30, 2015
 
Dollar change
 
Percent change
Accounts receivable, net
$
635.6

 
$
355.9

 
$
279.7

 
79
%
Accrued compensation
$
174.0

 
$
105.5

 
$
68.5

 
65
%
Deferred revenue
$
770.2

 
$
552.5

 
$
217.7

 
39
%

The increase in our accounts receivable balance was primarily due to the Merger and the other 2016 acquisitions. The increase in accrued compensation was due primarily to the Merger. The increase in deferred revenue was also due to the Merger, with a minor portion of the increase due to legacy IHS organic growth.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of November 30, 2016 , we had cash and cash equivalents of $139 million , of which approximately $108 million was held by our non-U.K. subsidiaries. Cash held by our legacy IHS non-U.S. subsidiaries could be subject to U.S. federal income tax if we were to decide to repatriate any of that cash to the U.S.; however, our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not indicate a need to repatriate them to fund our U.S. operations. Our principal sources of liquidity include funds generated by operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents, and amounts available under a revolving credit facility. We had approximately $3.38 billion of debt as of November 30, 2016 , consisting primarily of $1.28 billion of revolving facility debt, $1.19 billion of term loan debt, $750 million of senior notes, and $149.7 million of institutional senior notes. As of November 30, 2016 , we had approximately $568 million available under our revolving credit facility.

On January 26, 2017, we entered into a 364-day $500 million term loan (2017 term loan). The 2017 term loan is structured as a non-amortizing loan with repayment of principal due at maturity.  The interest rates for borrowings under the 2017 term loan are the same as those under the 2016 revolving facility. The 2017 term loan has certain financial covenants that are the same as the 2016 revolving facility and 2016 term loan, including a Maximum Leverage Ratio and Minimum Interest Coverage ratio, as such terms are defined in the agreements. Net proceeds from this offering were used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which initially included repayment of indebtedness under the 2016 revolving facility and may in the future include share repurchases pursuant to its previously announced share repurchase program.

Our interest expense in each of 2015 and 2016 increased primarily because of a higher average debt balance as a result of acquisitions and share repurchases, as well as financing fees incurred in conjunction with acquisition and Merger activity. We expect that our interest expense will be higher in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to higher debt balances and higher interest rates.

In February 2016, the legacy Markit Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $500 million of Markit common shares through February 28, 2018. This authorization continued in effect after completion of the Merger. Under this $500 million share repurchase program, management was authorized to repurchase, at its discretion, IHS Markit common shares on the open market from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions, or through accelerated repurchase agreements, subject to the availability of common shares, share price, market conditions, alternative uses of capital, and applicable regulatory requirements. In 2016, subsequent to the Merger and prior to its termination on September 28, 2016, we had repurchased $156 million under this $500 million authorization. 

In August 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion of IHS Markit common shares from September 29, 2016 through November 30, 2017, to be funded using our existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and future cash flows, or through the incurrence of short- or long-term indebtedness, at management's discretion. In January 2017, our Board of Directors increased the size of this repurchase program to up to $2.25 billion of IHS Markit common shares and extended its termination date to May 31, 2018. This repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any set dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time without prior notice. Under the repurchase program, we are authorized to repurchase our common shares on the open market from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions, or through accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreements, subject to availability of common shares, price, market conditions, alternative uses of capital, and applicable regulatory requirements, at management’s discretion. As of November 30, 2016, we had repurchased $253 million of common shares under the program. Additionally, under the repurchase program, in December 2016, we started a $250 million ASR program with a scheduled termination date in the first quarter of 2017. We expect to continue to repurchase shares throughout 2017.

Our Board of Directors separately authorized, subject to applicable regulatory requirements, the repurchase of our common shares surrendered by employees in an amount equal to the exercise price, if applicable, and statutory tax liability

41


associated with the vesting of their equity awards, for which we pay the statutory tax on behalf of the employee and forgo receipt of the exercise price of the award from the employee, if applicable. Such repurchases have been authorized in addition to the share repurchase program described above.

Because of our cash, debt, and cash flow positions, we believe we will have sufficient liquidity to meet our ongoing working capital and capital expenditure needs. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the number and magnitude of future acquisitions and share repurchase programs, the need for additional facilities or facility improvements, the timing and extent of spending to support product development efforts, information technology infrastructure investments, investments in our internal business applications, the continued market acceptance of our offerings, and acquisition and integration costs associated with the Merger. We could be required, or could elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, additional funds may not be available on terms acceptable to us.

Cash Flows
 
Year ended November 30,
 
% Change 2016 vs. 2015
 
% Change 2015 vs. 2014
(In millions, except percentages)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
638.3

 
$
612.6

 
$
628.1

 
4
%
 
(2
)%
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(982.8
)
 
$
(496.0
)
 
$
(324.0
)
 
98
%
 
53
 %
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
177.5

 
$
45.4

 
$
(397.8
)
 
291
%
 
(111
)%

Net cash provided by operating activities for 2014, 2015, and 2016 has remained relatively stable, with acquisitions and increased operating performance particularly contributing to an increase in cash flow from operations, partially offset by increased payments for Merger-related fees, interest expense, and income tax payments.

The increase in net cash used in investing activities for each of 2015 and 2016 is attributable to a higher level of large acquisition activity in 2015 and 2016. Net cash used in investing activities for 2016 was partially offset by proceeds received from the sale of the GlobalSpec and OE&RM product groups.

Net cash provided by financing activities for 2016 consists of borrowings on our revolving facility and cash from stock option exercises, partially offset by repurchases of common shares. In 2014, we began repaying the significant amount of borrowings that we used to fund the Polk acquisition in order to reduce our debt leverage. In 2015, our increased borrowings were used principally to help finance our acquisitions and share repurchase activities, versus our focus on reducing our debt leverage in 2014.

Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP measure)

The following table reconciles our non-GAAP free cash flow measure to net cash provided by operating activities.
 
Year ended November 30,
 
% Change 2016 vs. 2015
 
% Change 2015 vs. 2014
(In millions, except percentages)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
638.3

 
$
612.6

 
$
628.1

 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures on property and equipment
(147.6
)
 
(122.9
)
 
(114.5
)
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow
$
490.7

 
$
489.7

 
$
513.6

 
%
 
(5
)%

Our free cash flow has historically been strong, and we expect that it will continue to be a significant source of funding for our business strategy of growth through organic and acquisitive means.

Credit Facility and Other Debt

Please refer to "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 8" in Part II of this Form 10-K for a discussion of the current status of our debt arrangements.

Share Repurchase Programs

Please refer to Part II, Item 5 and "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 16" in Part II of this Form 10-K for a discussion of our share repurchase programs.

42



Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

We have no off-balance sheet transactions.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

We have various contractual obligations and commercial commitments that are recorded as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and other executory contracts, are not recognized as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements but are required to be disclosed. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of November 30, 2016 , along with the obligations associated with our term loans and notes, and the future periods in which such obligations are expected to be settled in cash (in millions):
 
 
 
 
Payment due by period
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
 
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1 - 3 years
 
3 - 5 years
 
More than 5 years
Term loans, notes, and interest
 
$
2,590.3

 
$
185.0

 
$
368.4

 
$
1,085.7

 
$
951.2

Operating lease obligations
 
568.2

 
92.7

 
145.7

 
95.4

 
234.4

Unconditional purchase obligations
 
49.5

 
25.5

 
23.0

 
1.0

 

Total
 
$
3,208.0

 
$
303.2

 
$
537.1

 
$
1,182.1

 
$
1,185.6


We expect to contribute approximately $3 million to our pension and postretirement benefit plans in 2017.

In addition to the term loans and notes, as of November 30, 2016, we also had $1.28 billion of outstanding borrowings under our $1.85 billion 2016 revolving facility at a current annual interest rate of 1.94 percent . The facility has a five-year term ending in July 2021. We also had approximately $6 million in capital lease obligations as of November 30, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Please refer to "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 2" in Part II of this Form 10-K for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their anticipated effect on our business.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk refers to potential losses from adverse changes in market rates and prices. We are exposed to market risk primarily in the form of interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, and credit risk. We actively monitor these exposures. In order to manage these exposures, we use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps and foreign currency forwards. Our objective is to reduce fluctuations in revenue, earnings, and cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates and foreign currency rates. We do not use derivatives for speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk
 
As of November 30, 2016 , we had no significant investments other than cash and cash equivalents and therefore we were not exposed to material interest rate risk on investments.

Our 2016 revolving facility, our 2016 term loan, and our 2017 term loan borrowings are subject to variable interest rates. We use interest rate swaps in order to fix a portion of our variable rate debt as part of our overall interest rate risk management strategy. As of November 30, 2016, we had $2.473 billion of floating-rate debt at a 2.01 percent weighted-average interest rate, of which $400 million was subject to effective floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps. A hypothetical increase in interest rates of 100 basis points applied to our floating rate indebtedness would increase annual interest expense by approximately $21 million ($25 million without giving effect to any of our interest rate swaps).

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Our consolidated financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars, but a portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Changes in the exchange rates for such currencies into U.S. dollars can affect our revenues,

43

Table of Contents

earnings, and the carrying values of our assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet, either positively or negatively. Fluctuations in foreign currency rates increased (decreased) our revenues by approximately $(50) million , $(46) million , and $3 million for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, and had no material impact on operating income for the same respective periods. The translation effects of changes in exchange rates in our consolidated balance sheet are recorded within the cumulative translation adjustment component of our stockholders’ equity. In 2016 , we recorded a cumulative translation loss of $250 million , reflecting changes in exchange rates of various currencies compared to the U.S. dollar.

A hypothetical ten percent change in the currencies that we are primarily exposed to would have impacted our 2016 revenue by approximately $59 million and would not have had a material impact on operating income. Approximately 80% of total revenue was earned in subsidiaries with the U.S. dollar as the functional currency.

Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit risk associated with cash equivalents, foreign currency and interest rate derivatives, and trade receivables. We do not believe that our cash equivalents or foreign currency and interest rate derivatives present significant credit risks because the counterparties to the instruments consist of major financial institutions that are financially sound, and we manage the notional amount of contracts entered into with any one counterparty. Substantially all trade receivable balances are unsecured. The concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited by the large number of customers in our customer base and their dispersion across various industries and geographic areas. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and maintain an allowance for potential credit losses.
 
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Financial Statements

44




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of IHS Markit Ltd.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IHS Markit Ltd. (the Company) as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 , and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended November 30, 2016 . These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of IHS Markit Ltd. at November 30, 2016 and 2015 , and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 30, 2016 , in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), IHS Markit Ltd.'s internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2016 , based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) and our report dated January 27, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young

Denver, Colorado
January 27, 2017


45




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) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2016 , based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of November 30, 2016 .

Our management's evaluation did not include assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting at Markit Ltd. (Markit), which was acquired on July 12, 2016. Markit was included in our consolidated financial statements and constituted $7.8 billion and $3.2 billion of total and net assets, respectively, as of November 30, 2016, and $449.0 million and $37.7 million of revenues and net loss, respectively, for the year then ended.

Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting. Their report appears on the following page.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Date: January 27, 2017

    /s/ Jerre L. Stead
 
Jerre L. Stead
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
    /s/ Todd S. Hyatt
 
Todd S. Hyatt
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
 


46




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of IHS Markit Ltd.

We have audited IHS Markit Ltd.'s internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2016 , based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). IHS Markit Ltd.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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.

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Markit Ltd. (Markit), which is included in the 2016 consolidated financial statements of IHS Markit Ltd. and constituted $7.8 billion and $3.2 billion of total and net assets, respectively, as of November 30, 2016, and $449.0 million and $37.7 million of revenues and net loss, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of IHS Markit Ltd. also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Markit.

In our opinion, IHS Markit Ltd. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of November 30, 2016 , based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of IHS Markit Ltd. as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 , and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended November 30, 2016 of IHS Markit Ltd. and our report dated January 27, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young

Denver, Colorado
January 27, 2017


47



IHS MARKIT LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except for per-share amount)
 
As of
 
As of
 
November 30, 2016
 
November 30, 2015
Assets

 

Current assets:

 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
138.9

 
$
291.6

Accounts receivable, net
635.6

 
355.9

Income tax receivable
26.0

 
4.6

Deferred subscription costs
55.6

 
52.8

Assets held for sale

 
193.4

Other current assets
77.4

 
52.2

Total current assets
933.5

 
950.5

Non-current assets:

 

Property and equipment, net
416.2

 
314.4

Intangible assets, net
4,351.8

 
1,014.7

Goodwill
8,209.8

 
3,287.5

Deferred income taxes
14.8

 
6.6

Other
10.5

 
3.8

Total non-current assets
13,003.1

 
4,627.0

Total assets
$
13,936.6

 
$
5,577.5

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

Current liabilities:

 

Short-term debt
$
104.6

 
$
36.0

Accounts payable
58.9

 
59.2

Accrued compensation
174.0

 
105.5

Accrued royalties
35.7

 
33.3

Other accrued expenses
257.1

 
118.4

Income tax payable
11.9

 
23.3

Deferred revenue
770.2

 
552.5

Liabilities held for sale

 
32.1

Total current liabilities
1,412.4

 
960.3

Long-term debt
3,279.3

 
2,071.5

Accrued pension and postretirement liability
33.0

 
26.7

Deferred income taxes
995.1

 
259.5

Other liabilities
74.7

 
58.6

Commitments and contingencies

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
57.7

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

Common shares, $0.01 par value, 3,000.0 and 569.1 authorized, 454.1 and 250.0 issued, and 415.0 and 240.2 outstanding at November 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively
4.5

 
2.5

Additional paid-in capital
7,210.9

 
1,051.3

Treasury shares, at cost: 39.1 and 9.8 at November 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively
(499.1
)
 
(317.0
)
Retained earnings
1,806.9

 
1,655.3

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(438.8
)
 
(191.2
)
Total shareholders' equity
8,084.4

 
2,200.9

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
13,936.6

 
$
5,577.5

See accompanying notes.

48

Table of Contents

IHS MARKIT LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except for per-share amounts)
 
 
Year ended November 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue
 
$
2,734.8

 
$
2,184.3

 
$
2,079.8

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
 
1,037.7

 
819.2

 
815.2

Selling, general and administrative
 
907.1

 
795.3

 
789.8

Depreciation and amortization
 
335.7

 
215.1

 
181.2

Restructuring charges
 
22.8

 
39.4

 
8.8

Acquisition-related costs
 
161.2

 
1.5

 
1.9

Net periodic pension and postretirement expense
 
10.0

 
4.5

 
6.7

Other expense (income), net
 
(0.1
)
 
1.5

 
(1.3
)
Total operating expenses
 
2,474.4

 
1,876.5

 
1,802.3

Operating income
 
260.4

 
307.8

 
277.5

Interest income
 
1.3

 
0.9

 
1.0

Interest expense
 
(119.4
)
 
(70.9
)
 
(55.4
)
Non-operating expense, net
 
(118.1
)
 
(70.0
)
 
(54.4
)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of equity method investee
 
142.3

 
237.8

 
223.1

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
5.1

 
(48.9
)
 
(45.1
)
Equity in loss of equity method investee
 
(4.5
)
 

 

Income from continuing operations
 
142.9

 
188.9

 
178.0

Income from discontinued operations, net
 
9.2

 
51.3

 
16.5

Net income
 
$
152.1

 
$
240.2

 
$
194.5

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
0.7

 

 

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
 
$
152.8

 
$
240.2

 
194.5


 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
 
$
0.46

 
$
0.78

 
$
0.73

Income from discontinued operations, net
 
0.03

 
0.21

 
0.07

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
 
$
0.49

 
$
0.99

 
$
0.80

Weighted average shares used in computing basic earnings per share
 
309.2

 
243.4

 
242.4


 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
 
$
0.45

 
$
0.77

 
$
0.72

Income from discontinued operations, net
 
0.03

 
0.21

 
0.07

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
 
$
0.48

 
$
0.97

 
$
0.79

Weighted average shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
 
316.3

 
246.4

 
245.8


See accompanying notes.





49

Table of Contents



IHS MARKIT LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)

 
 
Year ended November 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
 
$
152.1

 
$
240.2

 
$
194.5

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net hedging activities  (1)
 
4.1

 
(5.1
)
 
(7.3
)
Net pension liability adjustment (2)
 
(1.3
)
 
0.5

 
(5.4
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(250.4
)
 
(79.9
)
 
(37.0
)
Total other comprehensive loss
 
(247.6
)
 
(84.5
)
 
(49.7
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(95.5
)
 
$
155.7

 
$
144.8

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
0.7

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
 
$
(94.8
)
 
$
155.7

 
$
144.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Net of tax benefit (expense) of $(2.8), $3.3, and $4.8 for the years ended November 30, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.
(2) Net of tax benefit (expense) of $0.6, $(0.6), and $3.2 for the years ended November 30, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

See accompanying notes.

50



IHS MARKIT LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
 
Year ended November 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Operating activities:

 

 
 
Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
152.8

 
$
240.2

 
$
194.5

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
335.7

 
235.5

 
202.1

Stock-based compensation expense
206.2

 
135.4

 
167.4

Gain on sale of business
(41.5
)
 

 

Impairment of assets

 
4.6

 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
(5.6
)
 
(5.5
)
 
(13.3
)
Net periodic pension and postretirement expense
10.0

 
4.5

 
6.7

Undistributed loss of affiliates, net
2.2

 

 

Pension and postretirement contributions
(5.7
)
 
(5.9
)
 
(13.5
)
Deferred income taxes
6.7

 
(34.9
)
 
(10.3
)
Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

Accounts receivable, net
(8.5
)
 
56.1

 
36.4

Other current assets
12.3

 
(15.6
)
 
(8.8
)
Accounts payable
(12.5
)
 
(4.1
)
 
(11.4
)
Accrued expenses
35.6

 
(0.1
)
 
36.2

Income tax
(44.7
)
 
32.1

 
6.3

Deferred revenue
(14.6
)
 
(34.2
)
 
29.7

Other liabilities
9.9

 
4.5

 
6.1

Net cash provided by operating activities
638.3

 
612.6

 
628.1

Investing activities:

 

 
 
Capital expenditures on property and equipment
(147.6
)
 
(122.9
)
 
(114.5
)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
(1,014.4
)
 
(369.9
)
 
(210.4
)
Proceeds from sale of business
190.9

 

 

Intangible assets acquired

 

 
(0.7
)
Change in other assets
(4.5
)
 
(3.8
)
 
(4.6
)
Settlements of forward contracts
(7.2
)
 
0.6

 
6.2

Net cash used in investing activities
(982.8
)
 
(496.0
)
 
(324.0
)
Financing activities:

 

 
 
Proceeds from borrowings
4,018.0

 
550.0

 
2,485.0

Repayment of borrowings
(3,364.8
)
 
(261.2
)
 
(2,817.2
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
(22.8
)
 

 
(19.0
)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
5.6

 
5.5

 
13.3

Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options
147.3

 

 

Repurchases of common stock
(605.8
)
 
(248.9
)
 
(59.9
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
177.5

 
45.4

 
(397.8
)
Foreign exchange impact on cash balance
12.8

 
(22.1
)
 
(11.5
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(154.2
)
 
139.9

 
(105.2
)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
293.1

 
153.2

 
258.4

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
138.9

 
293.1

 
153.2

Less: Cash and cash equivalents associated with discontinued operations at the end of the period

 
(1.5
)
 

Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations at the end of the period
$
138.9

 
$
291.6

 
$
153.2

See accompanying notes.

51


IHS MARKIT LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions)
 
 
Common Shares
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
Shares Outstanding
 
Amount
 
 
Treasury
Shares
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
Total
Balance at November 30, 2013
239.7

 
$
2.4

 
$
786.9

 
$
(45.9
)
 
$
1,220.6

 
$
(57.0
)
 
$
1,907.0

Share-based award activity
3.5

 
0.1

 
154.4

 
(60.0
)
 

 

 
94.5

Excess tax benefit on vested shares

 

 
13.3

 

 

 

 
13.3

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.

 

 

 

 
194.5

 

 
194.5

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 
(49.7
)
 
(49.7
)
Balance at November 30, 2014
243.2

 
2.5

 
954.6

 
(105.9
)
 
1,415.1

 
(106.7
)
 
2,159.6

Share-based award activity
2.9

 

 
91.2

 
(10.7
)
 

 

 
80.5

Excess tax benefit on vested shares

 

 
5.5

 

 

 

 
5.5

Repurchases of common shares
(5.9
)
 

 

 
(200.4
)
 

 

 
(200.4
)
Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.

 

 

 

 
240.2

 

 
240.2

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 
(84.5
)
 
(84.5
)
Balance at November 30, 2015
240.2

 
2.5

 
1,051.3

 
(317.0
)
 
1,655.3

 
(191.2
)
 
2,200.9

Repurchases of common shares
(17.1
)
 

 

 
(570.0
)
 

 

 
(570.0
)
Common shares issued in connection with the Merger
182.8

 
2.0

 
6,245.4

 

 

 

 
6,247.4

Cancellation of treasury shares

 

 
(420.2
)
 
420.2

 

 

 

Share-based award activity
2.7

 

 
183.7

 
(32.3
)
 

 

 
151.4

Option exercises
6.4

 

 
147.3

 

 

 

 
147.3

Excess tax benefit on vested shares

 

 
3.4

 

 

 

 
3.4

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.

 

 

 

 
152.8

 

 
152.8

Noncontrolling interest activity

 

 

 

 
(1.2
)
 

 
(1.2
)
Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 
(247.6
)
 
(247.6
)
Balance at November 30, 2016
415.0

 
$
4.5

 
$
7,210.9

 
$
(499.1
)
 
$
1,806.9

 
$
(438.8
)
 
$
8,084.4

See accompanying notes.


52


IHS MARKIT LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.
Nature of Business

On July 12, 2016, IHS Inc. (IHS), a Delaware corporation, Markit Ltd. (Markit), a Bermuda exempted company, and Marvel Merger Sub, Inc. (Merger Sub), a Delaware corporation and an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of Markit Ltd., completed a merger (Merger) pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into IHS, with IHS surviving the Merger as an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of Markit. Upon completion of the Merger, Markit became the combined group holding company and was renamed IHS Markit Ltd. (IHS Markit, we, us, or our). In accordance with the terms of the Merger agreement, IHS stockholders received 3.5566 common shares of IHS Markit for each share of IHS common stock they owned and IHS Inc. common stock was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act.

The Merger has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 805. This standard requires that one of the two companies in the Merger be designated as the acquirer for accounting purposes based on the evidence available. We have treated IHS as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes, and accordingly, the Markit assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been adjusted based on fair value at the consummation of the Merger. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recognized as goodwill. In identifying IHS as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes, IHS Markit took into account the voting rights of all equity instruments, the intended corporate governance structure of the combined company, and the size of each of the companies. In assessing the size of each of the companies, IHS Markit evaluated various metrics, including, but not limited to: assets, revenue, operating income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, market capitalization, and enterprise value. No single factor was the sole determinant in the overall conclusion that IHS is the acquirer for accounting purposes; rather, all factors were considered in arriving at our conclusion.

IHS Markit currently qualifies as a foreign private issuer (FPI) under the rules of the SEC until at least the end of fiscal 2017. However, even while we continue to qualify as an FPI, we will report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and have voluntarily elected to file our annual, quarterly, and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K.

Our segments are organized to address customer needs by industry and workflow, as follows:

Resources , which includes our Energy and Chemicals product offerings;
Transportation, which includes our Automotive; Maritime & Trade; and Aerospace, Defense & Security product offerings;
Consolidated Markets & Solutions (CMS), which includes our Product Design; Technology, Media & Telecom; and Economics & Country Risk product offerings; and
Financial Services , which includes our Information; Processing; and Solutions product offerings.

We offer the majority of our products and services through recurring fixed and variable fee arrangements, and this business model has historically delivered stable revenue and predictable cash flows.

Our business has seasonal aspects. Our fourth quarter typically generates our highest quarterly levels of revenue and profit. Conversely, our first quarter generally has our lowest quarterly levels of revenue and profit. We also experience event-driven seasonality in our business; for instance, CERAWeek, an annual energy conference, was held in the first quarter of 2016 and will be held in the second quarter of 2017. Another example is the biennial release of the Boiler Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) engineering standard, which generates revenue for us predominantly in the third quarter of every other year. The most recent BPVC release was in the third quarter of 2015 and the next release will be in the third quarter of 2017.

2.
Significant Accounting Policies

Fiscal Year End
Our fiscal year ends on November 30 of each year. References herein to individual years mean the year ended November 30. For example, 2016 means the year ended November 30, 2016 .

Consolidation Policy
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

53



In July 2014, legacy Markit acquired a controlling stake in Compliance Technologies International LLP. At the time of the acquisition, a back-to-back put/call option for the shares held by the noncontrolling interest was established, with the earliest exercise date being July 2017. Subsequent to the Merger, the put/call option has been accounted for as mezzanine equity, with current income or loss being recorded as an adjustment to the mezzanine equity balance and the mezzanine equity balance accreting value up to the earliest redemption date. The carrying value of the mezzanine equity approximates fair value.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires that we 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, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates have been made in areas that include valuation of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes, pension accounting, allowance for doubtful accounts, and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk associated with cash equivalents, foreign currency and interest rate derivatives, and trade receivables. We do not believe that our cash equivalents or investments present significant credit risks because the counterparties to the instruments consist of major financial institutions that are financially sound or have been capitalized by the U.S. government, and we manage the notional amount of contracts entered into with any counterparty. Substantially all trade receivable balances are unsecured. The concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited by the large number of customers in our customer base and their dispersion across various industries and geographic areas. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and maintain an allowance for probable credit losses. The allowance is based upon management’s assessment of known credit risks as well as general industry and economic conditions. Specific accounts receivable are written off upon notification of bankruptcy or once the account is significantly past due and our collection efforts are unsuccessful.

Segments
We periodically reassess our identification of operating segments. As a result of changes in our organizational structure in the fourth quarter of 2015, we changed our segments from a geographic view to a product category view. In 2016, as a result of the Merger, we created a new Financial Services segment, which consists entirely of the legacy Markit business. Consequently, our chief operating decision maker (CODM) reviews operating results at the Resources, Transportation, CMS, and Financial Services segment level when determining how to allocate resources and assess performance.

Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We utilize the following fair value hierarchy in determining fair values:

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, and observable inputs other than quoted prices such as interest rates or yield curves.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs reflecting our view about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Our cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are all short-term in nature; therefore, the carrying value of these items approximates their fair value. The carrying value of our debt instruments other than our senior notes approximate their fair value because of the variable interest rate associated with those instruments. The fair value of the senior notes is included in Note 8, and is measured using observable inputs in markets that are not active; consequently, we have classified the senior notes within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Our derivatives, as further described in Note 7, are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by reference to similar transactions in active markets and observable inputs other than quoted prices; consequently, we have classified those financial instruments within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Our pension plan assets, as further described in Note 13, are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by reference to similar assets in active markets and are therefore also classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Revenue Recognition

54


Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: (a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (b) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (c) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (d) collectibility is reasonably assured.

The majority of our offerings are provided under recurring agreements containing standard terms and conditions. A significant proportion of our revenue is derived from these recurring revenue arrangements, which are initially deferred and then recognized ratably as delivered over the term of the agreement for annual contractual periods billed up front, or is billed and recognized on a monthly basis. For recurring revenue, the timing of our cash flows generally precedes the recognition of revenue and income due to the receipt of payment in advance of delivering our services. In recurring revenue arrangements that are based on volume usage, we recognize revenue in line with the usage in the period. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis to reflect actual usage under these arrangements.

Revenue is recognized upon delivery for non-recurring sales.

In certain locations, we use dealers to distribute our product offerings. For recurring product offerings sold through dealers, revenue is recognized ratably as delivered to the end user over the term of the agreement. For non-recurring product offerings sold through dealers, revenue is recognized upon delivery to the dealer.

We do not defer revenue for the limited number of recurring sales where we act as a sales agent for third parties and have no continuing responsibility to maintain and update the underlying database. We recognize this revenue on a net basis upon the sale of these products and delivery of the information and tools.

Services
We provide our customers with service offerings that are primarily sold on a stand-alone basis and on a significantly more limited basis as part of a multiple-element arrangement. Our service offerings are generally separately priced in a standard price book. For services that are not in a standard price book, as the price varies based on the nature and complexity of the service offering, pricing is based on the estimated amount of time to be incurred at standard billing rates for the estimated underlying effort for executing the associated deliverable in the contract. Revenue related to services performed under time-and-material-based contracts is recognized in the period performed at standard billing rates. Revenue associated with fixed-price contracts is recognized upon completion of each specified performance obligation. See discussion of “multiple-element arrangements” below. If the contract includes acceptance contingencies, revenue is recognized in the period in which we receive documentation of acceptance from the customer.

Software
In addition to meeting the standard revenue recognition criteria described above, revenue from software arrangements must also meet the requirement that vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of the fair value of undelivered elements exists. As a significant portion of our software licenses are sold in multiple-element arrangements that include either maintenance or, in more limited circumstances, both maintenance and professional services, we use the residual method to determine the amount of license revenue to be recognized. Under the residual method, consideration is allocated to undelivered elements based upon VSOE of the fair value of those elements, with the residual of the arrangement fee allocated to and recognized as license revenue. We recognize license revenue upon delivery, with maintenance revenue recognized ratably over the maintenance period. Delivery for software sales is deemed to occur upon electronic shipment of the license key to the end user. We have established VSOE of the fair value of maintenance through independent maintenance renewals, which demonstrate a consistent relationship of pricing maintenance as a percentage of the discounted or undiscounted license list price. VSOE of the fair value of professional services is established based on daily rates when sold on a stand-alone basis.

Multiple-element arrangements
Occasionally, we may execute contracts with customers which contain multiple offerings. In our business, multiple-element arrangements refer to contracts with separate fees for subscription offerings, decision-support tools, maintenance, and/or related services. We have established separate units of accounting as each offering is primarily sold on a stand-alone basis. Using the relative selling price method, each element of the arrangement is allocated based generally on stand-alone sales of these products and services, which constitutes VSOE of selling price. We do not use any other factors, inputs, assumptions, or methods to determine an estimated selling price. We recognize the elements of the contract as follows:

Recurring offerings and license fees are recognized ratably over the license period as long as there is an associated licensing period or a future obligation. Otherwise, revenue is recognized upon delivery.
For non-recurring offerings of a multiple-element arrangement, the revenue is generally recognized for each element in the period in which delivery of the product to the customer occurs, completion of services occurs or, for post-contract support, ratably over the term of the maintenance period.

55


In some instances, customer acceptance is required for consulting services rendered. For those transactions, the service revenue component of the arrangement is recognized in the period that customer acceptance is obtained.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Deferred Subscription Costs
Deferred subscription costs represent royalties and certain dealer commissions associated with customer subscriptions. These costs are deferred and amortized to expense over the period of the subscriptions.

Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
 
Buildings and improvements
 
7
to
30
years
Capitalized software
 
3
to
7
years
Computers and office equipment
 
3
to
10
years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful life or the life of the lease. Maintenance, repairs, and renewals of a minor nature are expensed as incurred. Betterments and major renewals which extend the useful lives of buildings, improvements, and equipment are capitalized. We also capitalize certain software development costs in accordance with ASC 350-40, "Accounting for Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" and ASC 985-20, "Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed."

We review the carrying amounts of long-lived assets such as property and equipment whenever current events or circumstances indicate their value may be impaired. A long-lived asset with a finite life is considered to be impaired if its carrying value exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be derived from it. Any impairment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such assets exceeds their fair value, primarily based on estimated discounted cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value, less cost to sell.

Leases
In certain circumstances, we enter into leases with free rent periods, tenant improvement allowances, and rent escalations over the term of the lease. In such cases, we calculate the total payments over the term of the lease and record them ratably as rent expense over that term.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill
We account for our business acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. We allocate the total cost of an acquisition to the underlying net assets based on their respective estimated fair values. As part of this allocation process, we must identify and attribute values and estimated lives to the intangible assets acquired. We evaluate our intangible assets and goodwill for impairment at least annually, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairments are expensed as incurred.

Finite-lived intangible assets
Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective lives, as follows:
Information databases
 
3
to
15
years
Customer relationships
 
6
to
25
years
Developed technology
 
3
to
15
years
Developed computer software
 
8
to
10
years
Trademarks
 
2
to
15
years
Other
 
1
to
8
years

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

56


When performing the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets, we use both qualitative and quantitative analysis to determine whether we believe it is more likely than not that an asset has been impaired. If we believe an impairment has occurred, we then evaluate for impairment by comparing the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. An impairment charge is recognized if the asset’s estimated fair value is less than its carrying value.

We estimate the fair value of trademarks based on the relief-from-royalty method using projected discounted future cash flows, which, in turn, are based on our views of uncertain variables such as growth rates, anticipated future economic conditions, and the appropriate discount rates relative to risk and estimates of residual values. The use of different estimates or assumptions within our discounted cash flow model when determining the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets or using a methodology other than a discounted cash flow model could result in different values for our indefinite-lived intangible assets and could result in an impairment charge.

Goodwill
We test goodwill for impairment on a reporting unit level. A reporting unit is a group of businesses (i) for which discrete financial information is available and (ii) that have similar economic characteristics. We determined that we have five reporting units for 2016. We test goodwill for impairment by determining the fair value of each reporting unit and comparing it to the reporting unit's carrying value. We determine the fair value of our reporting units based on projected future discounted cash flows, which, in turn, are based on our views of uncertain variables such as growth rates, anticipated future economic conditions, and the appropriate discount rates relative to risk and estimates of residual values. There were no deficiencies in reporting unit fair values versus carrying values in the fiscal years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 .

Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are provided using tax rates enacted for periods of expected reversal on all temporary differences. Temporary differences relate to differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities, principally intangible assets, property and equipment, deferred revenue, pension and other postretirement benefits, accruals, and stock-based compensation. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. To the extent that a determination is made to establish or adjust a valuation allowance, the expense or benefit is recorded in the period in which the determination is made.

Judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes. Additionally, the income tax provision is based on calculations and assumptions that are subject to examination by many different tax authorities and to changes in tax law and rates in many jurisdictions. We adjust our income tax provision in the period in which it becomes probable that actual results will differ from our estimates.

Pension Accounting
During the fourth quarter of each fiscal year (or upon any other remeasurement date), we immediately recognize net actuarial gains or losses in excess of a corridor in our operating results. The corridor amount is equivalent to 10 percent of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the plan's benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. We use the actual fair value of plan assets at the measurement date as the measure of the market-related value of plan assets.

Treasury Shares
Treasury share purchases, whether through share withholdings for taxes or repurchase programs and transactions, are recorded at actual cost. Issuances from treasury shares are recorded using the weighted-average cost method.

Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities were exercised or converted into common shares.

Advertising Costs
Production costs are expensed as of the first date that the advertisements take place. Advertising expense was approximately $50.8 million , $44.7 million , and $35.2 million for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, and was primarily comprised of advertising for CARFAX.

Foreign Currency
The functional currency of each of our foreign subsidiaries is typically such subsidiary’s local currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Any translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income. Transactions

57


executed in currencies other than a subsidiary's functional currency (which result in exchange adjustments) are remeasured at spot rates and resulting foreign-exchange-transaction gains and losses are included in the results of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation
All stock-based awards are recognized in the income statement based on their grant date fair values. In addition, we estimate forfeitures at the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized based on the number of awards expected to vest. We adjust compensation expense in future periods if actual forfeitures differ from our estimates. Our forfeiture rate is based upon historical experience as well as anticipated employee turnover considering certain qualitative factors. We amortize the value of stock-based awards to expense over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. For awards with performance conditions, we evaluate the probability of the number of shares that are expected to vest, and compensation expense is then adjusted to reflect the number of shares expected to vest and the cumulative vesting period met to date.

Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation, particularly in Note 12, due to the change in our tax domicile during 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-08, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The ASU is intended to reduce the frequency of disposals reported as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. We adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2016, and the adoption of the standard did not have any significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive new revenue recognition model designed to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU allows for the use of either the full or modified retrospective transition method. In March, April, and May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, and ASU 2016-12, respectively, which provide further revenue recognition guidance related to principal versus agent considerations, performance obligations and licensing, and narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients. All of these standards will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of these new standards on our consolidated financial statements, as well as which transition method we intend to use.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, which requires that management evaluate the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Disclosure is required if there is substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The standard will be effective for us in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year 2017, although early adoption is permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. We early adopted the standard in the third quarter of 2016. As a result of the adoption, we have retrospectively reclassified approximately $23.7 million of debt issuance costs in the November 30, 2015 balance sheet from other current assets and other non-current assets to long-term debt.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, which provides guidance about a customer's accounting for fees paid in cloud computing arrangements. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If the arrangement does not contain a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2017. We will adopt this standard using the prospective transition method, and do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, which requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2017. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which requires that lease assets and lease liabilities be recognized on the balance sheet, and that key information about leasing arrangements be disclosed. The ASU requires the use of a modified

58


retrospective transition method. The standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal 2020, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, which clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. We early adopted the standard in the third quarter of 2016 on a prospective basis.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which changes several aspects of the accounting for stock-based compensation, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. We have decided to early adopt the standard in the first quarter of our fiscal 2017, but don't expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal 2019. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal 2021, although early adoption is permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3.
Business Combinations

During the year ended November 30, 2016 , we completed the following acquisitions:

CARPROOF. On December 24, 2015, we acquired CARPROOF, a Canada-based company that offers products and services in vehicle history, appraisal, and valuation for the automotive industry, for approximately $459.2 million , net of cash acquired. We acquired CARPROOF in order to expand our vehicle history report services into Canada. This acquisition is included in our Transportation segment.

Oil Price Information Service (OPIS). On February 10, 2016, we acquired OPIS, an internationally referenced pricing reporting agency that serves the oil, natural gas, and biofuels industries, for $652.3 million , net of cash acquired. OPIS information primarily serves the downstream energy market, and we completed this acquisition in support of our efforts to further diversify our energy portfolio. This acquisition is included in our Resources segment.

Merger with Markit Ltd.

As described in Note 1 above, we completed the Merger on July 12, 2016 in an all-share transaction. The following table shows the calculation of the purchase consideration (in millions, except for Markit closing price):
Markit shares issued and outstanding at merger date (1)
 
179.79

Markit closing price
 
$
32.70

Total equity consideration
 
$
5,879.1

Additional consideration for stock compensation
 
368.3

Total purchase consideration
 
6,247.4

Less cash acquired
 
(97.1
)
Purchase price, net of cash acquired
 
$
6,150.3

 
 
 
(1)  Excludes restricted stock awards that were issued and outstanding as of the merger date, but were not yet vested.


59


Markit is a leading global provider of financial information services. Its offerings are designed to enhance transparency, reduce risk, and improve operational efficiency in the financial markets. We have created a new Financial Services segment for Markit's business, and we have included revenue and expense attributable to Markit in the Financial Services segment from the date of the Merger. Markit contributed $449.0 million of revenue and a loss of $37.7 million from continuing operations for the post-Merger period ended November 30, 2016.

The following unaudited pro forma information has been prepared as if the Merger had been consummated at December 1, 2014. This information is presented for informational purposes only, and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred if the Merger had been consummated as of that date. This information should not be used as a predictive measure of our future financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

 
 
Year ended November 30,
Supplemental pro forma financial information (unaudited)
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In millions)
Total revenue
 
$
3,450.9

 
$
3,297.7

Net income
 
$
291.9

 
$
107.6


The pro forma net income excludes $70.0 million of one-time merger and transaction costs for the year ended November 30, 2016 .

The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions is preliminary and may change upon completion of the determination of fair value. The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation, net of acquired cash, for these acquisitions (in millions):
 
CARPROOF
 
OPIS
 
Markit
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
6.4

 
$
13.8

 
$
305.6

 
$
325.8

Property and equipment
2.2

 
1.7

 
61.2

 
65.1

Intangible assets
168.3

 
200.3

 
3,288.8

 
3,657.4

Goodwill
330.0

 
464.6

 
4,281.0

 
5,075.6

Other long-term assets

 

 
10.5

 
10.5

Total assets
506.9

 
680.4

 
7,947.1

 
9,134.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
2.7

 
3.2

 
250.8

 
256.7

Deferred revenue
0.2

 
24.8

 
230.8

 
255.8

Deferred taxes
44.5

 

 
693.7

 
738.2

Long-term debt

 

 
546.5

 
546.5

Other long-term liabilities
0.3

 
0.1

 
17.9

 
18.3

Noncontrolling interest

 

 
57.1

 
57.1

Total liabilities and noncontrolling interest
47.7

 
28.1

 
1,796.8

 
1,872.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase price, net of cash acquired
$
459.2

 
$
652.3

 
$
6,150.3

 
$
7,261.8


Of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, approximately $739.9 million is tax deductible.

During the year ended November 30, 2015 , we completed the following acquisitions, none of which were material either individually or in the aggregate:

JOC Group Inc. (JOC Group). On December 9, 2014, we acquired JOC Group, a global supplier of U.S. seaborne trade intelligence. We acquired JOC Group in support of our strategy to build integrated workflow solutions that target critical industry and government needs relating to global trade.

60



Infonetics Research, Inc. (Infonetics). On December 15, 2014, we acquired Infonetics, a provider of communications technology market intelligence. We acquired Infonetics to support our objective of providing customers with a global, end-to-end view of the information and communications technology supply chain.

Rushmore Associates Limited (Rushmore Reviews). On February 3, 2015, we acquired Rushmore Reviews, a service provider for drilling and completions solutions in the oil and gas industry. We acquired Rushmore Reviews in order to complement our existing set of well information assets and expand them globally.

Dataium. On March 25, 2015, we acquired Dataium, a U.S.-based company that provides business intelligence and analysis to the automotive industry. We acquired Dataium in order to enhance our automotive offerings with Dataium's compilation and analysis of online automotive shopping behavior and markets.

Root Wireless, Inc. (RootMetrics). On April 17, 2015, we acquired RootMetrics, a provider of mobile network analytics. We acquired RootMetrics in order to strengthen our position in telecommunications analytics and market intelligence, particularly related to the mobile user experience.

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation, net of acquired cash, for all acquisitions completed in 2015 (in millions):
 
Total
Assets:
 
Current assets
$
18.4

Property and equipment
1.9

Intangible assets
139.4

Goodwill
271.1

Other long-term assets
2.0

Total assets
432.8

Liabilities:
 
Current liabilities
1.7

Deferred revenue
18.1

Deferred taxes
43.0

Other long-term liabilities
0.1

Total liabilities
62.9

Purchase price
$
369.9


During the year ended November 30, 2014, we completed the following acquisitions, none of which were material either individually or in the aggregate:

Global Trade Information Services (GTI). On August 1, 2014, we acquired GTI, a leading provider of international merchandise trade data. We acquired GTI in order to support our strategy of building integrated workflow solutions that target industry needs related to global trade.

PCI Acrylonitrile Limited (PCI Acrylonitrile). On August 28, 2014, we acquired PCI Acrylonitrile, a provider of information and analysis on the acrylonitrile propylene derivative product. We acquired PCI Acrylonitrile in order to strengthen our position in chemical market advisory services.

DisplaySearch and Solarbuzz. On November 6, 2014, we acquired the DisplaySearch and Solarbuzz businesses of The NPD Group. DisplaySearch conducts global primary research in display technology and Solarbuzz provides market intelligence, research, and forecasting for the solar industry. We acquired these two businesses in order to strengthen our supply chain offerings for displays and to help us develop new offerings in the solar market.

PacWest Consulting Partners (PacWest). On November 17, 2014, we acquired PacWest, a provider of information, market intelligence, and strategic analysis to the upstream unconventional oil and gas industry. We acquired PacWest in order to expand our presence in the hydraulic fracturing and related unconventional space.

61



The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation, net of acquired cash, for these acquisitions (in millions):
 
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
Current assets
 
$
6.6

Property and equipment
 
0.3

Intangible assets
 
88.5

Goodwill
 
130.3

Other long-term assets
 

Total assets
 
225.7

Liabilities:
 
 
Current liabilities
 
0.6

Deferred revenue
 
14.3

Other long-term liabilities
 
0.4

Total liabilities
 
15.3

Purchase price
 
$
210.4



4.
Accounts Receivable

Our accounts receivable balance consists of the following as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

 
 
2016
 
2015
Accounts receivable
 
$
651.6

 
$
368.4

Less: Accounts receivable allowance
 
(16.0
)
 
(12.5
)
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
635.6

 
$
355.9


We record an accounts receivable allowance when it is probable that the accounts receivable balance will not be collected. The amounts comprising the allowance are based upon management’s estimates and historical collection trends. The activity in our accounts receivable allowance consists of the following for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively (in millions):
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
12.5

 
$
12.2

 
$
11.0

Provision for bad debts
 
11.4

 
13.4

 
12.5

Other additions
 
2.4

 
2.4

 
1.0

Write-offs and other deductions
 
(10.3
)
 
(15.5
)
 
(12.3
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
16.0

 
$
12.5

 
$
12.2



5.
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

62


 
 
2016
 
2015
Land, buildings and improvements
 
$
155.5

 
$
115.2

Capitalized software
 
553.6

 
374.8

Computers and office equipment
 
298.6

 
121.9

Property and equipment, gross
 
1,007.7

 
611.9

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(591.5
)
 
(297.5
)
Property and equipment, net
 
$
416.2

 
$
314.4


Depreciation expense was $114.8 million , $85.0 million , and $65.0 million for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively.

6.
Intangible Assets

The following table presents details of our acquired intangible assets, other than goodwill (in millions):  
 
As of November 30, 2016
 
As of November 30, 2015
 
Gross
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information databases
$
768.0

 
$
(283.9
)
 
$
484.1

 
$
595.2

 
$
(233.7
)
 
$
361.5

Customer relationships
2,910.6

 
(217.4
)
 
2,693.2

 
540.5

 
(135.4
)
 
405.1

Developed technology
755.4

 
(20.1
)
 
735.3

 

 

 

Developed computer software
84.9

 
(44.9
)
 
40.0

 
84.9

 
(36.0
)
 
48.9

Trademarks
400.9

 
(59.8
)
 
341.1

 
166.3

 
(34.8
)
 
131.5

Other
12.4

 
(7.5
)
 
4.9

 
14.8

 
(5.7
)
 
9.1

Total
4,932.2

 
(633.6
)
 
4,298.6

 
1,401.7

 
(445.6
)
 
956.1

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trademarks
53.2

 

 
53.2

 
58.6

 

 
58.6

Total intangible assets
$
4,985.4

 
$
(633.6
)
 
$
4,351.8

 
$
1,460.3

 
$
(445.6
)
 
$
1,014.7


Intangible asset amortization expense was $220.9 million , $130.1 million , and $116.3 million for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. Estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets held as of November 30, 2016 is as follows (in millions):
Year
 
Amount
2017
 
$
316.7

2018
 
$
305.3

2019
 
$
291.6

2020
 
$
282.1

2021
 
$
276.1

Thereafter
 
$
2,826.8


Changes in our goodwill and gross intangible assets from November 30, 2015 to November 30, 2016 were primarily the result of our recent acquisition activities, as described in Note 3. The change in net intangible assets was also primarily due to our 2016 acquisition activity, partially offset by current year amortization. Goodwill, gross intangible assets, and net intangible assets were all subject to foreign currency translation effects.

7.
Derivatives


63


Our business is exposed to various market risks, including interest rate and foreign currency risks. We utilize derivative instruments to help us manage these risks. We do not hold or issue derivatives for speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Swaps

To mitigate interest rate exposure on our outstanding revolving facility debt, we utilize interest rate derivative contracts that effectively swap $400 million of floating rate debt at a 2.86 percent weighted-average fixed interest rate, plus the applicable spread on our floating rate debt. We entered into these swap contracts in November 2013 and January 2014, and the contracts expire between May and November 2020.

Because the terms of these swaps and the variable rate debt (as amended or extended over time) coincide, we do not expect any ineffectiveness. We have designated and accounted for these instruments as cash flow hedges, with changes in fair value being deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income/loss (AOCI) in our consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign Currency Forwards

To mitigate foreign currency exposure, we utilize the following derivative instruments:

Foreign currency forward contracts that hedge the foreign currency exposure on Euro-denominated receipts and Singapore Dollar-denominated and Indian Rupee-denominated expenses. Because the critical terms of the forward contracts and the forecasted cash flows coincide, we do not expect any ineffectiveness associated with these contracts. We designated and accounted for these derivatives as cash flow hedges, with changes in fair value being deferred in AOCI in our consolidated balance sheets. The notional amount of outstanding foreign currency forwards under these agreements as of November 30, 2016 was approximately $40.8 million . There were no outstanding foreign currency forwards under these agreements as of November 30, 2015 .

Short-term foreign currency forward contracts that manage market risks associated with fluctuations in balances that are denominated in currencies other than the local functional currency. We account for these forward contracts at fair value and recognize the associated realized and unrealized gains and losses in other expense (income), net, on the consolidated statements of operations, since we have not designated these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The following table summarizes the notional amounts of these outstanding foreign currency forward contracts as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

 
 
November 30, 2016
 
November 30, 2015
Notional amount of currency pair:
 
 
 
 
Contracts to buy USD with CAD
 
$
37.2

 
$

Contracts to buy CAD with USD
 
C$
6.7

 
C$
9.3

Contracts to buy USD with EUR
 
$
8.8

 
$
8.5

Contracts to buy EUR with USD
 
13.0

 

Contracts to buy CHF with USD
 
CHF
9.0

 
CHF
19.0

Contracts to buy GBP with EUR
 
£

 
£
3.5

Contracts to buy EUR with GBP
 
8.0

 

Contracts to buy GBP with USD
 
£
195.7

 
£
7.2

Contracts to buy NOK with GBP
 
NOK
57.0

 
NOK



Fair Value of Derivatives

Since our derivative instruments are not listed on an exchange, we have evaluated fair value by reference to similar transactions in active markets; consequently, we have classified all of our derivative instruments within Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy. The following table shows the classification, location, and fair value of our derivative instruments as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):


64


 
 
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
 
 
 
 
November 30, 2016
 
November 30, 2015
 
Balance Sheet Location
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
$
1.4

 
$

 
Other current assets
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
3.8

 
0.1

 
Other current assets
Total
 
$
5.2

 
$
0.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as accounting hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
18.0

 
$
24.3

 
Other liabilities
Foreign currency forwards
 
0.1

 

 
Other accrued expenses
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forwards
 
0.6

 
0.4

 
Other accrued expenses
Total
 
$
18.7

 
$
24.7

 
 

The net gain (loss) on foreign currency forwards that are not designated as hedging instruments for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, was as follows (in millions):

 
 
 
 
Amount of (gain) loss recognized in the consolidated statements of operations
 
 
Location on consolidated statements of operations
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Foreign currency forwards
 
Other expense (income), net
 
$
4.2

 
$
4.9

 
$
(6.3
)

The following table provides information about the cumulative amount of unrecognized hedge losses recorded in AOCI as of November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2015 , as well as the activity on our cash flow hedging instruments for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively (in millions):
 
 
Year ended November 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning balance
 
$
(14.6
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(2.2
)
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI on derivative:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
(2.5
)
 
(6.5
)
 
(8.9
)
Foreign currency forwards
 
0.7

 
0.9

 
0.6

Amount of loss (gain) reclassified from AOCI into income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps (1)
 
6.1

 
1.9

 
0.9

Foreign currency forwards (1)
 
(0.2
)
 
(1.4
)
 
0.1

Ending balance
 
$
(10.5
)
 
$
(14.6
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Amounts reclassified from AOCI into income related to interest rate swaps are recorded in interest expense, and amounts reclassified from AOCI into income related to foreign currency forwards are recorded in revenue.

The unrecognized gains relating to the foreign currency forwards are expected to be reclassified into revenue within the next 12 months, and approximately $6.9 million of the $18.0 million unrecognized losses relating to the interest rate swaps are expected to be reclassified into interest expense within the next 12 months.

8.
Debt

The following table summarizes total indebtedness as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

65



 
 
November 30, 2016
 
November 30, 2015
2016 revolving facility
 
$
1,282.0

 
$

2016 term loan:
 
 
 
 
Tranche A-1
 
647.8

 

Tranche A-2
 
543.1

 

5% senior notes due 2022
 
750.0

 
750.0

Institutional senior notes:
 
 
 
 
Series A
 
95.9

 

Series B
 
53.8

 

Share repurchase liability
 
43.4

 

Debt issuance costs
 
(38.3
)
 
(23.7
)
Capital leases
 
6.2

 
6.2

2014 revolving facility
 

 
710.0

2013 term loan
 

 
665.0

Total debt
 
$
3,383.9

 
$
2,107.5

Current portion
 
(104.6
)
 
(36.0
)
Total long-term debt
 
$
3,279.3

 
$
2,071.5


2016 revolving facility. In July 2016, we entered into a $1.85 billion senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (2016 revolving facility). Borrowings under the 2016 revolving facility mature in July 2021. The interest rates for borrowings under the 2016 revolving facility are the applicable LIBOR plus a spread of 1.00 percent to 1.75 percent , depending upon our Leverage Ratio, which is defined as the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to rolling four-quarter Consolidated Earnings Before Interest Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA), as such terms are defined in the revolving facility agreement. A commitment fee on any unused balance is payable periodically and ranges from 0.13 percent to 0.30 percent based upon our Leverage Ratio. We had approximately $1.4 million of outstanding letters of credit under the 2016 revolving facility as of November 30, 2016 , which reduces the available borrowing under the facility by an equivalent amount. Amounts borrowed under the 2016 revolving facility were used to repay all amounts borrowed under the 2014 revolving facility.

2016 term loan. In July 2016, we entered into a $1.206 billion amortizing term loan agreement (2016 term loan) that includes two tranches. The 2016 term loan has a final maturity date of July 2021. The interest rates for borrowings under the 2016 term loan are the same as those under the 2016 revolving facility. Amounts borrowed under the 2016 term loan were used to repay all amounts borrowed under the 2013 term loan.

Subject to certain conditions, the 2016 revolving facility and the 2016 term loan may be expanded by up to an aggregate of $500 million in additional commitments or term loans. The 2016 revolving facility and the 2016 term loan have certain financial and other covenants, including a maximum Leverage Ratio and a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, as such terms are defined in the agreement.

5% senior notes due 2022 (5% Notes). In October 2014, IHS Inc. issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2022 in an offering not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). In August 2015, we completed a registered exchange offer for the 5% Notes. In July 2016, in connection with the Merger described in Note 1, we completed an exchange offer for $742.8 million of the outstanding 5% Notes for an equal principal amount of new 5% senior unsecured notes issued by IHS Markit with the same maturity. Approximately $7.2 million of the 5% Notes did not participate in the exchange offer. The new 5% notes are not, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. The new 5% notes have been admitted for trading to the official list of the Channel Islands Securities Exchange Authority.

The 5% Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.00% and mature on November 1, 2022. Interest on the 5% Notes is due semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2015. We may redeem the 5% Notes in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus the Applicable Premium, as defined in the indenture governing the 5% Notes. Additionally, at the option of the holders of the notes, we may be required to purchase all or a portion of the notes upon occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event as defined in the indenture, at a price equal to

66


101 percent of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. The indenture contains covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, incur or create liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions. In addition, the indenture contains a covenant that limits our ability to consolidate or merge with another entity or to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. The indenture contains customary default provisions. The fair value of the 5% Notes as of November 30, 2016 was approximately $770 million .

Institutional senior notes. In November 2015, Markit issued two series of senior unsecured notes having an aggregate principal amount of $500 million to certain institutional investors. In November 2016, we completed an offer to repurchase approximately $350 million of the notes. The Series A notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.73 percent and mature on November 4, 2022. The Series B notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.05 percent and mature on November 4, 2025. Interest is paid semi-annually from the anniversary of issuance. The institutional senior notes have certain financial and other covenants, including a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio and a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, as such terms are defined in the Note Purchase and Guarantee Agreement. We believe that the fair value of the outstanding institutional senior notes as of November 30, 2016 was approximately $146 million .

Share repurchase liability. In August 2012, Markit executed a share repurchase where the consideration is payable in quarterly installments through May 2017. The carrying value of the debt is calculated using cash flows discounted at a rate based on an average borrowing rate of 3.10 percent .

2014 revolving facility. In October 2014, we entered into a $1.3 billion senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (2014 revolving facility). Borrowings under the 2014 revolving facility were set to mature in October 2019 and bore interest at the same rates and spreads as the 2013 term loan, as described below. A commitment fee on any unused balance was payable periodically and ranged from 0.13 percent to 0.30 percent based upon our Leverage Ratio. In July 2016, we repaid all amounts outstanding, cancelled all commitments under the 2014 revolving facility, and terminated the 2014 revolving facility.

2013 term loan. In February 2016, we amended and restated our senior unsecured amortizing term loan agreement originally entered into in the third quarter of 2013 (2013 term loan), adding a $550 million tranche loan (Tranche A-2) to the amount outstanding under the existing tranche loan (Tranche A-1). The 2013 term loan had a maturity date of October 2019. The interest rates for borrowings under the 2013 term loan were the applicable LIBOR plus a spread of 1.00 percent to 2.00 percent , depending upon our Leverage Ratio, which was defined as the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to rolling four-quarter Consolidated Earnings Before Interest Expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA), as such terms were defined in the term loan agreements. In July 2016, we repaid all amounts outstanding under the 2013 term loan.

The 2014 revolving facility and the 2013 term loan contained certain financial and other covenants, including a maximum Leverage Ratio and a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, as such terms were defined in the respective agreements.

On January 26, 2017, we entered into a 364-day $500 million term loan (2017 term loan). The 2017 term loan is structured as a non-amortizing loan with repayment of principal due at maturity.  The interest rates for borrowings under the 2017 term loan are the same as those under the 2016 revolving facility. The 2017 term loan has certain financial covenants that are the same as the 2016 revolving facility and 2016 term loan, including a Maximum Leverage Ratio and Minimum Interest Coverage ratio, as such terms are defined in the agreements.

As of November 30, 2016 , we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. We have classified short-term debt based on scheduled term loan amortization payments and expected cash availability over the next 12 months. As of November 30, 2016 , we had approximately $1.282 billion of outstanding borrowings under the 2016 revolving facility at a current annual interest rate of 1.94 percent and approximately $1.191 billion of outstanding borrowings under the 2016 term loan at a current weighted average annual interest rate of 2.74 percent , including the effect of the interest rate swaps described in Note 7.

Maturities of outstanding borrowings under the share repurchase liability, term loans, and notes as of November 30, 2016 are as follows (in millions):

67


Year
 
Amount
2017
 
$
104.2

2018
 
75.4

2019
 
120.6

2020
 
120.6

2021
 
814.1

Thereafter
 
899.1

 
 
$
2,134.0



9.
Restructuring Charges

During 2014, we eliminated 168 positions and incurred additional direct and incremental costs related to identified operational efficiencies, consolidation of positions to our COE locations, and consolidation of our legacy data centers. We recorded approximately $8.8 million of restructuring charges for these activities. Of the total charge, approximately $3.5 million was recorded in the Resources segment, $2.5 million was recorded in the Transportation segment, and $2.8 million was recorded in the CMS segment.

During 2015, we eliminated 460 positions and incurred additional direct and incremental costs related to identified operational efficiencies (including lease abandonments), continued consolidation of positions to our COE locations, and further consolidation of our legacy data centers, particularly as we realigned to our new segment structure and simplified and reduced our centralized marketing, sales support, and shared services cost structures. We recorded approximately $39.4 million of restructuring charges for these activities. Of these charges, approximately $22.6 million was recorded in the Resources segment, $7.5 million was recorded in the Transportation segment, and $9.3 million was recorded in the CMS segment.

During 2016, we eliminated 327 positions as we continued the transition to our new segment operating model and continued to leverage our shared services cost structure. We also incurred additional direct and incremental costs related to lease abandonments, as well as revising a lease abandonment estimate because we secured a sub-tenant much earlier than anticipated. We expect to continue to incur costs related to these and other similar activities in future periods, resulting in additional restructuring charges. We recorded approximately $22.8 million of restructuring charges for these activities. Of these charges, approximately $12.1 million was recorded in the Resources segment, $4.4 million was recorded in the Transportation segment, and $6.3 million was recorded in the CMS segment. We expect to continue to incur costs related to these and other similar activities in future periods, resulting in additional restructuring charges.

The following table shows our restructuring activity and provides a reconciliation of the restructuring liability as of November 30, 2016 (in millions):

68


 
Employee
Severance and
Other
Termination
Benefits
 
Contract
Termination
Costs
 
Other
 
Total
Balance at November 30, 2013
$
2.6

 
$
0.1

 
$

 
$
2.7

Add: Restructuring costs incurred
8.4

 
0.4

 
1.3

 
10.1

Revision to prior estimates
(1.6
)
 
0.3

 

 
(1.3
)
Less: Amount paid
(6.5
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(1.2
)
 
(8.4
)
Balance at November 30, 2014
2.9

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
3.1

Add: Restructuring costs incurred
32.2

 
7.4

 
1.4

 
41.0

Revision to prior estimates
(1.6
)
 

 

 
(1.6
)
Less: Amount paid
(25.0
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(27.7
)
Balance at November 30, 2015
8.5

 
6.2

 
0.1

 
14.8

Add: Restructuring costs incurred
20.6

 
4.1

 

 
24.7

Revision to prior estimates
(1.7
)
 
(0.2
)
 

 
(1.9
)
Less: Amount paid
(26.4
)
 
(4.1
)
 

 
(30.5
)
Balance at November 30, 2016
$
1.0

 
$
6.0

 
$
0.1

 
$
7.1


As of November 30, 2016 , approximately $3.4 million of the remaining liability was in the Resources segment, approximately $2.4 million was in the Transportation segment, and approximately $1.3 million was in the CMS segment. Approximately $4.9 million of the balance is expected to be paid in 2017; the remaining amount relates to lease abandonments that will be paid over the remaining lease periods through 2021.
 
10.
Acquisition-related Costs

During 2014, we incurred approximately $1.9 million in costs associated with acquisitions, including severance, lease abandonments, and professional fees. Approximately $0.8 million of the costs were incurred in the Resources segment, $0.6 million of the costs were incurred in the Transportation segment, and $0.5 million of the costs were incurred in the CMS segment.

During 2015, we incurred approximately $1.5 million in costs associated with acquisitions, including severance, lease abandonments, and professional fees. Certain of these costs were incurred for a transaction that we chose not to consummate. Approximately $0.9 million of the total charge was recorded in the Resources segment and $0.6 million was allocated to shared services.

During 2016, we incurred approximately $161.2 million in costs associated with acquisitions, primarily the Merger. Approximately $90 million of the costs were related to advisory and banker fees from the Merger, and another $60 million was for costs to achieve Merger synergy targets, including employee severance and retention costs, as well as contract termination costs primarily related to the consolidation of our legacy facilities. As a result of the Merger, we eliminated 307 positions. Approximately $78.4 million of the total charge was allocated to shared services, with $69.6 million of the charge recorded in the Financial Services segment, $3.0 million in the Resources segment, $7.4 million in the Transportation segment, and $2.8 million in the CMS segment.


69


The following table provides a reconciliation of the acquisition-related costs accrued liability as of November 30, 2016 (in millions):
 
Employee
Severance and
Other
Termination
Benefits
 
Contract
Termination
Costs
 
Other
 
Total
Balance at November 30, 2013
$
5.8

 
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
6.1

Add: Costs incurred
0.9

 
0.5

 
0.7

 
2.1

Revision to prior estimates
(0.2
)
 

 

 
(0.2
)
Less: Amount paid
(5.9
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(6.9
)
Balance at November 30, 2014
$
0.6

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.4

 
$
1.1

Add: Costs incurred

 
0.2

 
1.4

 
1.6

Revision to prior estimates

 

 

 

Less: Amount paid
(0.6
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(2.3
)
Balance at November 30, 2015
$

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.3

 
$
0.4

Add: Costs incurred
43.6

 
7.9

 
109.9

 
161.4

Revision to prior estimates

 

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
Less: Amount paid
(18.9
)
 
0.6

 
(93.3
)
 
(111.6
)
Balance at November 30, 2016
$
24.7

 
$
8.6

 
$
16.7

 
$
50.0


As of November 30, 2016 , the $50.0 million remaining liability was primarily in the Financial Services segment and in shared services. We expect that substantially all of the remaining liability will be paid in 2017.

11.
Discontinued Operations

In November 2015, we launched a sales process to divest our OE&RM and GlobalSpec product groups, which were components of our CMS segment, due to a portfolio evaluation where we determined that those product groups no longer aligned with our strategic goals. We sold both businesses in the second quarter of 2016 for approximately $190.2 million . The net gain on sale for these two product groups was approximately $0.3 million . We entered into transition services agreements (TSAs) with each of the buyers to facilitate an orderly transition process. The results of these product groups have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements and footnotes.

Operating results for discontinued operations for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, were as follows (in millions):
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue
 
$
53.5

 
$
130.0

 
$
151.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
 
$
54.9

 
$
15.9

 
$
26.1

Tax (expense) benefit
 
(45.7
)
 
35.4

 
(9.5
)
Income from discontinued operations, net
 
$
9.2

 
$
51.3

 
$
16.6



70


Assets and liabilities from discontinued operations related to the divestiture of the GlobalSpec and OE&RM product groups consisted of the following amounts (in millions):
 
 
At disposal date
 
November 30, 2015
Current assets
 
$
2.5

 
$
19.5

Property and equipment, net
 
20.3

 
16.4

Intangible assets, net
 
58.8

 
58.3

Goodwill
 
103.3

 
99.2

Total assets
 
$
184.9

 
$
193.4

 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
$
0.6

 
$
1.3

Deferred revenue
 
26.5

 
19.6

Deferred income taxes
 
11.8

 
11.2

Total liabilities
 
$
38.9

 
$
32.1



12.
Income Taxes

The amounts of income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of equity method investee for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, is as follows (in millions):

 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
U.K.
$
(55.4
)
 
$
8.9

 
$
(7.6
)
U.S.
(96.4
)
 
26.1

 
(2.3
)
Foreign
294.1

 
202.8

 
233.0

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of equity method investee
$
142.3

 
$
237.8

 
$
223.1


The provision for income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, is as follows (in millions):

 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
U.K.
$
(4.3
)
 
$
4.2

 
$
0.4

U.S.
(32.0
)
 
(0.1
)
 
21.2

Foreign
40.4

 
37.2

 
33.8

Total current
4.1

 
41.3

 
55.4

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
U.K.
(7.6
)
 
(2.9
)
 
(1.5
)
U.S.
4.4

 
12.9

 
(11.5
)
Foreign
(6.0
)
 
(2.4
)
 
2.7

Total deferred
(9.2
)
 
7.6

 
(10.3
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
(5.1
)
 
$
48.9

 
$
45.1


The following table presents the reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes between the U.K. rate for 2016 and the U.S. tax rate for 2015 and 2014, respectively, and our effective tax rate (in millions):

71


 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Statutory tax at U.K. rate (20%)
$
28.4

 
$

 
$

Statutory tax at U.S. rate (35%)

 
83.2

 
78.1

Foreign rate differential
(49.3
)
 
(45.9
)
 
(66.6
)
Tax law change
(17.1
)
 
(2.4
)
 
(1.4
)
Valuation allowance
19.3

 
12.4

 
25.5

Transaction costs
13.5

 

 
0.3

Uncertain tax positions
7.3

 
0.1

 

Other
(7.2
)
 
1.5

 
9.2

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
(5.1
)
 
$
48.9

 
$
45.1

Effective tax rate expressed as a percentage of pre-tax earnings
(3.6
)%
 
20.5
%
 
20.2
%

The overall negative tax rate for the year ended November 30, 2016 is due primarily to the Merger and associated tax benefits related to merger costs, acquired intangibles, new capital structure and legislative changes to the U.K. statutory rates. For fiscal year 2020 and onward, the U.K. law provides for a reduction of the applicable corporate rate from 18.0 percent to 17.0 percent, resulting in an adjustment to deferred taxes and a corresponding reduction in tax expense primarily relating to acquired Markit intangible assets.

We have not provided a deferred tax liability on approximately $3.7 billion of temporary differences related to investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. This amount includes undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries of approximately $873.8 million at November 30, 2016 . Those earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested, and do not include earnings from certain subsidiaries which are considered distributed. Accordingly, no provision has been provided for those earnings. If we were to repatriate those earnings, in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the various countries. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability is not practicable due to the complexity associated with the hypothetical calculation.

The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in millions):

 
2016
 
2015
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Deferred stock-based compensation
135.0

 
45.7

Tax benefit from outside basis difference (1)

 
42.4

Loss carryforwards
187.2

 
107.3

Other
67.5

 
67.3

Gross deferred tax assets
389.7

 
262.7

Valuation allowance
(141.6
)
 
(78.8
)
Realizable deferred tax assets
248.1

 
183.9

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Partnership investments
(74.2
)
 

Fixed assets
(69.4
)
 
(64.4
)
Intangibles
(1,084.7
)
 
(372.4
)
Gross deferred tax liabilities
(1,228.3
)
 
(436.8
)
Net deferred tax liability
$
(980.2
)
 
$
(252.9
)
 
 
 
 
(1)   As a result of meeting the discontinued operations criteria for GlobalSpec, we recognized the benefit of the related outside basis difference in 2015. This amount was realized in 2016 as part of the GlobalSpec sale.

A significant portion of the net deferred tax liability included above relates to the tax effect of the step-up in value of Markit's intangible assets as a result of the Merger.

72



As of November 30, 2016 , we had loss carryforwards for tax purposes totaling approximately $621.5 million , comprised of $103.0 million of U.S. net operating loss carryforwards and $518.5 million of foreign loss carryforwards. If not used, the U.S. net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2018 and the foreign tax loss carryforwards generally may be carried forward indefinitely . We have analyzed the net operating losses and placed valuation allowances on those where we have determined the realization is not more likely than not to occur.

As of November 30, 2016 , we had approximately $8.8 million of foreign tax credit (FTC) carryforwards and approximately $0.8 million of research and development (R&D) credit carryforwards. If not used, the FTC carryforwards will expire between 2023 and 2026 , and the R&D credit carryforwards will expire in 2036 . We have analyzed the tax credits and placed valuation allowances on those where we have determined the realization is not more likely than not to occur.

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets increased by $62.8 million in 2016 . The increase is primarily attributable to foreign net operating losses, incurred and acquired, for which there is no objective indication that taxable income of the foreign entity will be generated in the future.
 
We have provided what we believe to be an appropriate amount of tax for items that involve interpretation of the tax law. However, events may occur in the future that will cause us to reevaluate our current reserves and may result in an adjustment to the reserve for taxes.

A summary of the activities associated with our reserve for unrecognized tax benefits, interest, and penalties follows (in millions):
 
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
Interest and Penalties
Balance at November 30, 2015
$
1.7

 
$
0.4

Additions:
 
 
 
Current year tax positions
6.8

 
0.2

Prior year tax positions
0.8

 
0.1

Acquired unrecognized tax benefits
0.4

 

Decreases:
 
 
 
Lapse of statute of limitations
(0.5
)
 
(0.1
)
Balance at November 30, 2016
$
9.2

 
$
0.6


As of November 30, 2016 , the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $9.8 million , of which $0.6 million related to interest and penalties. We include accrued interest and accrued penalties related to amounts accrued for unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. The entire amount of unrecognized benefits at November 30, 2016 may affect the annual effective tax rate if the benefits are eventually recognized.

It is reasonably possible that we will experience a $0.2 million decrease in the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months. We would experience this decrease in relation to uncertainties associated with the expiration of applicable statutes of limitation.

We and our subsidiaries file federal, state, and local income tax returns in multiple jurisdictions around the world. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012 .

13.
Pensions and Postretirement Benefits

Defined Benefit Plans

We sponsor the following defined benefit plans:

A frozen, non-contributory defined-benefit retirement plan (the U.S. RIP) for certain of our U.S. employees.
A frozen defined-benefit pension plan (the U.K. RIP) that covers certain employees of a subsidiary based in the United Kingdom.
A frozen, unfunded Supplemental Income Plan (SIP), which is a non-qualified pension plan, for certain U.S. employees who earn over a federally stipulated amount.

73



Benefits for all three plans are generally based on years of service and either average or cumulative base compensation, depending on the plan. Plan funding strategies are influenced by employee benefit laws and tax laws. The U.K. RIP includes a provision for employee contributions and inflation-based benefit increases for retirees. We expect to contribute approximately $3 million to our pension and postretirement benefit plans in 2017.

The following table provides the expected benefit payments for our pension plans (in millions):

 
 
Total
2017
 
$
11.8

2018
 
$
11.3

2019
 
$
11.8

2020
 
$
11.2

2021
 
$
10.6

2022-2026
 
$
57.9


Our net periodic pension expense for the pension plans consisted of the following (in millions):  

 
Year Ended November 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Service costs incurred
$
1.3

 
$
2.0

 
$
8.4

Interest costs on projected benefit obligation
8.5

 
8.3

 
8.4

Expected return on plan assets
(8.5
)
 
(8.7
)
 
(8.3
)
Amortization of prior service credit

 

 
(0.8
)
Curtailment gain

 

 
(2.8
)
Fourth quarter expense recognition of actuarial loss in excess of corridor
8.3

 
2.5

 
1.0

Net periodic pension expense
$
9.6

 
$
4.1

 
$
5.9



74


The changes in the projected benefit obligation, plan assets and the funded status of the pension plans were as follows (in millions):

 
2016
 
2015
Change in projected benefit obligation:
 
 
 
Net benefit obligation, beginning of year
$
201.9

 
$
208.6

Service costs incurred
1.3

 
2.0

Interest costs on projected benefit obligation
8.5

 
8.3

Actuarial loss (gain)
14.2

 
(4.7
)
Gross benefits paid
(11.3
)
 
(10.3
)
Foreign currency exchange rate change
(9.2
)
 
(2.0
)
Net benefit obligation, end of year
$
205.4

 
$
201.9

Change in plan assets:
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year
$
183.8

 
$
189.1

Actual return on plan assets
12.2

 
1.6

Employer contributions
5.2

 
5.3

Gross benefits paid
(11.3
)
 
(10.3
)
Foreign currency exchange rate change
(8.9
)
 
(1.9
)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year
$
181.0

 
$
183.8

Funded status (underfunded)
$
(24.4
)
 
$
(18.1
)
 
 
 
 
Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income not yet recognized as components of net periodic pension and postretirement expense, pretax
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
20.5

 
19.8

 
 
The net underfunded status of the plans is recorded in accrued pension and postretirement liability in the consolidated balance sheets. Any future reclassification of actuarial loss from AOCI to income would only be recognized if the cumulative actuarial loss exceeds the corridor, and the reclassification would be recognized as a fourth quarter mark-to-market adjustment.

Pension expense is actuarially calculated annually based on data available at the beginning of each year. We determine the expected return on plan assets by multiplying the expected long-term rate of return on assets by the market-related value of plan assets. The market-related value of plan assets is the fair value of plan assets. Assumptions used in the actuarial calculation include the discount rate selected and disclosed at the end of the previous year as well as the expected rate of return on assets detailed in the table below, as of the years ended November 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
U.S. RIP
 
U.K. RIP
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted-average assumptions as of year-end
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.20
%
 
4.50
%
 
2.80
%
 
3.60
%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets
4.70
%
 
5.00
%
 
4.50
%
 
4.60
%

Fair Value of Pension Assets

As of November 30, 2016 and 2015, the U.S. RIP plan assets consist primarily of fixed-income securities, with a moderate amount of equity securities. The U.K. RIP plan assets consist primarily of equity securities, with smaller holdings of bonds and other assets. Equity assets are diversified between international and domestic investments, with additional diversification in the domestic category through allocations to large-cap, mid-cap, and growth and value investments.

The U.S. RIP’s established investment policy seeks to align the expected rate of return with the discount rate, while allowing for some equity variability to allow for upside market potential that would strengthen the overall asset position of the plan. The U.K. RIP’s established investment policy is to match the liabilities for active and deferred members with equity

75


investments and match the liabilities for pensioner members with fixed-income investments. Asset allocations are subject to ongoing analysis and possible modification as basic capital market conditions change over time (interest rates, inflation, etc.).

The following table compares target asset allocation percentages with actual asset allocations at the end of 2016:

 
U.S. RIP Assets
 
U.K. RIP Assets
 
Target Allocations
 
Actual Allocations
 
Target Allocations
 
Actual Allocations
Fixed Income
75
%
 
72
%
 
45
%
 
47
%
Equities
25
%
 
26
%
 
55
%
 
45
%
Cash and Other
%
 
2
%
 
%
 
8
%

Investment return assumptions for both plans have been determined by obtaining independent estimates of expected long-term rates of return by asset class and applying the returns to assets on a weighted-average basis.

All of our pension plan assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis by reference to similar assets in active markets and are therefore classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Plan assets as of November 30, 2016 and 2015 were classified in the following categories (in millions):
 
 
2016
 
2015
Interest-bearing cash
 
$
5.7

 
$
6.8

Collective trust funds:
 
 
 
 
Fixed income funds
 
119.0

 
122.0

Equity funds
 
56.3

 
55.0

 
 
$
181.0

 
$
183.8


Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor a contributory postretirement medical plan. The plan subsidizes the cost of coverage for retiree-medical coverage for certain grandfathered employees. Our subsidy is capped at different rates per month depending on individual retirees’ Medicare eligibility. Our net periodic postretirement expense was $0.4 million in 2016, $0.4 million in 2015, and $0.8 million in 2014, and our postretirement benefit obligation was $8.8 million and $8.7 million as of November 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The net unfunded status of the postretirement benefit plan is recorded in accrued pension liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

Defined Contribution Plans

Employees of certain subsidiaries may participate in defined contribution plans, and we provide matching contributions as part of the plans. Benefit expense relating to these plans was approximately $23.4 million , $18.2 million , and $13.7 million for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively.

14.
Stock-based Compensation

As of November 30, 2016 , we have two stock-based compensation plans from which equity awards may be issued: the 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (2014 Equity Plan), which is a legacy Markit plan, and the Amended and Restated IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), the legacy IHS plan. Both plans provide for the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units and performance shares, cash-based awards, other stock based awards, and covered employee annual incentive awards. Upon vesting of an award, we may either issue new shares or reissue treasury shares, but only to the extent that the reissued shares were previously withheld for taxes. As of November 30, 2016, we have an authorized maximum of 22.4 million shares under the 2014 Equity Plan, and that amount will be increased by (a) the number of shares made and outstanding under the 2013 Share Option Plan and the 2014 Share Option Plan as of June 24, 2014 that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of our common shares, and (b) on January 1 of each year through January 1, 2024, in an amount equal to the lesser of: (x) 2.5 percent of the total number of IHS Markit's common shares issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year and (y) such number of common shares determined by our Board of Directors. We have 14.8 million shares authorized for issuance under the LTIP. As of November 30, 2016 , 15.6 million shares

76


were available for future grant under the 2014 Equity Plan, and 5.2 million shares were available for future grant under the LTIP.

Total unrecognized compensation expense related to all nonvested awards was $264.4 million as of November 30, 2016 , with a weighted-average recognition period of approximately 2.3 years.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs). RSUs and RSAs typically vest from one to three years , and are generally subject to either cliff vesting or graded vesting. RSUs and RSAs do not have nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. The fair value of RSUs and RSAs is based on the fair value of our common shares on the date of grant. We amortize the value of these awards to expense over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. For performance-based RSUs, an evaluation is made each quarter about the likelihood that the performance criteria will be met. As the number of performance-based RSUs expected to vest increases or decreases, compensation expense is also adjusted up or down to reflect the number expected to vest and the cumulative vesting period met to date. For all RSUs and RSAs, we estimate forfeitures at the grant date and recognize compensation cost based on the number of awards expected to vest. There may be adjustments in future periods if the likelihood of meeting performance criteria changes or if actual forfeitures differ from our estimates. Our forfeiture rate is based upon historical experience as well as anticipated employee turnover considering certain qualitative factors.
The following table summarizes RSU/RSA activity for the year ended November 30, 2016 , including shares assumed in conjunction with the Merger. Share amounts and weighted-average grant date fair values have been retroactively adjusted for the Merger conversion ratio.
 
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
(in millions)
 
 
Balance at November 30, 2015
8.7

 
$
30.57

RSAs/RSUs assumed
3.2

 
$
32.84

Granted
4.9

 
$
31.72

Vested
(4.4
)
 
$
30.33

Forfeited
(0.7
)
 
$
32.16

Balance at November 30, 2016
11.7

 
$
31.67


The total fair value of RSUs that vested during the year ended November 30, 2016 was $134.1 million .
Stock Options. In connection with the Merger, we assumed options outstanding under the legacy Markit plans. Stock options under the 2014 Equity Plan generally vest over one to three years, and expire 7 years from the date of grant. At the Merger date, we revalued all of the outstanding stock options using a Monte Carlo simulation model with assumptions about anticipated employee exercise behavior, expected stock price volatility, and the risk-free interest rate. The following table summarizes stock option awards assumed in conjunction with the Merger and subsequent activity through November 30, 2016, as well as stock options that are vested and expected to vest and stock options exercisable as of November 30, 2016:
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
 
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in years)
 
(in millions)
Balance at November 30, 2015

 
$

 
 
 
 
Options assumed
46.4

 
$
24.62

 
 
 
 
Granted

 
$

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(6.4
)
 
$
22.90

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
(0.3
)
 
$
25.01

 
 
 
 
Balance at November 30, 2016
39.7

 
$
24.89

 
3.0
 
438.5

Vested and expected to vest at November 30, 2016
38.7

 
$
24.84

 
3.0
 
429.3

Exercisable at November 30, 2016
16.9

 
$
22.33

 
1.9
 
229.8

 
The aggregate intrinsic value amounts in the table above represent the difference between the closing price of our common shares on November 30, 2016 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options as of that date. This represents the value that would have been received by stock option holders if they had all exercised their stock

77


options on November 30, 2016. In future periods, this amount will change depending on fluctuations in our share price. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended November 30, 2016 was approximately $85.0 million .

Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, was as follows (in millions):
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
 
$
32.2

 
$
6.9

 
$
8.5

Selling, general and administrative
 
171.7

 
122.0

 
150.8

Total stock-based compensation expense
 
$
203.9

 
$
128.9

 
$
159.3


Total income tax benefits recognized for stock-based compensation arrangements were as follows (in millions):
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Income tax benefits
 
$
60.9

 
$
37.3

 
$
47.2


No stock-based compensation cost was capitalized during the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , or 2014 .

15.
Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

Rental charges in 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 approximated $57.7 million , $60.9 million and $58.9 million , respectively. Minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases in effect at November 30, 2016 , are as follows:

Year
 
Amount (in millions)
2017
 
$
92.7

2018
 
83.7

2019
 
62.0

2020
 
51.7

2021
 
43.7

Thereafter
 
234.4

 
 
$
568.2


We also had outstanding letters of credit and bank guarantees in the aggregate amount of approximately $6.2 million and $5.2 million at November 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Indemnifications

In the normal course of business, we are party to a variety of agreements under which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These obligations typically arise in contracts where we customarily agree to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants for certain matters such as title to assets and intellectual property rights associated with the sale of products. We also have indemnification obligations to our officers and directors. The duration of these indemnifications varies, and in certain cases, is indefinite. In each of these circumstances, payment by us depends upon the other party making an adverse claim according to the procedures outlined in the particular agreement, which procedures generally allow us to challenge the other party’s claims. In certain instances, we may have recourse against third parties for payments that we make.

We are unable to reasonably estimate the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances of each agreement and the fact that certain indemnifications provide for no limitation to the maximum potential future payments under the indemnification. We have not recorded any liability for these indemnifications in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets; however, we accrue losses for any known contingent liability, including those that may arise from indemnification provisions, when the obligation is both probable and reasonably estimable.

78



Litigation

From time to time, we are involved in litigation in the ordinary course of our business, including claims or contingencies that may arise related to matters occurring prior to our acquisition of businesses, such as the matter described below. At the present time, primarily because the matters are generally in early stages, we can give no assurance as to the outcome of any pending litigation to which we are currently a party and we are unable to determine the ultimate resolution of or provide a reasonable estimate of the range of possible loss attributable to these matters or the effect they may have on us. However, we do not expect the outcome of such proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. We have and will continue to vigorously defend ourselves against these claims.

On April 23, 2013 (prior to our acquisition of R.L. Polk & Co.), our CARFAX subsidiary (CARFAX) was served with a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, purportedly on behalf of certain auto and light truck dealers. The complaint alleges, among other things, that, in violation of antitrust laws, CARFAX entered into exclusive arrangements regarding the sale of CARFAX vehicle history reports with certain auto manufacturers and owners of two websites providing classified listings of used autos and light trucks. The complaint seeks three times the actual damages that a jury finds the plaintiffs have sustained, injunctive relief, costs and attorneys’ fees. On October 25, 2013, the plaintiffs served a second amended complaint with similar allegations purporting to name approximately 469 auto dealers as plaintiffs, and counsel for plaintiffs indicated that there may be additional claimants. On September 30, 2016, the District Court granted CARFAX's motion for summary judgment, dismissing all claims in the complaint. The plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal on October 28, 2016. On January 13, 2017, another group of auto and light truck dealers filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on substantially the same claims as described above. The complaint seeks three times the actual damages that a jury finds the plaintiffs have sustained, injunctive relief, costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Between 2011 and 2016, we and other market participants responded to a civil investigation by the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission (EC) related to the credit default swaps information industry with a primary focus on the activities of certain major international investment banks, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association and IHS Markit. In July 2016, the EC formally adopted a set of commitments with us which constitute a full resolution of the investigation with respect to us without any finding of wrongdoing or monetary liability (Final Commitments). In the Final Commitments, we agreed to certain obligations regarding the governance and composition of the index advisory committees for our CDX and iTraxx CDS indices and the licensing of these indices for certain exchange-traded products. In May 2009, the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) had initiated a similar civil investigation related to the credit default swaps information industry, for which we produced documents and participated in depositions conducted by the DOJ. In September 2016, the DOJ confirmed that it had closed its investigation.

In October 2015, the Division of Enforcement of the SEC opened a non-public civil investigation related to certain of our current and former securitized product indices, and requested that we provide certain documents and information. We responded to these inquiries in late 2015 and early 2016, and, to the extent the SEC has further inquiries, will continue to cooperate in this matter.

16.
Common Shares and Earnings per Share

Weighted average common shares outstanding for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively, were calculated as follows (in millions):
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in basic EPS calculation
 
309.2

 
243.4

 
242.4

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSUs/RSAs
 
3.2

 
3.0

 
3.4

Stock options
 
3.9

 

 

Shares used in diluted EPS calculation
 
316.3

 
246.4

 
245.8


Share Repurchase Programs


79


In June 2015, the IHS Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of IHS' Class A common stock in open market purchases or through privately negotiated transactions in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other relevant factors. During 2016, through the date of the Merger, we had repurchased approximately $75 million under this program. This program was terminated in conjunction with the completion of the Merger.

In February 2016, the Markit Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $500 million of Markit common shares through February 28, 2018. This authorization continued in effect after completion of the Merger. Under this $500 million share repurchase program, management was authorized to repurchase, at its discretion, IHS Markit common shares on the open market from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions, or through accelerated repurchase agreements, subject to the availability of common shares, share price, market conditions, alternative uses of capital, and applicable regulatory requirements. In August 2016, our Board of Directors modified this share repurchase program to terminate on September 29, 2016 and authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion of IHS Markit common shares from September 29, 2016 through November 30, 2017, to be funded using our existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and future cash flows, or through the incurrence of short- or long-term indebtedness, at management's discretion. In January 2017, our Board of Directors increased the size of this repurchase program to up to $2.25 billion of IHS Markit common shares and extended its termination date to May 31, 2018. This new repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any set dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time without prior notice. Under the new repurchase program, we are authorized to repurchase our common shares on the open market from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions, or through accelerated repurchase agreements, subject to availability of common shares, price, market conditions, alternative uses of capital, and applicable regulatory requirements, at management’s discretion. As of November 30, 2016, we had $1.247 billion remaining available to repurchase under the program.

In August 2016, our Board of Directors separately and additionally authorized, subject to applicable regulatory requirements, the repurchase of our common shares surrendered by employees in an amount equal to the exercise price, if applicable, and statutory tax liability associated with the vesting of their equity awards, for which we pay the statutory tax on behalf of the employee and forgo receipt of the exercise price of the award from the employee, if applicable.

On December 7, 2015, Markit entered into an aggregate $200 million accelerated share repurchase (ASR) of issued and outstanding common shares. The ASR continued in effect after completion of the Merger. Upon execution of the ASR program in December 2015, Markit received an initial delivery of 5.1 million shares. At the completion of the program on November 30, 2016, we received an additional 1.1 million shares.

In December 2016, we funded a $250 million ASR with a scheduled termination date in the first quarter of 2017. The total number of shares ultimately to be repurchased under the ASR will generally be based on the daily volume-weighted average price of the shares during the calculation period for the ASR, less an agreed discount. At final settlement of the ASR, we may be entitled to receive additional shares, or, under certain limited circumstances, be required to deliver shares to the relevant ASR counterparty.

Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) Shares

We have approximately 25.2 million outstanding common shares that are held by the Markit Group Holdings Limited Employee Benefit Trust. The trust is under our control using the variable interest entity model criteria; consequently, we have consolidated and classified the trust shares as treasury shares within our consolidated balance sheets.

17.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, net pension and postretirement liability adjustments, and net gain (loss) on hedging activities. Each item is reported net of the related income tax effect. The following table summarizes the changes in AOCI by component (net of tax) for the year ended November 30, 2016 (in millions):

80


 
 
Foreign currency translation
 
Net pension and OPEB liability
 
Unrealized losses on hedging activities
 
Total
Balance at November 30, 2013
 
$
(46.6
)
 
$
(8.2
)
 
$
(2.2
)
 
$
(57.0
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(37.0
)
 
(4.1
)
 
(8.4
)
 
(49.5
)
Reclassifications from AOCI to income
 

 
(1.3
)
 
1.1

 
(0.2
)
Balance at November 30, 2014
 
$
(83.6
)
 
$
(13.6
)
 
$
(9.5
)
 
$
(106.7
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(79.9
)
 
(1.1
)
 
(5.7
)
 
(86.7
)
Reclassifications from AOCI to income
 

 
1.6

 
0.6

 
2.2

Balance at November 30, 2015
 
$
(163.5
)
 
$
(13.1
)
 
$
(14.6
)
 
$
(191.2
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(250.4
)
 
(7.1
)
 
(1.8
)
 
(259.3
)
Reclassifications from AOCI to income
 

 
5.8

 
5.9

 
11.7

Balance at November 30, 2016
 
$
(413.9
)
 
$
(14.4
)
 
$
(10.5
)
 
$
(438.8
)

Amounts reclassified from AOCI to income related to net pension and OPEB liability are recorded in net periodic pension and postretirement expense.

18.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Net cash provided by operating activities reflects cash payments for interest and income taxes as shown below, for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively (in millions):

 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Interest paid
 
$
103.0

 
$
65.4

 
$
45.4

Income tax payments, net
 
$
81.5

 
$
11.5

 
$
52.0


Interest paid during 2014, 2015, and 2016 increased primarily due to increased borrowings associated with acquisitions and share repurchase programs, as well as a higher effective interest rate due to an increased amount of fixed rate debt.

Cash and cash equivalents amounting to approximately $138.9 million and $291.6 million reflected on the consolidated balance sheets at November 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, are maintained primarily in U.S. Dollars, British Pounds, and Euros, and were subject to fluctuations in the currency exchange rate.

19.
Segment Information

Our Chief Executive Officer is our CODM, and the CODM evaluates segment performance based primarily on revenue and segment Adjusted EBITDA, as described below. In addition, the CODM regularly reviews revenue by transaction type. The accounting policies of our segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 2).

No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of our total revenue for the years ended November 30, 2016 , 2015 , or 2014 . There are no material inter-segment revenues for any period presented. Our shared services function includes corporate transactions that are not allocated to the reportable segments, including net periodic pension and postretirement expense, as well as certain corporate functions such as investor relations, procurement, corporate development, and portions of finance, legal, and marketing.

We evaluate segment operating performance at the Adjusted EBITDA level for each of our four segments. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before net interest, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation cost, restructuring charges, acquisition-related costs, exceptional litigation, net other gains and losses, pension mark-to-market and settlement expense, the impact of joint ventures and noncontrolling interests, and discontinued operations. Information about the operations of our four segments is set forth below (in millions).


81



 
Year ended November 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
Resources
$
860.8

 
$
884.6

 
$
927.2

Transportation
892.8

 
758.4

 
662.6

CMS
532.2

 
541.3

 
490.0

Financial Services
449.0

 

 

Total revenue
$
2,734.8

 
$
2,184.3

 
$
2,079.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
Resources
$
367.8

 
$
356.8

 
$
370.9

Transportation
353.3

 
282.7

 
234.3

CMS
127.5

 
106.8

 
88.0

Financial Services
190.4

 

 

Shared services
(51.3
)
 
(49.9
)
 
(59.0
)
Total Adjusted EBITDA
$
987.7

 
$
696.4

 
$
634.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to the consolidated statements of operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
1.3

 
0.9

 
1.0

Interest expense
(119.4
)
 
(70.9
)
 
(55.4
)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
5.1

 
(48.9
)
 
(45.1
)
Depreciation
(114.8
)
 
(85.0
)
 
(65.0
)
Amortization related to acquired intangible assets
(220.9
)
 
(130.1
)
 
(116.3
)
Stock-based compensation expense
(203.9
)
 
(128.9
)
 
(159.3
)
Restructuring charges
(22.8
)
 
(39.4
)
 
(8.8
)
Acquisition-related costs
(161.2
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(1.9
)
Litigation charges related to class action suit
(0.1
)
 

 

Loss on debt extinguishment
(0.6
)
 

 
(1.3
)
Impairment of assets

 
(1.2
)
 

Gain (loss) on sale of assets
0.7

 

 
(2.6
)
Pension mark-to-market and settlement expense
(8.4
)
 
(2.5
)
 
(1.5
)
Share of joint venture results not attributable to Adjusted EBITDA
(0.3
)
 

 

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest
1.2

 

 

Income from discontinued operations, net
9.2

 
51.3

 
16.5

Net income attributable to IHS Markit
$
152.8

 
$
240.2

 
$
194.5


Total assets by segment were as follows:


82


 
Year ended November 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Total Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Resources
$
2,719.7

 
$
2,238.1

 
$
2,249.5

Transportation
2,721.3

 
2,310.9

 
2,237.7

CMS
726.4

 
835.1

 
784.9

Financial Services
7,769.2

 

 

Shared services

 
193.4

 

Total assets
$
13,936.6

 
$
5,577.5

 
$
5,272.1


The table below provides information about revenue and long-lived assets for the U.S., the U.K., and the rest of the world for 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 . Revenue by country is generally based on where the customer contract is signed. Long-lived assets include net property and equipment.
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
(in millions)
Revenue
 
Long-lived assets
 
Revenue
 
Long-lived assets
 
Revenue
 
Long-lived assets
U.S.
$
1,632.3

 
$
324.9

 
$
1,327.4

 
$
272.9

 
$
1,176.8

 
$
254.0

U.K.
298.1

 
54.7

 
183.9

 
15.3

 
200.8

 
16.9

Rest of world
804.4

 
36.6

 
673.0

 
26.2

 
702.2

 
30.5

Total
$
2,734.8

 
$
416.2

 
$
2,184.3

 
$
314.4

 
$
2,079.8

 
$
301.4


Revenue by transaction type was as follows:
(in millions)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Recurring fixed revenue
 
$
2,074.5

 
$
1,768.5

 
$
1,643.9

Recurring variable revenue
 
164.1

 

 

Non-recurring revenue
 
496.2

 
415.8

 
435.9

Total revenue
 
$
2,734.8

 
$
2,184.3

 
$
2,079.8


Activity in our goodwill account was as follows:
(in millions)
Resources
 
Transportation
 
CMS
 
Financial Services
 
Consolidated Total
Balance at November 30, 2014
$
1,552.3

 
$
1,299.1

 
$
305.9

 
$

 
$
3,157.3

Acquisitions
35.0

 
81.5

 
154.5

 

 
271.0

Adjustments to purchase price
2.4

 
(0.8
)
 
4.5

 

 
6.1

Reclassification to assets held for sale

 

 
(102.6
)
 

 
(102.6
)
Foreign currency translation
(21.2
)
 
(18.4
)
 
(4.7
)
 

 
(44.3
)
Balance at November 30, 2015
1,568.5

 
1,361.4

 
357.6

 

 
3,287.5

Acquisitions
464.0

 
332.9

 

 
4,281.0

 
5,077.9

Adjustments to purchase price
0.1

 
0.7

 
(3.3
)
 

 
(2.5
)
Foreign currency translation
(28.6
)
 
(23.9
)
 
(5.1
)
 
(95.5
)
 
(153.1
)
Balance at November 30, 2016
$
2,004.0

 
$
1,671.1

 
$
349.2

 
$
4,185.5

 
$
8,209.8


The reclassification adjustment in 2015 was related to the goodwill allocated to our OE&RM and GlobalSpec product groups, which were reclassified to discontinued operations, as further described in Note 11.


83


20.
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following table summarizes certain quarterly results of operations (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
February 28
 
May 31
 
August 31
 
November 30
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
548.5

 
$
587.9

 
$
724.6

 
$
873.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
41.4

 
$
44.8

 
$
(30.7
)
 
$
88.1

Income from discontinued operations
3.8

 
5.2

 
(1.0
)
 
1.2

Net income (loss) attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
45.2

 
$
50.0

 
$
(31.7
)
 
$
89.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.17

 
$
0.19

 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
0.21

Income from discontinued operations
0.02

 
0.02

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.19

 
$
0.21

 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
0.21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.17

 
$
0.19

 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
0.20

Income from discontinued operations
0.02

 
0.02

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.19

 
$
0.21

 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
0.21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
513.7

 
$
557.0

 
$
557.9

 
$
555.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
37.7

 
$
46.8

 
$
57.0

 
$
47.4

Income from discontinued operations
1.7

 
4.2

 
2.3

 
43.1

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
39.4

 
$
51.0

 
$
59.3

 
$
90.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.16

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.20

Income from discontinued operations
0.01

 
0.02

 
0.01

 
0.18

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.16

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.15

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.19

Income from discontinued operations
0.01

 
0.02

 
0.01

 
0.18

Net income attributable to IHS Markit Ltd.
$
0.16

 
$
0.21

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.37


Fourth quarter 2016 weighted average shares outstanding were 416.6 million shares for basic earnings per share and 432.9 million shares for diluted earnings per share. The dilutive share count included a 6.2 million share dilutive impact from RSUs/RSAs and a 10.1 million share dilutive impact from stock options.

Earnings per share data for each quarter of 2015 and for the first and second quarters of 2016 have been recalculated using the respective weighted average share amount for each quarter multiplied by the 3.5566 Merger exchange ratio.

Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

84

Table of Contents


Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports required to be filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act rule 13a-15(f). A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) 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.

Management is required to base its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on a suitable, recognized control framework, such as the framework developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO framework”). Our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer have chosen the COSO 2013 framework on which to base their assessment. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of November 30, 2016 .

The scope of management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting for 2016 excludes Markit primarily because of the nature and timing of the Merger, as IHS Inc. was deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the transaction, and it was impracticable to fully integrate Markit's system of internal controls into the consolidated IHS Markit organization before the end of the fiscal year. Markit constituted $7.8 billion and $3.2 billion of total and net assets, respectively, as of November 30, 2016, and $449.0 million and $37.7 million of revenues and net loss, respectively, for the period from July 12, 2016 to November 30, 2016.

Our independent registered public accounting firm has audited, and reported on, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report are included under the captions entitled “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting,” respectively, in Item 8 of this Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Subsequent to the Merger, we have incorporated internal controls over significant processes to the extent that we believe is appropriate and necessary considering the level of integration during the period since the Merger. As a result of the Merger, the internal control over financial reporting utilized by IHS prior to the Merger became the internal control over financial

85


reporting of IHS Markit, as we deemed IHS to be the accounting acquirer under U.S. GAAP. We are currently in the process of evaluating and integrating Markit's historical internal controls over financial reporting with ours.

Except as noted above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended November 30, 2016 , that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act Disclosure
 
Under the Iran Threat Reduction and Syrian Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, we are required to include certain disclosures in our periodic reports if we or any of our affiliates knowingly engaged in certain specified activities during the period covered by the report. Disclosure is generally required even if the transactions or dealings were conducted in compliance with applicable law and regulations. During the third quarter of 2014, we acquired Global Trade Information Services, a Virginia corporation (“GTIS”). GTIS publishes the Global Trade Atlas (the “GTA”), an online trade data system offering global merchandise trade statistics such as import and export data from official sources in more than 65 countries. Included in the GTA is certain trade data sourced from Iran for which GTIS pays an annual fee of approximately $30,000. The procurement of this information is exempt from applicable economic sanctions laws and regulations as a funds transfer related to the exportation or importation of information and informational materials. Sales attributable to this Iranian trade data represented approximately $75,000 in gross revenue for GTIS in the fourth quarter of 2016 and would have represented approximately 0.01% of our company’s fourth quarter 2016 consolidated revenues and gross profits. Subject to any changes in the exempt status of such activities, we intend to continue these business activities as permissible under applicable export control and economic sanctions laws and regulations.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this Item will be contained in the Company’s Form 10-K/A, which will be filed no later than 120 days after November 30, 2016. This information will also be contained in the management proxy statement that we prepare in accordance with Bermuda law requirements.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item will be contained in the Company’s Form 10-K/A, which will be filed no later than 120 days after November 30, 2016. This information will also be contained in the management proxy statement that we prepare in accordance with Bermuda law requirements.
 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item will be contained in the Company’s Form 10-K/A, which will be filed no later than 120 days after November 30, 2016. This information will also be contained in the management proxy statement that we prepare in accordance with Bermuda law requirements.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item will be contained in the Company’s Form 10-K/A, which will be filed no later than 120 days after November 30, 2016. This information will also be contained in the management proxy statement that we prepare in accordance with Bermuda law requirements.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item will be contained in the Company’s Form 10-K/A, which will be filed no later than 120 days after November 30, 2016. This information will also be contained in the management proxy statement that we prepare in accordance with Bermuda law requirements.

PART IV


86

Table of Contents

Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)
Index of Financial Statements

The Financial Statements listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this report on Form 10-K (see Part II, Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data).

(b)
Index of Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

Exhibit
Number
Description
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2016, by and among IHS Inc., Markit Ltd., and Marvel Merger Sub, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Markit Ltd. Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 21, 2016)
2.2
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated as of January 8, 2016 by and among UCG Holdings Limited Partnership and IHS Global Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the IHS Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-32511) filed on January 11, 2016)
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. registration statement on Form F-1 (file no. 333-198711), filed on May 5, 2014)
3.2
Memorandum of Association (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Amendment No. 2 of the IHS Markit Ltd. registration statement on Form F-1 (file no. 333-198711), filed on June 3, 2014)
3.3
Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 11, 2016)
3.4
Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-36495) filed on October 7, 2016)
3.5
Amended and Restated Bye-laws of IHS Markit Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on July 13, 2016)
4.1
Form of certificate of common shares (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-36495) filed on October 7, 2016)
4.2
Director Nomination Agreement between IHS Markit Ltd. (f/k/a Markit Ltd.) and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
4.3
Registration Rights Agreement among IHS Markit Ltd. (f/k/a Markit Ltd.) and the shareholders party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
4.4
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Rights Agreement among IHS Markit Ltd. (f/k/a Markit Ltd.) and the Shareholders party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 11, 2016)
4.5
Transfer Restriction Letter Agreement among IHS Markit Ltd. (f/k/a Markit Ltd.), Lance Uggla and Pan Praewood (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 11, 2016)
4.6
Indenture, dated as of October 28, 2014, among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the IHS Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2014)
4.7
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 11, 2016, by and between IHS Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the IHS Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12, 2016)
4.8
Indenture, dated as of July 28, 2016, among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on July 28, 2016)
4.9
Form of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on July 28, 2016)
4.10
Note Purchase and Guarantee Agreement among Markit Ltd., Markit Group Holdings Limited and the Purchasers named therein dated as of November 4, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.43 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 11, 2016)
10.1+
Amended and Restated 2004 Markit Additional Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.2+
Amended and Restated Markit 2006 Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.3+
Amended and Restated Markit 2006 Additional Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)

87

Table of Contents

10.4+
Amended and Restated Markit 2007 Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.5+
Amended and Restated Markit 2008 Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.6+
Amended and Restated Markit 2008 Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.7+
Amended and Restated Markit 2008 Additional Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.8+
Amended and Restated Markit 2008 Additional Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.9+
Amended and Restated Markit 2009 Additional Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.10+
Amended and Restated Markit 2009 Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.11+
Amended and Restated Markit 2009 Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.12+
Amended and Restated Markit 2010 Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.13+
Amended and Restated Markit 2010 Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.14+
Amended and Restated Markit 2010 Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.15+
Amended and Restated 2011 Markit Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.16+
Amended and Restated 2012 Markit Share Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.17+
Amended and Restated 2012 Markit Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.18+
Amended and Restated 2013 Markit Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.19+
Amended and Restated 2013 Markit Share Option Plan (mid-year awards April through December 2013) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.20+
Amended and Restated 2014 Markit Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.24 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.21+
Amended and Restated Markit Key Employee Incentive Program (KEIP) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.25 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.22+
Amendment #1 to Amended and Restated Key Employee Incentive Program (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-36495) filed on October 7, 2016)
10.23+*
Amendment #2 to Amended and Restated Key Employee Incentive Program
10.24+
IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
10.25+
Amendment to IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-36495) filed on October 7, 2016)
10.26+*
Amendment #2 to IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan
10.27+*
Amendment #3 to IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan
10.28+*
IHS Markit Ltd. Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy
10.29+
Summary of IHS Markit Ltd. 2016 Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-36495) filed on October 7, 2016)
10.30+*
IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan - 2016 Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement
10.31+*
IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan - 2016 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement
10.32+
IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan - 2014 Form of Restricted Share Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) as filed on March 10, 2015)
10.33+
IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan - 2014 Form of Non-Qualified Share Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.28 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) as filed on March 10, 2015)
10.34+
IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan - 2014 Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) as filed on March 10, 2015)
10.35+*
IHS Markit Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan

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10.36+*
IHS Markit Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan Adoption Agreement
10.37+
Form of Indemnification Agreement between IHS Markit Ltd. and its Directors and Executive Officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-36495) filed on October 7, 2016)
10.38+*
IHS Markit Ltd. Policy on Recovery of Incentive Compensation
10.39+
Amended and Restated IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2015)
10.40+*
Amendment #1 to the Amended and Restated IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan
10.41+
Amended and Restated IHS Inc. 2004 Directors Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the IHS Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 31, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 2014)
10.42+
Summary of IHS Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the IHS Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 31, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 2014)
10.43+
IHS Inc. Supplemental Income Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the IHS Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-122565) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2005, as amended).
10.44+
IHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2015)
10.45+
IHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Adoption Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2015)
10.46+
IHS Inc. Policy on Recoupment of Incentive Compensation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2015)
10.47+
IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan- Form of 2007 Restricted Stock Unit Award-Time-Based (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2006 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2007)
10.48+
IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan- Form of 2007 Restricted Stock Unit Award-Performance-Based (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2006 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2007)
10.49+
IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan- Form of 2010 Restricted Stock Unit Award-Performance-Based (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the IHS Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2010)
10.50+
IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan- Form of 2011 Restricted Stock Unit Award-Performance-Based (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2010 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 18, 2011)
10.51+
IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan- Form of 2016 Restricted Stock Unit Award-Time-Based (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-36495) filed on October 7, 2016)
10.52+
Form of Indemnification Agreement between IHS Inc. and its Directors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the IHS Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-122565) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2005, as amended)
10.53
Credit Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on July 13, 2016)
10.54
Guaranty Agreement (US), dated as of July 12, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on July 13, 2016)
10.55
Guaranty Agreement (Non-US), dated as of July 12, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on July 13, 2016)
10.56
Credit Agreement by and among IHS Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. (Canada Branch), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Compass Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank, N.A., PNC Bank, National Association, U.S. Bank National Association, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, BNP Paribas, Bank of the West, SunTrust Bank, Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., dated as of October 17, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2015)
10.57
First Amendment to Credit Agreement by and among IHS Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. (Canada Branch), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Compass Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank, N.A., PNC Bank, National Association, U.S. Bank National Association, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, BNP Paribas, Bank of the West, SunTrust Bank, Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., dated as of November 5, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2015 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2016)

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10.58
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement by and among IHS Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. (Canada Branch), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Compass Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank, N.A., PNC Bank, National Association, U.S. Bank National Association, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, BNP Paribas, Bank of the West, SunTrust Bank, Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., dated as of February 10, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the IHS Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 28, 2016 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2016)
10.59
Credit Agreement (amending and restating the Credit Agreement dated as of July 15, 2013, as amended) by and among IHS Inc., IHS Global Inc., Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Compass Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Citizens Bank, N.A., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., PNC Bank, National Association, U.S. Bank National Association, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., BNP Paribas, Bank of the West, and SunTrust Bank, dated as of October 17, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2014 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 2015)
10.60
First Amendment to Credit Agreement by and among IHS Inc., IHS Global Inc., Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Compass Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Citizens Bank, N.A., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., PNC Bank, National Association, U.S. Bank National Association, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., BNP Paribas, Bank of the West, and SunTrust Bank, dated as of November 5, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the IHS Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended November 30, 2015 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2016)
10.61
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement by and among IHS Inc., IHS Global Inc., Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Compass Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Citizens Bank, N.A., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., PNC Bank, National Association, U.S. Bank National Association, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., BNP Paribas, Bank of the West, and SunTrust Bank, dated as of February 10, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the IHS Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 28, 2016 (file no. 001-32511) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2016)
10.62
Credit Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on January 26, 2017)
10.63
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on January 26, 2017)
10.64
Deriv/SERV Support Agreement by and among DTCC Deriv/SERV LLC, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation and MarkitSERV, LLC, dated as of April 2, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of the IHS Markit Ltd. registration statement on Form F-1 (file no. 333-198711) filed on May 5, 2014) (Filed in redacted form subject to a Request for Confidential Treatment that was granted)
10.65+
Markit Ltd. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.30 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (file no. 001-36495) filed on March 10, 2015)
16.1
Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated July 12, 2016, regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 of the IHS Markit Ltd. Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-36495) filed on July 13, 2016)
21.1*
List of subsidiaries
23.1*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
24.1*
Power of Attorney
31.1*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
31.2*
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
32*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
* Filed herewith.
+ Compensatory plan or arrangement.

(c) Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules for the Registrant have been omitted since the required information is not present or because the information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

90

Table of Contents

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.
 
IHS MARKIT LTD.
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Todd S. Hyatt
 
 
Name:
 
Todd S. Hyatt
 
 
Title:
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Date:
 
January 27, 2017


91

Table of Contents

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on January 27, 2017 .
Signature
 
Title
 
 
 
/s/ Jerre L. Stead
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Jerre L. Stead
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Todd S. Hyatt
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Todd S. Hyatt
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Heather Matzke-Hamlin
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Heather Matzke-Hamlin
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Dinyar S. Devitre
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Ruann F. Ernst
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
William E. Ford
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Balakrishnan S. Iyer
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Robert P. Kelly
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Deborah Doyle McWhinney
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Jean-Paul L. Montupet
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Richard W. Roedel
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
James A. Rosenthal
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Director
Lance Uggla
 
 
 
 
 
*By: /s/ Todd S. Hyatt
 
 
Todd S. Hyatt
 
 
Attorney-in-Fact
 
 


92


Exhibit 10.23

IHS MARKIT LTD.

AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED
MARKIT KEY EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAM


Amendment dated as of October 17, 2016 (this “ Amendment ”) to the Amended and Restated Markit Key Employee Incentive Program (the “ KEIP ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS , Markit Ltd., the predecessor company to IHS Markit Ltd. (the “ Company ”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2016 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), with Marvel Merger Sub, Inc. and IHS Inc.; and

WHEREAS , following the consummation of the transactions that were contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company desires to amend certain terms and conditions related to equity awards granted pursuant to the KEIP.


NOW THEREFORE , the KEIP is hereby amended as follows:

1.
AMENDMENT

APPENDIX A of the KEIP is hereby amended to add a paragraph 5 as follows:

“5. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Option (subject to any provisions applicable to a Participant under an Option or individual agreement that contain vesting terms that are more favorable to the Participant than those set forth in this paragraph 5), if a Participant’s Employment is terminated by the Company without Cause within 24 months after the Closing Date (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2016, among the Company, Marvel Merger Sub, Inc. and IHS Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”)), and such termination of Employment is a direct result of the consummation of the Merger (as defined in the Merger Agreement), as determined in the sole discretion of the Company, then all Options held by such Participant that were unvested as the Closing Date shall vest in full immediately on the date of such termination of Employment and any Options held by such Participant as of the Closing Date shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) 12 months following the date such termination of Employment or (ii) the expiration of the original Option Option Period of such Option.”

2.
EFFECTIVENESS OF AMENDMENT

This Amendment will become effective immediately. Except as amended by the terms of this Amendment, the KEIP will remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.



    

Exhibit 10.26

IHS MARKIT LTD.

AMENDMENT TO THE
MARKIT LTD. 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN


Amendment dated as of October 17, 2016 (this “ Amendment ”) to the Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “ 2014 Equity Plan ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS , Markit Ltd., the predecessor company to IHS Markit Ltd. (the “ Company ”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2016 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), with Marvel Merger Sub, Inc. and IHS Inc.; and

WHEREAS , following the consummation of the transactions that were contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company desires to amend certain terms and conditions related to equity awards granted pursuant to the 2014 Equity Plan.

NOW THEREFORE , the 2014 Equity Plan is hereby amended as follows:

1. AMENDMENT

Section 13.16 of the 2014 Equity Plan, is hereby amended and restated as follows:

13.16 Special Vesting Terms.    
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement (subject to any provisions applicable to a Holder under an Award Agreement or individual agreement that contain vesting terms that are more favorable to the Holder than those set forth in this Appendix A), if a Holder experiences a Termination of Employment as a result of a termination by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Markit Key Employee Incentive Program) within 24 months after the Closing Date (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2016, among the Company, Marvel Merger Sub, Inc. and IHS Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”)), and such Termination of Employment is a direct result of the consummation of the Merger (as defined in the Merger Agreement), as determined in the sole discretion of the Company, then all Awards held by such Holder that were unvested as the Closing Date shall vest in full immediately on the date of such Termination of Employment and any Options held by such Holder as of the Closing Date shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) 12 months following the date such Termination of Employment or (ii) the expiration of the original stated term for such Option set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.”

2.
EFFECTIVENESS OF AMENDMENT

This Amendment will become effective immediately. Except as amended by the terms of this Amendment, the 2014 Equity Plan will remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.


1
    



Exhibit 10.27

AMENDMENT TO THE MARKIT LTD. 2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

WHEREAS, effective December 8, 2016, IHS Markit Ltd. (the “ Company ”) desires to amend the Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “ 2014 Plan ”) in certain respects; and

WHEREAS, Section 13.1 of the 2014 Plan provides that the Human Resources Committee of the Company (the “ Committee ”) may amend the 2014 Plan, as evidenced by a written instrument signed by an authorized officer of the Company;

NOW, THEREFORE, “Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan” and all references thereto shall be, and hereby are, replaced with “IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan”;

NOW, THEREFORE, in Section 11.2(a) of the 2014 Plan, the words “minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income” shall be, and hereby are, replaced with the words “(1) maximum amount permitted to be withheld for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes, with respect to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and (2) maximum amount or up to the maximum amount permitted to be withheld for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes, with respect to any individual not covered by Section 11.2(a)(1)”;

NOW, THEREFORE, in Section 12.7 of the 2014 Plan, the words “and Article 11 above” shall be, and hereby are, added to the first sentence of Section 12.7 following the words “this Article 12”.

Excepted as amended by this Amendment, all of the provisions of the 2014 Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

Capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the 2014 Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Committee has amended the 2014 Plan by the foregoing Amendment.





Exhibit 10.28
IHS Markit Ltd.

Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy

1.     Purpose of this Policy.
        The Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy (as amended from time to time, this “ Policy ”) is established pursuant to Section 4.6 of the IHS Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (as amended from time to time, the “ Plan ”). Awards under this Policy shall be granted in accordance with the Plan, including Section 4.6 thereof, and shall constitute Non-Employee Director Awards. Unless defined in this Policy, capitalized terms shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
2.     Effective Date; Eligibility.
 (a)   This Policy is effective as of December 1, 2016.
 (b)   Only Non-Employee Directors shall be eligible to participate in this Policy.
3.     Awards and Cash Retainers.
 (a)   On the date of each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, beginning with the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, each Non-Employee Director shall receive an Award consisting of Restricted Share Units (“ RSU s”), the value of which is set by the Board, or its designated committee, from time to time. The receipt of RSUs may be deferred until after termination of service in accordance with Section 4(a). On a date other than the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Board, or its designated committee, may authorize the grant of an Award consisting of RSUs, the value of which is set by the Board, or its designated committee.
(b) Each Non-Employee Director shall receive an annual cash retainer and applicable Committee Chair cash retainers, the value and timing of payment of which is set by the Board, or its designated committee, from time to time, (collectively “Cash Retainers”). Cash Retainers may be converted into Deferred Share Units (“DSUs”) in accordance with Section 4(b).         
(c)   Any Non-Employee Director who is elected to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship in the interim shall receive, effective as of the date of such election, a prorated Award under Section 3(a) based upon the number of full months he or she shall serve as a Non-Employee Director between the month in which he or she is elected and the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(e)   All RSUs, DSUs and Cash Retainers under this Policy are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 4.
 (e)   Each RSU or DSU grant under this Policy shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. An acceptable form of an Award Agreement for a RSU grant is attached hereto as Exhibit A , and an acceptable form of an Award Agreement for a DSU grant is attached hereto as Exhibit B .
(f) For purposes of this Policy, FMV means, in accordance with Section 2.28 of the Plan, the fair market value of a Share.
4.     Terms and Conditions of Awards.
        (a)     RSUs.
(i) Each RSU granted under Section 3(a) shall represent a Non-Employee Director’s right to receive one Share, which right shall be unvested and forfeitable until the first anniversary of the grant date (the “ RSU Vesting Date ”), unless the Board expressly determines otherwise. In the event of the Non-Employee Director’s death or Disability, the RSU Vesting Date will be 10 days following the termination of service due to death or Disability. If a Non-Employee Director terminates his or her service as such prior to the RSU Vesting Date for reasons other than death or Disability, then (1) his or her RSUs shall be forfeited without any payment therefor unless the Board, or its designated committee, expressly determines otherwise, and (2) for purposes of Section 3.1(b) of the Plan, the Shares underlying such RSUs shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.

(ii) The Shares underlying such Non-Employee Director’s RSUs shall be delivered to him or her on the RSU Vesting Date, unless the Non-Employee Director elects to defer delivery of the Shares to 10

Page 1 of 5

    


days after his or her termination of service (the “ Deferred RSU Delivery Date ”) by exercising such election as specified by the Company and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and any other regulation that may govern deferred compensation. Following the RSU Vesting Date, any deferred RSUs held by the Non-Employee Director shall be counted toward the then current share ownership guidelines for the Non-Employee Directors adopted by the Board.
    
(iii)
RSUs shall carry no voting rights.

(iv) In the event dividends are paid on shares during the period from the grant date through the RSU Delivery Date or the Deferred RSU Delivery Date, the Company shall credit the Non-Employee Director with Dividend Equivalents equal to the dividends the Non-Employee Director would have received if he or she had been the actual record owner of the underlying Shares on each dividend record date. If a dividend on the Shares is payable wholly or partially in Shares, the Dividend Equivalent representing that portion shall be in the form of additional RSUs, credited on a one-for-one basis. If a dividend on the Shares is payable wholly or partially in cash, the Dividend Equivalent representing that portion shall also be in the form of cash, and the Holder shall be treated as being credited with any cash dividends, without earnings, until the RSU Delivery Date or Deferred RSU Delivery Date, as applicable. If a dividend on Shares is payable wholly or partially in a form other than cash or Shares, the Board, or its designated committee, may, in its discretion, provide for such Dividend Equivalents with respect to that portion as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the RSUs originally awarded pursuant to this Policy and the Plan, and they shall vest (or, if applicable, be forfeited) as if they had been granted at the same time as the original RSU award.

(v)  RSUs, and the Shares underlying such RSUs, may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Non-Employee Director until the RSU Vesting Date or the Deferred RSU Delivery Date; provided , however , that they shall be transferrable to (1) a member of such Non-Employee Director’s immediate family (as defined in Rule 16a-1) under the Exchange Act; (2) to a trust in which one or more permitted transferees described in clause (1) in the aggregate have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest and (3) a charitable foundation in which one or more of the permitted transferees described in clause (1) and such Non-Employee Director in the aggregate control the management of assets.
        (b)     DSUs.     
(i)  A Non-Employee Director may elect to convert his or her Cash Retainers into DSUs, of which the underlying Shares shall have, on the grant date, a FMV equal to the annual amount of such Awards; provided that such election is made as specified by the Company and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and any other regulations that may govern deferred compensation. Each DSU shall represent such Non-Employee Director’s right to receive one Share, which right shall be fully vested and non-forfeitable. The grant date of the DSUs will be the day the Cash Retainer would otherwise be payable.
(ii)  The Shares underlying a Non-Employee Director’s DSUs shall be delivered to him or her on the tenth (10th) day following his or her termination of service as a Non-Employee Director for any reason, including for death or Disability (the “ DSU Delivery Date ”) or three years following the year in which the fees were earned, with the DSU Delivery Date being the day of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For example, a director may choose to receive DSUs granted in 2017 on the day of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(iii)  DSUs shall carry no voting rights.
(iv)  In the event dividends are paid on shares during the period from the grant date through the DSU Delivery Date, the Company shall credit the Non-Employee Director with Dividend Equivalents equal to the dividends the Non-Employee Director would have received if he or she had been the actual record owner of the underlying Shares on each dividend record date. If a dividend on the Shares is payable wholly or partially in Shares, the Dividend Equivalent representing that portion shall be in the form of additional DSUs, credited on a one-for-one basis. If a dividend on the Shares is payable wholly or partially in cash, the Dividend Equivalent representing that portion shall also be in the form of cash, and the Holder shall be treated as being credited with any cash dividends, without earnings, until the DSU Delivery Date. If a dividend on Shares is payable wholly or partially in a form other than cash or

Page 2 of 5

    


Shares, the Board, or its designated committee, may, in its discretion, provide for such Dividend Equivalents with respect to that portion as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the DSUs originally awarded pursuant to this Policy and the Plan.
(v)  DSUs, and the Shares underlying such DSUs, may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Non-Employee Director until the DSU Delivery Date; provided, however , that they shall be transferrable to (1) a member of such Non-Employee Director’s immediate family (as defined in Rule 16a-1) under the Exchange Act; (2) to a trust in which one or more permitted transferees described in clause (1) in the aggregate have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest and (3) a charitable foundation in which one or more of the permitted transferees described in clause (1) and such Non-Employee Director in the aggregate control the management of assets.
(c) Change in Control/Acceleration of Vesting .         
(i) The provisions of Section 13.2 of the Plan shall apply to RSUs and DSUs and any Dividend Equivalents in the event of a Change in Control or other corporate event.
(ii)  The delivery date of any Shares underlying RSUs and DSUs shall accelerate only if such acceleration is permitted under applicable law and any applicable regulations thereunder. If the acceleration of such delivery date is not so permitted, then on the tenth (10th) day following his or her termination of service as a Non-Employee Director of the Company (or its successor) for any reason, including for death or Disability, for each Share underlying RSUs or DSUs, as applicable, a Non-Employee Director shall receive the same per share consideration received by the Company’s shareholders for each Share in the acquisition (at which time such RSUs and/or DSUs shall automatically be cancelled).
(d)     Other Terms and Conditions .
(i) Awards granted under this Policy are subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated by reference. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Plan, this Policy, and the Award Agreement, the provisions of the Plan will prevail.
5.     Miscellaneous.
(a)    No Right to Nomination.     Nothing contained in this Plan shall confer upon any Non-Employee Director the right to be nominated for re-election to the Board.
(b)
Duration of This Plan.     Unless sooner terminated, this Policy shall be coterminous with the Plan. After the Plan is terminated, no Awards may be granted, but any Award previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Policy, the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, and such Award’s Award Agreement.


EXHIBIT A

IHS Markit Ltd.

Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy

GRANT AGREEMENT—RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS



IHS Markit Ltd., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “ Company ”), pursuant to its 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “ Plan ”) and the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “ Policy ”), hereby grants to the Non-Employee Director listed below (the “ Holder ”) an award of Restricted Share Units (“ RSUs ”) indicated below, which RSUs shall be subject to vesting based on the Holder's continued service with the Company (or any Affiliate), as provided herein. This award of RSUs, together with any accumulated Dividend Equivalents as provided herein (the “ Award ”), is subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Policy, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Non-Employee Director Name:
 

[Full Name]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grant Date:
 
    /    /20
 
 
Number of RSUs Granted:
 
   Shares of underlying RSUs
 
 
FMV per Share underlying RSUs:
 
$            per Share
 
 
Total FMV of Award on Grant Date:
 
$
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


IHS Markit Ltd.
 
 
By:
 
 
      

Name:
Title:

Page 4 of 5

    




EXHIBIT B


IHS Markit Ltd.

Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy
GRANT AGREEMENT—DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

IHS Markit Ltd., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “ Company ”), pursuant to its 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “ Plan ”) and the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “ Policy ”), hereby grants to the Non-Employee Director listed below (the “ Holder ”) an award of Deferred Share Units (“ DSUs ”) indicated below. This award of DSUs, together with any accumulated Dividend Equivalents as provided herein (the “ Award ”), is subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Policy, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Non-Employee Director Name:
 

[Full Name]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grant Date:
 
    /    /20
 
 
Number of DSUs Granted:
 
   Shares of underlying DSUs
 
 
FMV per Share underlying DSUs:
 
$            per Share
 
 
 
Total FMV of Award on Grant Date:


 
$
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


IHS Markit Ltd.
 
 
By:
 
 
      

Name:
Title:


Page 5 of 5

    

Exhibit 10.30

IHS MARKIT LTD.
2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
IHS MARKIT LTD. RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE AND
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

IHS Markit Ltd., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “ Company ”), pursuant to its 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “ Plan ”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “ Holder ”) an award of Restricted Share Units (“ RSUs ”) indicated below, which RSUs shall be subject to vesting based on the your continued employment with the Company (or any Affiliate), as provided herein. This award of RSUs, together with any accumulated Dividend Equivalents as provided herein (the “ Award ”), is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein, and in the Restricted Share Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Agreement ”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice (the “ Grant Notice ”) and the Agreement.
Holder:
Participant Name
 
Employee ID:
Employee ID
 
Grant Date:
Grant Date
 
Number of RSUs:
Number of Awards Granted
 
Vesting Schedule:
# Units Vesting
Vest Date
 
[insert actual units and vest dates here]

By your signature below, or by your submitting your electronic acceptance of the Award subject to this Grant Notice as designated by the Company, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. You agree to access copies of the Plan and the prospectus governing the Plan (collectively, the “ Plan Documents ”) on the Company's intranet or on the website of the Company's designated brokerage firm. Paper copies are also available upon request to the Secretary of the Company at the Company's corporate offices. YOU MUST ACCEPT THIS AWARD BY THE DATE DETERMINED AND COMMUNICATED TO YOU BY THE COMPANY OR THE AWARD WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CANCELLED.
You have reviewed this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Plan Documents in their entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice or accepting the Award subject hereto and fully understand all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee with respect to the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Grant Notice effective as of the Grant Date.
HOLDER Participant Name

By: __________________________
Print Name:  
Address:
 





EXHIBIT A

TO RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, the Company has granted to you the right to receive a number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice, together with any Dividend Equivalents pursuant to Section 2(f) below, subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Grant Notice. The Award is also subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and the Grant Notice, as applicable.
Terms and Conditions
   
I. Grant of RSUs . Effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Grant Date ”), and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, the Company has granted to you, pursuant to the Grant Notice and the Plan, the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice and accumulated Dividend Equivalents pursuant to Section 2(f) below, subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan. Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share at the time provided for herein, together with any Dividend Equivalent issued in respect thereof. Your right to receive Shares and Dividend Equivalents under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.
2.      RSUs .
(a)      Rights as a Shareholder . You shall have no rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares represented by RSUs, including, but not limited to, the right to vote and to receive dividends, unless and until such Shares are transferred to you pursuant to the Plan and this Agreement.
(b)      Vesting and Payment . Subject to Section 2(c) below and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, the RSUs and any accumulated Dividend Equivalents, as provided under Section 2(f) below, shall become vested in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice (but will remain subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan), provided that you have not experienced a termination of employment prior to the applicable vesting date. There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur only on the applicable vesting date. Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Shares and any accumulated Dividend Equivalents shall be delivered and paid to you as soon as practicable following the applicable vesting date. In its sole discretion, the Company may elect to deliver the Shares to you by book-entry in the Company’s books or by electronic delivery to a brokerage account established for your benefit at a financial/brokerage firm selected by the Company. You agree to complete and sign any documents and take any additional action that the financial/brokerage firm designated by the Company may request to enable the Company to deliver the Shares on your behalf. The date of settlement shall not be later than 2½ months after the later of (i) the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable vesting date occurs or (ii) the end of the calendar year in which the applicable vesting date occurs.
(c)      Forfeiture . Upon your Termination of Employment for any reason, other than your death or Disability, any and all unvested RSUs, together with any and all unvested accumulated Dividend Equivalents, shall automatically be cancelled for no consideration, and shall cease to be outstanding. For avoidance of doubt, should you cease to be an Employee but otherwise continue in

2



service as a contractor or consultant, you will forfeit any and all unvested RSUs unless otherwise approved by the Committee.
(d)      Restriction on Transfer of RSUs . No RSUs shall be transferable by you other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to transfer the RSUs other than in accordance with the expressed terms of the Plan shall be void.
(e)      Certain Legal Restrictions . The Plan, this Agreement, the granting, vesting and settlement of the RSUs and any Dividend Equivalents, and any obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement, shall be subject to all applicable federal, foreign, provincial, state and local laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required, and to any rules or regulations of any exchange on which the Shares are listed.
(f)      Dividend Equivalents . During the period from the Grant Date through the date on which Shares underlying vested RSUs are issued to you pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company shall credit the Holder with Dividend Equivalents equal to the dividends the Holder would have received if the Holder had been the actual record owner of the underlying Shares on each dividend record date. If a dividend on the Shares is payable wholly or partially in Shares, the Dividend Equivalent representing that portion shall be in the form of additional RSUs, credited on a one-for-one basis. If a dividend on the Shares is payable wholly or partially in cash, the Dividend Equivalent representing that portion shall also be in the form of cash, and the Holder shall be treated as being credited with any cash dividends, without earnings, until settlement pursuant to Section 2(b) above. If a dividend on Shares is payable wholly or partially in a form other than cash or Shares, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide for such Dividend Equivalents with respect to that portion as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the RSUs originally awarded pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, and they shall vest (or, if applicable, be forfeited) as if they had been granted at the same time as the original RSU award.
(g)      Corporate Events . Except as otherwise provided in the Grant Notice or this Agreement, the provisions of Section 13.2 of the Plan shall apply to the RSUs and any Dividend Equivalents.
3.      Withholding of Taxes . You acknowledge that you are required to make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of receipt of this Award or the vesting and payout of the RSUs that you receive under this Award, and no Shares will be released to you until you have made such arrangements. These arrangements may include any one or a combination of the following, as determined by the Company or the Committee: (a) the Company’s repurchase of Shares to be issued upon settlement of the RSUs (b) the sale of Shares acquired upon settlement of the RSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on your behalf pursuant to this authorization without further consent); (c) direct payment by you to the Company; (d) payroll withholding from your wages or other cash compensation paid to you by the Company; or (e) any other method as the Company or Committee may elect in compliance with the Plan, the Code and applicable law. The FMV of the Shares that are repurchased, if applicable, will be determined as of the date when the taxes otherwise would have been withheld in cash, and will be applied as a credit against the taxes.

3



Depending on the withholding method, the Company may withhold or account for withholding taxes by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates, in which case you will receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the common share equivalent. If the obligation for taxes is satisfied by the repurchase of Shares, you are deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested RSU, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are repurchased solely for the purpose of paying the taxes.
You acknowledge that the ultimate liability for all tax obligations legally due by you is and remains your responsibility.
If you are subject to tax liabilities in more than one jurisdiction between the grant date and the date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, you acknowledge that the Company may be required to withhold or account for tax liability in more than one jurisdiction.

4.      Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to the extent that any provision of this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms set forth in the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly.
5.      Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof.
6.      Notices . Any notice or communication given hereunder shall be in writing or by electronic means as set forth in Section 11 below and, if in writing, shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) when delivered in person; (ii) two (2) days after being sent by United States mail; or (iii) on the first business day following the date of deposit if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, to the appropriate party at the address set forth below (or such other address as the party shall from time to time specify):

If to the Company, to:
Corporate Human Resources
IHS Markit
15 Inverness Way East
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Telephone No. 303-397-7977
E-mail: stock@ihsmarkit.com

If to the Holder, to the address on file with the Company.

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7.      No Guarantee of Continued Employment . YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THIS AWARD DOCUMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE “VESTING SCHEDULE” SET FORTH IN THIS AWARD DOCUMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD OR AT ALL AND WILL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH YOUR RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S OR ANY AFFILIATE’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AT ANY TIME OR FOR ANY REASON NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, AND WILL NOT CONFER UPON YOU ANY RIGHT TO CONTINUE YOUR EMPLOYMENT FOR ANY SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME.

8.      Data Protection . By participating in the Plan and entering into this Agreement, you hereby consent to the holding and processing of personal information provided by you to the Company, any Affiliate, trustee or third party service provider, for all purposes relating to the operation of the Plan. These include, but are not limited to: (i) administering and maintaining your records; (ii) providing information to the Company, Affiliates, trustees of any employee benefit trust, registrars, brokers or third party administrators of the Plan; (iii) providing information to future purchasers or merger partners of the Company or any Affiliate, or the business in which the Holder works; and (iv) transferring information about the Holder to any country or territory that may not provide the same protection for the information as the Holder’s home country. Personal information may include, but shall not be limited to:

Personal data: Name, address, telephone number, fax number, email address, family size, marital status, sex, beneficiary information, emergency contacts, passport or visa information, age, language skills, driver’s license information, birth certificate and employee number.
Employment information: Curriculum vitae or resume, wage history, employment references, job title, employment or severance agreement, plan or benefit enrollment forms and elections and equity compensation or benefit statements.
Financial information: Current wage and benefit information, personal bank account number, brokerage account information, tax related information and tax identification number.

The Company may, from time to time, process and transfer this or other information for internal compensation and benefit planning (specifically, for enrollment purposes in the Plan and the administration of the Plan), to determine training needs, to develop a global human resource database and to evaluate skill utilization.

9.      Acquired Rights . In accepting the Award, you acknowledge that:
(a)    the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature and may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, as provided in the Plan;

(b)    the award of RSUs is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future awards of RSUs, or benefits in lieu of RSUs even if RSUs have been awarded repeatedly in the past;

(c)    all decisions with respect to future awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

(d)    your participation in the Plan is voluntary;

(e)    the RSUs are an extraordinary item that does not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Company or to your actual employer, and RSUs are outside the scope of your employment contract, if any;


5



(f)    the RSUs are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculation of any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments;

(g)    neither the RSUs nor any provision of this Award Document, the Plan or the policies adopted pursuant to the Plan confer upon you any right with respect to employment or continuation of current employment, and in the event that you are not an employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, the RSUs shall not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Company or any Affiliate;

(h)    the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(i)    the value of Shares acquired on vesting of RSUs may increase or decrease in value;

(j)    no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from termination of RSUs, and no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from any diminution in value of the RSUs or Shares received upon vesting of the RSUs resulting from termination of your entitlement by the Company or any Affiliate (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws) and you irrevocably release the Company and any Affiliate from any such claim that may arise; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen, then, by signing this Award Document, you shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived your entitlement to pursue such claim; and

(k)    in the event of termination of your employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), your right to receive RSUs and vest under the Plan, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that you are no longer actively employed and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law); furthermore, in the event of involuntary termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), your right to receive Shares pursuant to the RSUs after termination of employment, if any, will be measured by the date of termination of your active employment and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law.

10.      Language . If you have received this or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
11.      No Guaranteed Employment . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate the Holder’s employment at any time, with or without Cause, or shall be deemed to create any rights to employment or continued employment. The rights and obligations arising under this Agreement are not intended to and do not affect the Holder’s employment relationship that otherwise exists between the Holder and the Company or any of its Affiliates, whether such employment relationship is at will or defined by an employment contract. Moreover, this Agreement is not intended to and does not amend any existing employment contract between the Holder and the Company or any of its Affiliates; to the extent there is a conflict between this Agreement and such an employment contract, the employment contract shall govern and take priority.
12.      Power of Attorney . The Company (including its successors and assigns) is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, of the Holder for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instruments which such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment as attorney-in-fact is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Company, as attorney-in-fact for the Holder, may in the name and stead of the Holder, make and execute all conveyances,

6



assignments and transfers of the RSUs, Dividend Equivalents, other property issued in respect of such RSUs, Shares and any property provided for herein, and the Holder hereby ratifies and confirms that which the Company, as said attorney-in-fact, shall do by virtue hereof. Nevertheless, the Holder shall, if so requested by the Company, execute and deliver to the Company all such instruments as may, in the judgment of the Company, be advisable for this purpose.
13.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, FOR ITSELF AND ITS AFFILIATES, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
14.      Interpretation . All section titles and captions in this Agreement are for convenience only, shall not be deemed part of this Agreement, and in no way shall define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions of this Agreement.
15.      Mode of Communications . The Holder agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in lieu of receiving documents in paper format, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company or any of its Affiliates may deliver in connection with this grant of RSUs, including, without limitation, prospectuses, grant notifications, account statements, annual or quarterly reports, and other communications. The Holder further agrees that electronic delivery of a document may be made via the Company’s email system or by reference to a location on the Company’s intranet or website or the online brokerage account system.
16.      No Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
17.      Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is declared or found to be illegal, unenforceable or void, in whole or in part, then the parties hereto shall be relieved of all obligations arising under such provision, but only to the extent that it is illegal, unenforceable or void, it being the intent and agreement of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision to the extent necessary to make it legal and enforceable while preserving its intent or, if that is not possible, by substituting therefor another provision that is legal and enforceable and achieves the same objectives.
18.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.
19.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflict of laws. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement. Each party hereby waives and agrees not to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation and enforcement hereof, that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such courts or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate or that this Agreement may not be enforced in or by such courts. Each party hereby consents to and grants any such court jurisdiction over

7



the person of such parties and over the subject matter of any such action, suit or proceeding and agrees that the mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action, suit, or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 6 hereof or in such other manner as may be permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
20.      Miscellaneous .
(a)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal legal representatives, successors, trustees, administrators, distributees, devisees and legatees. The Company may assign to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company or any Affiliate by which the Holder is employed, and require such successor to expressly assume and agree in writing to perform, this Agreement.
(b)      The Holder agrees that the award of the RSUs hereunder is special incentive compensation and that it, any Dividend Equivalents or any other property issued in respect of such RSUs will not be taken into account as “salary” or “compensation” or “bonus” in determining the amount of any payment under any pension, retirement or profit-sharing plan of the Company or any life insurance, disability or other benefit plan of the Company, unless specifically provided in the applicable plan.
(c)      No modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced.
21.      Section 409A and Section 457A . To the extent the Committee determines that any payment under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code, the provisions of Section 13.10 of the Plan (including, without limitation, the six-month delay relating to “specified employees”) shall apply.

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Exhibit 10.31

IHS MARKIT LTD.
2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
IHS MARKIT LTD. PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE AND
PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

IHS Markit Ltd., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “ Company ”), pursuant to its 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “ Plan ”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “ Holder ”) an award of Performance Share Units (“ PSUs ”) indicated below, which PSUs shall be subject to vesting based on your continued employment with the Company (or any Affiliate), as provided herein. This award of PSUs, together with any accumulated Dividend Equivalents as provided herein (the “ Award ”), is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein, and in the Performance Share Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Agreement ”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Performance Share Unit Grant Notice (the “ Grant Notice ”) and the Agreement.
Holder:
Participant Name
Employee ID:
Employee ID
Grant Date:
Grant Date
Number of PSUs granted at Target Performance Level:




Number of Awards Granted

Performance Measures:
 




By your signature below, or by your submitting your electronic acceptance of the Award subject to this Grant Notice as designated by the Company, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. You agree to access copies of the Plan and the prospectus governing the Plan (collectively, the “ Plan Documents ”) on the Company's intranet or on the website of the Company's designated brokerage firm. Paper copies are also available upon request to the Secretary of the Company at the Company's corporate offices. YOU MUST ACCEPT THIS AWARD BY THE DATE DETERMINED AND COMMUNICATED TO YOU BY THE COMPANY OR THE AWARD WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CANCELLED.
You have reviewed this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Plan Documents in their entirety, have had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice or accepting the Award subject hereto and fully understand all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. You agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee with respect to the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Grant Notice effective as of the Grant Date.



    



HOLDER Participant Name

By: __________________________
Print Name:  
Address:
 

2

    



EXHIBIT A

TO PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached, the Company has granted to you the right to receive a number of PSUs set forth in the Grant Notice, together with any Dividend Equivalents pursuant to Section 2(f) below, subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Grant Notice. The Award is also subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and the Grant Notice, as applicable.
Terms and Conditions
   
I. Grant of PSUs . Effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Grant Date ”), and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, the Company has granted to you, pursuant to the Grant Notice and the Plan, the number of PSUs set forth in the Grant Notice and accumulated Dividend Equivalents pursuant to Section 2(f) below, subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan. Each PSU represents the right to receive one Share at the time provided for herein, together with any Dividend Equivalent issued in respect thereof. Your right to receive Shares and Dividend Equivalents under this Agreement shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.
2.      PSUs .
(a)      Rights as a Shareholder . You shall have no rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares represented by PSUs, including, but not limited to, the right to vote and to receive dividends, unless and until such Shares are transferred to you pursuant to the Plan and this Agreement.
(b)     Vesting and Payment .

To the extent the performance objectives as set forth on Annex A attached hereto (collectively, the “Performance Objectives”) are satisfied as of the completion of the performance period(s) for this Award (the “Performance Period”), this Award will become vested and free of restrictions in accordance with clause (ii) below, as of the date the Committee makes the certification referenced in clause (iii) below (the “Performance Vesting Date”), subject to the provision on Termination below.

(i)     Performance Objectives. The Committee has established “performance objectives” for this Award based on one or more or any combination of the following criteria. Such criteria may be defined to relate to an individual Participant, the Company as a whole or any business unit or subpart of the Company, an Affiliate or any business unit or subpart of an Affiliate, or any combination thereof. Criteria may include (i) net earnings (either before or after one or more of (A) interest, (B) taxes,(C) depreciation and (D) amortization); (ii) gross or net sales or revenue; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) operating earnings or profit or one or more operating ratios; (v) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow); (vi) return on assets; (vii) return on capital; (viii) return on shareholders’ equity; (ix) share price or total shareholder return; (x) return on sales; (xi) gross or net profit or operating or EBITDA margin; (xii) costs; (xiii) expenses; (xiv) working capital; (xv) earnings per share; (xvi) price per share; (xvii) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; (xviii) implementation, completion or attainment of objectives relating to research, development, regulatory, commercial, or strategic milestones or developments; (xix) market share; (xx) economic value; (xxi) revenue, (xxii) revenue or EBITDA growth, (xxiii) capital expenditures,

3

    



(xxiv) net borrowing, debt leverage levels, credit quality or debt ratings, (xxv) the accomplishment of mergers, malgamations, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, public or private offerings or other financial transactions or similar extraordinary business transactions, (xxvi) net asset value per share, (xxvii) economic value added, (xxviii) individual business objectives, (xxix) growth in production, (xxx) added reserves, (xxxi) growth in reserves per share, (xxxii) inventory growth, (xxxiii) environmental, health and safety performance, (xxxiv) effectiveness of hedging programs, (xxxv) improvements in internal controls and policies and procedures, and (xxxvi) retention and recruitment of employees, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices. Criteria may also include subjective measures including personal development goals, individual performance, leadership, productivity, product quality or enhancement, corporate value measures (such as compliance, safety, environmental, governance, or personnel matters), or goals related to corporate initiatives such as acquisitions, dispositions, business transformation, colleague engagement, or customer satisfaction. Measurement of the Performance Objectives may be expressed in absolute terms, objective metrics, subjective evaluation, or compared against internal or external factors (such as industry standards, a group of other companies, stock market indices, or other teams or individuals within the Company). The Performance Objectives applicable to this Award are set forth on Annex A attached hereto.

(ii)     Performance-Based Vesting. Subject to the provision on Termination below and to clause (iii) below, the PSUs covered by this Award that will vest and become free of restrictions on the Performance Vesting Date will be calculated as set forth on Annex A attached hereto. The calculation provided on Annex A may allow for the partial or full vesting of this Award based upon the level of achievement of the Performance Objectives.

(iii)     Committee Certification. Prior to the PSUs covered by this Award vesting and becoming free of restrictions, the Committee must certify in writing that the Performance Objectives were, in fact, satisfied, which certification will be made on such date specified by the Committee.

(iv)    Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Shares and any accumulated Dividend Equivalents shall be delivered and paid to you as soon as practicable following the applicable Performance Vesting Date. In its sole discretion, the Company may elect to deliver the Shares to you by book-entry in the Company’s books or by electronic delivery to a brokerage account established for your benefit at a financial/brokerage firm selected by the Company. You agree to complete and sign any documents and take any additional action that the financial/brokerage firm designated by the Company may request to enable the Company to deliver the Shares on your behalf. The date of settlement shall not be later than 2½ months after the later of (i) the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable vesting date occurs or (ii) the end of the calendar year in which the applicable vesting date occurs.


(c)     Forfeiture . Upon your Termination of Employment for any reason, other than your death or Disability, any and all unvested PSUs, together with any and all unvested accumulated Dividend Equivalents, shall automatically be cancelled for no consideration, and shall cease to be outstanding. For avoidance of doubt, should you cease to be an Employee but otherwise continue in service as a contractor or consultant, you will forfeit any and all unvested PSUs unless otherwise approved by the Committee. In the event of termination of your employment prior to the Performance Vesting Date due to your death or Disability, the unvested PSUs shall vest and be free of restrictions on the date of termination of employment due to death or Disability to such extent as if all Performance Objectives had been fully satisfied at “Target” performance level.


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(a)      Restriction on Transfer of PSUs . No PSUs shall be transferable by you other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to transfer the PSUs other than in accordance with the expressed terms of the Plan shall be void.
(b)      Certain Legal Restrictions . The Plan, this Agreement, the granting, vesting and settlement of the PSUs and any Dividend Equivalents, and any obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement, shall be subject to all applicable federal, foreign, provincial, state and local laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required, and to any rules or regulations of any exchange on which the Shares are listed.
(c)      Dividend Equivalents . During the period from the Grant Date through the date on which Shares underlying vested PSUs are issued to you pursuant to Section 2(b), i n the case of Share dividends, the number of PSUs subject to this award shall be increased or decreased by the number of Shares you would have received on the date of payment of the dividend with respect to the number of Shares underlying the unvested PSUs under this award on such date at the applicable performance level. For the avoidance of doubt, the additional PSUs shall be subject to the same vesting requirements and restrictions as the unvested PSUs. In the case of cash dividends, you will be credited with cash dividends, without earnings, payable on the number of Shares that vest pursuant to Section 2(b) above. If a dividend on Shares is payable wholly or partially in a form other than cash or Shares, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide for such Dividend Equivalents with respect to that portion as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the PSUs originally awarded pursuant to the Grant Notice and this Agreement, and they shall vest (or, if applicable, be forfeited) as if they had been granted at the same time as the original PSU award.
(d)      Corporate Events . Except as otherwise provided in the Grant Notice or this Agreement, the provisions of Section 13.2 of the Plan shall apply to the PSUs and any Dividend Equivalents.
3.      Withholding of Taxes . You acknowledge that you are required to make acceptable arrangements to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of receipt of this Award or the vesting and payout of the PSUs that you receive under this Award, and no Shares will be released to you until you have made such arrangements. These arrangements may include any one or a combination of the following, as determined by the Company or the Committee: (a) the Company’s repurchase of Shares to be issued upon settlement of the PSUs (b) the sale of Shares acquired upon settlement of the PSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on your behalf pursuant to this authorization without further consent); (c) direct payment by you to the Company; (d) payroll withholding from your wages or other cash compensation paid to you by the Company; or (e) any other method as the Company or Committee may elect in compliance with the Plan, the Code and applicable law. The FMV of the Shares that are repurchased, if applicable, will be determined as of the date when the taxes otherwise would have been withheld in cash, and will be applied as a credit against the taxes.
Depending on the withholding method, the Company may withhold or account for withholding taxes by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates, in which case you will receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the common share equivalent. If the obligation for taxes is satisfied by the repurchase of Shares, you are deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested RSU, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are repurchased solely for the purpose of paying the taxes.
You acknowledge that the ultimate liability for all tax obligations legally due by you is and remains your responsibility.

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If you are subject to tax liabilities in more than one jurisdiction between the grant date and the date of any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, you acknowledge that the Company may be required to withhold or account for tax liability in more than one jurisdiction.

4.      Provisions of Plan Control . This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to the extent that any provision of this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms set forth in the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly.
5.      Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof.
6.      Notices . Any notice or communication given hereunder shall be in writing or by electronic means as set forth in Section 11 below and, if in writing, shall be deemed to have been duly given: (i) when delivered in person; (ii) two (2) days after being sent by United States mail; or (iii) on the first business day following the date of deposit if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, to the appropriate party at the address set forth below (or such other address as the party shall from time to time specify):

If to the Company, to:
Corporate Human Resources
IHS Markit
15 Inverness Way East
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Telephone No. 303-397-7977
E-mail: stock@ihsmarkit.com

If to the Holder, to the address on file with the Company.
7.      No Guarantee of Continued Employment . YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THIS AWARD DOCUMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE “VESTING SCHEDULE” SET FORTH IN THIS AWARD DOCUMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD OR AT ALL AND WILL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH YOUR RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S OR ANY AFFILIATE’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE YOUR EMPLOYMENT AT ANY TIME OR FOR ANY REASON NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, AND WILL NOT CONFER UPON YOU ANY RIGHT TO CONTINUE YOUR EMPLOYMENT FOR ANY SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME.

8.      Data Protection . By participating in the Plan and entering into this Agreement, you hereby consent to the holding and processing of personal information provided by you to the Company, any Affiliate, trustee or third party service provider, for all purposes relating to the operation of the Plan. These include, but are not limited to: (i) administering and maintaining your records; (ii) providing information to the Company, Affiliates, trustees of any employee benefit trust, registrars, brokers or third party administrators of the Plan; (iii) providing information to future purchasers or merger partners of the Company or any Affiliate, or the business in which the Holder works; and (iv) transferring information about the Holder to any country or territory that may not provide the same protection for the information as the Holder’s home country. Personal information may include, but shall not be limited to:


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Personal data: Name, address, telephone number, fax number, email address, family size, marital status, sex, beneficiary information, emergency contacts, passport or visa information, age, language skills, driver’s license information, birth certificate and employee number.
Employment information: Curriculum vitae or resume, wage history, employment references, job title, employment or severance agreement, plan or benefit enrollment forms and elections and equity compensation or benefit statements.
Financial information: Current wage and benefit information, personal bank account number, brokerage account information, tax related information and tax identification number.

The Company may, from time to time, process and transfer this or other information for internal compensation and benefit planning (specifically, for enrollment purposes in the Plan and the administration of the Plan), to determine training needs, to develop a global human resource database and to evaluate skill utilization.

9.      Acquired Rights . In accepting the Award, you acknowledge that:
(a)    the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature and may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, as provided in the Plan;

(b)    the award of PSUs is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future awards of PSUs, or benefits in lieu of PSUs even if PSUs have been awarded repeatedly in the past;

(c)    all decisions with respect to future awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

(d)    your participation in the Plan is voluntary;

(e)    the PSUs are an extraordinary item that does not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Company or to your actual employer, and PSUs are outside the scope of your employment contract, if any;

(f)    the PSUs are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculation of any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments;

(g)    neither the PSUs nor any provision of this Award Document, the Plan or the policies adopted pursuant to the Plan confer upon you any right with respect to employment or continuation of current employment, and in the event that you are not an employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, the PSUs shall not be interpreted to form an employment contract or relationship with the Company or any Affiliate;

(h)    the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(i)    the value of Shares acquired on vesting of PSUs may increase or decrease in value;

(j)    no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages arises from termination of PSUs, and no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from any diminution in value of the PSUs or Shares received upon vesting of the PSUs resulting from termination of your entitlement by the Company or any Affiliate (for any reason whatsoever and whether or not in breach of local labor laws) and you irrevocably release the Company and any Affiliate from any such claim that may arise; if,

7

    



notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen, then, by signing this Award Document, you shall be deemed irrevocably to have waived your entitlement to pursue such claim; and

(k)    in the event of termination of your employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), your right to receive PSUs and vest under the Plan, if any, will terminate effective as of the date that you are no longer actively employed and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period pursuant to local law); furthermore, in the event of involuntary termination of employment (whether or not in breach of local labor laws), your right to receive Shares pursuant to the PSUs after termination of employment, if any, will be measured by the date of termination of your active employment and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under local law.

10.      Language . If you have received this or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
11.      No Guaranteed Employment . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate the Holder’s employment at any time, with or without Cause, or shall be deemed to create any rights to employment or continued employment. The rights and obligations arising under this Agreement are not intended to and do not affect the Holder’s employment relationship that otherwise exists between the Holder and the Company or any of its Affiliates, whether such employment relationship is at will or defined by an employment contract. Moreover, this Agreement is not intended to and does not amend any existing employment contract between the Holder and the Company or any of its Affiliates; to the extent there is a conflict between this Agreement and such an employment contract, the employment contract shall govern and take priority.
12.      Power of Attorney . The Company (including its successors and assigns) is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, of the Holder for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instruments which such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment as attorney-in-fact is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The Company, as attorney-in-fact for the Holder, may in the name and stead of the Holder, make and execute all conveyances, assignments and transfers of the PSUs, Dividend Equivalents, other property issued in respect of such PSUs, Shares and any property provided for herein, and the Holder hereby ratifies and confirms that which the Company, as said attorney-in-fact, shall do by virtue hereof. Nevertheless, the Holder shall, if so requested by the Company, execute and deliver to the Company all such instruments as may, in the judgment of the Company, be advisable for this purpose.
13.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, FOR ITSELF AND ITS AFFILIATES, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
14.      Interpretation . All section titles and captions in this Agreement are for convenience only, shall not be deemed part of this Agreement, and in no way shall define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions of this Agreement.
15.      Mode of Communications . The Holder agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in lieu of receiving documents in paper format, to accept electronic delivery of any

8

    



documents that the Company or any of its Affiliates may deliver in connection with this grant of PSUs, including, without limitation, prospectuses, grant notifications, account statements, annual or quarterly reports, and other communications. The Holder further agrees that electronic delivery of a document may be made via the Company’s email system or by reference to a location on the Company’s intranet or website or the online brokerage account system.
16.      No Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
17.      Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is declared or found to be illegal, unenforceable or void, in whole or in part, then the parties hereto shall be relieved of all obligations arising under such provision, but only to the extent that it is illegal, unenforceable or void, it being the intent and agreement of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision to the extent necessary to make it legal and enforceable while preserving its intent or, if that is not possible, by substituting therefor another provision that is legal and enforceable and achieves the same objectives.
18.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.
19.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflict of laws. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement. Each party hereby waives and agrees not to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation and enforcement hereof, that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such courts or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate or that this Agreement may not be enforced in or by such courts. Each party hereby consents to and grants any such court jurisdiction over the person of such parties and over the subject matter of any such action, suit or proceeding and agrees that the mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action, suit, or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 6 hereof or in such other manner as may be permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.
20.      Miscellaneous .
(a)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal legal representatives, successors, trustees, administrators, distributees, devisees and legatees. The Company may assign to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company or any Affiliate by which the Holder is employed, and require such successor to expressly assume and agree in writing to perform, this Agreement.
(b)      The Holder agrees that the award of the PSUs hereunder is special incentive compensation and that it, any Dividend Equivalents or any other property issued in respect of such PSUs will not be taken into account as “salary” or “compensation” or “bonus” in determining the amount of any payment under any pension, retirement or profit-sharing plan of the Company or any life insurance, disability or other benefit plan of the Company, unless specifically provided in the applicable plan.

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(c)      No modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced.
21.      Section 409A and Section 457A . To the extent the Committee determines that any payment under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code, the provisions of Section 13.10 of the Plan (including, without limitation, the six-month delay relating to “specified employees”) shall apply.

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Exhibit 10.35











IHS Markit Deferred Compensation Plan


December 1, 2014






IMPORTANT NOTE

This document has not been approved by the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental entity. An adopting Employer must determine whether the Plan is subject to the Federal securities laws and the securities laws of the various states. An adopting Employer may not rely on this document to ensure any particular tax consequences or to ensure that the Plan is “unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees” under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, with respect to the Employer’s particular situation. Fidelity Employer Services Company, its affiliates and employees cannot provide you with legal advice in connection with the execution of this document. This document should be reviewed by the Employer’s attorney prior to execution.

        




TABLE OF CONTENTS


PREAMBLE


ARTICLE 1 – GENERAL    1-1
1.1
Plan    1-1
1.2
Effective Dates    1-1
1.3
Amounts Not Subject to Code Section 409A    1-1


ARTICLE 2 – DEFINITIONS    2-1
2.1
Account    
2.2
Administrator    
2.3
Adoption Agreement    
2.4
Beneficiary    
2.5
Board or Board of Directors    
2.6
Bonus    
2.7
Change in Control    
2.8
Code    
2.9
Compensation    
2.10
Director    
2.11
Disability    
2.12
Eligible Employee    
2.13
Employer    
2.14
ERISA    
2.15
Identification Date    
2.16
Key Employee    
2.17
Participant    
2.18
Plan    
2.19
Plan Sponsor    
2.20
Plan Year    
2.21
Related Employer    
2.22
Retirement    
2.23
Separation from Service    
2.24
Unforeseeable Emergency    
2.25
Valuation Date    
2.26
Years of Service    


ARTICLE 3 – PARTICIPATION    3-1
3.1
Participation    
3.2
Termination of Participation    


i





ARTICLE 4 – PARTICIPANT ELECTIONS    4-1
4.1
Deferral Agreement    
4.2
Amount of Deferral    
4.3
Timing of Election to Defer    
4.4
Election of Payment Schedule and Form of Payment    


ARTICLE 5 – EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS    5-1
5.1
Matching Contributions    
5.2
Other Contributions    


ARTICLE 6 – ACCOUNTS AND CREDITS    6-1
6.1
Establishment of Account    
6.2
Credits to Account    


ARTICLE 7 – INVESTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS    7-1
7.1
Investment Options    
7.2
Adjustment of Accounts    


ARTICLE 8 – RIGHT TO BENEFITS    8-1
8.1
Vesting    
8.2
Death    
8.3
Disability    


ARTICLE 9 – DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS    9-1
9.1
Amount of Benefits    
9.2
Method and Timing of Distributions    
9.3
Unforeseeable Emergency    
9.4
Payment Election Overrides    
9.5
Cashouts of Amounts Not Exceeding Stated Limit    
9.6
Required Delay in Payment to Key Employees    
9.7
Change in Control    
9.8
Permissible Delays in Payment    
9.9
Permitted Acceleration of Payment    



ii





ARTICLE 10 – AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION    10-1
10.1
Amendment by Plan Sponsor    
10.2
Plan Termination Following Change in Control or Corporate Dissolution    
10.3
Other Plan Terminations    


ARTICLE 11 – THE TRUST    11-1
11.1
Establishment of Trust    
11.2
Rabbi Trust    
11.3
Investment of Trust Funds    


ARTICLE 12 – PLAN ADMINISTRATION    12-1
12.1
Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator    
12.2
Claims and Review Procedures    
12.3
Plan Administrative Costs    


ARTICLE 13 – MISCELLANEOUS    13-1
13.1
Unsecured General Creditor of the Employer    
13.2
Employer’s Liability    
13.3
Limitation of Rights    
13.4
Anti-Assignment    
13.5
Facility of Payment    
13.6
Notices    
13.7
Tax Withholding    
13.8
Indemnification    
13.9
Successors    
13.10
Disclaimer    
13.11
Governing Law    








iii






PREAMBLE


The Plan is intended to be a “plan which is unfunded and is maintained by an employer primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3), and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or an “excess benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(36) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or a combination of both. The Plan is further intended to conform with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the final regulations issued thereunder and shall be interpreted, implemented and administered in a manner consistent therewith.










ARTICLE 1 – GENERAL


1.1
Plan. The Plan will be referred to by the name specified in the Adoption Agreement.

1.2
Effective Dates.

(a)
Original Effective Date. The Original Effective Date is the date as of which the Plan was initially adopted.

(b)
Amendment Effective Date. The Amendment Effective Date is the date specified in the Adoption Agreement as of which the Plan is amended and restated. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein or in the Adoption Agreement, the Plan shall apply to amounts deferred and benefit payments made on or after the Amendment Effective Date.

(c)
Special Effective Date. A Special Effective Date may apply to any given provision if so specified in Appendix A of the Adoption Agreement. A Special Effective Date will control over the Original Effective Date or Amendment Effective Date, whichever is applicable, with respect to such provision of the Plan.

1.3
Amounts Not Subject to Code Section 409A

Except as otherwise indicated by the Plan Sponsor in Section 1.01 of the Adoption Agreement, amounts deferred before January 1, 2005 that are earned and vested on December 31, 2004 will be separately accounted for and administered in accordance with the terms of the Plan as in effect on December 31, 2004.



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ARTICLE 2 – DEFINITIONS


Pronouns used in the Plan are in the masculine gender but include the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Wherever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

2.1
“Account” means an account established for the purpose of recording amounts credited on behalf of a Participant and any income, expenses, gains, losses or distributions included thereon. The Account shall be a bookkeeping entry only and shall be utilized solely as a device for the measurement and determination of the amounts to be paid to a Participant or to the Participant’s Beneficiary pursuant to the Plan.

2.2
“Administrator” means the person or persons designated by the Plan Sponsor in Section 1.05 of the Adoption Agreement to be responsible for the administration of the Plan. If no Administrator is designated in the Adoption Agreement, the Administrator is the Plan Sponsor.

2.3
“Adoption Agreement” means the agreement adopted by the Plan Sponsor that establishes the Plan.

2.4
“Beneficiary” means the persons, trusts, estates or other entities entitled under Section 8.2 to receive benefits under the Plan upon the death of a Participant.

2.5
“Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Plan Sponsor.

2.6
“Bonus” means an amount of incentive remuneration payable by the Employer to a Participant.

2.7
“Change in Control” means the occurrence of an event involving the Plan Sponsor that is described in Section 9.7.

2.8
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

2.9
“Compensation” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01 of the Adoption Agreement.

2.10
“Director” means a non-employee member of the Board who has been designated by the Employer as eligible to participate in the Plan.


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2.11
“Disability” means a determination by the Administrator that the Participant is either (a) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (b) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer. A Participant will be considered to have incurred a Disability if he is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.

2.12
“Eligible Employee” means an employee of the Employer who satisfies the requirements in Section 2.01 of the Adoption Agreement.

2.13
“Employer” means the Plan Sponsor and any other entity which is authorized by the Plan Sponsor to participate in and, in fact, does adopt the Plan.

2.14
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

2.15
“Identification Date” means the date as of which Key Employees are determined which is specified in Section 1.06 of the Adoption Agreement.

2.16
“Key Employee” means an employee who satisfies the conditions set forth in Section 9.6.

2.17
“Participant” means an Eligible Employee or Director who commences participation in the Plan in accordance with Article 3.

2.18
“Plan” means the unfunded plan of deferred compensation set forth herein, including the Adoption Agreement and any trust agreement, as adopted by the Plan Sponsor and as amended from time to time.

2.19
“Plan Sponsor” means the entity identified in Section 1.03 of the Adoption Agreement or any successor by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

2.20
“Plan Year” means the period identified in Section 1.02 of the Adoption Agreement.

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2.21
“Related Employer” means the Employer and (a) any corporation that is a member of a controlled group of corporations as defined in Code Section 414(b) that includes the Employer and (b) any trade or business that is under common control as defined in Code Section 414(c) that includes the Employer.

2.22
“Retirement” has the meaning specified in 6.01(f) of the Adoption Agreement.

2.23
“Separation from Service” means the date that the Participant dies, retires or otherwise has a termination of employment with respect to all entities comprising the Related Employer. A Separation from Service does not occur if the Participant is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of leave does not exceed six months or such longer period during which the Participant’s right to re-employment is provided by statute or contract. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the Participant’s right to re-employment is not provided either by statute or contract, a Separation from Service will be deemed to have occurred on the first day following the six-month period. If the period of leave is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where the impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a 29 month period of absence may be substituted for the six month period.

Whether a termination of employment has occurred is based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Related Employer and the Participant reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Participant would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than 20 percent of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36 month period (or the full period of services to the Related Employer if the employee has been providing services to the Related Employer for less than 36 months).

An independent contractor is considered to have experienced a Separation from Service with the Related Employer upon the expiration of the contract (or, in the case of more than one contract, all contracts) under which services are performed for the Related Employer if the expiration constitutes a good-faith and complete termination of the contractual relationship.

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If a Participant provides services as both an employee and an independent contractor of the Related Employer, the Participant must separate from service both as an employee and as an independent contractor to be treated as having incurred a Separation from Service. If a Participant ceases providing services as an independent contractor and begins providing services as an employee, or ceases providing services as an employee and begins providing services as an independent contractor, the Participant will not be considered to have experienced a Separation from Service until the Participant has ceased providing services in both capacities.

If a Participant provides services both as an employee and as a member of the board of directors of a corporate Related Employer (or an analogous position with respect to a noncorporate Related Employer), the services provided as a director are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has incurred a Separation from Service as an employee for purposes of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which the Participant participates as an employee that is not aggregated under Code Section 409A with any plan in which the Participant participates as a director.

If a Participant provides services both as an employee and as a member of the board of directors of a corporate related Employer (or an analogous position with respect to a noncorporate Related Employer), the services provided as an employee are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has experienced a Separation from Service as a director for purposes of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which the Participant participates as a director that is not aggregated under Code Section 409A with any plan in which the Participant participates as an employee.

All determinations of whether a Separation from Service has occurred will be made in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A and the final regulations thereunder.

2.24
“Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship of the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, the Participant’s Beneficiary, or the Participant’s dependent (as defined in Code Section 152, without regard to Code section 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B); loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty; or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

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2.25
“Valuation Date” means each business day of the Plan Year that the New York Stock Exchange is open.

2.26
“Years of Service” means each one year period for which the Participant receives service credit in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement.



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ARTICLE 3 – PARTICIPATION


3.1
Participation. The Participants in the Plan shall be those Directors and employees of the Employer who satisfy the requirements of Section 2.01 of the Adoption Agreement.

3.2
Termination of Participation. The Administrator may terminate a Participant’s participation in the Plan in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A. If the Employer terminates a Participant’s participation before the Participant experiences a Separation from Service the Participant’s vested Accounts shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.



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ARTICLE 4 – PARTICIPANT ELECTIONS


4.1
Deferral Agreement. If permitted by the Plan Sponsor in accordance with Section 4.01 of the Adoption Agreement, each Eligible Employee and Director may elect to defer his Compensation within the meaning of Section 3.01 of the Adoption Agreement by executing in writing or electronically, a deferral agreement in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator and the provisions of this Article 4.

A new deferral agreement must be timely executed for each Plan Year during which the Eligible Employee or Director desires to defer Compensation. An Eligible Employee or Director who does not timely execute a deferral agreement shall be deemed to have elected zero deferrals of Compensation for such Plan Year.

A deferral agreement may be changed or revoked during the period specified by the Administrator. Except as provided in Section 9.3 or in Section 4.01(c) of the Adoption Agreement, a deferral agreement becomes irrevocable at the close of the specified period.

4.2
Amount of Deferral. An Eligible Employee or Director may elect to defer Compensation in any amount permitted by Section 4.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement.

4.3
Timing of Election to Defer. Each Eligible Employee or Director who desires to defer Compensation otherwise payable during a Plan Year must execute a deferral agreement within the period preceding the Plan Year specified by the Administrator. Each Eligible Employee who desires to defer Compensation that is a Bonus must execute a deferral agreement within the period preceding the Plan Year during which the Bonus is earned that is specified by the Administrator, except that if the Bonus can be treated as performance based compensation as described in Code Section 409A(a)(4)(B)(iii), the deferral agreement may be executed within the period specified by the Administrator, which period, in no event, shall end after the date which is six months prior to the end of the period during which the Bonus is earned, provided the Participant has performed services continuously from the later of the beginning of the performance period or the date the performance criteria are established through the date the Participant executed the deferral agreement and provided further that the compensation has not yet become ‘readily ascertainable’ within the meaning of Reg. Sec 1.409A-2(a)(8). In addition, if the Compensation qualifies as ‘fiscal year compensation’ within the meaning of Reg. Sec.

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1.409A-2(a)(6), the deferral agreement may be made not later than the end of the Employer’s taxable year immediately preceding the first taxable year of the Employer in which any services are performed for which such Compensation is payable.

Except as otherwise provided below, an employee who is classified or designated as an Eligible Employee during a Plan Year or a Director who is designated as eligible to participate during a Plan Year may elect to defer Compensation otherwise payable during the remainder of such Plan Year in accordance with the rules of this Section 4.3 by executing a deferral agreement within the thirty (30) day period beginning on the date the employee is classified or designated as an Eligible Employee or the date the Director is designated as eligible, whichever is applicable, if permitted by Section 4.01(b)(ii) of the Adoption Agreement. If Compensation is based on a specified performance period that begins before the Eligible Employee or Director executes his deferral agreement, the election will be deemed to apply to the portion of such Compensation equal to the total amount of Compensation for the performance period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the election becomes irrevocable and effective over the total number of days in the performance period. The rules of this paragraph shall not apply unless the Eligible Employee or Director can be treated as initially eligible in accordance with Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2(a)(7).

4.4
Election of Payment Schedule and Form of Payment.

All elections of a payment schedule and a form of payment will be made in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator and the provisions of this Section 4.4.

(a)
If the Plan Sponsor has elected to permit annual distribution elections in accordance with Section 6.01(h) of the Adoption Agreement the following rules apply. At the time an Eligible Employee or Director completes a deferral agreement, the Eligible Employee or Director must elect a distribution event (which includes a specified time) and a form of payment for the Compensation subject to the deferral agreement from among the options the Plan Sponsor has made available for this purpose and which are specified in 6.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement. Prior to the time required by Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2, the Eligible Employee or Director shall elect a distribution event (which includes a specified time) and a form of payment for any Employer contributions that may be credited to the Participant’s Account during the Plan Year. If an Eligible Employee or Director fails to elect a distribution event, he shall be deemed to have elected Separation from Service as the

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distribution event. If he fails to elect a form of payment, he shall be deemed to have elected a lump sum form of payment.

(b)
If the Plan Sponsor has elected not to permit annual distribution elections in accordance with Section 6.01(h) of the Adoption Agreement the following rules apply. At the time an Eligible Employee or Director first completes a deferral agreement but in no event later than the time required by Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2, the Eligible Employee or Director must elect a distribution event (which includes a specified time) and a form of payment for amounts credited to his Account from among the options the Plan Sponsor has made available for this purpose and which are specified in Section 6.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement. If an Eligible Employee or Director fails to elect a distribution event, he shall be deemed to have elected Separation from Service in the distribution event. If the fails to elect a form of payment, he shall be deemed to have elected a lump sum form of payment.





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ARTICLE 5 – EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS


5.1
Matching Contributions. If elected by the Plan Sponsor in Section 5.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer will credit the Participant’s Account with a matching contribution determined in accordance with the formula specified in Section 5.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement. The matching contribution will be treated as allocated to the Participant’s Account at the time specified in Section 5.01(a)(iii) of the Adoption Agreement.

5.2
Other Contributions. If elected by the Plan Sponsor in Section 5.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer will credit the Participant’s Account with a contribution determined in accordance with the formula or method specified in Section 5.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement. The contribution will be treated as allocated to the Participant’s Account at the time specified in Section 5.01(b)(iii) of the Adoption Agreement.




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ARTICLE 6 – ACCOUNTS AND CREDITS


6.1
Establishment of Account. For accounting and computational purposes only, the Administrator will establish and maintain an Account on behalf of each Participant which will reflect the credits made pursuant to Section 6.2, distributions or withdrawals, along with the earnings, expenses, gains and losses allocated thereto, attributable to the hypothetical investments made with the amounts in the Account as provided in Article 7. The Administrator will establish and maintain such other records and accounts, as it decides in its discretion to be reasonably required or appropriate to discharge its duties under the Plan.

6.2
Credits to Account. A Participant’s Account will be credited for each Plan Year with the amount of his elective deferrals under Section 4.1 at or within a reasonable time following the time the amount subject to the deferral election would otherwise have been payable to the Participant and the amount of Employer contributions treated as allocated on his behalf under Article 5.




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ARTICLE 7 – INVESTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS


7.1
Investment Options. The amount credited to each Account shall be treated as invested in the investment options designated for this purpose by the Administrator.

7.2
Adjustment of Accounts. The amount credited to each Account shall be adjusted for hypothetical investment earnings, expenses, gains or losses in an amount equal to the earnings, expenses, gains or losses attributable to the investment options selected by the party designated in Section 9.01 of the Adoption Agreement from among the investment options provided in Section 7.1. If permitted by Section 9.01 of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant (or the Participant’s Beneficiary after the death of the Participant) may, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator, select the investments from among the options provided in Section 7.1 to be used for the purpose of calculating future hypothetical investment adjustments to the Account or to future credits to the Account under Section 6.2 effective as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next following notice to the Administrator. Each Account shall be adjusted as of each Valuation Date to reflect:

(a)
the hypothetical earnings, expenses, gains and losses described above;

(b)
amounts credited pursuant to Section 6.2; and

(c)
distributions or withdrawals.

In addition, each Account may be adjusted for its allocable share of the hypothetical costs and expenses associated with the maintenance of the hypothetical investments provided in Section 7.1.




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ARTICLE 8 – RIGHT TO BENEFITS


8.1
Vesting. A Participant, at all times, has a 100% nonforfeitable interest in the amounts credited to his Account attributable to his elective deferrals made in accordance with Section 4.1.

A Participant’s right to the amounts credited to his Account attributable to Employer contributions made in accordance with Article 5 shall be determined in accordance with the relevant schedule and provisions in Section 7.01 of the Adoption Agreement. Upon a Separation from Service and after application of the provisions of Section 7.01 of the Adoption Agreement, the Participant shall forfeit the nonvested portion of his Account. If the Plan Sponsor maintains a trust described in Article 11, any forfeited nonvested amounts may be used by the Plan Sponsor to reduce future contributions to the Plan.

8.2
Death. The Plan Sponsor may elect to accelerate vesting upon the death of the Participant in accordance with Section 7.01(c) of the Adoption Agreement and/or to accelerate distributions upon Death in accordance with Section 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement. If the Plan Sponsor does not elect to accelerate distributions upon death in accordance with Section 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement, the vested amount credited to the Participant’s Account will be paid in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.

A Participant may designate a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, or change any prior designation of Beneficiary or Beneficiaries in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator.

A copy of the death notice or other sufficient documentation must be filed with and approved by the Administrator. If upon the death of the Participant there is, in the opinion of the Administrator, no designated Beneficiary for part or all of the Participant’s vested Account, such amount will be paid to his estate (such estate shall be deemed to be the Beneficiary for purposes of the Plan) in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.

8.3
Disability. If the Plan Sponsor has elected to accelerate vesting upon the occurrence of a Disability in accordance with Section 7.01(c) of the Adoption Agreement and/or to permit distributions upon Disability in accordance with Section 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement, the determination of whether a Participant has incurred a

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Disability shall be made by the Administrator in its sole discretion in a manner consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.


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ARTICLE 9 – DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS


9.1
Amount of Benefits. The vested amount credited to a Participant’s Account as determined under Articles 6, 7 and 8 shall determine and constitute the basis for the value of benefits payable to the Participant under the Plan.

9.2
Method and Timing of Distributions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 9, distributions under the Plan shall be made in accordance with the elections made or deemed made by the Participant under Article 4. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.6 requiring a six month delay for certain distributions to Key Employees, distributions following a payment event shall commence at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement. If permitted by Section 6.01(g) of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may elect, at least twelve months before a scheduled distribution event, to delay the payment date for a minimum period of sixty months from the originally scheduled date of payment, provided the election does not take effect for at least twelve months from the date on which the election is made. The distribution election change must be made in accordance with procedures and rules established by the Administrator. The Participant may, at the same time the date of payment is deferred, change the form of payment but such change in the form of payment may not effect an acceleration of payment in violation of Code Section 409A or the provisions of Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2(b). For purposes of this Section 9.2, a series of installment payments is always treated as a single payment and not as a series of separate payments.

9.3
Unforeseeable Emergency. A Participant may request a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency if the Plan Sponsor has elected to permit Unforeseeable Emergency withdrawals under Section 8.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement. The request must be in writing and must be submitted to the Administrator along with evidence that the circumstances constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency. The Administrator has the discretion to require whatever evidence it deems necessary to determine whether a distribution is warranted, and may require the Participant to certify that the need cannot be met from other sources reasonably available to the Participant. Whether a Participant has incurred an Unforeseeable Emergency will be determined by the Administrator on the basis of the relevant facts and circumstances in its sole discretion, but, in no event, will an Unforeseeable Emergency be deemed to exist if the hardship can be relieved:

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(a)
through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise,

(b)
by liquidation of the Participant’s assets to the extent such liquidation would not itself cause severe financial hardship, or

(c)
by cessation of deferrals under the Plan. A distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency must be limited to the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need and may include any amounts necessary to pay any federal, state, foreign or local income taxes and penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution. The distribution will be made in the form of a single lump sum cash payment. If permitted by Section 8.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant’s deferral elections for the remainder of the Plan Year will be cancelled upon a withdrawal due to an Unforeseeable Emergency. If the payment of all or any portion of the Participant’s vested Account is being delayed in accordance with Section 9.6 at the time he experiences an Unforeseeable Emergency, the amount being delayed shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section 9.3 until the expiration of the six month period of delay required by section 9.6.

9.4
Payment Election Overrides. If the Plan Sponsor has elected one or more payment election overrides in accordance with Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement, the following provisions apply. Upon the occurrence of the first event selected by the Plan Sponsor, the remaining vested amount credited to the Participant’s Account shall be paid in the form designated to the Participant or his Beneficiary regardless of whether the Participant had made different elections of time and /or form of payment or whether the Participant was receiving installment payments at the time of the event.

9.5
Cashouts Of Amounts Not Exceeding Stated Limit. If the vested amount credited to the Participant’s Account does not exceed the limit established for this purpose by the Plan Sponsor in Section 6.01(e) of the Adoption Agreement at the time he incurs a Separation from Service for any reason, the Employer shall distribute such amount to the Participant at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement in a single lump sum cash payment following such Separation from Service regardless of whether the Participant had made different elections of time or form of payment as to the vested amount credited to his Account or whether the Participant was receiving installments at the time of such termination. A Participant’s Account, for purposes of this Section 9.5, shall include any amounts described in Section 1.3.

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9.6
Required Delay in Payment to Key Employees . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.6, a distribution made on account of Separation from Service (or Retirement, if applicable) to a Participant who is a Key Employee as of the date of his Separation from Service (or Retirement, if applicable) shall not be made before the date which is six months after the Separation from Service (or Retirement, if applicable). If payments to a Key Employee are delayed in accordance with this Section 9.6, the payments to which the Key Employee would otherwise have been entitled during the six month period shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement after the six month period elapses.

(a)
A Participant is treated as a Key Employee if (i) he is employed by a Related Employer any of whose stock is publicly traded on an established securities market, and (ii) he satisfies the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii), determined without regard to Code Section 416(i)(5), at any time during the twelve month period ending on the Identification Date.

(b)
A Participant who is a Key Employee on an Identification Date shall be treated as a Key Employee for purposes of the six month delay in distributions for the twelve month period beginning on the first day of a month no later than the fourth month following the Identification Date. The Identification Date and the effective date of the delay in distributions shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 of the Adoption Agreement.

(c)
The Plan Sponsor may elect to apply an alternative method to identify Participants who will be treated as Key Employees for purposes of the six month delay in distributions if the method satisfies each of the following requirements. The alternative method is reasonably designed to include all Key Employees, is an objectively determinable standard providing no direct or indirect election to any Participant regarding its application, and results in either all Key Employees or no more than 200 Key Employees being identified in the class as of any date. Use of an alternative method that satisfies the requirements of this Section 9.6(c) will not be treated as a change in the time and form of payment for purposes of Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2(b).

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(d)
The six month delay does not apply to payments described in Section 9.9(a), (b), or (d) or to payments that occur after the death of the Participant. If the payment of all or any portion of the Participant’s vested Account is being delayed in accordance with this Section 9.6 at the time he incurs a Disability which would otherwise require a distribution under the terms of the Plan, no amount shall be paid until the expiration of the six month period of delay required by this Section 9.6.

9.7
Change in Control. If the Plan Sponsor has elected to permit distributions upon a Change in Control, the following provisions shall apply. A distribution made upon a Change in Control will be made at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement in the form elected by the Participant in accordance with the procedures described in Article 4. Alternatively, if the Plan Sponsor has elected in accordance with Section 11.02 of the Adoption Agreement to require distributions upon a Change in Control, the Participant’s remaining vested Account shall be paid to the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement as a single lump sum payment. A Change in Control, for purposes of the Plan, will occur upon a change in the ownership of the Plan Sponsor, a change in the effective control of the Plan Sponsor or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Plan Sponsor, but only if elected by the Plan Sponsor in Section 11.03 of the Adoption Agreement. The Plan Sponsor, for this purpose, includes any corporation identified in this Section 9.7. All distributions made in accordance with this Section 9.7 are subject to the provisions of Section 9.6.

If a Participant continues to make deferrals in accordance with Article 4 after he has received a distribution due to a Change in Control, the residual amount payable to the Participant shall be paid at the time and in the form specified in the elections he makes in accordance with Article 4 or upon his death or Disability as provided in Article 8.

Whether a Change in Control has occurred will be determined by the Administrator in accordance with the rules and definitions set forth in this Section 9.7. A distribution to the Participant will be treated as occurring upon a Change in Control if the Plan Sponsor terminates the Plan in accordance with Section 10.2 and distributes the Participant’s benefits within twelve months of a Change in Control as provided in Section 10.3.

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(a)
Relevant Corporations. To constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan, the event must relate to (i) the corporation for whom the Participant is performing services at the time of the Change in Control, (ii) the corporation that is liable for the payment of the Participant’s benefits under the Plan (or all corporations liable if more than one corporation is liable) but only if either the deferred compensation is attributable to the performance of services by the Participant for such corporation (or corporations) or there is a bona fide business purpose for such corporation (or corporations) to be liable for such payment and, in either case, no significant purpose of making such corporation (or corporations) liable for such payment is the avoidance of federal income tax, or (iii) a corporation that is a majority shareholder of a corporation identified in (i) or (ii), or any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a corporation identified in (i) or (ii). A majority shareholder is defined as a shareholder owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value and voting power of such corporation.

(b)
Stock Ownership. Code Section 318(a) applies for purposes of determining stock ownership. Stock underlying a vested option is considered owned by the individual who owns the vested option (and the stock underlying an unvested option is not considered owned by the individual who holds the unvested option). If, however, a vested option is exercisable for stock that is not substantially vested (as defined by Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-3(b) and (j)) the stock underlying the option is not treated as owned by the individual who holds the option.

(c)
Change in the Ownership of a Corporation. A change in the ownership of a corporation occurs on the date that any one person or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the corporation that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of such corporation. If any one person or more than one person acting as a group is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of a corporation, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the corporation (or to cause a change in the effective control of the corporation as discussed below in Section 9.7(d)). An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the corporation acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock.

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Section 9.7(c) applies only when there is a transfer of stock of a corporation (or issuance of stock of a corporation) and stock in such corporation remains outstanding after the transaction. For purposes of this Section 9.7(c), persons will not be considered to be acting as a group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the same time or as a result of a public offering. Persons will, however, be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the corporation. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation only with respect to ownership in that corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation.

(d)
Change in the effective control of a corporation. A change in the effective control of a corporation occurs on the date that either (i) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the corporation possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of such corporation, or (ii) a majority of members of the corporation’s board of directors is replaced during any twelve month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the corporation’s board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, provided that for purposes of this paragraph (ii), the term corporation refers solely to the relevant corporation identified in Section 9.7(a) for which no other corporation is a majority shareholder for purposes of Section 9.7(a). In the absence of an event described in Section 9.7(d)(i) or (ii), a change in the effective control of a corporation will not have occurred. A change in effective control may also occur in any transaction in which either of the two corporations involved in the transaction has a change in the ownership of such corporation as described in Section 9.7(c) or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of such corporation as described in Section 9.7(e). If any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to effectively control a corporation within the meaning of this Section 9.7(d), the acquisition of additional control of the corporation by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the effective control of the corporation or to cause a change in the ownership of the corporation within the meaning of Section 9.7(c).

9-6



For purposes of this Section 9.7(d), persons will or will not be considered to be acting as a group in accordance with rules similar to those set forth in Section 9.7(c) with the following exception. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation only with respect to the ownership in that corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation.

(e)
Change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as determined in accordance with rules similar to those set forth in Section 9.7(d)), acquires (or has acquired during the twelve month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the corporation immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the corporation or the value of the assets being disposed of determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. There is no Change in Control event under this Section 9.7(e) when there is a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the transferring corporation immediately after the transfer. A transfer of assets by a corporation is not treated as a change in ownership of such assets if the assets are transferred to (i) a shareholder of the corporation (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock, (ii) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation, (iii) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the corporation, or (iv) an entity, at least fifty (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in Section 9.7(e)(iii). For purposes of the foregoing, and except as otherwise provided, a person’s status is determined immediately after the transfer of assets.

9.8
Permissible Delays in Payment. Distributions may be delayed beyond the date payment would otherwise occur in accordance with the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 in any of the following circumstances as long as the

9-7



Employer treats all payments to similarly situated Participants on a reasonably consistent basis.

(a)
The Employer may delay payment if it reasonably anticipates that its deduction with respect to such payment would be limited or eliminated by the application of Code Section 162(m). Payment must be made during the Participant’s first taxable year in which the Employer reasonably anticipates, or should reasonably anticipate, that if the payment is made during such year the deduction of such payment will not be barred by the application of Code Section 162(m) or during the period beginning with the Participant’s Separation from Service and ending on the later of the last day of the Employer’s taxable year in which the Participant separates from service or the 15th day of the third month following the Participant’s Separation from Service. If a scheduled payment to a Participant is delayed in accordance with this Section 9.8(a), all scheduled payments to the Participant that could be delayed in accordance with this Section 9.8(a) will also be delayed.

(b)
The Employer may also delay payment if it reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will violate federal securities laws or other applicable laws provided payment is made at the earliest date on which the Employer reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will not cause such violation.

(c)
The Employer reserves the right to amend the Plan to provide for a delay in payment upon such other events and conditions as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

9.9
Permitted Acceleration of Payment . The Employer may permit acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment or amount scheduled to be paid pursuant to a payment under the Plan provided such acceleration would be permitted by the provisions of Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(j)(4), including the following events:

(a)
Domestic Relations Order. A payment may be accelerated if such payment is made to an alternate payee pursuant to and following the receipt and qualification of a domestic relations order as defined in Code Section 414(p).

(b)
Compliance with Ethics Agreements and Legal Requirements. A payment may be accelerated as may be necessary to comply with ethics agreements with the Federal government or as may be reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of Federal, state, local

9-8



or foreign ethics law or conflicts of laws, in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.


(c)
De Minimis Amounts. A payment will be accelerated if (i) the amount of the payment is not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Code Section 402(g)(1)(B), (ii) at the time the payment is made the amount constitutes the Participant’s entire interest under the Plan and all other plans that are aggregated with the Plan under Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2).

(d)
FICA Tax. A payment may be accelerated to the extent required to pay the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax imposed under Code Sections 3101, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2) of the Code with respect to compensation deferred under the Plan (the “FICA Amount”). Additionally, a payment may be accelerated to pay the income tax on wages imposed under Code Section 3401 of the Code on the FICA Amount and to pay the additional income tax at source on wages attributable to the pyramiding Code Section 3401 wages and taxes. The total payment under this subsection (d) may not exceed the aggregate of the FICA Amount and the income tax withholding related to the FICA Amount.

(e)
Section 409A Additional Tax. A payment may be accelerated if the Plan fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A; provided that such payment may not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of the failure to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

(f)
Offset. A payment may be accelerated in the Employer’s discretion as satisfaction of a debt of the Participant to the Employer, where such debt is incurred in the ordinary course of the service relationship between the Participant and the Employer, the entire amount of the reduction in any of the Employer’s taxable years does not exceed $5,000, and the reduction is made at the same time and in the same amount as the debt otherwise would have been due and collected from the Participant.

(g)
Other Events. A payment may be accelerated in the Administrator’s discretion in connection with such other events and conditions as permitted by Code Section 409A.




9-9




ARTICLE 10 – AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION


10.1
Amendment by Plan Sponsor. The Plan Sponsor reserves the right to amend the Plan (for itself and each Employer) through action of its Board of Directors. No amendment can directly or indirectly deprive any current or former Participant or Beneficiary of all or any portion of his Account which had accrued and vested prior to the amendment.

10.2
Plan Termination Following Change in Control or Corporate Dissolution. If so elected by the Plan Sponsor in 11.01 of the Adoption Agreement, the Plan Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Plan and distribute all amounts credited to all Participant Accounts within the 30 days preceding or the twelve months following a Change in Control as determined in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 9.7. For this purpose, the Plan will be treated as terminated only if all agreements, methods, programs and other arrangements sponsored by the Related Employer immediately after the Change in Control which are treated as a single plan under Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2) are also terminated so that all participants under the Plan and all similar arrangements are required to receive all amounts deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve months of the date the Plan Sponsor irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate the arrangements. In addition, the Plan Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Plan within twelve months of a corporate dissolution taxed under Code Section 331 or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U. S. C. Section 503(b)(1)(A) provided that amounts deferred under the Plan are included in the gross incomes of Participants in the latest of (a) the calendar year in which the termination and liquidation occurs, (b) the first calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, or (c) the first calendar year in which payment is administratively practicable.

10-1



10.3
Other Plan Terminations. The Plan Sponsor retains the discretion to terminate the Plan if (a) all arrangements sponsored by the Plan Sponsor that would be aggregated with any terminated arrangement under Code Section 409A and Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated, (b) no payments other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred are made within twelve months of the termination of the arrangements, (c) all payments are made within twenty-four months of the date the Plan Sponsor takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the arrangements, (d) the Plan Sponsor does not adopt a new arrangement that would be aggregated with any terminated arrangement under Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder at any time within the three year period following the date of termination of the arrangement, and (e) the termination does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Plan sponsor. The Plan Sponsor also reserves the right to amend the Plan to provide that termination of the Plan will occur under such conditions and events as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.



10-2




ARTICLE 11 – THE TRUST


11.1
Establishment of Trust. The Plan Sponsor may but is not required to establish a trust to hold amounts which the Plan Sponsor may contribute from time to time to correspond to some or all amounts credited to Participants under Section 6.2. In the event that the Plan Sponsor wishes to establish a trust to provide a source of funds for the payment of Plan benefits, any such trust shall be constructed to constitute an unfunded arrangement that does not affect the status of the Plan as an unfunded plan for purposes of Title I of ERISA and the Code. If the Plan Sponsor elects to establish a trust in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Adoption Agreement, the provisions of Sections 11.2 and 11.3 shall become operative.

11.2
Rabbi Trust. Any trust established by the Plan Sponsor shall be between the Plan Sponsor and a trustee pursuant to a separate written agreement under which assets are held, administered and managed, subject to the claims of the Plan Sponsor’s creditors in the event of the Plan Sponsor’s insolvency. The trust is intended to be treated as a rabbi trust in accordance with existing guidance of the Internal Revenue Service, and the establishment of the trust shall not cause the Participant to realize current income on amounts contributed thereto. The Plan Sponsor must notify the trustee in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency.

11.3
Investment of Trust Funds. Any amounts contributed to the trust by the Plan Sponsor shall be invested by the trustee in accordance with the provisions of the trust and the instructions of the Administrator. Trust investments need not reflect the hypothetical investments selected by Participants under Section 7.1 for the purpose of adjusting Accounts and the earnings or investment results of the trust need not affect the hypothetical investment adjustments to Participant Accounts under the Plan.



11-1




ARTICLE 12 – PLAN ADMINISTRATION


12.1
Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator. The Administrator has the full power and the full responsibility to administer the Plan in all of its details, subject, however, to the applicable requirements of ERISA. The Administrator’s powers and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a)
To make and enforce such rules and procedures as it deems necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Plan;

(b)
To interpret the Plan, its interpretation thereof to be final, except as provided in Section 12.2, on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan;

(c)
To decide all questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of any person to participate in the Plan;

(d)
To administer the claims and review procedures specified in Section 12.2;

(e)
To compute the amount of benefits which will be payable to any Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan;

(f)
To determine the person or persons to whom such benefits will be paid;

(g)
To authorize the payment of benefits;

(h)
To comply with the reporting and disclosure requirements of Part 1 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA;

(i)
To appoint such agents, counsel, accountants, and consultants as may be required to assist in administering the Plan;

(j)
By written instrument, to allocate and delegate its responsibilities, including the formation of an Administrative Committee to administer the Plan.

12-1



12.2
Claims and Review Procedures.

(a)
Claims Procedure.

If any person believes he is being denied any rights or benefits under the Plan, such person may file a claim in writing with the Administrator. If any such claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will contain (i) specific reasons for the denial, (ii) specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (iv) a description of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the person’s right to bring a civil action following an adverse decision on review. Such notification will be given within 90 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) after the claim is received by the Administrator. The Administrator may extend the period for providing the notification by 90 days (30 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim and if written notice of such extension and circumstance is given to such person within the initial 90 day period (45 day period in the case of a claim regarding Disability). If such notification is not given within such period, the claim will be considered denied as of the last day of such period and such person may request a review of his claim.

(b)
Review Procedure.

Within 60 days (180 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) after the date on which a person receives a written notification of denial of claim (or, if written notification is not provided, within 60 days (180 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) of the date denial is considered to have occurred), such person (or his duly authorized representative) may (i) file a written request with the Administrator for a review of his denied claim and of pertinent documents and (ii) submit written issues and comments to the Administrator. The Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by such person and will contain specific reasons for the decision as well as specific references to pertinent Plan provisions. The notification will explain that the person is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all pertinent documents and

12-2



has the right to bring a civil action following an adverse decision on review. The decision on review will be made within 60 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability). The Administrator may extend the period for making the decision on review by 60 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the request such as an election by the Administrator to hold a hearing, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 60-day period (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability). If the decision on review is not made within such period, the claim will be considered denied.

(c)
Exhaustion of Claims Procedures and Right to Bring Legal Claim

No action at law or equity shall be brought more than one (1) year after the Administrator’s affirmation of a denial of a claim, or, if earlier, more than four (4) years after the facts or events giving rising to the claimant’s allegation(s) or claim(s) first occurred.

12.3
Plan Administrative Costs. All reasonable costs and expenses (including legal, accounting, and employee communication fees) incurred by the Administrator in administering the Plan shall be paid by the Plan to the extent not paid by the Employer.



12-3




ARTICLE 13 – MISCELLANEOUS


13.1
Unsecured General Creditor of the Employer. Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of the Employer. For purposes of the payment of benefits under the Plan, any and all of the Employer’s assets shall be, and shall remain, the general, unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Employer. Each Employer's obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.

13.2
Employer’s Liability . Each Employer’s liability for the payment of benefits under the Plan shall be defined only by the Plan and by the deferral agreements entered into between a Participant and the Employer. An Employer shall have no obligation or liability to a Participant under the Plan except as provided by the Plan and a deferral agreement or agreements. An Employer shall have no liability to Participants employed by other Employers.

13.3
Limitation of Rights . Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any amendment thereof, nor the creation of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits, will be construed as giving to the Participant or any other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer, the Plan or the Administrator, except as provided herein; and in no event will the terms of employment or service of the Participant be modified or in any way affected hereby.

13.4
Anti-Assignment . Except as may be necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order within the meaning of Code Section 414(p), none of the benefits or rights of a Participant or any Beneficiary of a Participant shall be subject to the claim of any creditor. In particular, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all such benefits and rights shall be free from attachment, garnishment, or any other legal or equitable process available to any creditor of the Participant and his or her Beneficiary. Neither the Participant nor his or her Beneficiary shall have the right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any of the payments which he or she may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under the Plan, except the right to designate a Beneficiary to receive death benefits provided hereunder. Notwithstanding the preceding, the benefit payable from a Participant’s Account may be reduced, at the discretion of the administrator, to satisfy any debt or liability to the Employer.

13-1




13.5
Facility of Payment . If the Administrator determines, on the basis of medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrator, that the recipient of any benefit payments under the Plan is incapable of handling his affairs by reason of minority, illness, infirmity or other incapacity, the Administrator may direct the Employer to disburse such payments to a person or institution designated by a court which has jurisdiction over such recipient or a person or institution otherwise having the legal authority under State law for the care and control of such recipient. The receipt by such person or institution of any such payments therefore, and any such payment to the extent thereof, shall discharge the liability of the Employer, the Plan and the Administrator for the payment of benefits hereunder to such recipient.

13.6
Notices. Any notice or other communication to the Employer or Administrator in connection with the Plan shall be deemed delivered in writing if addressed to the Plan Sponsor at the address specified in Section 1.03 of the Adoption Agreement and if either actually delivered at said address or, in the case or a letter, 5 business days shall have elapsed after the same shall have been deposited in the United States mails, first-class postage prepaid and registered or certified.

13.7
Tax Withholding . If the Employer concludes that tax is owing with respect to any deferral or payment hereunder, the Employer shall withhold such amounts from any payments due the Participant or from amounts deferred, as permitted by law, or otherwise make appropriate arrangements with the Participant or his Beneficiary for satisfaction of such obligation. Tax, for purposes of this Section 13.7 means any federal, state, local or any other governmental income tax, employment or payroll tax, excise tax, or any other tax or assessment owing with respect to amounts deferred, any earnings thereon, and any payments made to Participants under the Plan.

13.8
Indemnification.

(a)
Each Indemnitee (as defined in Section 13.8(e)) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Employer for all actions taken by him and for all failures to take action (regardless of the date of any such action or failure to take action), to the fullest extent permitted by the law of the jurisdiction in which the Employer is incorporated, against all expense, liability, and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, taxes, penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (as defined in Subsection (e)). No indemnification pursuant to this Section shall be made, however, in any case where:


13-2




(1)
the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness or

(2)
there is a settlement to which the Employer does not consent.

(b)
The right to indemnification provided in this Section shall include the right to have the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending any Proceeding paid by the Employer in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by the law of the jurisdiction in which the Employer is incorporated; provided that, if such law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding shall be made only on delivery to the Employer of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced without interest if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise.

(c)
Indemnification pursuant to this Section shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be such and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, and administrators. The Employer agrees that the undertakings made in this Section shall be binding on its successors or assigns and shall survive the termination, amendment or restatement of the Plan.

(d)
The foregoing right to indemnification shall be in addition to such other rights as the Indemnitee may enjoy as a matter of law or by reason of insurance coverage of any kind and is in addition to and not in lieu of any rights to indemnification to which the Indemnitee may be entitled pursuant to the by-laws of the Employer.

(e)
For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1)
“Indemnitee” shall mean each person serving as an Administrator (or any other person who is an employee, director, or officer of the Employer) who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, any Proceeding, by reason of the fact that he is or was performing administrative functions under the Plan.

(2)
“Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding (including, without limitation, an action, suit, or proceeding by or in the right of the Employer), whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or through arbitration.

13-3





13.9
Successors . The provisions of the Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Plan Sponsor, the Employer and their successors and assigns and the Participant and the Participant’s designated Beneficiaries.

13.10
Disclaimer. It is the Plan Sponsor’s intention that the Plan comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. Neither the Plan Sponsor nor the Employer shall have any liability to any Participant should any provision of the Plan fail to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A.

13.11
Governing Law. The Plan will be construed, administered and enforced according to the laws of the State specified by the Plan Sponsor in Section 12.01 of the Adoption Agreement.



13-4



Exhibit 10.36
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
1.01     PREAMBLE
By the execution of this Adoption Agreement the Plan Sponsor
hereby [complete (a) or (b)]

(a)
¨     adopts a new plan as of ________ [month, day, year]

(b)
x     amends and restates its existing plan as of January 1, 2017 [month, day, year] which is the Amendment Restatement Date. Except as otherwise provided in Appendix A, all amounts deferred under the Plan prior to the Amendment Restatement Date shall be governed by the terms of the Plan as in effect on the day before the Amendment Restatement Date.
Original Effective Date: December 1, 2014 [month, day, year]

Pre-409A Grandfathering:     ¨ Yes     ¨ No



1.02
PLAN

Plan Name: IHS Markit Deferred Compensation Plan
Plan Year: December 31            ____________



1.03
PLAN SPONSOR

Name:
IHS Inc.
Address:
15 Inverness Way E.
D101 Inverness Business Park
Englewood, CO 80112
Phone # :
 
EIN:
13-3769440
Fiscal Yr:
November 30

Is stock of the Plan Sponsor, any Employer or any Related Employer publicly traded on an established securities market?

x Yes
¨ No


- 1 -






1.04
EMPLOYER

The following entities, in addition to the Plan Sponsor, have been authorized by the Plan Sponsor to participate in and have adopted the Plan (insert “Not Applicable” if none have been authorized):

Entity                          Publicly Traded on Est. Securities Market

 
 
Yes
 
No
Markit North America Inc.
 
¨
 
x
 
 
¨
 
¨
 
 
¨
 
¨
 
 
¨
 
¨
 
 
¨
 
¨
 
 
¨
 
¨

1.05
ADMINISTRATOR

The Plan Sponsor has designated the following party or parties to be responsible for the administration of the Plan:

Name:
IHS Inc.
Address:
15 Inverness Way E.
D101 Inverness Business Park
Englewood, CO 80112

Note :
The Administrator is the person or persons designated by the Plan Sponsor to be responsible for the administration of the Plan. Neither Fidelity Employer Services Company nor any other Fidelity affiliate can be the Administrator.

1.06
KEY EMPLOYEE DETERMINATION DATES

The Employer has designated December 31 as the Identification Date for purposes of determining Key Employees.

In the absence of a designation, the Identification Date is December 31.

The Employer has designated April 1 as the effective date for purposes of applying the six month delay in distributions to Key Employees.

In the absence of a designation, the effective date is the first day of the fourth month following the Identification Date.






2.01
PARTICIPATION

(a)     x     Employees [complete (i), (ii) or (iii)]
(i)     x     Eligible Employees are selected by the Employer

(ii)     ¨     Eligible Employees are those employees of the Employer who satisfy the following criteria:

 
     
     
     
     

(iii)     ¨     Employees are not eligible to participate.

(b)     x     Directors [complete (i), (ii) or (iii)]

(i)     ¨     All Directors are eligible to participate.

(ii)     ¨     Only Directors selected by the Employer are eligible to participate.

(iii)     x     Directors are not eligible to participate.





3.01
COMPENSATION

For purposes of determining Participant contributions under Article 4 and Employer contributions under Article 5, Compensation shall be defined in the following manner [complete (a) or (b) and select (c) and/or (d), if applicable]:

(a)
x
Compensation is defined as:
 
 
All cash remuneration paid or made available for any Plan Year to an Employee for his services, as salary, wages or commissions, including bonuses and pay at premium rates (holiday, overtime or other) including any amounts paid under the Annual Incentive Plan but excluding (a) any amounts paid for the Plan year on account of the Employee under any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) other than this Plan, (b) any amounts that are not includible in the Employee’s income for federal income tax purposes (other than amounts that would be included in wages but for an election under Sections 125, 403(g)(3), 403(b), 132(f) or 457(b) of the Code) (c) any amounts that are so includible and are paid for that Plan year on account of the Employee under any group disability insurance plan of for group life insurance premiums, moving expenses, automobile, business and office expenses and (d) amounts paid to the Employee as a mortgage differential allowance or tuition refund or under a performance share or other long term incentive plan.
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
(b)
¨
Compensation as defined in        [insert name of qualified plan] without regard to the limitation in Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for such Plan Year.
 
 
 
(c)
¨
Director Compensation is defined as:
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
(d)
¨
Compensation shall, for all Plan purposes, be limited to $      .
 
 
 
(e)
¨
Not Applicable.





3.02
BONUSES

Compensation, as defined in Section 3.01 of the Adoption Agreement, includes the following type of bonuses that will be the subject of a separate deferral election:

Type
Will be treated as Performance
Based Compensation
 
 
 
 
Yes
 
No
 
Annual Incentive Plan
 
x
 
¨
 
     
 
¨
 
¨
 
     
 
¨
 
¨
 
     
 
¨
 
¨
 
     
 
¨
 
¨
 

¨
Not Applicable.





4.01
PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS

If Participant contributions are permitted, complete (a), (b), and (c). Otherwise
complete (d).

(a)
Amount of Deferrals

A Participant may elect within the period specified in Section 4.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement to defer the following amounts of remuneration. For each type of remuneration listed, complete “dollar amount” and / or “percentage amount”.

(i)
Compensation Other than Bonuses [do not complete if you complete (iii)]
        
Type of Remuneration
Dollar Amount
% Amount
Increment
Min
Max
Min
Max
(a)      Base Pay
 
 
10%
50%
1%
(b)      Commissions
 
 
10%
50%
1%
(c)     
 
 
 
 
 

Note: The increment is required to determine the permissible deferral amounts. For example, a minimum of 0% and maximum of 20% with a 5% increment would allow an individual to defer 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%.

(ii)
Bonuses [do not complete if you complete (iii)]

Type of Bonus
Dollar Amount
% Amount
Increment
Min
Max
Min
Max
(a) Annual Incentive Plan
 
 
10%
100%
1%
(b)
 
 
 
 
 
(c)
 
 
 
 
 

(iii)
Compensation [do not complete if you completed (i) and (ii)]

Dollar Amount
% Amount
Increment
Min
Max
Min
Max
 
 
 
 
 

(iv)
Director Compensation

Type of Compensation
Dollar Amount
% Amount
Increment
Min
Max
Min
Max
Annual Retainer
 
 
 
 
 
Meeting Fees
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
 







(b)
Election Period

(i)
Performance Based Compensation

A special election period

¨
Does
 
x
Does Not

apply to each eligible type of performance based compensation referenced in Section 3.02 of the Adoption Agreement.

The special election period, if applicable, will be determined by the Employer.

(ii)
Newly Eligible Participants

An employee who is classified or designated as an Eligible Employee during a Plan Year

¨
May
 
x
May Not

elect to defer Compensation earned during the remainder of the Plan Year by completing a deferral agreement within the 30 day period beginning on the date he is eligible to participate in the Plan.

For purposes of this Section 4.01(b)(ii), Compensation shall be limited to Base Compensation and Commissions.

(c)
Revocation of Deferral Agreement

A Participant’s deferral agreement

x
Will
¨
Will Not

be cancelled for the remainder of any Plan Year during which he receives a hardship distribution of elective deferrals from a qualified cash or deferred arrangement maintained by the Employer to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of Reg. Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3). If cancellation occurs, the Participant may resume participation in accordance with Article 4 of the Plan.

(d)
No Participant Contributions

¨     Participant contributions are not permitted under the Plan.





5.01
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS

If Employer contributions are permitted, complete (a) and/or (b). Otherwise
complete (c).

(a)
Matching Contributions

(i)
Amount

For each Plan Year, the Employer shall make a Matching Contribution on behalf of each Participant who defers Compensation for the Plan Year and satisfies the requirements of Section 5.01(a)(ii) of the Adoption Agreement equal to [complete the ones that are applicable]:

(A)
¨      __________ [insert percentage] of the Compensation that the Participant has elected to defer for the Plan Year

(B)
x     An amount determined by the Employer in its sole discretion

(C)
¨     Matching Contributions for each Participant shall be limited to $       and/or       % of Compensation.

(D)
¨     Other:    
                         
                         

(E)
¨     Not Applicable [Proceed to Section 5.01(b)]

(ii)
Eligibility for Matching Contribution

A Participant who defers Compensation for the Plan Year shall receive an allocation of Matching Contributions determined in accordance with Section 5.01(a)(i) provided he satisfies the following requirements [complete the ones that are applicable]:

(A)      ¨
Describe requirements:
 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
(B)      x
Is selected by the Employer in its sole discretion to receive an allocation of Matching Contributions
 
 
 
 
(C)      ¨
No requirements
 






(iii)
Time of Allocation

Matching Contributions, if made, shall be treated as allocated [select one]:

(A)      ¨
As of the last day of the Plan Year
 
 
(B)      x
At such times as the Employer shall determine in it sole discretion
 
 
(C)      ¨
At the time the Compensation on account of which the Matching Contribution is being made would otherwise have been paid to the Participant
 
 
(D)      ¨

Other:
     
 
     

(b)
Other Contributions
    
(i)
Amount

The Employer shall make a contribution on behalf of each Participant who satisfies the requirements of Section 5.01(b)(ii) equal to [complete the ones that are applicable]:

(A)      ¨
An amount equal to        [insert number] % of the Participant’s Compensation
 
 
(B)      x
An amount determined by the Employer in its sole discretion
 
 
(C)      ¨
Contributions for each Participant shall be limited to $             
 
 
(D)      ¨
Other:
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
(E)      ¨
Not Applicable [Proceed to Section 6.01]
 
 






(ii)
Eligibility for Other Contributions

A Participant shall receive an allocation of other Employer contributions determined in accordance with Section 5.01(b)(i) for the Plan Year if he satisfies the following requirements [complete the one that is applicable]:


(A)      ¨
Describe requirements:
 
     
 
     
 
 
(B)      x
Is selected by the Employer in its sole discretion to receive an allocation of other Employer contributions
 
 
(C)      ¨
No requirements

(iii)
Time of Allocation

Employer contributions, if made, shall be treated as allocated [select one]:

(A)      ¨
As of the last day of the Plan Year
 
 
(B)      x
At such time or times as the Employer shall determine in its sole discretion
 
 
(C)      ¨

Other:
     
 
     
 
     

(c)
No Employer Contributions

¨     Employer contributions are not permitted under the Plan.





6.01
DISTRIBUTIONS

The timing and form of payment of distributions made from the Participant’s vested Account shall be made in accordance with the elections made in this Section 6.01 of the Adoption Agreement except when Section 9.6 of the Plan requires a six month delay for certain distributions to Key Employees of publicly traded companies.

(a)
Timing of Distributions


(i)
All distributions shall commence in accordance with the following [choose one]:

 
(A) ¨
As soon as administratively feasible following the distribution event but in no event later than the time prescribed by Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(d).
 
(B) x
Monthly on specified day 15th  [insert day]
 
(C) ¨
Annually on specified month and day        [insert month and day]
 
(D) ¨
Calendar quarter on specified month and day [       month of quarter (insert 1,2 or 3);     __    day (insert day)]

(ii)
The timing of distributions as determined in Section 6.01(a)(i) shall be modified by the adoption of:

 
(A) ¨
Event Delay – Distribution events other than those based on Specified Date or Specified Age will be treated as not having occurred for         months [insert number of months].

 
(B) ¨
Hold Until Next Year – Distribution events other than those based on Specified Date or Specified Age will be treated as not having occurred for twelve months from the date of the event if payment pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(i) will thereby occur in the next calendar year or on the first payment date in the next calendar year in all other cases.

 
(C) ¨
Immediate Processing – The timing method selected by the Plan Sponsor under Section 6.01(a)(i) shall be overridden for the following distribution events [insert events]:

 
     
 
     
 
 
 
 
(D) x
Not applicable.







(b)
Distribution Events

Participants may elect the following payment events and the associated form or forms of payment. If multiple events are selected, the earliest to occur will trigger payment. For installments, insert the range of available periods (e.g., 5-15) or insert the periods available (e.g., 5,7,9).



 
Lump Sum
Installments
 
 
 
 
(i)      x
Specified Date
x
1 -10  years
 
 
(ii)      ¨
Specified Age
     
       years
 
 
(iii)      x
Separation from Service
x
1 - 10  years
 
 
(iv)      ¨
Separation from Service plus 6 months
     
       years
 
 
(v)      ¨
Separation from Service plus        months [not to exceed         months]
     
       years
 
 
(vi)      ¨
Retirement
     
       years
 
 
(vii)      ¨
Retirement plus 6 months
     
       years
 
 
(viii)      ¨
Retirement plus        months [not to exceed        months]
     
       years
 
 
 
 
(ix) x
Disability
x
1 -10  years
 
 
(x) x
Death
x
         1 - 10  years
 
 
(xi) ¨
Change in Control
     
       years

The minimum deferral period for Specified Date or Specified Age event shall be two (2) years.

Installments may be paid [select each that applies]

¨
Monthly
¨
Quarterly
x
Annually

(c)
Specified Date and Specified Age elections may not extend beyond age Not Applicable [insert age or “Not Applicable” if no maximum age applies].





(d)
Payment Election Override

Payment of the remaining vested balance of the Participant’s Account will automatically occur at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement in the form indicated upon the earliest to occur of the following events [check each event that applies and for each event include only a single form of payment]:
 
EVENTS
FORM OF PAYMENT
¨
Separation from Service
 
Lump sum
 
Installments
¨
Separation from
Service before Retirement
 
Lump sum
 
Installments
¨
Death
 
Lump sum
 
Installments
¨
Disability
 
Lump sum
 
Installments
x
Not Applicable
 
 
 
 


(e)
Involuntary Cashouts
x
If the Participant’s vested Account at the time of his Separation from Service does not exceed $ 50,000  distribution of the vested Account shall automatically be made in the form of a single lump sum in accordance with Section 9.5 of the Plan.

¨
There are no involuntary cashouts.

(f)
Retirement
¨
Retirement shall be defined as a Separation from Service that occurs on or after the Participant [insert description of requirements]:

 
     
 
     

x
No special definition of Retirement applies.






(g)
Distribution Election Change

A Participant

x
Shall
¨
Shall Not





be permitted to modify a scheduled distribution date and/or payment option in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Plan.

A Participant shall generally be permitted to elect such modification four (4) number of times.

Administratively, allowable distribution events will be modified to reflect all options necessary to fulfill the distribution change election provision.


(h)
Frequency of Elections

The Plan Sponsor

x
Has
¨
Has Not

Elected to permit annual elections of a time and form of payment for amounts deferred under the Plan. If a single election of a time and/or form of payment is required, the Participant will make such election at the time he first completes a deferral agreement which, in all cases, will be no later than the time required by Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2.






7.01
VESTING

(a)
Matching Contributions

The Participant’s vested interest in the amount credited to his Account attributable to Matching Contributions shall be based on the following schedule:

x
Years of Service
Vesting %
 
 
 
0
100%
(insert ‘100’ if there is immediate vesting)
 
 
1
     
 
 
 
2
     
 
 
 
3
     
 
 
 
4
     
 
 
 
5
     
 
 
 
6
     
 
 
 
7
     
 
 
 
8
     
 
 
 
9
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
¨
Other:
     
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
¨
Class year vesting applies.
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
¨
Not applicable.
 
 
 

(b)
Other Employer Contributions

The Participant’s vested interest in the amount credited to his Account attributable to Employer contributions other than Matching Contributions shall be based on the following schedule:





x
Years of Service
Vesting %
 
 
0
100%
(insert ‘100’ if there is immediate vesting)
 
1
     
 
 
2
     
 
 
3
     
 
 
4
     
 
 
5
     
 
 
6
     
 
 
7
     
 
 
8
     
 
 
9
     
 
 
 
 
 
¨
Other:
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
¨
Class year vesting applies.
            
 
 
 
 
 
¨
Not applicable.
 
 





(c)
Acceleration of Vesting
A Participant’s vested interest in his Account will automatically be 100% upon the occurrence of the following events: [select the ones that are applicable]:

(i)      ¨
Death
 
 
(ii)      ¨
Disability
 
 
(iii)      ¨
Change in Control
 
 
(iv)      ¨
Eligibility for Retirement
 
 
(v)      ¨
Other:                      
 
                         
 
 
(vi)      x
Not applicable.

(d)
Years of Service
(i)
A Participant’s Years of Service shall include all service performed for the Employer and
¨
Shall
¨
Shall Not

include service performed for the Related Employer.
(ii)
Years of Service shall also include service performed for the following entities:

     
     
     
     
     

(iii)
Years of Service shall be determined in accordance with (select one)

(A)      ¨
The elapsed time method in Treas. Reg. Sec.  1.410(a)-7
 
 
(B)      ¨
The general method in DOL Reg. Sec. 2530.200b-1 through b-4
 
 
(C)      ¨
The Participant’s Years of Service credited under [insert name of plan]                
                     
 
 
(D)      ¨
Other:                         
 
                            
 
                            





(iv)
x Not applicable.





8.01
UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY

(a)    A withdrawal due to an Unforeseeable Emergency as defined in Section 2.24:

x
Will
¨
Will Not [if Unforeseeable Emergency withdrawals are not permitted, proceed to Section 9.01]

be allowed.

(b)
Upon a withdrawal due to an Unforeseeable Emergency, a Participant’s deferral election for the remainder of the Plan Year:

x
Will
¨
Will Not

be cancelled. If cancellation occurs, the Participant may resume participation in accordance with Article 4 of the Plan.






9.01
INVESTMENT DECISIONS

Investment decisions regarding the hypothetical amounts credited to a Participant’s Account shall be made by [select one]:

(a) x

The Participant or his Beneficiary
(b) ¨
The Employer





10.01
TRUST

The Employer [select one]:

x
Does
¨
Does Not

intend to establish a springing rabbi trust as provided in Article 11 of the Plan.




11.01
TERMINATION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

The Plan Sponsor

x
Reserves
¨
Does Not Reserve

the right to terminate the Plan and distribute all vested amounts credited to Participant Accounts upon a Change in Control as described in Section 9.7.

11.02
AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

Distribution of the remaining vested balance of each Participant’s Account

¨
Shall
x
Shall Not

automatically be paid as a lump sum payment upon the occurrence of a Change in Control as provided in Section 9.7.

11.03
CHANGE IN CONTROL

A Change in Control for Plan purposes includes the following [select each definition that applies]:

(a)
x     A change in the ownership of the Employer as described in Section 9.7(c) of the Plan.

(b)
x     A change in the effective control of the Employer as described in Section 9.7(d) of the Plan.

(c)
x     A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Employer as described in Section 9.7(e) of the Plan.

(d)
¨     Not Applicable.






12.01
GOVERNING STATE LAW

The laws of Delaware shall apply in the administration of the Plan to the extent not preempted by ERISA.

APPENDIX A
SPECIAL EFFECTIVE DATES
Not Applicable






Exhibit 10.38

IHS MARKIT LTD.

POLICY ON RECOVERY
OF INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
Effective Date: January 24, 2017

The Human Resources Committee (the “ Committee ”) of the Board of Directors of IHS Markit Ltd. (the “ Company ”) may, in its sole discretion, subject to the terms of this Policy set forth below and to the extent legally permitted, require the return, repayment or forfeiture of any annual or long-term incentive compensation payment or award, whether in the form of cash or equity, made or granted to any current or former Executive Officer during the 3-year period preceding a Triggering Event (as defined below). This Policy is applicable to awards paid or granted only after the Effective Date.

Each of the following constitutes a “Triggering Event”:

1)
restatement of previously reported financial statements due to the material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws (a “Restatement”) is filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); or
2)
in the absence of a Restatement, prior financial results which formed the basis for calculation of annual or long-term incentive compensation are corrected or adjusted; or
3)
an Executive Officer engages in significant Misconduct in the conduct of the Company’s business, as determined by the Committee, without regard to whether that Misconduct resulted in a Restatement or correction or adjustment of prior financial results.

In the case of the Triggering Events described in clauses (1) and (2) above, the amount to be returned, repaid or forfeited shall be limited to the excess of (i) the amount of the Executive Officer’s payment or award for the relevant period which was predicated upon achieving certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of the Restatement, correction or adjustment, over (ii) any lower payment or award that would have been made to the Executive Officer based upon the financial results of the Company contained in the Restatement or corrected or adjusted financial results, calculated on a pre-tax basis. In the case of the Triggering Event described in clause (3) above, the amount to be returned, repaid or forfeited shall be such amount as determined by the Committee to be appropriate in the circumstances.

In addition, the Committee may in its discretion and to the extent legally permitted, require the return or repayment of any profits realized by such Executive Officer on the sale of Company securities received pursuant to any such award granted after the Effective Date and during the 3-year period preceding the applicable Triggering Event.

For purposes of this Policy, (i) the term “Executive Officer” means those persons designated by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company as officers as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) “Misconduct” means fraud, commission of a felony, material violation of any written agreement with or policies of the Company, any other material breach of fiduciary duty injurious to the Company, or any other act or omission which constitutes “cause” for termination.


    



The Company shall not indemnify any Executive Officer, directly or indirectly, for any losses that such Executive Officer may incur in connection with the recovery of incentive compensation, as set forth in this Policy, including, without limitation, through the payment of insurance premiums, gross-up payments or supplemental payments.

The Committee shall make all determinations regarding the application and operation of this Policy in its sole discretion, and all such determinations shall be final and binding for purposes of the application of this Policy. In determining whether any incentive compensation is recoverable from an Executive Officer pursuant to this Policy and, if so, the amount of such return, repayment or forfeiture, the Committee has the discretion to take into account such factors as it deems appropriate, including (i) whether any incentive compensation earned with respect to the period(s) covered by the restatement was based on the achievement of specified performance targets and, if so, whether any such compensation would have been reduced had the restated financial results been reported at the time such compensation was determined, (ii) the Executive Officer’s involvement in and accountability for the conduct that directly or indirectly resulted in the need to prepare the restatement, (iii) the likelihood of success in seeking recovery under governing law relative to the effort involved, (iv) whether the assertion of a recovery claim may prejudice the interests of the Company in any related proceeding or investigation, or otherwise, (v) whether the use of corporate resources and the expense of seeking recovery is reasonable in relation to the amount sought or likely to be recovered, (vi) the passage of time since the occurrence of the act in respect of the applicable Misconduct, (vii) any pending or threatened legal proceeding relating to the applicable Misconduct, and any actual or anticipated resolution (including any settlement) relating thereto, (viii) the tax consequences to the affected Executive Officer, and/or (ix) such other factors as it may deem appropriate under the circumstances.

The Committee may amend or change the terms of this Policy at any time for any reason, including as required to comply with the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq (including in its implementation of Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act). Further, the exercise by the Committee of any rights pursuant to this Policy shall be without prejudice to any other rights that the Company or the Committee may have with respect to any Executive Officer subject to this Policy.


2



    




Exhibit 10.40

AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED IHS INC. 2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

WHEREAS, effective [December 8, 2016], IHS Markit Ltd. (the “ Company ”) desires to amend the Amended and Restated IHS Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ 2004 Plan ”) in certain respects; and

WHEREAS, Section 19.1 of the 2004 Plan provides that the Human Resources Committee of the Company (the “ Committee ”) may amend the 2004 Plan, as evidenced by a written instrument signed by an authorized officer of the Company;

NOW, THEREFORE, in Section 20.1 of the 2004 Plan, the words “minimum statutory” shall be, and hereby are, replaced with the word “maximum”.

NOW, THEREFORE, Section 20.2 of the 2004 Plan shall be, and hereby is, deleted in its entirety and the following inserted in lieu thereof:

“20.2 Share Withholding. With respect to withholding required upon the exercise of Options or SARs or any other taxable event arising as a result of an Award, Participants may elect, subject to the approval of the Committee, to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a FMV on the date the tax is to be determined (a) equal to the maximum total tax that could be imposed on the transaction, with respect to Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and (b) equal to the maximum or up to the maximum total tax that could be imposed on the transaction, with respect to Participants not covered by Section 20.2(a). All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, and signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. With respect to withholding required upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock and RSUs, or upon the achievement of performance goals related to Performance Shares, the withholding requirement shall be met in whole by having the Company withhold Shares as described above, unless otherwise provided by the Committee or if not permitted under applicable law.”

Excepted as amended by this Amendment, all of the provisions of the 2004 Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

Capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the 2004 Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Committee has amended the 2004 Plan by the foregoing Amendment.




| 1
    

Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Subsidiary
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation/Formation
Energy Publishing Pty Limited
Australia
IHS Australia Pty. Ltd.
Australia
IHS Markit Group (Australia) Pty Ltd
Australia
R.L. Polk Australia Pty Ltd
Australia
IHS Global FUE
Belarus
CoreOne Technologies Belgium BVBA
Belgium
IHS Informcoese E Insight LTDA
Brazil
Display Search Limited
British Virgin Islands
CoreOne Technologies DeltaOne Solutions Inc.
California
8710066 Canada Inc.
Canada
9540687 Canada Inc.
Canada
Carfax Canada, Ltd
Canada
CarProof Corporation
Canada
H&F Eleanor Canco 1 Inc.
Canada
IHS Global Canada Limited
Canada
Markit Analytics Inc.
Canada
Markit Group (Canada) Limited
Canada
MidProof Holdings Inc.
Canada
BOAT Limited
Cayman
Beijing Cartac Vehicle Information Consulting Co
China
CMAI Shanghai Ltd.
China
CSM Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
China
Global Insight (Beijing) Ltd.
China
IHS (Beijing) Trading Company Ltd
China
IHS (Beijing) Trading Company Ltd
China
IHS (Beijing) Trading Company Ltd
China
IHS (Shenzhen) Company Limited
China
iSuppli Asia Shanghai Limited
China
PFC Energy Beijing Ltd
China
IHS Global Colombia S.A.S. 
Colombia
IHS Herold Inc.
Connecticut
ABC Enterprises Inc.
Delaware
Compliance Technologies International LLC*
Delaware
CoreOne Technologies Holdings LLC
Delaware
CoreOne Technologies LLC
Delaware
Correctnet LLC
Delaware
DisplaySearch LLC
Delaware
IHS Global Holding LLC
Delaware



IHS Global Inc.
Delaware
IHS Global Investments LLC
Delaware
IHS Holding Inc.
Delaware
IHS Inc.
Delaware
IHS Markit KY3P LLC
Delaware
Information Mosaic Inc.
Delaware
JOC Group Inc.
Delaware
Markit CTI Holdings LLC*
Delaware
Markit EDM Inc.
Delaware
Markit North America Inc.
Delaware
Markit On Demand Inc.
Delaware
Markit Securities Finance Analytics Inc.
Delaware
MarkitOne Holdings LLC
Delaware
MarkitSERV LLC
Delaware
Premier Data Services Incorporated
Delaware
R.L. 2015 LLC
Delaware
R.L. Polk & Co
Delaware
IHS Global APS
Denmark
IHS Global SAS
France
NavX SAS
France
Carfax Europe GmbH
Germany
IHS Global GmbH
Germany
R.L. Polk Germany GmbH
Germany
CoreOne Technologies Hong Kong Limited
Hong Kong
Global Insight (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Hong Kong
IHS Hong Kong Limited
Hong Kong
IHS Markit Group (Hong Kong) Limited
Hong Kong
iSuppli Asia Limited
Hong Kong
CoreOne Technologies India Pvt Ltd
India
IHS Global Private Ltd.
India
Information Mosaic S/W Pvt Ltd
India
Markit India Services Private Limited
India
IHS Global Indonesia PT
Indonesia
IHS Finance Limited
Ireland
Information Mosaic Limited
Ireland
Markit Operations Designated Activity Company
Ireland
IHS Global S.R.L.
Italy
IHS Global KK
Japan
Markit Group (Japan) KK
Japan
IHS Markit Kazakhstan LLP
Kazakhstan
CSM Worldwide Korea Yuhan Hoesa
Korea
IHS Global Korea Ltd (fka Displaybank Co., Ltd.)
Korea
H&F Eleanor Luxco 1 SARL
Luxembourg



IHS EMEA Holding Sarl
Luxembourg
IHS Global Investments Inc. S.C.S.
Luxembourg
IHS Global Luxembourg SARL
Luxembourg
IHS Luxembourg Sarl
Luxembourg
Markit Financing SARL
Luxembourg
IHS Global (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Malaysia
IHS Global (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Malaysia
IHS Markit (Penang) Sdn. Bhd.
Malaysia
Information Handling Services (Malaysia) Snd. Bhd.
Malaysia
Information Mosaic Asia Sdn Bhd Ltd
Malaysia
Axxis Software, LLC
Maryland
Oil Price Information Service, LLC
Maryland
PointLogic Energy LLC
Maryland
Information Handling Services Mexico, SA de CV
Mexico
CSM Asia Corporation
Michigan
Polk Carfax Inc.
Michigan
Carfax Nederlands BV
Netherlands
IHS Global B.V.
Netherlands
Markit NV
Netherlands
The Transaction Auditing Group Inc.
Nevada
IHS Global AS
Norway
IHS Global Inc. LLC
Oman
Carfax, Inc.
Pennsylvania
IHS Global Sp Z.o.o.
Poland
IHS Global Limited (LLC)
Qatar
NavX Content Factory SRL
Romania
Chemical Market Associates PTE. Ltd.
Singapore
IHS Global Pte Limited.
Singapore
IHS Markit Asia Pte Ltd
Singapore
Information Mosaic Asia Pte Ltd
Singapore
Oil Price Information Service Asia Pte Ltd
Singapore
Option Computers Pte Ltd
Singapore
IHS Information & Insight (Proprietary) Ltd.
South Africa
ThinkFolio Pty Ltd
South Africa
Carfax Historical De Vehiculos SL
Spain
IHS Global Information Spain SL
Spain
Carfax Sverige AB
Sweden
IHS Global AB
Sweden
IHS Global Finance GmbH
Switzerland
IHS Global Finance GmbH
Switzerland
IHS Global Funding GmbH
Switzerland
IHS Global Funding GmbH
Switzerland
IHS Global Holding GmbH
Switzerland



IHS Global Investments GmbH
Switzerland
IHS Global SA
Switzerland
IHS Global Taiwan Limited
Taiwan
Data Logic Services Corp
Texas
Markit WSO Corporation
Texas
Purvin & Gertz LLC
Texas
CSM Worldwide (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
Thailand
IHS Global (Thailand) Ltd (fka CMAI (Thailand) LTD.)
Thailand
IHS Global FZ LLC
United Arab Emirates
CoreOne Technologies Delta One Solutions Ltd.
United Kingdom
Global Trade (Holdco) Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Global Investments Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Global Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Global Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Global Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Group Holdings Limited
United Kingdom
IHS International Holdings Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Markit Global Finance Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Markit Global Funding Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Markit Global Limited
United Kingdom
IHS Markit Investments Limited
United Kingdom
Information Mosaic UK Ltd
United Kingdom
Invention Machine Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Analytics (UK) Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Economics Limited
United Kingdom
Markit EDM Hub Limited
United Kingdom
Markit EDM Limited
United Kingdom
Markit EDM Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Equities Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Genpact KYC Services Limited**
United Kingdom
Markit Group Holdings Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Group Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Group UK Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Indices Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Securities Finance Analytics Consulting Ltd
United Kingdom
Markit Securities Finance Analytics Ltd
United Kingdom
Markit Valuation Services Limited
United Kingdom
Markit Valuations Limited
United Kingdom
MarkitSERV FX Limited
United Kingdom
MarkitSERV Holdings Limited
United Kingdom
MarkitSERV Limited
United Kingdom
Option Computers Limited
United Kingdom
Polk Europe Holdings, Ltd.
United Kingdom



Prism Valuation Limited
United Kingdom
R.L. Polk UK, Ltd
United Kingdom
RCP Trade Solutions Limited
United Kingdom
Root Metrics Ltd
United Kingdom
Rushmore Associates Limited
United Kingdom
Securities Finance Systems Limited
United Kingdom
Securities Lending Services Group Limited
United Kingdom
ThinkFolio Limited
United Kingdom
Trade STP Limited
United Kingdom
Root Wireless, Inc.
Washington

* 52.8% ownership interest
** 53.3% ownership interest



Exhibit 23.1


Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-212524) pertaining to the Amended and Restated IHS Inc. 2004 Long-term Incentive Plan

(2)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-196877) pertaining to the:

Markit Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan
2004 Markit Additional Share Option Plan
Markit 2006 Share Option Plan
Markit 2006 Additional Share Option Plan
Markit 2007 Share Option Plan
Markit 2008 Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting)
Markit 2008 Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting)
Markit 2008 Additional Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting)
Markit 2008 Additional Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting)
Markit 2009 Additional Share Option Plan
Markit 2009 Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting)
Markit 2009 Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting)
Markit 2010 Share Option Plan
Markit 2010 Share Option Plan (1/3 vesting)
Markit 2010 Share Option Plan (1/5 vesting)
2011 Markit Share Option Plan
2012 Markit Share Option Plan
2013 Markit Share Option Plan
2013 Markit Share Option Plan (mid-year awards April through December 2013)
2014 Markit Share Option Plan
Markit Key Employee Incentive Program (KEIP)

of our reports dated January 27, 2017, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of IHS Markit Ltd., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of IHS Markit Ltd. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended November 30, 2016.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Denver, Colorado
January 27, 2017



Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS , that each of the undersigned, being a director of IHS Markit Ltd., a Bermuda company (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Jerre Stead, Todd Hyatt, Heather Matzke-Hamlin, Sari Granat, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities, to sign one or more Annual Reports for the Company’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2016, on Form 10-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or such other form as any such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary or desirable, and any and all amendments thereto, each in such form as they or any one of them may approve, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done so that such Annual Report shall comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the applicable Rules and Regulations adopted or issued pursuant thereto, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their substitute or resubstitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney has been signed below as of the 27th day of January, 2017, by the following persons in the capacities indicated.
Signature
Title
/s/ Dinyar S. Devitre
 
Dinyar S. Devitre
Director
/s/ Ruann F. Ernst
 
Ruann F. Ernst
Director
/s/ William E. Ford
 
William E. Ford
Director
/s/ Balakrishnan S. Iyer
 
Balakrishnan S. Iyer
Director
/s/ Robert P. Kelly
 
Robert P. Kelly
Director
/s/ Deborah Doyle McWhinney
 
Deborah Doyle McWhinney
Director
/s/ Jean-Paul L. Montupet
 
Jean-Paul L. Montupet
Director
/s/ Richard W. Roedel
 
Richard W. Roedel
Director
/s/ James A Rosenthal
 
James A Rosenthal
Director
/s/ Lance Uggla
 
Lance Uggla
Director and President




Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a)
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED
I, Jerre L. Stead, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of IHS Markit Ltd.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: January 27, 2017
 
    /s/ Jerre L. Stead
 
Jerre L. Stead
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 





Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a)
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED
I, Todd S. Hyatt, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of IHS Markit Ltd.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: January 27, 2017
 
    /s/ Todd S. Hyatt
 
Todd S. Hyatt
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 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
Each of the undersigned hereby certifies, for the purposes of section 1350 of chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in his capacity as an officer of IHS Markit Ltd. (the “Company”), that, to his knowledge, the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the period ended November 30, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. This written statement is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to such report. A signed original of this statement 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.
Date: January 27, 2017
 

    /s/ Jerre L. Stead
 
Jerre L. Stead
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
    /s/ Todd S. Hyatt
 
Todd S. Hyatt
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer